Saturday, September 6, 2014

Clouds, where are you?

We get some pretty ones around here
I took this picture early in the morning one day last week, before it started to get really sunny again. I find it amusing that we here in the Pacific Northwest are currently warmer than most places in the country. This morning I went out walking with the Fairhaven walkers on a crisp, clear day and walked more than 7 miles. Since Cindy had warned us about the length (longer than our usual walks), only nine of us showed up. That's the smallest group I remember in the years I've walked with them. Several of the ladies are preparing for a marathon in Vancouver, BC, in a month or so, and they have been walking longer distances. Next week is a 15K (9.3 miles) here in Bellingham sponsored by Fairhaven Runners and Walkers. Many of my friends will be running or walking it.

Not me, though. My knees won't take it, and I'm gingerly walking longer distances without using the brace, since I'm not in any pain. I carry it with me, however, and slap it on at the first sign of any discomfort. I was able to get in more than two hours of fast walking today and it feels fine. But I'm still not going to train for a marathon and will take care of myself with shorter pursuits.

It reminds me that once, long ago, I decided to run a marathon and began training for it. Every time I would get above 30 miles in a week, I'd get injured. And now several decades have gone by to remind me that I no longer have to even try. Tomorrow, however, I'm going out with some friends to experience a new hike and enjoy these waning summer days.

The clouds will return, and I'll be happy to see them, too. But for now, sunscreen and my wide-brimmed hat will join me. My raincoat hangs dejectedly in the closet, but I've assured it that it won't be long now.
:-)

18 comments:

  1. I trained for the Honolulu Marathon in 1982, but my internist told me jogging was too stressful for me after I complained about severe chest pain. He advised me to walk or swim instead. Well, swimming laps caused chest pain, too, so I only walk now. I also snorkel when I can.

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  2. we were supposed to have a 40% chance of rain, today. obviously run*a*round is in the 60% portion that's not getting anything. :(

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  3. Have a lovely time on your hike. Hope it stays dry long enough. I can't even imagine a marathon, but my daughter has run in one.

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  4. good on you for knowing your limits...was scorching hot here today...took my son to a college football game for his bday...and it was 101...and humid...oy...we kept wetting hand towels to put on our heads...

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  5. I always thought that the west coast would enjoy a period of clear and dry days.

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  6. Running? I don't think I have ever seen a runner who looks as if they are enjoying themselves - or not until they stop anyway.
    I do admire your persistence - and your self care.

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  7. Yeah, me too, knees is the only reason I don't run marathons. Well, that and ... I'm lazy.

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  8. It's good to know our limits and to be content within them.
    I've been doing 3.5 miles a day, most days, but my legs hurt, so that's pretty much my limit at one time.

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  9. The Clouds are most pretty and we are fortunate to have some of the same skies. Some nights we sit on the back deck and marvel at the sky. The geese are passing over more frequently as they prepare for their long journeys. DJan, you are worthy marathon material just from the life you live everyday and I mean every bit of that compliment. YOu might not run the big miles but you impress us with your hikes into the mountains and jumping outta planes every week, digging in your garden, walking with your Fairhaven Group, the GYM, etc. We had a heck of a thunder storm here last nite and a few nites ago as well with powerful winds and torrential downpours. never saw it rain that hard in all my life. A few passerby's took shelter under the front porch and we invited them in, as it was blowing all around them. We all watched the storm through the windows and saw my neighbour's gazebo curtains blown to smithereens - weather patterns changing for sure. I saw the storm coming and did "batten down the hatches" as we say here - it was wicked n wild for a bit. Have a wonderful day.

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  10. Lovely weather for walking or whatever else you want to do, good. We saw the sun this morning too and it being my favourite week of the year, we enjoyed it outside. The clouds will return soon enough.

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  11. It is interesting to me as well that over your way it is hot and over here in the midwest it feels like fall already. I have socks on and long pants these days. Gads.

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  12. The walking and hiking you do is surely great exercise as well as fun with your friends. I ran for an hour this morning and it made my heart happy. I love to run and get to do it by the sea on this lovely sunny day. Have a good week, DJan.

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  13. Good for you for keeping ontop of your aches and pains and thwarting any chance of them getting worse. I'd far rather the sunscreen than the raincoat. Enjoy the weather.. and tomorrow's adventure.

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  14. Boy the weather systems have been on their ear this year. No one is normal.
    I am glad you take the brace and even happier that you didn't need it.

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  15. Glad to know that you are out and abut, walking. Not so thrilled to hear about the brace. Up her we're bracing for cooler weather — like even frost.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  16. It's still way too hot in Florida for prolonged outdoors stuff. I stick to the gym or the pool. Great pics.

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  17. Dear DJan, I go to a dermatologist for a rare kind of skin cancer and she warned me that I needed to put on sunscreen/block even when the sky is overcast because the rays are still hitting the skin. Peace.

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  18. Oh my gosh! You do all those difficult hikes with a sore knee. Wow! You have incredible stamina.

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