I've been sick for two weeks to the day, so no exercise during that time. It had more of an effect on my mood than on my body. We forget how much exercise is a natural way to relax and feel good. Or at least I do.
Therefore today's exercise felt glorious. I felt so grateful that my body was working so well. I'm someone who when I get a cold it usually turns into some awful combination of a sinus infection, bronchitis, and asthma. I go from being full of energy to nothing. Since I'm someone who does not use caffeine at all, it's hard to get through a work day without the boost of regular exercise.
Today I went for a three hour walk in Riverside Park. It was a cool, humid day (if there is such a thing), and it felt like a comfortable jungle. I just could not have enjoyed myself more. Here is some of what I saw:
(1) a gathering of pigeons and crows, a cacophony of chirping.
(2) the kung fu group I always see. I notice that all of them have black hair. they were doing kung fu for the full three hours that I was walking because I passed them multiple times. they don't mess around.
(3) a big group of conservative or modern orthodox Jews, with the adults sitting on benches and talking, and the kids playing. no electricity on the Sabbath so a great day to go to the park.
(4) a man and woman boxing each other while wearing boxing gloves (of course). next to them were two little boys playing baseball and the boy pitching kept turning his head to longingly watch the boxing couple. they really knew what they were doing.
(5) a man sitting high up on a big rock reading a book
(6) a couple playing Frisbee
(7) a lone woman in all black with a fanny pack walking up and down the St. Clair Stairs*
*that was me
I started out my walk by doing the slow text-walk, which I use as a term to refer to either reading or texting on my i-phone while walking. It's a good way to ease into a walk if you don't hit a tree. I caught up in reading the "Good/Bad/U-G-L-Y" thread or whatever it's called, a juicy way to start the stroll.
I did a torturous thing on my walk which was to make a series of calls to every family at my school to tell them about an upcoming event. Talk about a challenge! That was grueling. "Hi, this is little Timmy's school social worker, Jennifer. Would you and your family like to join us for a traditional baked beans breakfast on Sunday at 6am?" - said with renewed enthusiasm each time. That was not the event btw but it gives you the gist of having to repeat some random invitation over and over again. It starts to feel silly.
During my walk I also listened to a TED talk that BB sent me on vulnerability that was thought provoking in parts:
The Power of Vulnerability (20 minutes)
http://youtu.be/iCvmsMzlF7o
Fall is my favorite season and the scent of the leaves was intoxicating.
Glad to be back here!