So the whole "go for a walk for some exercise" thing has been going pretty well. I've managed to get up early and get out every day since I said I was going to, which bodes well. I am, however, probably going to take the weekend off so I can enjoy a lie in.
I've been walking for at least an hour each day, usually covering a distance of just under 4 miles or so. I usually follow pretty much the same route — up the road to the Common, wiggle around a bit in this side of the Common, cut across, walk down the road into town, walk through the vaguely attractive parks on the edge of the city centre, walk past the station and back up the other end of my road to finish where I started. It's a big loop, and there's a mix of flat, uphill and downhill walking all the way, so there's a bit of variety and challenge in places. It's still relatively "leisurely" compared to gasping and wheezing my way through a run, though, which makes it infinitely more appealing for the moment even if it isn't quite as good for me.
One of the helpful inspiring factors while I've been walking has been the use of audiobooks. I don't normally listen to a lot of audiobooks or podcasts any more, because I don't really have a suitable situation in which to listen to them. I can't listen to them while I work, because I have proven to myself on numerous occasions that I absolutely, positively 100% cannot write anything more than notes while someone else is talking in the same room, whether they're a real person or a recording. However, when all you're doing is walking aimlessly for the purposes of exercise, an audiobook or podcast is ideal listening. You're not running, so there's no real need for some music with a sense of "pace" to it; you can take your time and take in the words of whatever it is you're listening to.
The accompaniment to my walks this week has been the audiobook of a Dean Koontz novel. I had a couple of Koontz works recommended to me a while back and enjoyed them — I read those, rather than listened to them — so I decided to take a chance on another one. It's a bit bigger of a "risk" to try out an audiobook, since they're significantly more expensive than eBooks or even just, you know, books. Still, I haven't been disappointed so far; the story is interesting and the narrator appears to be pretty good, too, which is nice. (The novel is "Lightning," if you were wondering. I have no idea if this is considered "good" or not by Koontz fans, but I'm enjoying it.)
The other nice thing about audiobooks is the fact that it allows me to enjoy books without having to actually read them. I have nothing against reading and actually enjoy it rather a lot, but it's quite hard to make time for it when I have lots of other things I want to do as well. Reading is something I like to do when it's quiet — much like writing — so I can't really do it in front of the TV, and I certainly can't do it while I'm doing something else. Audiobooks allow me to enjoy a book while I'm doing something else, which is ideal.
So that's that. I'll be taking it easy for the weekend, then continuing this new regime next week. Let's see if it helps at all.
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Walking is much better for you than running because it is low impact and so doesn't damage joints and your back. Also the distance you are walking is admirable and will take off the weight and increase the fitness slowly and gradually – but it WILL do so though you may not notice it at first. Be patient, keep walking, get out and 'blow the cobwebs out' – it's amazing how much more you can achieve upon your return (unless you are staggering around in a gale/sleet/hale in which case you won't feel anything but knackered when you get home 😀 ). That's what I love about being by the ocean – the 'sea air' clears the asthmatic fug away!
Another neat thing about walking is that it gives you time to notice odd quirky things, people, and places – all grist to the writing mill. So while the audio book is a great idea, don't get too engrossed that you miss what's happening around you. And of course 'Look both ways before you cross the road' – it won't do you any good at all if you step in front of a bus! 😀 You can say "Yes Mum" now. lol