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Dear NBC: Please don't make me look like a dork
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I did something radical yesterday.
I took a long walk.
Oh, I know it doesn’t sound like much. But I have become so completely mired in my day-at-the-desk routine that it felt like a Great Big Major Deal to dig out my good sneakers and some workout wear. But I was caught up on work and we had an unseasonable and gorgeous day yesterday—70 degrees! Balmy!—and so I got myself together and headed out the door.
In the middle of the day. Like I owned the place!
Oh, wait… I do own the place. I keep forgetting.
I listened to podcasts of Wait wait… don’t tell me! on my iPod and walked back into the windy little neighborhoods where the trees curve over the road so thick, in some places the sun can’t get through. My ankles creaked and my shins complained and I have never been so glad to be outside doing nothing but walking.
For about an hour, all was right in the world.
I had to come back and take a shower and get back to work eventually, of course. And when I did, I experienced the nagging doubt that maybe I should’ve spent that hour working instead of walking. And on the heels of that, another thought: I should actually be walking like that every damn day if I want to be a semi-healthy person and not someone who ends up dying with the pattern of her desk chair permanently etched on her butt.
Of course, today I’m busy, again, and it’s getting ready to storm outside; and tomorrow I’ll think about it at some point and end up getting a snack instead of getting up and out.
I hear there are people who get up early and go to the gym or run five miles on the treadmill. And that some people take their lunch hour to do cardio or pilates or whatever. And that they like it. I am not one of those people. I am a person who only runs when being chased. I am a person who wants to spend my time doing one of two things: 1) something I really enjoy or 2) something for which I’m being paid. Luckily, in my life those two states often intersect.
But exercise… well, it rarely meets either criterion. And when it does—like yesterday—it takes a big chunk of time which I rarely have to spend.
Sometimes I feel guilty about this state of affairs. Thankfully, I can usually staunch the guilt with cookies.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 at 7:50 am and is filed under Maybe I can pencil in a nap.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I’m thinking you were in my head when you wrote that last bit. Unfortunately, not the bit about walking for an hour… or the other bit about owning the place… or the OTHER bit about being caught up.
But the LAST bits, about needing to walk but only running if someone is chasing you?? Definitely in my head. *sigh*
March 4th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Last summer, some of my co-workers and I started walking everyday after lunch. They’d intended to keep this up year round. Then it got to be below freezing. And there was snow. But once it gets to be warm-ish we’ll probably start this up again. And I can’t wait. It’s nice to get out in the middle of the day and just walk.
March 4th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
hahahaha! that is so totally me. i am trying to start back to walking/running again - even bought new sneakers! and feel great AFTER i do it! it’s the starting that’s so darn painful… blah!
i also have a new rule at work - if i am wearing comfy shoes (you know, to be comfy) then i have to take the stairs! up in addition to down. unless i am with people that refuse and then i can take the elevator because i do cave to peer pressure. but hey, it’s a start!
gah! i am wearing comfy shoes! what was i thinking!
March 4th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
I love podcasts of “Wait wait…” too! Also, “This American Life” keeps me entertained. Sometimes having the right stuff on your iPod can make all the difference to get me out the door for a walk.
March 5th, 2008 at 9:34 am
I also detest exercise, except for walking. And it can’t be on the road, it has to be on paths in the woods. And it can’t be freakin’ wintertime. Or an excessively muggy summer day. Or, of course, raining. So it gets done about 3 times a year. At least I’ll do it for 4-5 hours all at once!
March 12th, 2008 at 10:20 am
The conflicting thoughts are so true. I should exercise more — no, I should spend more time working — no, I should…
No. “Should” is a bogus word.
I can’t wait for 70 degree temps. It’s 32 today and I’m fighting the killer icicles.