I started going for walks in the morning as part of working out. I lift weights, but I wanted something to do on my off days. I’m not feeling up for the running grind right now, and I kept ducking out of doing yoga. Walking seemed like a good solution.
It’s been wonderful. Walking requires very little mental momentum to go do, so it’s hard to psyche myself out and dither too long like I often would with running. It’s also an activity I’m willing to do somewhat independent of the weather, since I can layer up or down in a way I can’t do with running. Also in case of wet conditions losing my footing will probably just mean an embarrassing pratfall and not an injury.
The best time for me is going to walk in the mornings. Discovery park is pretty quiet then, except for the occasional morning jogger. It’s still cool. But most importantly, the smell in the air reminds me of my favorite times backpacking and hiking. Where we’d get going in the very early morning, and you could still smell the last of the night air and dew covers the grass. The birds are the only other thing awake besides you. The sun reaches out with rays through the branches (if it’s out at all), bathing everything in honeyed light.
It’s gorgeous, and one of the things I’ve missed most about getting out in nature. I’m excited that I can do it in my own backyard now, and go to my favorite time in my favorite kind of place.
The exercise? It’s a nice bonus, I guess. 🙂
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