Coach To Lose

Today my legs where killing me from the workout I gave them 2 days ago.  The workout is designed to take the muscle to near failure and was one of the toughest leg workouts I have done in a long while.  So I have a lot of lactic acid burning up my muscle.  I thought a slow walk was a good idea.

Now normally I would have my Nike+ shoes and my Ipod Nano to record my mileage.  Gotta get those miles logged so people can see I live what I preach.  I am kidding, well kinda, I have to admit I like seeing the miles add up.  But, when you really take a look at it, it really only matters that I am working on my health to continue the journey I started.  So off I went for a slow, maybe painful walk to get some circulation going in my legs.  No music.  No measurement of time (how fast or slow I was going).  Just a walk to feel better was all I was after.

It is a sunny day in Boise today.  My walk during the day is almost always on the greenbelt and today was no exception.  It was a sunny 88 degrees and humid.  Little did I know that more than my legs were about to get restored.

I looked around, there where all kinds of things to see and hear.  First was the kayaker floating and bobbing along down the river.  A reminder of things still on my “bucket list”, one day to take either a white water rafting trip or lean to kayak and venture the wild waters in Idaho.  Then there was the man and his dog walking along the banks.  This one took me back to the recent lost of my dear pet and friend that recently passed away after being with us for 20+ years.

I walked on as my legs started to free up a bit and each step seemed a bit lighter.  I started thinking about some of the recent events in my life that needed quiet contemplation to come to some sort of decision.  No music, no concern about a pace, just walking along the river on a hot summer day.  As I searched my soul, that still quiet voice (note to self, you still have to get quiet to hear it) led me into the next steps and an inner knowing what to do next.

Getting ready to go around the bend I noticed the bike rider coming around the turn and waited in case he would go left instead of right.  He actually stopped for me to cross and we exchanged smiles that acknowledged we where both courteous to each other’s journey.  On across the old steel bridge, the boards creaked and bounced as I looked up and down the river noticing for the first time all week that the water level had changed and enjoy the flying cottonwoods as they floated through the air like angels guarding us along the way.

Image via Wikipedia

On to the home stretch, sun beating down and body getting warmer now as the sweat started to form on my brow.  Half way and my walk would be done.  I was almost sad for it to be over till I hear all the birds signing and I became lost in the harmony of their song.  Be still they sang and enjoy the day.  Each step, took me closer to my destination.

Last bridge and only a few yard to the door.  As the real world approached I realized that the walk had done more for my health than getting the blood moving in my aching legs.  It had renewed my spirit.  It had reminded me of the sights and sounds of life being enjoyed around me.  As the sweat poured down my brow it also reminded me of the days when I would have never thought of walking off those aches and pains of life that I had just been released from.  And often never took the time to enjoy the sweet moments being active has to offer.

I hope in some small way this reaches one person and makes a difference in their life.  It reminds them to take a moment and enjoy their walk.  It doesn’t have to be for exercise.  It doesn’t have to be around a park.  It can be just for a brief moment when you hear the birds sing out to you or smell the fresh scent of the lilac trees as they send their scent through the air.  Oh and that still small voice, it is always in waiting for when you take the time to listen.  Be blessed and enjoy the journey!