IT RAINED TODAY AND I WENT WALKING

It rained today and I went walking. This comes as a surprise to me when I think that less than a year ago I would use any excuse to avoid exercising. I don’t have time. There are other things that are more important. What if I trip and fall (a legitimate concern of one who was known to trip often in high school – although that was a long time ago)? I don’t have the right clothes. What if I encounter a predator? It’s too cold. What if I got lost (a concern again that had some merit)? There were plenty of excuses. But that’s what they were – just excuses.

I knew exercising would be good for me but it wasn’t part of my routine, my life style. But I decided to make a stab at it. I decided that maybe I could squeeze in one or two walks per week, but just for a half hour each time, because I was a busy person. After dropping my kids off at school, I dutifully parked my car near the entrance of Henry Cowell State Park. I would walk 15 minutes into the state park and walk 15 minutes out. I was armed with my cell phone – just in case I tripped, got lost, or encountered the feared predator. I didn’t have any special walking clothes or shoes, like I was sure everyone else would have, but it was early, maybe no one would see me. Hopefully, no one would see me.

It’s not that I don’t enjoy a good hike. In fact, it is one of my favorite things to do with my husband, our family or some friends. But that was different – that’s an outing. This was exercise. This was by my self.

But I did it – sometimes once a week, sometimes twice. I stuck to the main road – straight in, straight out. No chance of getting lost. I did encounter others – runners with a great variety in their clothing style, other walkers with no particular set style – some alone, some with friends, some pushing strollers – all with a smile and many with a friendly greeting. This wasn’t so bad, I guess.

After several weeks I noticed that my 15 minutes in and 15 minutes out was taking me farther. I had to explore new paths, try new ways. I ventured on to the trails.

I then took the challenge of walking for a fund raiser. I had a couple of months to prepare for the 6k Wharf to Wharf. I added an extra day to my walking routine and occasionally went on longer walks with my husband. With his encouragement I bought better walking shoes.

By the time July rolled around I felt ready for the 6k walk. To my surprise I found that I really enjoyed the event but even more, I found I really enjoyed the walk.

This fall I’ve been walking four to five days a week, often putting 10 miles per week on my tennis shoes. I’ve gone farther, taken new trails, enjoyed new sights and have even jogged once or twice when I was sure no one would see me.

I’ve been dreading the rain because I thought it would put an end to the activity that I now enjoy so much. But today it rained and I went walking. I wore a hat to keep the rain off my glasses. As I gingerly tiptoed around puddles on the path I felt water oozing into my tennis shoes, I realized that it may be time to consider some hiking boots.

This journey of discovery caused me to think about people who know that reading the Bible or going to church would be “good for them” but it’s not in their routine, it’s not their lifestyle. There are fears – fears of not having the right clothes, of not doing things the right way, that someone may see them, that there may be predators – some legitimate fears, some just excuses.

But just like in my walking, the more you do it the easier it becomes. You start out easy and build up and soon it becomes part of your routine. You find you can go a little farther, a little deeper. You find you are among others that aren’t so very unlike you, and surprisingly, they even like you and welcome you to their path. There are events that can challenge you and stretch you. Sometimes things get messy or difficult but then there are people and tools to get you through. Just as a hat and boots may be needed for the rainy days, a concordance or commentary may be needed for a period of time.

Then there comes that day when you realize that this is no longer a dreaded exercise but a new life, a new life style, one that you wouldn’t give up – even if it rained.