Back from England

Wow! What an amazing trip for me. I needed it and as much as I ate, I still walked ALOT. I think on Sunday, I did the most walking by taking a walking tour of city and then walking some more. I have no idea how much I clocked mile wise, but it was alot. Plus, I did a great deal with a pack on my backpack. I got to see the sights. So, it's great to have this great scenery, whilst walking.

I was also on the canals of the England shire. You can only imagine where J.R.R. Tolkien got his inspiration. And yes, I was on the lookout for hobbits. There, I had to use arm strength to put the boat towards the docks and use my legs and arms to do the locks on the canals.

All in all, exercise wise, I had a great trip for my body. I'm actually sore and I got back home on Monday. Now, I just have to start running again. I think I'm ready.

London Calling

I'm England Bound tomorrow for 2 weeks of craziness across the pond. I have been looking forward to this trip since I haphazardly planned it a couple of months ago. However, I have been planning a backpacking trip around Europe since I was in college and it didn't happen. So, I decided that since I can't do that anymore (being a working woman and all), I will take shorter trips and just explore one country.

I am not planning to run, but I will try. However, I will be walking EVERYWHERE and sometimes with a backpack. Yes, I know it will be rough since my back is not completely healed from the car accident. So, that's going to be lots of exercise for me. I'm bringing my new Northface walking tennis shoes (and I can run in them) that I bought in California. If I feel good, I will take a run or two or three.

What's great about London is there is a park every mile or so (that's what it seems like anyways). Main parks that I will hit will be Hyde Park, Jubilee Park (by my hostel), and the really BEAUTIFUL Regent Park. I remembered looking up this park and they have awesome run routes online. It will be sad if I can't, but I will be walking and that's something.

I'm not sure the other activities that I'm going to do there. One of the towns I'm stopping at has lots of activity like hiking, skydiving, kayaking, etc. Too bad, I am not bringing my skydiving gear or I would so go there.

Wish me luck and I will try to keep everyone posted as much as I can. CHEERS!

Walking to the Grocery Store

I haven't walked to a grocery store since I was kid when I biked and walked everywhere mainly because our grocery store was on the edge of our neighborhood. I haven't had that luxery for some time now and it's gotten even hotter during the summer. Last night, I didn't have an ingredient for my dinner and decided that I would go to the store. I almost picked up my keys and said, "No way. I think I'm going to walk." The Kroger's is probably a mile a way (roundtrip) and it wasn't too hot just yet. I also picked up a store bag that my sister-in-law gave me to put groceries in when shopping. So, not only did I get a mile walk of exercise, but I also was doing something for the environment. My legs were a little sore when I got back.

I only wish I could run again. I'm getting close though.

Walking the Dogs

Currently, the only real exercise that I'm doing involves my dogs. Now that I'm in a condo instead of my house (with huge backyard), I have to take my dogs out for walks and exercises. I don't take them far, because my back injury hasn't really allowed it. Although, today is going to change that fact. Mostly, I take them walking around the condo complex, which is an arm exercise for sure. My dogs are so new to this (especially Remington who has only lived in a house) and constantly here and there and everywhere. They move so much and I get an arm workout everytime. Also, I throw the ball for them once a day for about 15 minutes. Sometimes, it is more, sometimes, it is less. They aren't used to this much exercise and pooped by the time that 15 minutes is up. In fact, there have been times that I had to forceably get Remington to get up off the ground since he refuses to move. Today, I'm going to try to take the dogs to the dog park about a mile away. My back is slowly getting better and hopefully, strong enough to handle this walk. It will be a great leg and arm exercise. Go me!