So - I have not been on either bike in a few days ... going through a bit of withdrawal ... but I have been walking and walking and walking..... to the gym, the grocery store .... and to a meeting last night downtown St.Paul. I decided to walk last night to the meeting namely because it was raining and I thought I would stay a bit more dry. I did, underneath a great umbrella (thanks, mom!!!), stay relatively dry. The only two issues I had was (1) I don't know how to walk in flip flops without spraying myself up the back of my calves; and (2) the humidity in the air makes my hair a bit crazy!!! .... Think (and I am going to date myself a bit) of Monica from Friends in the episode where her hair got just "bit" frizzy ..... not quite that bad, but almost!!! ;) If anyone has any suggestions about the art of walking in flip flops or great hair products - let me know.
I do like walking - as it does give me a bit more time to think. It is more like a walking meditation. I do have to admit that I was offered a ride --- but (1) my 20-year HS reunion is this summer and any extra exercise I can do is important!;) and (2) it really is nice to be a bigger part of the community where I live. Had I been on my bike (or in my car) I would not have had the opportunity to tell the new HS grads I saw downtown, "Congratulations!!" Or - smile at the family enjoying Rice Park (it was sunny on my walk home.). And, even in the rain - with crazy hair -- I was still thrilled not to be sitting in my car in traffic!!!:)
On another note --- I was interviewed by MPR on Monday about going car free as part of Bike Walk Week. Here is a link to the interview. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/06/09/biking-to-work/. Where are you going to walk or bike this week?
Showing posts with label walking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label walking. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Choices
We all make choices about how we are going to get from point A to point B. For most of my adult life it hasn't been a conscious choice about how I would get to work. Hopping in the car was not just the obvious choice -- it seemed like the only choice. (Except for the time living in San Francisco --- when I began to understand the beauty of public transportation.) But - for my life here in MN grabbing my car keys while running out the door seemed like a no-brainer.
Well .... this morning I had a choice to make ... and just so you know, I did not make the right one. I had to be downtown St. Paul at 7:30am this morning and last night figured that I would get up in enough time to walk. This morning a few more minutes of sleep seemed much more important .... and I rationalized that I might as well get as much use out of my car as I long as I still own it. (Writing that down now doesn't seem rational at all ..... but it seemed to make sense curled up in my bed with my cats!!) So - getting down there and parked was fine - and about 10 minutes faster. I was a bit jealous of those people I did see walking .... but I was still glad at that moment for the 10 extra minutes of sleep!!
HOWEVER - getting home was a totally different story!!!! I sat in my car (along with all of the other people sitting in their cars, alone) for 45 minutes. Yes - I said 45 minutes. I was literally trapped in the parking garage ..... and I could almost feel the concrete squeezing in on me. And then I almost started laughing .... I was actually PAYING for this experience. How silly is that? I was paying to sit in a dark parking garage by myself for 45 minutes?!!? I could have been outside, enjoying the fresh air, getting some exercise for FREE!!!!! :)
So - lesson learned .... I do have choices - but if I had the choice again, I wouldn't be sitting in my car in a concrete parking garage!!
The other piece of this puzzle is why my bike wasn't even an option. I am trying to work through why I have apprehension about taking my bike. Maybe I am still nevous about how to arrive somewhere looking fresh after biking. Or perhaps it is where will I put my bike - and how will I lock it up in an unfamiliar location. Two things that I still need to work through ....
Well .... this morning I had a choice to make ... and just so you know, I did not make the right one. I had to be downtown St. Paul at 7:30am this morning and last night figured that I would get up in enough time to walk. This morning a few more minutes of sleep seemed much more important .... and I rationalized that I might as well get as much use out of my car as I long as I still own it. (Writing that down now doesn't seem rational at all ..... but it seemed to make sense curled up in my bed with my cats!!) So - getting down there and parked was fine - and about 10 minutes faster. I was a bit jealous of those people I did see walking .... but I was still glad at that moment for the 10 extra minutes of sleep!!
HOWEVER - getting home was a totally different story!!!! I sat in my car (along with all of the other people sitting in their cars, alone) for 45 minutes. Yes - I said 45 minutes. I was literally trapped in the parking garage ..... and I could almost feel the concrete squeezing in on me. And then I almost started laughing .... I was actually PAYING for this experience. How silly is that? I was paying to sit in a dark parking garage by myself for 45 minutes?!!? I could have been outside, enjoying the fresh air, getting some exercise for FREE!!!!! :)
So - lesson learned .... I do have choices - but if I had the choice again, I wouldn't be sitting in my car in a concrete parking garage!!
The other piece of this puzzle is why my bike wasn't even an option. I am trying to work through why I have apprehension about taking my bike. Maybe I am still nevous about how to arrive somewhere looking fresh after biking. Or perhaps it is where will I put my bike - and how will I lock it up in an unfamiliar location. Two things that I still need to work through ....
Monday, May 3, 2010
The Journey Continues
Well .... the past week or so has provided many lessons, a few gifts and still a few more questions. What to start with first ...
One thing that I learned is that my car-ed (my new word for friends with cars ... and funny that it actually spells cared!!!) friends and family really don't mind giving me a ride home - or picking me up. I am struggling with the balance of accepting their offers - and not relying on them. I need to make sure that I not relying on the offers, but also accepting the gifts when offered. I am thinking that will be a work in progress for awhile.
I also learned that walking places puts me in touch with my environment and other people in new and unique ways. I have talked to people on my walks that I would never have had the opportunity to if I were in a car. This is sometimes extremely interesting - and sometimes a bit, um, weird! And, walking has also given me the time to meditate. Again, weird, since I thought meditating meant sitting in a dark room (maybe with candles) waiting for the buzzer to go off!!! ;)
I have received many gifts in the past week - the best was meeting with a college classmate who has NEVER owned a car. She gave me so many great tips - and connected me with some great resources and websites (which I will post on my blog soon). It was so reassuring meeting with her - and I continue to be inspired by her!!!
I still have so many questions .... like, how do I keep my mascara from running down my face when sweating, or riding the rain? How will I go to dinner parties in the suburbs? Can I really wear a pair of platform sandles on my bike?
The biggest one right now - is what I kind of bike do I need? I have my road/tri bike, Lucy, who I LOVE!!!! But what kind of bike do I want for commuting? One where I am sitting upright with a cute basket up front? A speedy road bike? Or something in between? That is the question of the week -- and I plan to spend the week at bike shops researching.
More later ..... but perhaps if I post more often they won't be SO long!!!
One thing that I learned is that my car-ed (my new word for friends with cars ... and funny that it actually spells cared!!!) friends and family really don't mind giving me a ride home - or picking me up. I am struggling with the balance of accepting their offers - and not relying on them. I need to make sure that I not relying on the offers, but also accepting the gifts when offered. I am thinking that will be a work in progress for awhile.
I also learned that walking places puts me in touch with my environment and other people in new and unique ways. I have talked to people on my walks that I would never have had the opportunity to if I were in a car. This is sometimes extremely interesting - and sometimes a bit, um, weird! And, walking has also given me the time to meditate. Again, weird, since I thought meditating meant sitting in a dark room (maybe with candles) waiting for the buzzer to go off!!! ;)
I have received many gifts in the past week - the best was meeting with a college classmate who has NEVER owned a car. She gave me so many great tips - and connected me with some great resources and websites (which I will post on my blog soon). It was so reassuring meeting with her - and I continue to be inspired by her!!!
I still have so many questions .... like, how do I keep my mascara from running down my face when sweating, or riding the rain? How will I go to dinner parties in the suburbs? Can I really wear a pair of platform sandles on my bike?
The biggest one right now - is what I kind of bike do I need? I have my road/tri bike, Lucy, who I LOVE!!!! But what kind of bike do I want for commuting? One where I am sitting upright with a cute basket up front? A speedy road bike? Or something in between? That is the question of the week -- and I plan to spend the week at bike shops researching.
More later ..... but perhaps if I post more often they won't be SO long!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
