3.15.2010

Me and my shadow...

I was walking today...a route I found by accident a few months ago.  It's about 2.8 miles long, but is up and down big hills.
I wrote about it...I think I called it the accidental walk. 
In it I described seeing the two playgrounds I took my girls to....They were separated by about 600-700 feet..at the most a quarter mile.
I would take them to one, and then they would want to walk to the  other....and I would say...'we don't have time..." or just flat out "no'.
Because it was too far.
Because it hurt to walk.
Because I was too tired.
During that walk I was thinking how I was walking 12 times as far...

When I first did this walk.
It was so hard for me.
I remember walking to the top of the first big hill, looking back and thinking "Hey, I climbed that."
Today I didn't look back because it wasn't hard.
Today was my 'easy' workout.
My 'easy' walk.
I enjoyed the sunshine...I didn't even breath hard.
I did it as a commemoration.
This  is the last  time I will walk this particular route.
It isn't enough anymore.
I will still walk bits of it.
But I am adding a 2.8 mile stretch onto it.
For a 5.6 mile walk.
Today as the sun was setting, I watched my shadow stretch out beside me.
I used to avoid looking at my shadow.
It mirrored back to me my failures.
Today I looked,
as it stretched out in front of me...
Much thinner...
a reflection of my efforts.
It was thanking me.
For starting,
For continuing.
For winning.


signed,
A shadow of my former self,
chris 

24 comments:

266 said...

This totally brought tears to my eyes! Be proud, Chris! You have come so far!

266 said...

By the way, I LOVE the new look on your blog!

Alexia said...

You're wicked, Chris! Do you know that?! Lovely post & I'm so happy for you!

InWeighOverMyHead said...

good for you!

Rebecka said...

You're such an inspiration for me.
Thanks so much for writing of your struggles and accomplishments.

Kelli Campbell said...

wow what a nice post..you have come far and will go even father..you are doing this ..you are making it happen for you..i love walking but almost 6 miles is a bit much for me..maybe in another year..hehe..good job..kelli

Retta said...

Too easy!? Wow, that is wonderful that you have come so far, and now are looking for harder challenges. Amazing. I loved reading this. It made me want to be able to be writing something similar, someday. Someday...
Loretta
=^..^=

Anne H said...

Funny how these physical and mental courses become easier....
The "obstacle" course transforms into a "confidence" course... but it's not the course than changes....
It's us!
Gotta love it!

BEE said...

aww you just brought me to tears
great post
i remember all the things i couldnt do with my little one a year ago because it was just too hard to move and now i do them constantly czuse its fun
i love posts like this
we have all come a long way
congrats

Helen said...

You really are just a shadow of your former self Chris - be very proud!

Tony said...

Thanks for the kick in the butt reminder of why we work so hard to lose weight.

Tammy said...

You have such a gift with words...this brought tears to my eyes...so proud of you! :)

Robin said...

That was really lovely. When the next hard thing comes along you will know that it won't always be hard because you can look at this hard thing and say, "I did that. It's now easy. Someday this will be easy too." You have your inspiration for the next trial that comes your way. That is awesome!

Unknown said...

Awesome Chris. It is so inspiring to travel down paths that were so difficult before and are now easy. Gives you such a feeling of accomplishment.
You rock girl!

karen@fitnessjourney said...

Very nice. That must be a little bittersweet for you.

Patsy said...

I can identify with this post! The number of times I've got out of walking somewhere because it was more pain and effort than it was worth... Now I don't even think twice about walking any distance - and I'm only a part of my way along this journey!

Linda Pressman said...

It's incredible to see tangible proof of your accomplishments, I know. Two years ago, we began hiking in the mountain preserves around Phoenix and I was amazed I could do it because I've had two knee surgeries and refuse to have a third (I'll do it when I get a third knee, okay?).

Somehow we missed last year's hiking and you have to catch it quick in Arizona. But this past Sunday we went for our first time this spring and I was not only able to hike, my daughter and I were jogging on the trail! JOGGING on a Mountain with a ten-year-old!

bbubblyb said...

Great post Chris!!! Funny what use to seem so far is now so easy. I love reading about your shadow too!!!

266 said...

One more thing... I have something for you on my blog!

paulawannacracker said...

Chris, you amaze me. What a lovely post. I admire the way you push yourself. Don't look back. Just keep going.

Paula

Anonymous said...

You're a fabulous writer, Chris. Congrats on all your accomplishments!

M Pax said...

What a touching post. I could hear your triumph, which I could empathize with. I could feel my milestones again. Thanks. It feels great. :) You keep going. Keep feeling triumph and great.

outdoor.mom said...

wow! it reminds me of a lot of women i know. it also points out that being overweight affects everybody. Of course you love your children and you've done many things right. Thank goodness you can do fun things with your kids now that you couldn't before.

Kim said...

Awesome post. I avoid "short" walks...something I need to work on. It's on the list. I'm gonna love the day when short walks are nothing at all. Thanks for the motivation. Good job to you. :)