Don’t worry if this is the first you’ve heard of the Worldwide WordPress 5k (#WWWP5k) – I just heard about it yesterday! You can still join in the fun until Sunday, September 25, because unless you’re an Automattic employee, there’s no organized event and you still have over 24 hours!
I’ve been working to increase my overall fitness – mainly to lose weight and gain strength and endurance – for a few months now. Since realizing that walking 43 miles in a week wouldn’t kill me, during our trip to Paris and Barcelona, I’ve been trying to walk more. It’s appalling how sedentary my job – my life – has become. It shouldn’t take vacation to get me up and off the couch!
When I realized that 5k was only about 3.1 miles, it seemed silly not to do a 5k daily. In fact, that’s my Fitbit step goal, but it hardly feels like it counts unless I do it the whole thing at once, at a nice, brisk pace. It still takes me about an hour; I want to die with my own feet, knees, and hips so I don’t run unless I’m being chased by the abominable snowman. I’m hoping to work up to 4mph soon, but power-walking – not running!
For today’s walk, I chose Matzke Park, a little municipal park near the elementary school my kids attended, many years ago. When we moved to this side of town, there was an empty field and a big billboard saying it was the future site of Matzke Park.
When the owner of the property, the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District (CFISD), put it up for sale in 1994, area residents joined together to establish the Association for Better Community Schools (ABCS), a nonprofit organization devoted to saving the land as a community park. ABCS’s first action was to contact the area’s Harris County commissioner, Jerry Eversole, who worked diligently with ABCS to secure a plan that would keep the property as a recreational space. Commissioner Eversole committed $2 million to purchase the land from CFISD in 1999 and $200,000 in matching funds to assist ABCS with the development costs. A $100,000 donation to ABCS from Compaq Computer in 1997 helped the organization raise more than $300,000 toward the park’s development, which includes the Butterfly Garden and the Be An Angel barrier-free playground.
In 2007, Norchester Garden Club (NGC) members developed, and still maintain, the Butterfly Garden.
The Triggers Colts Cricket League plays at Matzke Park. I stopped to take a few photos and ask about the league. I wondered why there were no girls – I was told they were welcome, but there hadn’t been that much interest. I think they ought to reach out to Matzke and Bleyl, because I’m betting more than a few girls might be interested in learning a sport that’s not as ordinary as volleyball or soccer. There are women’s leagues in most of the countries where cricket is popular, so why not at least a co-ed youth league here?
Walking sounds great – wish I could come down and join you. I’m working up to it.
I can stand for a short bit without too much pain – an improvement.
At the end of your walk, do 10 more steps for me. In a year, that will be 36500 steps – and you can then have an ice cream sundae.
Interesting – I replied to this, last night, using the mobile app, but my comment appears to have been EATEN by WordPress.
My bad for mentioning Halo Top ice cream – have you tried that? We could enjoy that ice cream sundae now, without having to do too much penance!
It’s a deal, though – I’m happy to do an extra 10 steps a day for you, if you’ll promise to keep trying to work up to it!
You have a deal. Just realize your part is the easy part.
I’ve worked my spine almost back to the proper position, and I’m working on the feet!
Seeing a gait specialist on Tuesday. She’s a physiatrist recommended by the podiatrist. Maybe. I’ve been through so many.
They don’t understand: surgery isn’t happening. And I have very little energy.
But the physical energy still goes into strenghtening the lower back and leg and feet muscles – we are doing this. Next step, get rid of the leg braces, and be able to lift/carry a few pounds.
And it would be nice not having to crawl up the steps any more until I’m thirty years older. It’s not very dignified.
I’m stubborn. I’ve figured out most of it myself. Apparently, most people my age are content to lean over a walker, then sit in a wheelchair.
I think it’s lack of instruction, the arrogance of surgeons, and hardening of the attitudes.
Oddly enough, I can still ride a bike – did that for 15 min. the other day – and put my big toes up to my nose.
But can’t walk much. Very irritatin’.
Well, if you COULD walk more, your toes would stink – then putting them up to your nose would be a Pyrrhic victory, don’t you think?
I’m sure my part’s the easy part, but it’s all I can do – you’ll just have to do the hard part. Good thing you’re stubborn!