Overdoing It

I’ve been making an effort to walk. Basically, I’m trying to work up to 10K steps on my fitbit. I realize the number is fairly arbitrary, but given that I’m out of shape and given that I have a sedentary job, it’s a goal. On top of that, I want to get in enough shape to be able to go hiking more. I’m also dragging the kids out on the walks, too, as much as I can. The dogs usually want to quit before I do.

So anyhow, my son has been going to a summer “camp” this week–it does not involve anything resembling camping–doing underwater robotics. We have to drive about 45 minutes away, so while he’s in camp, I have been walking for awhile, and then going to Starbucks for some reading, then running a few errands, and reading some more. I’ve been walking on the OSU campus and it’s quite lovely. Lots and lots of trees, with amazing brick and stone buildings. The weather has been lovely, as well.

So far this week, I’ve hit my 10K three days in a row. Only today, I know I was stupid to do it. I have slight shin splints, and my feet hurt–my muscles need a rest. And yet . . . I don’t want to stop walking. Today I *meant* to go about 4K steps on the walk. I ended up going about 7K and then another 1K before I picked up the boy.

Tomorrow I know I shouldn’t walk much at all. Yet I don’t want to stop. I’m in the zone where I have to make myself get out and do it, and so the more days I hook together where I actually move, the more I develop the habit. So I have to convince myself to do only about 4K tomorrow. Or at least stop and sit for a bit every so often. This I also don’t want to do. I suppose it’s the better of the two choices, giving my fit and legs a chance to relax and to get some stretching in.

I’ve never been very much into exercise, except when I’m having fun. Hiking in the woods is fun. But I need to build some stamina and leg muscles to get there. I’ve begun to do so, and I don’t want to give up the ground I’ve gained.

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