The Morning Walk

I had this bright idea that I wanted to run in the Color Me Rad 5K run coming up next March. I could care less about the running part, it's the colored powder that I'm all about.

I've always wanted to go to a Holi Festival but felt it might be a little inappropriate since I'm not Hindu. Maybe they wouldn't mind since it's a festival and outsiders are usually welcome at those kinds of things....like inviting your Jewish friends to your Christmas party. Or you could just invite me and kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

But I just want to be in a large group of people who are covered in colored powder for no good reason. I have no idea why I want to do that. I just do.

I thought the local Color Me Rad run might quench that craving if I could manage to run 5K by then. I felt sure I could work up to that distance in 9 months so I downloaded one of those free "Couch to 5K" type apps that some of my friends are doing, or have successfully completed. It eases you into it and I'm all about ease, as well as colored powder.

I used to run a couple of miles several times a week in college. Then I met Jayson at the fitness club I went to so after that I had no reason to go back. Just being honest here. So I figured it wouldn't be too difficult to get back into the swing.

On my first run I was reminded of the real reason I quit running in the first place. The meniscus in my left knee started screaming, "HEY! YOU! Have you forgotten that I have a slight tear that is aggravated every time you do more than get up off the couch??!!" Oh yeah. That's why I quit running. My knees can't take it anymore.

I will have to find another occasion where masses of people cover themselves with colored powder since it doesn't look like I'll be running 5K or any Ks in the foreseeable future. However, I do feel the need to get some kind of exercise on a regular basis since my ample caboose is getting more ample with each passing year.

Walking doesn't cause too much strain on my knees so I decided to try that for a while. First thing in the morning, while I'm still groggy and don't realize what I'm doing, I head out for a 30-45 minute walk. Taylor goes with me which is nice although I'm afraid if it makes her lose any weight she will disappear.

The conversation during our walks varies but it's never dull. Here are a few of the things we talked about this morning:

ME: When we walk by people's trash cans do you look inside to see what's in there.
TAYLOR: Nooooo?
ME: Yeah, me either.

TAYLOR: Do you know what the most difficult thing in life is?
ME: I know a lot of difficult things but I'm dying to hear what your version is (since you're a 21 year old college student who lives at home and whose parents pay all your expenses...but I didn't say that out loud).
TAYLOR: The hardest thing in the world to do is find the name of a song that doesn't have any lyrics.
ME: Oh. Ya know, that actually is kind of hard. Have you ever tried singing into Shazam?
TAYLOR: No, does that work?
ME: No, don't bother.

After walking by a couple of guys about Taylor's age who were working under the hood of a sports car in their driveway:

TAYLOR: They didn't look like they knew what they were doing.
ME: What they were doing was checking you out.
TAYLOR: They were not! I'm not even wearing any makeup.
ME: They weren't looking at your face.
TAYLOR: Mom! Why would you say such a thing to your daughter?!
ME: Because it's true and you should know how these things work.

TAYLOR: Are they still looking?
ME: I hope not. I have a wedgie.

I hope my knees continue to cooperate so I can cherish these moments with my daughter before she moves on and starts her own life. I enjoy her company and like hanging out with her so I'm hoping she won't move too far. But at the same time...I already have plans for her room.