As the Sultan of So’ James Brown once said, “I feel good. I knew that I would. So good. So good. I gaCHOO!” — GeSUNDheitt Master Brown!
Yesterday I vowed to spend an hour on feet in transit to compensate for the past few months spent in large part, in officechair. And I did. I grabbed my microcasette recorder and watch, and left my glasses on the dining room table. The tape recorder is to record mental notes in motion. I learned years ago can’t read my handwriting scrawled onto scratch paper when walking, but I can always understand mon voice. To show kindred outdoor folk I was of their ilk, I also donned some basketball shoes I used to shoot hoopes in when I was 30something. I don’t think I’ve worn them since 1985, but they fit just fine. Flabby feet are not an issue (GeSUNDheit!) for me. At 11:06, I stepped out to my new world. What follows next is a transcript of what I said into my tape recorder:
11:13 and three minutes into walking a few minutes ago, it was obvious there was some distress in my chest. It’s nothing more than I’ve felt before in recent years, so I’m not worried about it. If anyone should find this recorder after I’ve collapsed, on the asphalt or the grass, just be sure I’m not blocking a major throrofare and have a nice day. . . .
. . . . .as I approach Williams and am about to make a left turn onto Williams, they should know I know this is risky business, and if I (get hurt) doing this, that’s okay.
….I’m doing this to increasm my calorie burning. . . .just passed two pedetrians heading opposite
. . . . A few things tell others I’m not a threat. My shoes have obviously experienced some wear and tear, and I’m wearing plaid pants, which no one dangerous would dare wear, and my Springfield Business Journal shirt which should be a conversation starter if I get cose to anyone who wants to say more than “hi.”
. . . . . I left my glasses at home because I don’t wont to loose them, and I might.
. . . . Showing down here south of the carillion, past it, the flat part between Illini on my right and the lagoon on my left. I sense I’ve walked about half of it. Lots of birds around here
. . . . . It is 11:37, about half an hour since I started and I’m approaching the picnic area. I’m going to stop for a drink there, maybe sit five minutes and go on.. . . . .
. . . . .POST WALK NOTE I drank only three swallows of water after waiting 45 seconds (a small lifetime) for some kids who were in line before me. Many parents with kids in the upgraded play area. Must go back and really look at the place sometime. First time here was with the family in about 1950; most recently, about three years ago. Don’t think anything I knew as a child is still here. I just want to SEE the place next time I come here. I really like what they’ve done. No stopping to rest. Departed the area feeling better from the water and the shade, and the downhill to the asphault . . . .
. . . .back to the tape. . . .My left foot began to bother me only after I resumed my walk. I can tell there will be a blister, some wear and tear on the toes, but that’s okay. I’m going home . . .
, , , , wakjung downhill toward the band shell, what we used to call the Stompin’ House because of the acoustics. They’ve really taken good care of it.
. . . . An idyllic scene here. . . . a woman in a red blouse and white dress reading a book on a bench by the pond. This is classic.
. . . approaching MacArthur and the left foot pain is getting to be significant.
. . . . heading toward MacArthur, I encountered Sam Cahman jogging! I didn’t recognize him before he recognized me. “How many miles you jogging today” he said. “I haven’t the foggiest,” I replied. “From start to finish around the park it’s two and a half miles.” That’s nifty. So I will have walked a little more than 2.5 miles.
. . . . . .At MacArthur and Williams, it is exactky 11:55. I’ve decided, thanks to my foot, I”m not going to walk an hour regularly as I get into this. For one thing, I’m not going to walk hurt.. Half an hour every other day will work initially. Probably two or three laps around the gardens between Walnut and Mac. . . . . The name of today’s blog will be Once Around the Park. . . . . It is exacly noon at Walnut at Williams. I sure look forward to that shower.. . .
. . . . . as I turned onto Vine, I saw a fellow I thought I recognized carrying a white plastic garbage bag to his car — Pastor Hamilton of Laurel United Methodist? — and he recognized me. .”Hi Job.” he said. I didn’t want to say the wrong name, so I said “Hi, how’re you doing??” He said “Good” and I said “Good. You’re looking good.”
. . . . As I approach my house, it is exactly one hour since I departed. Is that in- freaking-credible or WHAT?
Live long . . . . and heart healthy.
