Adventures in Walking From the Couch to 5K - Chapter 11

The training program is at the halfway point as they head into week 5. AJ is sitting in the living room looking at her schedule to see that they have a 30-minute walk this evening. The boys are sitting on the floor watching their favorite tv show, Scooby Doo. She looks down at her fitness watch, sees that it’s time to go and says to the boys, “time to go to your dad’s, go get your shoes on.”

Cooper says, “I want to go walk with you mom.”

AJ says, “Sorry Cooper, but you can’t go with me tonight. We’ll go for a walk tomorrow. Go get your shoes on.”

“Ok,” he replies.

They all get in her truck and head over to Michael’s. Carson points out the window, “look at the ducks!” as they drive by the pond with the ducks.

AJ pulls up in Michael’s driveway, and he is sitting out on his front porch. Cooper and Carson get out of the truck and go up on the front porch. AJ gets out of the truck, gives the boys each a hug and kiss, then gets back into her truck and drives to the library to meet her walking group.

Upon arrival AJ sees Angela’s car and pulls into the parking spot next to her. Vicki is also there. AJ, Angela and Vicki hang out by Angela’s car.

“Hi!” Angela says as AJ walks up.

“Hi!”

“Hello!” replies Vicki.

“How’s the walking going?” Angela asks.

“I am enjoying it. I have taken the boys with me. They have been on their bikes. In fact, they are enjoying it as well.”

The rest of the group joins them in a few minutes.

Angela informs her group of ladies, “We are going to go out and go to the right. We will go on the trail behind the library and follow it along to tie into the Clinton River trail. Then we will turn around and head back here to have treats that Karin brought. Ready?”

“Ready!” replies everyone.

“Arms up and let’s go!” Angela yells.

They start off walking on the trail that goes along the creek behind the library. They stay single file as the trail is busy with a lot of people out for a walk, run or bike ride. AJ is at the front of the group, and they come to their first road crossing. This one is very well-marked and even has a sign that says that pedestrians have the right of way. The road is a small two lane road and this crossing is at the bottom of a small curvy hill. It is not a super busy road, as it is off the main road by a block or so. The ladies are able to cross the road with no traffic.

The trail goes between an independent living community and the creek. The maple trees are overhanging the trail as they walk by the creek where you can hear the water running through the rocks. They get to a bridge and cross over the creek. The trail continues alongside the creek and comes out at a road where the ladies have to stop and wait for the traffic to stop.

Once they cross the small busy road they are now on a sidewalk across from some businesses. They pick up the Clinton River Trail at the end of the sidewalk. Angela tells the group, “We are going to the right and we’ll turn around when we get to the large Main Street bridge that will be overhead. How is everyone doing?”

“Great,” they all reply.

“We are going to follow the trail to the left and go along by the river,” Angela tells her group.

“This is a fairly new section of the trail, previously it went straight.” Even though they are in the busy downtown area they can hear the river flowing over the rocks and the ducks quacking.

During their walk the ladies are talking the whole way amongst themselves. They are getting to know each other on a personal level.

“I have 2 boys, Carson and Cooper that are 5-year-old twins. Carson likes to ride his BMX bike and Cooper likes to play basketball. What about you?” AJ asks Karin.

Karin replies, “My kids are grown. I have a boy and a girl and 7 grandkids. My husband passed away 5 years ago and I took up walking with the training group to meet people.”

“I am a computer programmer. I sit at a desk all day staring at a computer screen. It’s great to get out and walk and talk with people,” Kim says to Vicki.

“Crazy thing is I am on my feet all day with being a nurse, but it’s so much more fun to be out walking with people outside,” Vicki replies to Kim.

“What have you been up to at work?” Sharon asks Doree.

“Same ole, same ole. Nothing much exciting, which I guess is something good these days,” Doree replies.

“Denese, how are your feet this year?” Angela asks.

“They are doing really well. I went to Bauman’s Running and Walking store. They fitted me with a great pair of shoes. They are so comfy. I love them,” replies Denese.

Staying to the right on the trail the group gets to the overhead Main Street bridge and then loop down to the creek where there is a ramp into the water where you can launch a canoe or kayak. The ladies are now on their return trip of their walk. This time when they cross the road back along the creek they go straight instead of crossing the bridge. The trail goes up along a local luxury hotel, and they take the sidewalk to the crosswalk. The ducks are splashing and quacking in the creek.

The group makes their way around the back of the library and back to Angela’s car where Karin gets the goodies out of her car and brings them over to Angela’s. “We did a great pace tonight ladies. We are already half way through the program. We only have 4 more weeks of training and then it’s race time. You should have received an email detailing how you register on-line. If you have any questions, please let me know and I can help you. Now is the time to get a new pair of shoes if you didn’t get them before the training program. Also, start figuring out what you are going to wear the morning of the race. Remember that the race is on July 4th, so it will be a very warm if not just down right hot the morning of the race. It’s also a great time to try out what you’ll be having for breakfast before the race. Do this on Saturday mornings for your walk homework. Let’s enjoy the wonderful baggies of seedless grapes and bottles of water that Karin brought us tonight,” Angela says to the group.

“What do you recommend for breakfast before a race?” asks Denese.

“There are a few options that people do. One is a bowl of oatmeal with their favorite toppings like raisins and/or nuts. Others eat protein bars and bananas. Another option is a protein smoothie with fruit in it,” replies Angela.

“Any other questions?” Angela asks.

“No,” the ladies respond.

“Next week we will meet over at Castlebury. It is on Joslyn Rd just north of Waldon. We will meet in the parking lot by the first entrance on the south end. We will finish up at Gates Cider Mill where we will have cider and donuts for a special treat. See you ladies next week!” Angela informs the group.

AJ gets into her truck and drives over to Michael’s to get her boys. She is thankful for the short drive over to her ex’s after training. She pulls into his driveway, gets out of her truck and goes up to the door. AJ rings the doorbell and the boys come running to the door to greet her.

“Cooper! Carson! Ready?” she says. The boys come outside and Michael is following behind them with their bags.

“Here you go boys. I’ll see you later.” Carson and Cooper give Michael a hug and kiss goodbye.

Carson, Cooper and AJ get into her truck and drive home. A nice short drive later they arrive home. Everyone piles out of the truck, goes inside the townhouse and gets ready for bed.

Continue Reading - Chapter 12