Adventures in Walking From the Couch to 5K - Chapter 15

AJ is so excited to go walking at Kensington Metro Park. She gives the boys a hug and kiss goodbye and then drives from their dad’s home to Kensington Metro Park. This is a slightly longer drive, but it will be a great workout with the changes in terrain.

A nice drive later AJ comes to the entrance of Kensington Metro Park. She has found the correct entrance and goes to the parking lot by the east boat launch. AJ finds Angela’s car and parks next to it. Vicki and Kim are already there. AJ joins them.

“How is your training going?” Angela asks the ladies.

“Going very well,” replies AJ.

“I am doing great!” replies Vicki.

“I have managed to squeeze my training in with my busy work schedule,” Kim replies.

Doree, Sharon and Denese all arrive in the same vehicle and then Karin drives in. Everyone gathers around by Angela’s car.

“We are going to head over to the trail and take it to the left. This will give us a nice hilly terrain and we’ll end up going along by the water. It’ll be great scenery. Our trail etiquette applies here the same as we did on the other trails. Let’s all head out now,” Instructs Angela.

They all walk from the parking lot to the trail and go left. It’s a twisty trail, but level so far. As the ladies head into the trees the trail descends with a nice down slope. The road into the park is next to them. The trail then goes uphill where the trail winds between the ramp from the highway and the lake.

Finally, they get to where the trail has a path that goes under the highway or over a bridge. Angela instructs, “Vicki and AJ, go across the bridge.”

A short distance after the bridge the trail goes to the right and follows the water’s edge where there are fishing docks off the trail. The ladies follow the trail to the entrance of the west boat launch.

When they turn around at the entrance they go around the outside of the playground, just for fun. The ladies are enjoying the change of scenery and how quiet most of the walk is. They get to the first fishing dock, and they all go out on it and then Angela has them all gather close together and takes a selfie of them.

Continuing along the trail there are many bikers that pass them. Many times Vicki or AJ will shout out, “Bikes up” and AJ and Karin at the back will shout out, “Bikes back.” They make their way to the bridge. Here they stop in the middle, gather closely together and take another selfie. The easy part of the trail was behind them, ahead of them is the hilly trail.

The group makes it back by the east boat dock. They take the ramp down to the dock area and then walk back up to the trail and continue their walk to the beach area. Angela walks to the front of the group and then leads them across the sandy beach, up to the parking lot and back to the trail. Once back on the trail they go to the parking lot and to Angela’s car.

Denese goes to her car, as she drove, and gets the treats. She opens the cooler that contains fruit snacks and juice boxes.

Angela says to the group, “You ladies have done a great job of keeping up with your homework. It shows in your walking during our group walks. I have seen great improvement over the last few weeks. We have completed 7 weeks which means we are down to 3 weeks before the race. If you don’t have them already be sure to get your race clothes figured out this weekend including your shoes. Have you figured out what is good for you for breakfast before a race? You have only 3 more Saturdays to get this figured out. For the morning of the race we will meet at the grocery store’s parking lot by the University at 6 am and then cross the road to the start line. Before we cross the road though we will use the pharmacy’s restrooms. Any questions?”

“No,” they all reply.

“Ok, next week we will be meeting at parking deck D for Oakland State University and Doree will be bringing the goodies. Everyone have a safe drive home and I’ll see you next week,” Angela tells them.

“See you next week,” everyone replies.

Everyone goes to their vehicles and heads out of the park. AJ gets in her truck and then drives to her ex’s house to get the boys. She grabs a Phyzix Zero out of her personal cooler on the passenger seat.

AJ takes the freeway over to Telegraph which is a 5 lane main road where traffic flows easily. She is able to cut over to I-75 and over to her ex’s.

She finally arrives at Michael’s house. AJ gets out of her truck and goes up to the front door and rings the doorbell. Carson comes running to the door with Cooper right behind him. Carson opens the door, AJ walks in and gives both boys a hug and kiss.

She says to Michael, “Thanks for watching them on Thursdays for me. It’s made it really nice for me to make it with my training group.”

“You’re welcome.” replies Michael.

“Time to go home boys, get your stuff.” AJ tells the boys. They grab their stuff, get their shoes on and then give their dad a big hug.

“Good bye dad!” the boys tell him. AJ and the boys get into her truck and drive off towards home.

They arrive home and she parks in the garage. AJ and the boys get out of the truck and go inside. They all get ready for bed. She gets the boys in their beds and lays down with her tablet to continue reading her book. The house is quiet, and she looks up from her tablet. Thinking to herself, oh my poor feet. As we go along they are still a bit sore. I will have to soak them tomorrow. Her blinds are open enough for a sliver of light from the moon to shine through. Laying her tablet on her nightstand she lays back, closes her eyes and goes off to sleep.

Continue Reading - Chapter 16