Steve's Heart Walk - After the Walk!
Whew!
(The following was posted last Saturday,
9/15/2007, on Home Theater Forum. An update from today follows this blog
entry.)
Well, the walk was a success! Some 12 hours after returning home, the feet and calves are still feeling funky, but everything went well.
My company team was small (the guests who walked with us ultimately outnumbered the company participants--one walker brought five guests!) but a splendid time was had by all, whether the team had less than a dozen participants, or several hundred.
There were a lot of familes at the event, even kids in strollers. There were people who brought dogs. One team had a pony. There was entertainment--a live band, stiltwalkers who juggled, a magician, free healthy snacks, lots of water to drink, and many volunteers helping out.
Dallas Mav's Head Coach Avery Johnson fired the starting gun, then at least a thousand folks walked in beautiful pre-fall weather in the streets of Dallas. The weather was perfect.
We started at Victory Park, just outside the American Airlines Center (where the Mavs and Stars play, and where I will be seeing Blue Man Group next month!) We passed the West End, the Texas School Book Depository, and other buildings that graced the opening credits of that favorite 80's prime-time soap where that J.R. guy got shot.
A confession: I took one short cut, cutting what appeared to be a block out of the 3.5 mile walk. Sorry. I took the light rail to get to the event, but showed up late to the train station and ended up standing the entire hour it took to get from north of Dallas to Victory Park.
But the miracle here--and I am truly blessed to be able to say this--is that I could even think of standing for that hour, walking around the event and walking the city for almost three hours, and that I am still here with only minor aches and pains to show for it.
This walking thing is good stuff!
So thanks again to all who read my story, thanks even more to those who thought about making a lifestyle change despite this sedentary hobby, and extra special thanks to those who supported the walk (and I don't just mean financially).
The Dallas Heart Walk raised almost $2 million as of Thursday [9/13]. Some last minute contributions could very well push us past our goal [and did as of 9/25!!]. There are Heart Walks scheduled in other cities, as well.
The statistic says that for every hour of regular, vigorous exercise, you gain as much as two hours of life expectancy! So what did I do this afternoon?
Well, sure, what else? I watched a movie. I am going to have
to really get to the exercise if I am going to be able to watch that new Kenneth
Branagh Hamlet DVD.
Anyway, thanks again everyone. Be well.
(Update, one week later.)
I just got back from a nice walk in the neighborhood, where the weather this last day of summer has been absolutely delightful. I have been watching Heroes Season 1 on HD DVD, and have really been tired for other reasons recently, but mashed those innate couch potato tendencies, threw on my walking clothes and shoes, and pounded some pavement. There is a nice little park with a walking trail about half a mile from my home. I can briskly stroll over to this park and get my thirty minute walk in easily. And I was not the only walker in the park, even after dark! Thankfully, the neighborhood is new and quiet, and the walking is safe. The only hazards were of the water variety--several neighbors were watering their lawns. Don't they know the grass won't grow if they don't water it?!? :-D
Having the endurance to live life more on my feet is truly a wonder, and I feel so lucky to be able to share this with everyone. While I still have a long way to go to reach my goal weight, just being able to walk without collapsing is amazing--especially when you consider that I could not have done this just a few years ago. That scary driver's license photo of me is history, by the way--I had a new photo taken!
It is also very humbling to know that people even cared enough to read these posts and participate in my cause.
Thanks again, everyone, and keep on walking!
Well, the walk was a success! Some 12 hours after returning home, the feet and calves are still feeling funky, but everything went well.
My company team was small (the guests who walked with us ultimately outnumbered the company participants--one walker brought five guests!) but a splendid time was had by all, whether the team had less than a dozen participants, or several hundred.
There were a lot of familes at the event, even kids in strollers. There were people who brought dogs. One team had a pony. There was entertainment--a live band, stiltwalkers who juggled, a magician, free healthy snacks, lots of water to drink, and many volunteers helping out.
Dallas Mav's Head Coach Avery Johnson fired the starting gun, then at least a thousand folks walked in beautiful pre-fall weather in the streets of Dallas. The weather was perfect.
We started at Victory Park, just outside the American Airlines Center (where the Mavs and Stars play, and where I will be seeing Blue Man Group next month!) We passed the West End, the Texas School Book Depository, and other buildings that graced the opening credits of that favorite 80's prime-time soap where that J.R. guy got shot.
A confession: I took one short cut, cutting what appeared to be a block out of the 3.5 mile walk. Sorry. I took the light rail to get to the event, but showed up late to the train station and ended up standing the entire hour it took to get from north of Dallas to Victory Park.
But the miracle here--and I am truly blessed to be able to say this--is that I could even think of standing for that hour, walking around the event and walking the city for almost three hours, and that I am still here with only minor aches and pains to show for it.
This walking thing is good stuff!
So thanks again to all who read my story, thanks even more to those who thought about making a lifestyle change despite this sedentary hobby, and extra special thanks to those who supported the walk (and I don't just mean financially).
The Dallas Heart Walk raised almost $2 million as of Thursday [9/13]. Some last minute contributions could very well push us past our goal [and did as of 9/25!!]. There are Heart Walks scheduled in other cities, as well.
The statistic says that for every hour of regular, vigorous exercise, you gain as much as two hours of life expectancy! So what did I do this afternoon?
Well, sure, what else? I watched a movie.
I am going to have
to really get to the exercise if I am going to be able to watch that new Kenneth
Branagh Hamlet DVD.
Anyway, thanks again everyone. Be well.
(Update, one week later.)
I just got back from a nice walk in the neighborhood, where the weather this last day of summer has been absolutely delightful. I have been watching Heroes Season 1 on HD DVD, and have really been tired for other reasons recently, but mashed those innate couch potato tendencies, threw on my walking clothes and shoes, and pounded some pavement. There is a nice little park with a walking trail about half a mile from my home. I can briskly stroll over to this park and get my thirty minute walk in easily. And I was not the only walker in the park, even after dark! Thankfully, the neighborhood is new and quiet, and the walking is safe. The only hazards were of the water variety--several neighbors were watering their lawns. Don't they know the grass won't grow if they don't water it?!? :-D
Having the endurance to live life more on my feet is truly a wonder, and I feel so lucky to be able to share this with everyone. While I still have a long way to go to reach my goal weight, just being able to walk without collapsing is amazing--especially when you consider that I could not have done this just a few years ago. That scary driver's license photo of me is history, by the way--I had a new photo taken!
It is also very humbling to know that people even cared enough to read these posts and participate in my cause.
Thanks again, everyone, and keep on walking!
Posted: Sat - September 22, 2007 at 09:26 PM |
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Published On: Sep 22, 2007 09:37 PM
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Published On: Sep 22, 2007 09:37 PM
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