The First Step

"UGH!  My butt HURTS!!"  is not what you want strangers you happen upon in the woods to hear you grunting.  But, that's what happens on your first hike in over a year and a half.  Yes, the hike was relatively short (2.9 miles) but it had HILLS.  None of that flat, city walking at the Scheier Natural Area Preserve outside of Palmyra, Virginia.

Today was a beautiful, autumn day here in Central Virginia.  My husband, Brian, and I started off with a great breakfast at a small-town stop in Manakin-Sabot.  Situated right on Route 250 outside of Richmond, Satterwhite's has long been known as "worth the wait."  It's true, so I loaded up on staples.  Coffee, water, a 3-egg omelet with veggies and cheese, hash-browns  and amazing link sausage.  I know, it doesn't sound like fare for a dieter, but I was going out into the WILD.  I mean, what if we got stuck out there?  Sure, Brian has Clif Bars or something like that in his hiking pack, but really... I needed to power up for the hike!  Plus, I skipped the biscuit/toast.  That counts for something, right?

Anyway...  It was a beautiful day for a drive down I-64 to Route 15 with white, fluffy clouds and gorgeous foliage aplenty.  So, a hike seemed a logical choice.  Half way through the hike I was tired.  Three-quarters of the way was when the grumbling started.  I mean, we used to hike six miles any old time we wanted to and now I'm wiped at two?  Can you say out of shape?  Here's an image...  I was huffing and puffing so loudly that Brian stopped to turn around and check on me.  My response to my husband's care and concern?  "Shut up and walk!"

Yes, I was cranky and ready to sit down, but more than that I was annoyed... with myself.  How did it get this bad?  I can count three parks within a 15 minute drive of my house, but I can't be bothered to go for a decent walk?  Annoyed.  The good news is that I did it, I broke the seal, got back on the horse, blah, blah, blah.  The bad news is that I'm not motivated to do it again.  But, that's tough because next Sunday we're heading to Fredericksburg to try the Mott's Run Reservoir hike.

Tomorrow is another day and I will walk again, but this time it will be that nice, flat, city walking.  I'll walk from 4-5 pm on the track at my school and feel like I accomplished something.  The only thing to worry about there is getting into the "zone" and accidentally belting out show tunes from the IPod for the student-athletes' amusement.  Hoping to avoid that embarrassment because I think the pain would be worse than the uphill climb today.

So, for the next few days I'll enjoy walking the track and feeling good.  But, in the back of my mind, I'll know the next hike is looming along with the hills and burning glutes.