It was 4pm on Sunday. We just suffered a Packer loss. It was a rough, close game that shouldn’t have been. We just returned from the Buffalo Tap. But it was an absolutely gorgeous day.

So I decided to go for a walk.

I posted last week that I had decided to stop running in hopes that would alleviate some back pain. I was right. However, I knew I had to keep moving somehow, even if it wasn’t at the same same intensity level. My plan was to walk just one mile every day. I figured that it was a start and I know that walking is the best thing I can do for my back.

I had some rough days. I had some days where that one mile was very challenging. I had a day where my legs hurt almost as bad as The Worst Day before my diagnosis and inevitable back surgery. And I most certainly didn’t keep up with walking just one mile every day.

But I did feel better as the week went on. And knowing that one mile per day equated to just seven miles for the entire week, I was determined on Sunday to finish what I had started.

Only, I walked just two miles the entire week.

Only, I can’t remember the time I walked five miles.

Only, my iPhone was dead.

But I went anyway. I stepped out the door with just a written route and water bottle in hand, along with my thoughts. I had no music, no podcosts, no iPhone to keep me company. Earlier, I had serious thoughts of walking on the treadmill and watching a movie to keep my mind occupied over the five miles.

However, there was no way I was giving up the last day of summer in Minnesota with it’s perfect sunshine and 78-degree and breezy weather. I stepped out with no time, no pace in mind. I had no electronic gadgets to gauge me, not even a watch. I was determined to walk for the pure enjoyment of it.

It was heavenly.

I enjoyed the scent of fresh air. The kind that you open the windows for, but then snuggle under the covers in the fall. In fact, the scents where my favorite part of the entire walk! Occasionally, I’d get the scent of burgers on the grill, or lighter fluid igniting charcoal, or someone cutting the grass or laying fresh mulch.

It was a quiet Sunday afternoon. Despite the beautiful weather, not many people were out. I like to count dogs to pass the time while I’m running or walking and during this walk, I only counted seven. Perhaps people were enjoying the last few weekends up at their cabins. Maybe they were napping the afternoon away. I saw and heard no televisions, so I couldn’t imagine that many were inside watching football. The Vikings had already suffered a loss that day as well.

I completed nearly five miles. And when I returned and looked a the clock, I Had been gone for an hour and twenty minutes, about ten minutes longer than my first five-mile race.

Boy does it feel good to walk.

~

Now it’s time for:

This week was all about the audibles!

Food:

• Monday – Three Cheese Lasagna Skillet <<— You must make this!
• Tuesday – Black Bean Burger (cooking for one after getting my hair done) with Caprese Salad (I made a big one)
• Wednesday – Pork Chops with Pesto Green Beans – Instead, Rob suggested that we go out for National Cheeseburger Day.
• Thursday – A variation of these Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes – I threw together some pasta and veggies we had leftover in the fridge.
  
• Friday – Poker night! Tomato Basil Soup and Kebab Munchies at the Mediterranean Cruise Cafe
  
• Saturday – Dinner out with the girls at Barrio. (Post to come!)
• Sunday – Another Packer Game at the Buffalo Tap? Cela Grilled Chicken Pita with Cottage Cheese
• Breakfasts – 90-Second Breakfast Sandwiches, granola with greek yogurt, Magic Smoothies, and/or Peanut Butter Toast
• Lunches – Leftovers and Snack Lunches

Fitness:

Seven miles total (over three days.)

What’s in store this week?

Food:

• Monday – A variation of these Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
• Tuesday – Pork Chops with Pesto Green Beans or Zucchini and Onions with Herbes de Provence
• Wednesday – Painting Class. My friend and I are doing a Paint & Sip event at Casper’s.
• Thursday – Leftovers or Bag Meal.
• Friday – Birthday dinner per our tradition. I’m still trying to decide here or here. Which would you pick and why?
• Saturday – Shovels and Rope Concert at the Cedar Cultural Center. Pre-show food & ales at the Acadia Cafe.
• Sunday – The Packers have a BYE. I’m going to try to convince Rob to stay in. I want to try out one of many chili recipes that Biz shares on her blog. Which would you pick?
• Breakfasts – Peanut Butter Toast and 90-second Breakfast Sandwiches
• Lunches – Leftovers and Snack Lunches (This week, they include carrots and hummus, a hard-boiled egg, cantaloupe, a piece of dove dark chocolate, a mini Babybel and a Tbsp of cashews.)

Fitness:

Increase my walking mileage by 10% (round to the nearest half mile.) Therefore, my goal is to walk 8 miles. Sounds simple, but I’ve got to listen to my body. I don’t want to get injured again!

So, in looking at my meals this week….

If you had to choose, would you go to Heidi’s or Louis Ristorante and what would you order?

Which of chili recipes over at My Bizzy Kitchen would you try?

Have a great week!

Cheers~
Carrie