Totals Taking Flight

One week in to this 1,000 mile journey, totals are beginning to take flight. While I only plan to weigh myself and compare body measurements once per month, I am keeping daily totals of my mileage walked. For the first seven days of 2013, I have walked 10.9 miles and am well on my way.

Admittedly, this first week's total does not come up to what a spread out average of per day miles should lead to, but there are a lot of factors at play - recovering from a harsh bout of the flu, vicious icy weather and temperatures that preclude outdoor walking, and retraining muscles long forgotten. But each day the daily mileage is growing, as is the accumulated total. The feet and legs are getting better accustomed to these expectations, and I'm finding different ways to make time spent on a treadmill more interesting.

Everyone has heard the aphorism "it's a marathon, not a sprint" and that is one hard part of the mental and spiritual journey I'm encountering. I have a strong competitive edge - a heart desperately straining to prove it isn't what others have called it - but I have to adjust to competition only with myself. It is hard when you feel you're always being judged and when those who should be supportive turn out to be your most vehement opponents, but it is all part of the journey.

I may just be getting my wings, but the time to soar is coming.