Miles and Miles

My late friend Margo was known for walking upwards of seven miles a day, no matter if it were raining, snowing, or if the sun was shining brightly.

And while I can get upwards of 24,000 steps in a day with the full time job, I still feel as if I pale in comparison. I had tracked usually only a mile or two straight most days in a walk, even though I have an active job that accounts for most of those steps. However, since I don’t get that milage tracked on watch as miles counted towards my challenges and achievements, it doesn’t count in my reward-oriented mind.

But since the 26th of August, I have had a goal of walking at least 20 minutes each and every day. I’m not one hundred percent sure why I started that day, but since then, I have not missed a single day aside from this past Tuesday. But it was storming outside that day, so instead, I danced in my apartment like a silly goose for 20 minutes.

Because I have a genetic joint condition that causes my joints and tendons to be looser and my muscles to tear easily, I can’t do the  weightlifting and all of the high-intensive aerobic exercises that other people can even if I wanted to. I have tried to push myself with such exercises and find that my body can’t handle it, especially as I get older. But I can walk. I can dance, even if I look like a fool when I do so. Sometimes, I do both at the same time, as some of my friends who have seen me walking around town will attest to.

Some days, I push myself to go faster. Some days, just getting twenty minutes in seems like a daunting task. But I do make myself get outside. It helps my mental health to be out in the fresh air, watching the subtle day to day changes as my swath of the Midwest transitions from summer to fall. It helps my physical health to get the exercise in each and every day, as I have been able to sleep somewhat better. And since my recent physical shows that my cholesterol, while still reasonable, is slightly higher than it was a year ago, I will continue to walk everyday as long as I am able to as well as change a bit of my eating habits. I can’t continue to spread my brand of love, joy, peace, hope and magic if I don’t take care of myself.

I don’t post this to brag. I post this because I already know I’m an inspiration to a few. One friend tries to walk a mile everyday on her treadmill. Another friend has been inspired to take the stairs instead of the elevator at his work. Even my own husband has been inspired to restart his own health journey and try to work out as much as he is able to.

I also post this because I need motivation to keep going. It’s easy for me to get into the indifferent habit of saying “i will catch up tomorrow” and then never doing so. Thus, stating my intentions in words helps me to hold myself accountable. Posting them so others can see them also does the same. Because I want to continue my walks everyday, even if they are only twenty minutes, because they honor my late dear friend as much as they help me.

Which circles me back to my friend Margo and her love of walking.

If you don’t know about Margo, I posted a wonderful tribute to her after she suddenly and unexpectedly passed away in early August that you can read about here. Because she was one of the people who helmed the English-language learners group that meets at the tiny church in my little Swath of the Midwest (that I also wrote about here!), the others who lead that group decided that in tribute to her service, the scholarship that is given out each and every year to a ELL graduate from the local high school would be named in her honor.

On 21 October 2023, there will also be a fundraising 5k walk in her honor.

The funds from this walk will go to the Margo Murillo English Language Learners’ Scholarship program.  There are several recipients already of this scholarship, including one Somalian refugee who is working on her pre-medical degree at one of the state universities. Her desire is to become a doctor and return to Somalia to help young women. The hope is that this scholarship fund will grow and flourish so that others can achieve their goals as well.

The walk will be held at the Elizabeth Holland Park Loop located at 1401 Colonial Parkway, in Norwalk, Iowa at 10:00 in the morning. I plan to be in attendance, along with my “Squishey” unicorns. (You don’t know about them? You aren’t following me on Facebook then!) I plan on walking my 5k or more as well as cheering others on as they do the same in my magical way.

Come walk with me if you are local! Details and registration can be found here and are due by 7 October 2023. Not local and want to help? Donations are accepted in her honor. The ELL program isn’t your cup of tea but my daily mental health walks inspire you to try to do the same? Let me know!

Get moving. Get outdoors if you want to. Get those miles in.

I will continue to do the same.

Stay magical, all.

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