After a sedentary Montana winter, I'm ready for a more strenuous exercise program so I added running and rope jumping. I had visions of grabbing a jump rope and whipping out "hot peppers." Wrooong. Start slowly and work up, I've found. I'm up to 15 jumps and pause, repeat. Same with running. Walk, run, walk, run. It's coming.Some thoughts and sights while doing the walk/run with Cody. I always notice houses that are at the end of a straight road. Bad Feng-Shui. See the "for sale" sign. There usually is trouble with these houses. Probably a divorce or they finally wised up that it's like shooting arrows when cars are coming directly at them.
Next we circled a small lake where the air smelled heavenly from all the trees and shrubs in full blossom. There was a crude wood step ladder leading over this fence. There's a name for them but it escapes me. Help me someone. Cody could go under and I wanted to take a picture of the steps but I was too focused on the rickety climb and I forgot.
Next we did the one mile enclosed walk by the dog pound. As I was opening the gate to enter, something bumped me from behind and if I had not been against the gate I would have gone flying. For sure. It was Tiberius, the 150 pound (still a pup) Neapolitan Mastiff. He and Cody engaged in play, making Cody (an Aussie) look chihuahua size. Tiberius' owner said he would weigh 180 at maturity. But he was a sweetie, slobbered on my running pants, and was totally pooped after one lap. Not Cody who was rearing for more but this old dame had enough and a hot soaking bath sounded like an illustrious choice. So we headed home.
I believe it is called a stile
ReplyDelete1. A set or series of steps for crossing a fence or wall.
We had one over our fence when I was a kid.
mybabyjohn : Thank you. That's it. If I had pondered it longer it may have come to this brain. :) They always look so rustic and country.
ReplyDeleteOH that's a big dog! he would need about 5 of my mammoth bones all to himself!!! :)
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ReplyDeleteTexwisgirl : And then some. When that dog hit me from behind, I thought I was a goner. But the gate saved my fall. I guess they are guard dogs. All they would have to do is knock an intruder down and sit on them.
ReplyDeletewe build up to marathons.
ReplyDeleteSuse : I'll be your cheer leader with pom poms on the side lines as you marathon by. :) You are a good inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your run/walk with you. The husband and I walked around half the neighborhood yesterday evening. It had been awhile for us. Time to start moving our stiff joints again.:-)
ReplyDeleteSu-sieee : Hope you also had a pleasant walk around the neighborhood. I've never answered comments one at a time before. It seems a lot more personal. But I have to leave for the acupuncturist. I love my visits to him. He is so wise.
ReplyDeleteHi, Manzi--Can I please borrow 1/2 cup of energy? You are an inspiration to all us old broads. I need to build up strength in my legs &, because of you, I'm starting TODAY!
ReplyDeleteI used to walk around my neighborhood, but find it so boring now that I don't exercise that way anymore. I need to find a substitute.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun!!! I wish we lived closer so I could walk with you.
ReplyDeleteFran : So do I. My reason for jumping rope. That ain't easy kiddo. At first I just did one or 2 jumps or skips and paused. I just kept building on it and I'll continue. I read we start losing serious muscle at what age??? 40 or something like that. We better hurry !!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteGigi : Maybe you'll have to drive a little to find a good spot without sidewalk. That's hard on your legs. I drive to the dog pound run because it's a dirt path and is enclosed for Cody.
Terry : That would be fun to walk together but we live on opposite sides of the globe, practically. I've never really been East in my life. Flew in and out of NY and Boston but never have been in any of those states. I was too tired after my walk to take the pictures of the aprons. Will do that today. I'm using the whoopee cushion right now. I love the feel of it on my back.Ha
I am in awe of you!
ReplyDeletexoxoxo, cd
I don't know about jumping rope. I tried that again a few years ago. Wow, that is the real deal when it comes to working out. But, what a fun walk, culminating in a hot bath. It sounds perfect.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I tried to jump rope, I ended up on my keister. Now the family doesn't want me to do it anymore. (sigh) One of our sons has an English mastiff. She's a sweet dog, but enormous. Slobbers all over his other two dogs. Actually, come to think of it, she slobbers all over EVERYTHING ...
ReplyDeleteI was gonna say a stile too! :-)
ReplyDeleteAwwww lovely Cody and adorable Tiberius - what a pair of cuties!
I used to love jump rope and may just take this up again as they are very good for fitness and guaranteed fun! Take care
x
Jumping rope is a great exercise. It is simple, and quick. I do 25, rest 25 rest etc. I need to get my heart pumping each day, and walking/running around the neighbourhood does get boring, jump rope does not. I do it on the back patio.
ReplyDeleteDon't give up.
Impressed that you are running. My running is more up and down these days instead of forward. Am sticking to walking.
ReplyDeleteMassive dog and they are known to have wet mouths. Gotta love slobber.
I got so furblunget (Yiddish word meaning mixed up, crazily confused) at the thought of starting an exercise program that I forgot to include this little story about slobbering. When my son, Matt, was first married, he was the assistant travel director for the S.F. Giants baseball team. He had to go with the team to all their "away" games. His bride was naturally upset at his having to be gone so often. His suggestion to remedy the problem--they should get a large dog, like a boxer. It could sleep on the couch with the TV remote under its' paw, snore & drool. He figured she'd never miss him.
ReplyDeleteI used to enjoy jumping rope as a workout--it's really efficient for the time spent. Only, it doesn't agree with my bunions. So, I don't do it much. But it can tire you out!
ReplyDeleteThat dog makes me laugh out loud!
uah, that's one huge dog! I'd turn my back on it, believe me.
ReplyDeleteGo easy on your knees with the jump rope....
Clare : You go the extra mile by doing one more in the challenge. I got out at my 5. I think people have had enough dance.
ReplyDeleteTeresa : At first I struggled a lot with the rope jumping but now it's coming back fast and when I just go my limit, it feel really good.
Susan : I get my feet tangled in the rope at times but I discovered my rope is a little short (I have long ape arms :) ) so I have to hold it on the very ends and then i'm OK.
That slobbering is slightly annoying. Tiberius left several white slathers on my running pants.
Kitty : I've read rope jumping is the best bang for your exercise buck. It was a big, huge struggle at first but now that I can do some reps it REALLY feels good.
Anthony : Thanks so much for the encouragement. So good to hear when someone else enjoys it. Hope I can reach 25 reps but I just do what I can and I'm pleased as punch with 15 right now.
Patti : All last summer I wanted to run but couldn't take that first step. For some reason, now it's happening. I can't run far yet but the run/walk thing is good. Marilyn encourages me. She's your age and she started running about 10 years ago. She had never run before and started out run 10 walk 10 and now she does all the smaller races but not marathons.
Big D : Sorry you have bunions. They can make your life miserable I've heard. I have a kind of a half a one but so far is no trouble. I jump in those tie ballet slippers on my studio floor and that's pretty springy.
ReplyDeleteFran : I almost choked from laughing so hard at your story. That is the funniest answer. He must be a hoot to live it. You too, are witty with the retorts. He got it from you. A good humor was always number 1 on my list of what I wanted in a man. Hey, that would make a good post. Thanks for the great advice. Ha ..... But thanks for telling that story. I chuckle every time I read it.
Tracy : I could never have a dog that big. He just brushed me and I was off my balance and holding onto the gate. It would be dangerous to have one with still the puppy frisky bit.
Thanks, bloggy friends for the fun comments. Love you, Manzi
I'm glad you appreciate my humor. It's a huge part of feeling comfortable with myself. My two sons inherited my sense of humor, but not my daughter. I once told her about a game where you name what you think are your best & worst points. I said I didn't know what my worst point was but that I thought my sense of humor was definitely my best. I don't go as far as telling jokes at funerals, but I generally don't take life too seriously. She informed me that she saw that as my WORST point & that I wasn't serious enough. Thank heaven her daughters agree with me & not her. Obviously, she takes after her father!
ReplyDeleteI get my exercise walking to and from work and lifting grocery bags in between. Once I get home, I'm just another lump on the couch.
ReplyDeleteI hate dog slobber.
Gosh! I've missed so much while my internet access has been sketchy while I've been out in the boondocks! Glad the Aussies are still holding their own - Cody the wonder dog rocks!
ReplyDeleteThanx for visiting my blog while I've been internet incommunicado (my new favourite word) - glad you liked the emus!!
Have a great day!!
Manzanita...the feathered nest has a couple of blog awards for you. Pop over and snag them.
ReplyDeleteI am sure lota of people have told you that the thing you climbed over is a stile. We have them between every field. Dogs jump them. Sometimes they can't and then I have to bend the fences just a bit to allow access. Farmers can be so mean.
ReplyDeleteTell me something, Manzanita, how do you do it?
I am breathless just reading about your exploits.
Gosh...on the way home from work, I ran by BF's daughter's (kind of daughter-in-law to me)new home and sure enough it is bad feng shui, just like your picture. I had to run by to check. It's a beautiful home, but she's already been to the hospital...heart problem and she's just 30. There's got to be something like a mirror, or something to ward off the effects.She's getting married next month and I'vd just got some bad/mixed feelings...hmmmm...OK Manz, should I tell her about her house? or sneak over and fix it somehow? and is there any fix???
ReplyDeleteOh lovely, a good walk and some acupuncture. I'm looking forward to getting home for some treatment. I'm walking more now I'm on holiday and the environment just asks to be explored and enjoyed - lots of deep breathing too. By the way, the dog I'm looking after doesn't slobber which is really nice!
ReplyDeleteI love going for walks in neighborhoods, especially at night because you can look in their front windows if the light is on and see their decor. I don't care what the people are doing, I want to know how they managed to decorate around the chimney or what kind of lighting is in the dining room.
ReplyDelete