It’s time to be healthy again!

I’m pleased to report that on Saturday, June 5, 2010, I walked the Hawaii Kai loop that passes by Costco, over a few bridges, in and out of residential and commercial areas. It took me a while. My steps were slow and measured, I had a special sock on my right foot, I had my iPod, I took some pictures with my iPhone. Then I met John and the girls at Koko Marina for breakfast at Starbucks, my treat. I put it on my Starbucks Gold Card.

Prior to my Achilles tendon bursting earlier this year, I had a reputation as someone who worked out like I was gonna try out for Mrs. Hawaii or something. I woke prior to the butt-crack-of-dawn to arrive at 24 Hour Fitness Hawaii Kai at 4am to do 35 minutes on the elliptical and a few other things. Then I’d hurry back home, get showered, dressed and made up, and hoof it down to theBus stop by 525 each day. I didn’t get enough sleep. I was always thinking I wasn’t fit enough. I used to tell myself that I’m almost good enough, almost whatever.

Well guess what? I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and, doggonit, people like me!

Saturday’s walk went well. I’ve been riding my bicycle in the dining room for an hour a few evenings each week. So tomorrow I will rise at 330 and head on over to 24HF Hawaii Kai. I hear my friends are missing me.  Most of them are retirees, a few of them are moms like me, some are dads, some of us have to get to work.

I promise not to go crazy. I plan to go Tuesdays and Thursdays, and maybe on the weekends. Probably not this weekend. If it’s calm, I want to take my stand-up paddle board out on Maunalua Bay for a few laps. Until I can twist my bicycle shoe out of my pedal, the bicycling is still on hold. I’m wondering what going up Heartbreak Hill in Hawaii Kai, or up the approach to the lookout at Makapuu will feel like to my right foot. I don’t want to re injure myself. Crutches, casts, surgeries are not my occupation of choice.

I am one of those people who prefers to not be out sick, home with an injury, nursing a cold or a hang nail. I know malingering is an industry in and of itself, but that’s not my style. I’ve had my injury, it’s time to move on. I think I’ve paid enough dues to get a pass on being healthy for the rest of my life.