It's So Cold: 9,900 Steps

Right off, I have to tell on myself. I mentioned in a previous post that I try to write my blog post the day that I walk. This week, I didn't. Yesterday, when I finished my walk, I was so cold, all I wanted to do was finish my steps, eat dinner, take a hot bath, and go to bed. That's exactly what I did.

It was a whopping 27 degrees outside with a windchill factor of 16 degrees yesterday. I had on two pairs of leggings, two pairs of socks, two pairs of gloves, a heavy winter coat that could sustain temperatures to less than zero, and I had on a scarf. I was warm. I was toasty.

Photo by Jeanette R. Harrison

As I began walking, I noticed the pavement was getting a little icy. I didn't remember it raining earlier in the day, but maybe it had. I don't always look outside in the morning except to let my dogs out. My back is toward the window in my office. Let's face it, if my desk faced the window, I would probably spend more time watching what was going on in my neighborhood than working. Or, I might just watch the wind blow through the trees. I like having quiet, pensive time.

That's one thing I like about walking, too. When it's cold, no one else is out there. It's just me and the sidewalk and the trail. Occasionally, neighbors will warm up their cars and say "Hello." Other times, they hear their dogs barking and look out the window. I see them at other events, and they say, "I see you walking in the neighborhood." I smile and say, "Yes, that's me."

I walked along the slightly covered snowy sidewalks and slid on a couple of spots. I made it to the trail. I felt good. I could feel the cold air against my cheeks, and the soft rustling of bare branches. The grey sky loomed ahead, only a slightly lighter color than the pavement. I stepped forward cautiously suspecting that the ground would be slick. It was in some places. In others, it was fine. But, as I crossed to the second half of the trail, I noticed my feet sliding beneath me. And, I had to crunch along on the snowy grass.

I could feel the cold going through my clothes and hitting my hips. Sometimes, my hips hurt or my knees do, too, if I am walking outside when it isn't warm. I lay in bed motionless on those nights, hoping to fall asleep so the dull ache will go away. In the mornings, I feel better, like nothing had happened the day before.

I walked outside about 2.5 miles yesterday. Afterward, I came home and drank a hot cup of tea and ate a bowl of chili. I hadn't completed my 9,900 steps, so I watched one of my favorite TV shows and walked around my basement. I took a hot bath like I planned because I couldn't shake off the cold feeling. Finally, it was time to lay under my warm blankets and go to sleep. I gladly closed my eyes and rested, pleased with my determination.