Uphill battles of life and legs

By Virginia Winder
When I was young, I loved hill sprints.
Standing at the bottom of Calvert Rd, a steep hill round the corner from home, I'd psyche myself up and then go for it; pumping my legs and arms as fast as they'd go.
Sometimes I'd put on my spikes and sprint the grassy hills in the school behind our house.
As I powered uphill, I'd hear my Dad's words in my head.
"Go, go, go," he'd yell at the end of our jogs through Pukekura Park and I'd fly around the terraces of the cricket ground.
It was such a joy to push myself so hard, to sweat and feel the energy flowing through my body.
A few decades on, I still love those steep slopes and the feeling of speed.
Tonight I walked up the Morley St hill and it wasn't too hard at all.
Then I did stair sprints.
There's this great set by the old Barrett St hospital, so with Michael Franti singing in my ears, I went up those steps lickety split.
What's so good about doing stair sprints is they don't hurt my Achilles tendon, which is still a bit niggly. Raced up three times, which is a good start, and then headed around and up Churchill Heights.
What's amazing to me is that a few weeks ago, hills took my breath away, but not now.
Workwise, I've had a quiet day, mainly because I had other things planned.
However, didn't even do those because am still feeling down and it's taking its toll a bit.
Don't really want to talk too much about the ups and downs of my life here, but just know there are times when I struggle. Now is one of those times.
Thank goodness for those wonderful exercise endorphins and my wonderful, crazy, funny whanau.

Today, I:
Worked for 1.5 hours
Barely slept (someone was intermittently letting off fireworks - even at 4am!)
Drank 2 cups of coffee
Drank 1 chai latte
Ate 3 great meals - muesli with blueberries, grated apple and Bio-farm yoghurt, a chicken salad and spaghetti bolognaise (small portion) and lots of green salad
Upped my water intake - thanks Irena!

Life is just a walk in the park

By Virginia Winder
Avoided the bike again today, but in my defence, the chain needs oiling.
I couldn't find the lubricant, so headed to Pukekura Park and took to the hills.
Took some up-and-down paths off the main track and listened to music in just one ear. With the other I listened to the birdsong.
The music in my earphone was, appropriately, REM. That was one my favourite ever concerts at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands, so could imagine that wonderful night while walking past the outdoor stage.
After that is a peaceful path through bush and a long hill up to the puriri tree that I used to run when I was younger. It was a killer then and still is, but walking is definitely easier.
During my running days with my dad, friend Susan and sometimes my bro, we'd get to the top gasping for breath and have to stop for a minute or two.
The walker in me, just kept right on going today.
Went via the zoo and peered at the monkeys, then through the Kunming Garden where a woman was meditating on the beauty of the place.
Then I meandered, at a fast pace, back down through the park and around the top lake until I saw a cheery bunch of teenagers. It was my son and five mates, and they greeted me with hugs. Cute.
Can't imagine not exercising now and am loving it.
Talked with my friend Susan on the phone today - yes the same running Susan from all those years ago - and we talked ocean swims and triathlons. Have decided I want to take part in events during February, March and April, so watch this space for other race entries.
Have to get ready to watch the All Blacks now - Warren and mates are at Eden Park.
Will drape myself in an AB flag for luck.
GO NZ!

Today, I:
Walked for 1 hour
Worked for 6 hours
Ate extremely well, focusing on fresh, nutritious, unprocessed and protein-packed foods
Drank just 1 coffee
Drank 1 chai
Drank quite a bit of water
Slept for 8 hours

No place for "if only" regrets

By Virginia Winder
Positivity is my motto in this quest for life balance and fitness.
I might come across as a Pollyanna, but yesterday I wasn't seeing rainbows; I was seeing red.
The anger I felt was purely at myself for over-committing myself to so much work I was forced to miss the Ireland-US Rugby World Cup match. Grrr.
My walk was an air-punching fury march round a few blocks - I ran out of time for a power walk through Pukekura Park. If you're reading this from afar, the park I'm talking about is one of New Plymouth's great treasures. Even writing about it lifts my spirits.
Anyway, back to life balance and inner ire. The walk did quell the fire, but questions have to be asked about saying yes to so many stories. What was I thinking?!
Yet, when I worked through from 3am to 3pm today and tapped out 10 stories, I felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction that I had completed so much.
Looking back at my life though, I won't remember that I met deadlines (that happens every day), but I will remember that I missed the rugby.
You see, I more often regret what I don't do, rather than what I actually do. I hate lost opportunities with a vengeance.
Which is why I don't want to get to 50 and regret not getting fit and making the most of life.
So there you have it - I don't want my life to be an "if only". I wrote a poem with that title once and it won me a prize - my husband.
Anyway, I'd rather my life was one long, long bucket list with big ticks beside every dream.
Hmm, that's got me thinking...

Yesterday (Sunday), I:
Anger-walked for 20 minutes (too short)
Ate three balanced and healthy meals
Worked for 7 hours
Slept for 8 hours

Today, I:
Walked for 20 minutes (still too short)
Worked for 12 hours
Ate three balanced and healthy meals
Watched a movie (The Adjustment Bureau - it deserves 5 stars out of 5)
Had a soak in a jetted mineral pool
Drank lots of water
Did some stretching (think yoga might be an idea)
Started dreaming...