I knew that yesterday would be busy with the birthday party and movie night, so I planned my 9 mile walk for today. How in the world was I going to get in nine whole miles? I decided to walk to Forest Park instead of driving, to give me the extra mile boost that I needed. I stopped at my Mom’s house along the way because I forgot my bottle of water. My little sister gave me some encouragement and sent me and my water on my way. As I walked down the street in my matching gear and sexy sunglasses a guy started yelling out of the passenger car window. “Hey Miss Walker, you sholl are looking good today!” “Can I walk with you?” …TLC’s classic song “No Scrubs
Once I got to the Park I decided to be a little adventurous. I figured I would go to the Zoo. It was a good idea in theory however, everybody and their Mama decided to go to the free St. Louis Zoo since it was 70° out today. As I got closer to the entrance, the aroma in the air changed from elephant poo to funnel cakes. All the children and strollers slowed my brisk walking pace but it was nice to see a different scenery. I walked through Rivers edge and snapped quick pics of the elephants the scary hyena and the cheetahs. 
After about 30 min. I was back outside of the Park on the walking trail. I decided to be even more adventurous and take the unpaved hiking trail. There was a sign that pointed to the ancient Native American “Tree within a tree.” That sounded interesting enough, and at this point I had only completed 5 or 6 miles. When I got to the tree within the tree, I was less than impressed. I mean I guess it was little tree growing inside of another tree, but nothing really exciting.
But, I took a little time to stop and stretch. When I looked ahead of me and behind me there was no one else on the wooded trail, I got a little nervous and decided that maybe I had been a little too adventurous.
I started to get a little tired and my main goal was now to find the paved trail and start heading home. My book on tape was keeping me company, I’m more than halfway through it. After the 7th mile I was really ready for this walk to be over. Finally I reached the edge of the Park and walked down the regular streets back towards my house. The sun was setting so I decided to pick up the pace and walk just a little faster, especially since I didn’t have Nyah with me for safety. When I was about three blocks from my house the Nike iPod lady told me that I had reached my goal of 9 miles. Not bad since I had pretty much guessed the whole distance, I didn’t map out anything before I left the house. Finally in just under three hours I was home from the long journey. I kept an average of 18 min mile walk pace, however I really want that down to 16 before the race. Nonetheless success! I never thought in a million years I would be able to walk more than 9 miles on Sunday by myself. I guess when you put your mind to it you can do anything 🙂
Congratulations and great job!
Hey Carli! Thank you for posting your podcasts they have kept me motivated and im only 2weeks away from running my first 5k!! I was wondering though if you are going to post any more podcast for the bridge to 10k? I really want to keep listening to yours, but you only have weeks 1 and 2 let me know when we can expect them! Thank you hun keep up your great work you look amazing!
Carli, you simply rock!!!
Good for you, Carli!
And thank you for your podcasts. They got me to the end of W1D3, while I actually enjoyed myself! Who would have thought?! Thanks for the podcasts. They’re a great help.
Way to go on knocking out 9 miles at a great pace! You make blogging fun and once again I’m glad I found your page. Good luck on your upcoming race. Wish me luck because I’m back to download your 10K program for a race in April. Looking forward to sending in another pic for your wall of fame 🙂 Keep up the great work.
great job sweetie! 70 degrees?!?!?!? I am soooo jealous… 38 today as a high and snow tomorrow… ugh…fml (not really! I know..shouldn’t say that as a responsible mom-stereotype, hey?) keep walking!!! 🙂
Thanks, Linda for your continued support!
Hey Amber, that’s the question of the week/ month/ year?? When will I finish the 10 k podcast. I wish I could give a good answer but I cant. I can say that I’ve got so much other stuff going on that is taking a priority right now. But I can say that one day, I iwill indeed finish it.
Thanks, DD.
Dutchie, congrats on getting started, I hope all is going well.
Hey Kirk! Welcome back, Good to hear from you. I’m happy that you’re still running. Maybe this time we can see your “face” on the wall of the fame! LOL!
Mama Helen, let me first say you are one hip Mom, because I had to Google, what does “FML” mean. I feel so old! LOL! Then my friend sent me a text saying “FML” because she ran into the ONLY guy in St. Louis that she didn’t want to ever see again! So because you taught me new naughty text language, I’ll let you pass! Oh and don’t feel too jealous, it’s snowed since then and we had a tornado last night. Gotta love the Midwest.
Thnx Carli, all indeed is well. Just finished W2D2 today. Am finding that 90 sec runs are indeed a lot longer than 60 sec runs 😉 Am managing though, and enjoying it too. Who would have thought? 😀
lol on the Scrubs…I usually wave with my pepper-spray hand…I have pepper spray I strap to my left hand and its my free hand to wave at people. So its like a “hi but don’t get too close” wave. 🙂 Might want to try it sometime! hehe.
Dutchie, I hope Week 3 is going well for you.
Clara, I laughed so hard at your comment. I think the pepperspray wave is a great way to say “no thanks!” Hilarious!