Long Distance Walking and Running

I have been thinking of   jogging from our place to my father-in-law's place.  That's about 8.2 miles  total  from where we live and back.  So on May 21, I finally conquered my fear of going alone jogging.  My husband told me  not to go alone because the path includes the place where some of the   listed sex offenders live here in the city.  During my first 5-minute jog, my mind is battling whether or not to go ahead with my plan but  despite my fear, I went anyway.

Going down the Cove Road Hill is  a bit scary because there are parts where  there is no side walk.  I  was praying  to God to give me enough strength and  protect me from being hit by  cars.  It's a very busy roads where cars fly by that's why my husband was scared for me to go that way.  Going up Marland Heights Hill was the toughest part because it's a steep hill to walk.  When I arrived at Dad's house, he was still in bed so I made him some breakfast, unfortunately, he chose to drink   whisky instead of eating. Here was our conversation:

Me:  "You should not drink without food in your stomach Dad."

Dad:  "Oh an old buzzard like me doesn't need to eat, I need a drink that's all I want to do."

Me:  "It's not good for you to be drinking because if you fall, you might break your hip or break a bone".

Dad: "You remind me of my daughter-in-law, Rose.  Do you know Rose?"

Me: "It is me  Dad"

Dad: "You are not Rose."

Realizing that he doesn't recognize me anymore, I  just went along with the flow and continue with out conversation.

Dad:  "Rose is such a good girl, I love her"

Me: (Choking this time).  I am so  please to hear that Dad.

I texted my husband after I  came back home and he could not believe I did it.  I did not text him before I went because I know he would not let me go alone.  

The next day, May 22, he was off from work and I encouraged him to join  me  so that he would see that it is not as dangerous as he thought it would be.  He was skeptical because he knows how car fly by on Cove Hill but I convinced him to go.  Photo was taken in downtown Weirton.

He did not want to  go up the Marland Heights Road  so he showed me the  way where he used to  climb when he was growing up.  It was a very neat pathway.  While we were  climbing, he was telling me stories about his childhood which made the journey very special for me and him.

The path led to the golf course area so we have to  walk back to my father's in law's house.  I must admit, it was easier although a  bit longer.  The presence of the trees makes it more enjoyable to  hike plus I got a bonus, my husband's stories about his  childhood memories.

Dad 's memory  is not as sharp  anymore compared to last year so he sometimes forget who we are.  He kept telling my husband that a girl came by the day before and she made herself comfortable around the house.  She was telling us about  my visit but he can't remember that it was me.

After an hour of visiting Dad, we went back home.  We  chose to hike up Greenbrier Road instead of going back to Cove Road.  I think my husband regretted the idea since it was harder to hike the steep road  compared to Cove road, however, it was more relaxing because it  has so many trees to see.

Since we took different paths from my  walk the previous day, our miles went from 8.2 to 9 miles.  I was very surprised that I was able to do that walk again.  I thought for sure I will be so sore  the next day but I think the pain meds I took before going to bed that night helped me.  

I did one more trip alone on May 27th.  My sister-in-law and nephew Lee were there at Dad's when I arrived.  My sister-in-law and I made  Dad and Lee some breakfast.  After staying   a little bit, I head back home.

We did some more long walks and running after this.  I will post about separately since we  took our children with us.  I started them with just  a little over two miles one day and then  when my husband was off again, we  took them to a 9-mile walk.  Tune in and find out  how they did.  

Shadow Shots