Go slow - think more, talk more, see more.
Just lately I’ve had to change gears as I go round the lake. I used to tear around as fast as I possibly could, and that helped with the bathroom scales and ego.
Now, I have to go around in first gear. Whilst this is a source of great frustration and angst, there are some pluses to this.
First up and perhaps most importantly, it’s easier to have a conversation with someone whilst you are walking along. Trying to chatter about chooks, the footy and the weather whilst you’re jogging and out of breath is well nigh on impossible, and the quality of the dialogue is pretty sketchy.
You have a much better encounter if you are just walking and have the time, breath and presence of mind to have a sparkling and in-depth discussion. The opportunity for a friendship to be found or formed is much greater.
Secondly, you see more. When you are focusing on your technique, stride and breathing to obtain the maximum speed, you don’t get an opportunity to gaze upon the outstanding beauty of our Lake. I never knew that there are real live pelicans who come to visit and paddle. There is also a vast array of bird life that flit, dive, fly and float. And was that a frog I heard in the marshy bit this morning? A whole new dimension has always been on display for me to enjoy. I just must have missed it in my breathless attempts to be athletic.
Finally, I have more time to think, reflect, plot and enjoy. My top gun/gear time was around the 40-minute mark. My low-grade first-gear approach entitles me to a whole hour of refreshment therapy.
Go slow - think more, talk more, see more.