Body in Progress Journal Entry
Today I didn’t go to the gym. Usually when I have my power Saturdays, I get up early while everyone else is sleeping in. I would drop my oldest daughter at work, and then the rest of the morning would be mine.
This morning however, was different. My little one was up earlier than usual and she wanted to be with me. I decided that I would go for a walk instead. I knew that since she was tagging along I was prepared to just walk without worrying about speed or anything like that. So we got dressed and left. While we were walking, we talked, or rather, she asked lots of questions while I indulged her; and laughed and sang songs, which was wonderful. She was getting tired, and didn’t like all the bugs that were flying or crawling around. I told her not to be scared because the bugs were going about their business just like we were and they moved out of our way because we’re bigger than them. This didn’t help, she wanted to go back home. Luckily, we were less than half way into our trek so I took her back home.
I decided to continue the walk because I wanted to get some exercise in for the day. It was already getting hot outside, but I was wearing a sun visor and sunglasses so I wasn’t too worried about the sun.
On my journey, there were other walkers and runners from time to time. I kept a good speed, enjoying my walk. My breathing was pretty normal and I wasn’t short of breath or anything like that which was great!
I drank from my water bottle sparingly because I didn’t want to feel bloated since the water was cold. It eventually got to room temperature though before I finished the first leg of my walk.
I was almost at the end of my first leg when I saw him. My instincts went into alert mode because of how he was dressed and his body language. It was someone I’ve never seen before during my walks around the neighborhood.
He was pulling up his shirt while walking as if he was going to take it off, then he twisted and pulled it down. Then he put his hands in his pockets, and then did other bodily actions which were unusual, and he was looking at me. Truthfully I felt a pang of fear but I decided I wasn’t going to be afraid. I walked passed him and we made eye contact. I did that for a reason. I read that it is always good to make eye contact with someone you feel uncomfortable with if they are directly in front of you because you can identify them. I guess he didn’t expect that so he looked away and I continued my journey.
I committed his looks and his dress to memory. I then said to myself that sometimes it’s difficult not to discriminate because of a person’s action and how they look. I’m sorry but I did that because my instincts were to be aware of this person and I listen to my instincts. He was a male Latino, with wild hair, (like an afro) dressed in long sleeved heavy knit shirt, heavy pants, and dark shoes. Other people around me were either driving or if they were walking, they had a dog, or they were dressed in work out clothing and doing some physical activity. He wasn’t. The way he looked, was almost desperate, with his eyes darting back and forth. Not very reassuring.
I completed the trek and turned around to make the journey back. I kept up my speed and walked quickly. Then my instincts went into play again. It said, to slow down, and keep this person in front of me until I could turn off that main road. I could see him in the distance. I had my cell phone, if it come to that I could always call my husband to drive to pick me up or I could call for help if necessary. But I didn’t need to do any of those things as long as I kept him in my sight.
The route I walk is more than a mile long in one direction; it’s a long stretch of road with two lakes on either side, lots of trees and some shrubs on either side at different stretch. It is a busy road in that cars come and go often, there are also a few subdivisions and homes and apartment complexes along it as well. It’s a route that many people use to work out because you get a good workout running or walking. Because of this familiarity I wasn’t entirely afraid, but I was weary.
As I walked I changed paced and went more slowly, but noticed I was catching up because he slowed down.
I was almost at the top of the road again where I started which was good. There was a turn off into a gas station and there were more people around. Before I got to that point however he was at a snail’s pace. I did the same. Then I decided to speed up and just walk by him. I could smell him. I was right in my thinking. He didn’t live around here, he was probably homeless or a migrant worker passing through but he had no bags.
I could have said something but instinctively I was told not to do that, just go and so I did. I got home quite safely. I’m going to have to visit that security store to get a personal protective device. I’ve been thinking about that recently and what happened today reaffirmed that thinking.
At any rate, I managed to complete my walk.
Cardio work out one hour and 15 mins