Shut Up and Do It

"Leap and the net will appear." Let the leaping proceed.

A Stunning Bridge for Walking, Biking and Admiring

Santiago Calatrava's stunning Peace Bridge in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

One of the most surprising things that I discovered in Calgary this past week is the pedestrian bridge spanning the Bow River. It was opened in 2012 to accommodate the growing number of people walking and biking to work along the many pathways in the city. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava the "Peace Bridge" seems quite inviting, in fact, when I go back to Calgary next year I'm going to make a point of having some non-work time so I can walk across it a time or two. Before then I hope to find an article explaining where the name came from. I've looked, but only briefly, and haven't found the answer. 

There were apparently some issues in getting it opened (faulty welds and a few things like that), but I love it. I also love when cities go the extra mile and make something special. It made a huge difference in what I felt about the city.

ADDED: I just walked away and then thought, "Why did I post about a bridge in a blog about aging, growth, etc.?" Then it occurred to me. I haven't been able to walk much since my 2015 year of surgeries, and I WANT to! I want to be one of those people who walks the Beltline in Atlanta every day. I want to be one of those people who rides a bike in Calgary (on the flat part). And, I will be. We went to the YMCA for a big work out this morning, AND I rode the bike in the basement an hour ago. I rode it for 10 minutes, but when you're coming from ground zero, that's not bad for a second "work out" of the day. One day at a time. It would be so cool to go back to Calgary a year from now for our International Play Association world conference and be in a place where biking and even hiking in Banff is no big deal. Today I inched a little closer to that reality.

Banff and My Bottom Line

Me on my first zip line ride somewhere in Canada near Banff.

I have been working out on the weight machines at the YMCA for eight years. There have been countless times of having to start from scratch because of a surgery, illness, travel, or, well, laziness. But, imagine if I didn't have those eight years behind me!

From my heaviest point I'm down about 20 - 22 pounds, but I have been stuck at this point for something like six months. Still sluggish, way overweight, tired ALL of the time, etc., etc.

Last night I got back from a week at a board meeting in Calgary Canada. Two of the other members have both lost a good deal of weight. One of them rides his bike all the time. He just can't get over the difference in his level of stamina. That sounds so good to me. We spent a day in Banff and I couldn't stop thinking about all the people who go there to hike and how I couldn't hike if I tried. At least I did something new...I rode a zip line. Gravity did all of the work, but still I pushed myself into my discomfort zone.

So, I've lost 20 pounds and kept it off. I love working out at the Y. I've started riding the bike downstairs again... a little. And, I'm reading an article in Time Magazine about the incredible power of exercise.

Tomorrow is a new day.