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Sunday, April 29: This morning I participated in Automattic’s Worldwide WP 5k, billed by WordPress as the “5k blogged around the world!” I went on my regular walking trail in Nizwa, Oman, which is actually a 4k trail that has every 500 meters marked with a sign. In order to make it 5k, I doubled back 500 meters each way between two of the signs, creating a little 1k loop in the middle of the trail.
It was a warm 75 degrees already at 6:09:10 a.m. when I started my walk. The trail is hilly for the first half and then flattens out for the second half. The hilly section has a slight breeze, but there is no air movement on the flat part. It’s all desert here, so there are no trees, and thus no shade. I worked up a sweat quickly in the sun, even though my pace is only about 13 minutes/km. I listened to my iPod Nano while I walked, a playlist that includes songs by Anna Nalik, Leonard Cohen, the soundtrack from the movie Slumdog Millionaire, and Canadian Loreena McKennitt.
Early on I got a small piece of gravel in my shoe. I don’t know how that happened as the trail is paved, but this is a gravelly country and sometimes rocks jump into your shoe from out of nowhere. I didn’t stop to remove it because I wanted to see my time with no interruptions.
I finished at 7:05:55, so my time for the 5k was 56:45 minutes, which I don’t think is very good!! I used to run, so walking seems soooo slow to me. But my running days seem to be over due to a partial knee replacement on the interior of my right knee. I guess I just have to get used to being a slowpoke. I feel like I’m going at a fast walking pace, but apparently that isn’t the case. Next year I’ll aim to improve my time and maybe even add some slow jogs to the run.
Anyway, it was a fun exercise and it was good for me to time myself so I can set some goals. Thanks for another fun challenge, WordPress!! I love this blogging community!!
Gilly Gee said:
Walking is best! You notice far more along the way (actually I couldn’t run unless it was vital because I would cough and wheeze plus I have the beginnings of knee problems too) but walking rocks!
catbirdinkorea said:
You are right Gilly Gee! I do enjoy walking much more than running. The knee problems definitely make running not fun!!
Cee Neuner said:
Such great shots.
catbirdinkorea said:
Thanks Cee!
Robin said:
I think 56 minutes is a marvelous time, but I can be such a slowpoke, especially when I have my camera with me. Well done. 🙂
catbirdinkorea said:
It sounds like your walk was simply lovely. I might have done the same had I been in a place as beautiful as the bogs. Sunday here is a work day too; my weekend is Thur-Friday, so I didn’t have time to linger. But I’m glad I could come along and enjoy your meander… 🙂
Madhu said:
Good for you! I am recovering from a nasty stomach bug and feeling rather blue and lazy and didnt move my butt from my recliner all day! A walk would have done me good!
catbirdinkorea said:
Oh no, Madhu! I’m so sorry you’re sick. There’s nothing worse in my mind than a stomach bug. It sounds like you needed a day to be lazy. I would have done the same!! Hope you feel better soon… 🙂
Sara Rosso said:
Great job! Thanks for participating! 🙂
catbirdinkorea said:
Thank you! It was another challenge I couldn’t pass up! Thanks for creating it!
zakir khan said:
you are awesome…….great photography never seen like those pics…..!
speechless…….will you tell me some of tips witch you need for photography!
god bless you keep it up….
zakir khan
i know some of place witch is perfect for photography those place are historically …….ancient……
you can contact me i want to learn……if you can
catbirdinkorea said:
Hi Zakir. I’m glad you enjoyed my photos although I can’t say the ones I took associated with the 5k walk were very interesting!! Thanks for visiting my blog!
dearrosie said:
I’m impressed that you took part in the challenge. I think you made excellent time considering the high temperature you were walking in!
catbirdinoman said:
Thanks, Rosie!! I’m really not a very fast walker, although it feels fast while I’m doing it. 🙂