“If anyone hates this pic, feel free to untag yourself,” I wrote after posting this photo to my Facebook page and tagging the 11 women who, on this July 2 day, trekked up and down seven hills in the name of summer fitness.
“How could anyone hate this photo?” commented one walker. “I consider it documented proof of me up and moving at 7:00 a.m.”
Proof, it is, that bunches of women (and sometimes their husbands and kids) have been pounding the pavement at 7:00 a.m. three days per week ever since school got out. It was my idea—I live in the neighborhood that houses the hills of varying intensity, and I was worried that without a school schedule, I’d sleep late, regret the lost hours, and lose track of a good workout routine. I advertised the idea of summer hill walking on Facebook, and as soon as a few people committed to joining me for early-morning exercise, I knew I had to be accountable. Except for three misses, I’ve climbed hills each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and I’ve been joined by as few as five and as many as 12 companions. A variety of friends (and friends of friends) now comprise the walking (and sometimes, running) group, and while we tone our muscles and build our cardio strength and endurance, we are forming friendships and connections I hope stand the test of time and a soon-to-happen new school routine.
“I’m so crazy proud of everyone in this pic,” wrote Fitz when she saw this photo. Yea, I’m proud, too—proud of everyone’s effort not only to get a little bit fitter, but to roll out of bed when it would be so easy to just pull the covers over the head and keep on snoozin’.
There are 14 days of walks left before school year 2012-2013 begins—if you’re in the Gainesville area, throw on your workout wear, meet us at the Wellington Place pool parking lot, and pick your own pace as you conquer a hilly, 2.5-mile course.
