It was an accident
I decided to change it up today and go to Martin Farm park. I chose the north part of the trail. It's not a loop, so I walked for about 15 minutes, then turned around and went back to my car. That turned out to be about a mile! I did not intend to go from 1/2 mile to a full mile in one fell swoop, but that's what it turned out to be. I had to stop and catch my breath a few times, but I made it. Yay me!
However, I don't think this park will make it into my regular walking rotation. The north side is not shady at all. The south side didn't look shady, either. There are no benches in case sitting down for a minute needs to happen. Today there was enough of a breeze to keep me from getting too hot, but that won't always be the case. It might be ok as an after work place or a weekend morning place. I'll decide about that later.
I realized today that Suwanee Town Center park will also not be a good choice at lunchtime. There are benches, but there is absolutely no shade at all. This park would be ok for evening or early morning; it's at a busy intersection and in front of a bunch of shops & restaurants, so I wouldn't be overly concerned about safety.
I'm really lucky to live & work in this area. There are many choices of places to walk. My apartment complex is not suitable because there are no sidewalks to speak of, but the neighborhood the complex is in has sidewalks on both sides of the road. It's a bit too hilly for me at this stage, but in a month or so I should be able to handle it.
I'm trying to keep myself from going too far, too fast. I need to keep this pleasurable, not mandatory, not something I "should" do. Rather, for the habit to have any chance of taking hold, it needs to be fun and interesting.
ETA: I won't be able to walk at lunchtime tomorrow because I have some banking stuff to do. Maybe I will get up and go before work. If not, then I may go after work if it's not raining.
However, I don't think this park will make it into my regular walking rotation. The north side is not shady at all. The south side didn't look shady, either. There are no benches in case sitting down for a minute needs to happen. Today there was enough of a breeze to keep me from getting too hot, but that won't always be the case. It might be ok as an after work place or a weekend morning place. I'll decide about that later.
I realized today that Suwanee Town Center park will also not be a good choice at lunchtime. There are benches, but there is absolutely no shade at all. This park would be ok for evening or early morning; it's at a busy intersection and in front of a bunch of shops & restaurants, so I wouldn't be overly concerned about safety.
I'm really lucky to live & work in this area. There are many choices of places to walk. My apartment complex is not suitable because there are no sidewalks to speak of, but the neighborhood the complex is in has sidewalks on both sides of the road. It's a bit too hilly for me at this stage, but in a month or so I should be able to handle it.
I'm trying to keep myself from going too far, too fast. I need to keep this pleasurable, not mandatory, not something I "should" do. Rather, for the habit to have any chance of taking hold, it needs to be fun and interesting.
ETA: I won't be able to walk at lunchtime tomorrow because I have some banking stuff to do. Maybe I will get up and go before work. If not, then I may go after work if it's not raining.