leehoward decided to interview Pamela MaddenKrall, to see how she stays so fit at her age. They agreed lee should just go with her on her exercise routine, then we could all share in her methods. Let's face it, it is hard to find time in one's week to exercise, much less be disciplined about it, but Pamela has found a way.
She has been an athlete all her life, and now just shy of fifty, she has some new exercise goals befitting her age. Meeting in Yountville, at Boulangerie, at 10am sharp, one sunday morning, for coffee and crumpets, seemed the perfect thing to do in late January. Her body looked supple and strong in the morning light. Her arms, toned but not too buffed, her legs and torso, firm, her countenance- strong, aware, present, generous. She looked great. The air is crisp and clean, perfect for a bike ride. It felt good on their bones as they sat, after getting their drinks, slowly sipping the warm fine brewed blend, the bright sun the blinding them , as they gratefully stared with closed eyes into its radiance.- feeling the warmth on their faces.
"It's about a 13 mile ride, you sure you're up to it?" She asked.
Yes, I've been training, knowing I'd be working out with you!"
They both laughed breezily.
"But seriously, this is just another day out and about for you ?"
"Yes. I try and make my own life one of exercising and training; walking up stairs instead of taking the elevator is an excellent way to work the glutes. I stretch in the doorway at work, while making copies or shredding paper- I walk with my friend at work, also in her fifties, everyday at lunch. I try and laugh a couple of times a day- deeply and with sincerity- that is also a good exercise, believe or not. And simply practicing breathing; shutting the door in my office, and just closing my eyes, and breathing in and out for a few minutes. I might even do a little private yoga stretching in my office. Its worked miracles. These are practices I've only recently starting using , everyday- not just 'when I can get to it.'
Do you lift weights, too?
I've been trying to get over to the gym more often. I swim my laps and do my reps. This is not for vanity- this is for longevity, agility and strength in my lower joints: hips, knees and ankles. Its work! One should do something, do one thing; for your mind, your body, your spirit, everyday.
Let's Go!" she said . They strapped on their helmets, finished their coffee, threw the white cups into the recycling bin and were off. Up into Yountville, a right at Yountville Cross Road which is actually one small section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, then heading out about 1.5 miles to Silverado Trail, where they'll take a left. The road is not too busy but trucks will come barreling through here, using this road as a shortcut. Take your time, wear bright clothing, bring lots of water- at least 2 containers.
I want to try some exercise things I've never done, month to month. Within reason, of course...I don't think I'll be skydiving or snorkeling anytime soon, but who knows? But there is so much to one can do in terms of getting out and seeing nature, being in nature, going on walks near streams, rivers, in forests, on mountaintops. This past year my husband and I have been a on a quest to hike/bike the entire Bay Area Ridge trail, all three hundred miles of it, in one year! Recently he and I got back into bowling too!"
"Wow" said lee..."What makes you want to do all of this? I mean why not just lay around and complain..."
"Are you kidding me? And miss out on all the fun to be had in life? The great outdoors, the scents, the spices from the tress, there is beauty all around us. I want to be fit enough to enjoy it."
"You look great for your age, I can't believe your turning fifty in May!"
"Well, you know, again, its about being fit...holding one's weight that is comfortable for your body frame. Its not just about exercise. My husband and I are always doing the 'work'; on our relationship, on ourselves, fine tuning our diets, trying to stay strong physically as well as mentally.
Its a discipline, and we've been at it for awhile. Part of our early attraction to each other was the fact we both liked to work out, hike/bike/play and love the 49ers! So, yes, its work, but no, its not so overwhelming or so uphill anymore. Raising a daughter with good eating/dietary values, now that was hard work, and worthy of another essay!" she tried to tell him over the din of the ever present traffic. He couldn't help but admire her very shapely ass on the bike seat as she road ahead of him.
"Its about staying fit, active, having fun, seeking replenishment, she yelled over the din of the traffic."
He could barely keep up.
They arrived St. Helena a few hours later. It is very noisy on the Silverado Trail; it felt more like a freeway than the quiet country road it used to be 10 years ago. But new people move here and things change.
They stopped to get a rest, drink some water. Her firm arms rippled through her tight, stretchy shirt. The canteen glistened against her cheek. He tried not to gawk at her.
What does your husband think of you looking so beautiful, er, I mean, so fit?
"O, he loves it. All my clothes fit better on me, and we do so much together, its great a having a friend, partner and especially someone who is my lover, to do things with."
Do you find it keeps your marriage fresh?
"O absolutely! It keeps us in shape for the next time we meet in the night! ( Winks at him...), but really, I think it freshens our spirits, helps to deal with problems better, create a more resilient person- and a more resilient couple. Couples are up against alot of negative factors all vying to disrupt things- all of my girlfriends are single. All of lee's male freind's are single. What does that tell you? It tells me what we have is very very rare- and should be protected, enlivened and kept fresh."
Do you think people would like to be healthy happy and in love?
Of course, silly- what an odd question. Its been subtly taken away from us. Now all we have is TV watching replacing intimacy. I think TV has done the most harm- not the box itself, what the programmers and social engineers are filling it with - nothing good, that's for sure- its raising a society of uncaring people. We shut our TV off- one of the best things we've done for ourselves. We have more time to engage, to be together, to play scrabble, go for walks, stay in shape. Of course we still watch movies and all, but don't have to watch these shows at night. Its a consumer driven society- what ever we buy or don't buy, we can change our social fabric. The power is in our hands-
Onward they headed. Over to the famous Dean and Deluca for lunch and chocolate.
It turns out , they're on a 24 mile bike ride today, not the 21 they thought they were on. That's ok, they're both fit enough to keep going. Be careful of the traffic, use your hand signals, and use the roads with the bike lanes; fortunately biking is respected in Napa, so there are many.
The way back was uneventful; made it back safe...
to be continued!
-over and out!
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