Speed-Walked 5 Miles Through Neighborhood This Morning

For the third time in the past five Thursday mornings, I got up early and speed-walked 5 miles through my Gainesville, Florida Northwood Pines subdivision and the adjacent one, Northwood Oaks. It started out a little foggy, warm (74 degrees) and very muggy (99% humidity)...the sky stayed cloudy throughout my walk, in which I consciously exerted myself but probably could have pushed it a little more, in reflection.  The roads seemed emptier, with fewer vehicles then before although a few fellow walkers...and one intrepid runner...passed by me.  I completed the walk, which I began around 6:50, with a time of 1:08:18...putting it right there with my other two: at least I'm consistent if not improving.  Still, I don't feel the kind of intensity that running brings. Nevertheless, the continuity of getting myself out of bed and doing this is a victory, to be sure.  When walking, I try to mimic how I see race walkers move, vigorously moving my arms and trying to land my forward leg straight and bring it that way under me while attempting some forward hip rotation...I wonder whether the judges at those events would cite me for some walking rules infractions or just laugh at me. Walking very fast does look kind of ridiculous, and it's an exercise in humility for me to speed-walk in public, or even better in a race that features runners far ahead of me. My treadmill walking pace is far faster than my road walking...I'm currently working on a 10:31/mile pace at the gym. I walked today listening to a shuffle of songs by the British rock group Queen, thanks to Amazon Music...my favorites from them are Another One Bites the Dust, Bicycle Race, Killer Queen, Keep Yourself Alive and the wonderful collaboration with David Bowie, Under Pressure...