Keep your Head up.

It dawned on my as I was wandering around the business park that walking on a sidewalk doesn't really provide the same type of training as hiking on a trail.  The concrete sidewalk is hard, provides much traction and doesn't really give as much.  This doesn't quite exercise the legs the same way as trail walking. 

So, in one of those "well duh!" moments, I noticed that there was grass on each side of the sidewalk.  What forces me to walk on the sidewalk when I could just walk on the grass?  As long as I dodge the saplings planted in the medians, not sink into the mud and be careful not to step on the sprinklers, I can exercise in more realistic conditions. 

I also have to practice keeping my head up while walking around.  With a backpack, it is easy to slump over and stare at the ground.  And although the scenery isn't the best around work, it will be on Mount Rainier, so I need to keep my head up and look around. 

However, one thing I did learn is that I'm not the only one walking in the business park.  In fact, I'm not the only mammal walking in the park. The only problem you get when you keep your head up is that you don't see where you're putting your feet.  There are no bad dogs, just bad dog owners.