Setting Challenges

Over the years I have set different challenges to keep me motivated. Once I set a goal, say walking 2000 miles a year, I break it down to a managable daily amount, and in this case its a shade less than 5.5 miles a day. Two thousand miles is a dang huge distance, enough to say 'not a chance' before ever getting started!

This was my goal over 15 years ago and the 5-6 miles average each day was quite managable. You know each person would do this differently, all at one shot or break it further down in smaller portions - it worked best for me to do a mile or so whenever I could find a spare 15-20 min. I spent the first 30 to 40 min. of my hour long lunch break putting in a couple of miles, and on days when only 30 min was availed for lunch, it would go entirely for the walk (could always sneak a bite at my desk). Very soon it become a habit and found that I could not do without my lunchtime workout (now I know it was the endorphins). My co-workers thought I was off my rocker as cold and rainy days seldom kept me from getting my feet wet. Little did they know what spurred me on.

I used to work near the beach and quite close to a beautiful walkway that follows the beach/coastline for 2-3 miles. This was my destination after work for many years spending an hour or more along the walkway taking in the beautiful views and numerous sunsets while letting those wanting to rush home fight the commute traffic -
see there is a solution to everything, and most of the time, better. So by the time I got home, usually by 6:30 or 7, I had just completed a relaxing hour plus walk and easily put in 5-6 miles so far. During this time I always put in a mile or so just before going to bed - I was so dedicated that I remember one evening after getting under the covers, I had somehow forgotten to do my walk so I promply threw off the covers, put on my walking shoes and did my walk! (those endorphins will get you everytime).

So you see walking 6 miles a day (or 2000 miles a year), for those who are dedicated, need not be an unsurmountable challenge.

Walking Meditation

One very simple exercise, walking,
comes close to being ideal
-Deepak Chopra, MD

Walking is your physical body's meditation. According to Dr. Deepak Chopra, walking half an hour a day improves not only the quality of life, but may add years to your life as well. As you step into a walking rhythm, with your naturally alternating arm and leg movements, energy and information weave gracefully back and forth across the midline of body and brain, and unity of feeling and function become possible, if you will allow….
Can you permit yourself to walk just for walking's sake, not just to get there? Can you make your walk a time-out from current concerns? Can you be present in each moment with each breath, each step, and then
become aware of the life around you, the wonders that Nature creates in spite of our attempts to tame her?
If you can, even for a while, then the left brain may surrender its cognitive dominance of day to day life. It may even allow your creative right brain opportunity for its natural modes of expression - inspiration and intuition. And you may find along your way, a quiet
peace that passes understanding.

How It All Started

I 'discovered' walking during a winter over 23 years ago. It was early January 1984 and I was in the middle of watching some television when I decided to take a short break to stretch out and get some fresh air outside. Upon returning about half hour later I felt very much rejuvinated and also built up some warmth.
Although it does not get very cold here in Northern California during winter, it does feel good to keep warmer than the 50 to 60 degree winter daytime lows. In as much as I could bundle up or turn up the heat, the warmth I was experiencing from this 'new' way was something I have been addicted to ever since.
It does help that the weather here in Aptos, 10 minutes south of Santa Cruz, is mild year round, so walking as an exercise is something I can practice any time of year - its 3:30 here in the afternoon and the temperature is in the high 60's in the middle of summer! Even the warmest days, 'the dog days of summer',don't get much past 80; it's the ocean influence that keeps the heat away. Recently we had several days of hot weather (80-85) in a row and we knew nature's air-conditioner would come to the rescue.