My Walk Across The Country

Today marks the end of my second year walking across the United States. Virtually, that is. A couple of years ago, I was looking into some sort of virtual walk. I could never figure out how to start my own, other than getting a certain distance from one place to another, like from where I live to where my parents live (cross country). That seemed pretty boring. I stumbled upon this site, and knew I had found what I was looking for. It tracks your progress cross country. You start out in Yorktown, VA and end up (eventually) in Florence, OR.

Every time you complete your walking, biking, or running for the day, you enter in your distance (up to the .1. It won't calculate .25 mile), and it gives you a snap shot of where you are on the route. It also gives you an updated tracking line. When you start, the line is red, and as you progress, it turns black. It gives you a picture of where you are (the snapshot) and also gives you a map of where you are in the general area, where you are in the state you're currently in, and a map of the whole country.

I've been doing this now for two years, and I've walked (on the elliptical) a total of 135.8 miles. I'm about 2.3 miles from Mineral, VA, and it's going to take me a very long time to reach OR. But that's OK. It's a great motivational tool to keep me going. I always look forward to entering my distance each time, and seeing where I am. I'm on a two lane road right now, with lots of green trees, and the snap shot for today has a few cars on the road.

 I thought it was a pretty cool site when I found it. And another cool thing is SparkPeople created a team almost a year ago and all of the members use that site. Most of the members have passed me by already, but that's OK. It's not a race. One of the team leaders just made it to the state of Kentucky. Pretty cool.

So, if you walk, run, or bike, check out this site, and start tracking your progress across the country. It's going to keep you motivated to keep moving.

My Walk Across The Country

Today marks the end of my second year walking across the United States. Virtually, that is. A couple of years ago, I was looking into some sort of virtual walk. I could never figure out how to start my own, other than getting a certain distance from one place to another, like from where I live to where my parents live (cross country). That seemed pretty boring. I stumbled upon this site, and knew I had found what I was looking for. It tracks your progress cross country. You start out in Yorktown, VA and end up (eventually) in Florence, OR.

Every time you complete your walking, biking, or running for the day, you enter in your distance (up to the .1. It won't calculate .25 mile), and it gives you a snap shot of where you are on the route. It also gives you an updated tracking line. When you start, the line is red, and as you progress, it turns black. It gives you a picture of where you are (the snapshot) and also gives you a map of where you are in the general area, where you are in the state you're currently in, and a map of the whole country.

I've been doing this now for two years, and I've walked (on the elliptical) a total of 135.8 miles. I'm about 2.3 miles from Mineral, VA, and it's going to take me a very long time to reach OR. But that's OK. It's a great motivational tool to keep me going. I always look forward to entering my distance each time, and seeing where I am. I'm on a two lane road right now, with lots of green trees, and the snap shot for today has a few cars on the road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2006 Lawrence Berkeley Lab

I thought it was a pretty cool site when I found it. And another cool thing is SparkPeople created a team almost a year ago and all of the members use that site. Most of the members have passed me by already, but that's OK. It's not a race. One of the team leaders just made it to the state of Kentucky. Pretty cool.

So, if you walk, run, or bike, check out this site, and start tracking your progress across the country. It's going to keep you motivated to keep moving.

My Answer To The Blog Envy Question

One of my favorite fitness and food bloggers, Tina Haupert from the blog Carrots 'N' Cake, recently wrote an article on Health.com about being envious of other people's health achievements. I enjoyed the article because she mentioned one of my other favorite fitness and food bloggers, Caitlin from the Healthy Tipping Point blog. Caitlin took part in the Disney Marathon in January of this year, and more recently the Wildman Olympic Triathlon in mid March of this year. She's done several 5k races, 10k races, 15k races too.

Back in February 2007, when I first got my butt in gear to get healthy again. I found myself reading blogs about running. I loved reading about other people's running experiences, whether it was a regular run around the neighborhood, or a 5k race or a marathon. I enjoyed reading about their experiences. I found myself a little envious that I “couldn't” do those things myself. But as part of my getting healthy attitude switch, I learned to be proud of what I could accomplish. I learned that I shouldn't compare myself to other people. I should be proud of me. I always knew these things, but the actual concept finally hit me over the head and sunk in. I am proud of what I can do. I try not to compare myself to others, but that's still a bit tough. I don't do that nearly as often as I used to. When I find myself comparing myself to others, I give myself a choice. I tell myself to find a way that I can accomplish that particular achievement and do it, or I tell myself to just continue on with my own goals.

Will I ever run a marathon? I highly doubt it. Will I ever run at all? Probably not. Do I want to? Yes, I do. It is possible for me to run. If I ever get my act together and work on my balance issues and confidence issues, I could make a stab at running maybe. It won't be pretty (just walking is not a pretty sight at times), but I can do it. I can do anything I want to...if I really want to. I might not be able to do it the way most people do it, but I can do it.

A story just came to mind that really has me considering the whole running thing. A few months ago I was watching the Glenn Beck show (I know, I just made myself a target by mentioning his name, but I like the guy, deal with it), and he told a story about his daughter Mary. Mary has cerebral palsy also, and is in college now I believe. When she was younger, Mary was on the cross country team at school. I think she was actually the captain of the team. Anyway, she would participate in the races just like everyone else on the team. And she was always last. When I say last, I mean dead last. The people in charge of the race actually took the scoreboard down before she was done. Glenn took a stopwatch to the races so he could time Mary himself. But, the point is, she finished, every time. And her time kept improving. Now that's inspiring, and gives me motivation to keep going.

That just goes to show you, that you can do anything you want to, you just have to want it badly enough. I have to keep that in mind as I work on my balance and walking (which I seriously need to do again).

In my opinion, it's not a bad thing to be envious of other people's health accomplishments, as long as you don't dwell on it for too long. Don't let it consume you, or let it eat away at you. If you want it badly enough, find a way to accomplish it yourself. Set up a plan set by step, and you'll get there. It may take a long time, but you'll get there.

Oh yes, Caitlin is now training for a century bike race in Napa Valley on May 23. Now a bike race is definitely something I'd be interested in. More than running. I love biking. If the rules allow for them, I'd ride a tricycle in a race.  I'd most likely go much slower than everyone else, but I think that would be fun to do. And I wouldn't care if the race officials cleared the scoreboard before I was finished. I'd finish and I'd be proud of that accomplishment.

This is getting a bit long, but those were the thought I had when I first read the article from Tina on Health.com. What are your thoughts? Do you ever feel envious of someone's achievements? How do you deal with it?

My Answer To The Blog Envy Question

One of my favorite fitness and food bloggers, Tina Haupert from the blog Carrots 'N' Cake, recently wrote an article on Health.com about being envious of other people's health achievements. I enjoyed the article because she mentioned one of my other favorite fitness and food bloggers, Caitlin from the Healthy Tipping Point blog. Caitlin took part in the Disney Marathon in January of this year, and more recently the Wildman Olympic Triathlon in mid March of this year. She's done several 5k races, 10k races, 15k races too.

Back in February 2007, when I first got my butt in gear to get healthy again. I found myself reading blogs about running. I loved reading about other people's running experiences, whether it was a regular run around the neighborhood, or a 5k race or a marathon. I enjoyed reading about their experiences. I found myself a little envious that I “couldn't” do those things myself. But as part of my getting healthy attitude switch, I learned to be proud of what I could accomplish. I learned that I shouldn't compare myself to other people. I should be proud of me. I always knew these things, but the actual concept finally hit me over the head and sunk in. I am proud of what I can do. I try not to compare myself to others, but that's still a bit tough. I don't do that nearly as often as I used to. When I find myself comparing myself to others, I give myself a choice. I tell myself to find a way that I can accomplish that particular achievement and do it, or I tell myself to just continue on with my own goals.

Will I ever run a marathon? I highly doubt it. Will I ever run at all? Probably not. Do I want to? Yes, I do. It is possible for me to run. If I ever get my act together and work on my balance issues and confidence issues, I could make a stab at running maybe. It won't be pretty (just walking is not a pretty sight at times), but I can do it. I can do anything I want to...if I really want to. I might not be able to do it the way most people do it, but I can do it.

A story just came to mind that really has me considering the whole running thing. A few months ago I was watching the Glenn Beck show (I know, I just made myself a target by mentioning his name, but I like the guy, deal with it), and he told a story about his daughter Mary. Mary has cerebral palsy also, and is in college now I believe. When she was younger, Mary was on the cross country team at school. I think she was actually the captain of the team. Anyway, she would participate in the races just like everyone else on the team. And she was always last. When I say last, I mean dead last. The people in charge of the race actually took the scoreboard down before she was done. Glenn took a stopwatch to the races so he could time Mary himself. But, the point is, she finished, every time. And her time kept improving. Now that's inspiring, and gives me motivation to keep going.

That just goes to show you, that you can do anything you want to, you just have to want it badly enough. I have to keep that in mind as I work on my balance and walking (which I seriously need to do again).

In my opinion, it's not a bad thing to be envious of other people's health accomplishments, as long as you don't dwell on it for too long. Don't let it consume you, or let it eat away at you. If you want it badly enough, find a way to accomplish it yourself. Set up a plan set by step, and you'll get there. It may take a long time, but you'll get there.

Oh yes, Caitlin is now training for a century bike race in Napa Valley on May 23. Now a bike race is definitely something I'd be interested in. More than running. I love biking. If the rules allow for them, I'd ride a tricycle in a race.  I'd most likely go much slower than everyone else, but I think that would be fun to do. And I wouldn't care if the race officials cleared the scoreboard before I was finished. I'd finish and I'd be proud of that accomplishment.

This is getting a bit long, but those were the thought I had when I first read the article from Tina on Health.com. What are your thoughts? Do you ever feel envious of someone's achievements? How do you deal with it?

Random Update

It's been a bit longer than I'd like since my last entry here. I still haven't gotten a post schedule down for this blog. I really should set a schedule, but I never seem to be able to stick with it.

My first week back on my elliptical went very well. I only did one tenth of a mile three days last week, but that was my plan. Best to start slow, and build up from there. This week, I'm up to .2 mile. It's actually getting easier, as far as endurance. I really wanted to keep going yesterday, once I hit the .2 mark. I really thought about it. But I decided to stick with the plan and only go the .2. I may go for .3 tomorrow though.

My ankle is playing mind games on me. When I first start, it's really stiff, and I almost convince myself to stop. But it eventually loosens up and feels great. The first couple of days, I kept thinking I felt a twinge here or there. I really do think it was my mind playing tricks on me. It doesn't hurt at all, and I just tell myself to keep going.

Seems as though Wednesdays are my slack off days. I did do my workout, but it took me forever to get it all done. I honestly don't know why. I got into my workout clothes around 8:15, and finished at around 10:30. It should not have taken me that long. I didn't have that many bathroom breaks. I did do the pilates workout, and that adds about five minutes. Then after my workout, I got caught up on Biggest Loser. And that also took forever to finish. I made lunch about halfway through it. The husband got back from work, so I turned it off, and we watched the show Justified (on FX). When I finally finished Loser, it was about 5 PM.

I got absolutely no writing done, but that's OK, I don't have any pending assignments at the moment. I planned on writing a blog here yesterday, but time got away. Also managed to get two loads of laundry done, so that's something.

So, today, I'm getting busy. It's an early work day for my husband (he was actually awake by 4:45 AM and gone by the time I got up at 6 AM). I should have gotten up when he did, but that's too early. Crazy early.

Sorry this post is so boring. I plan on addressing a question from Tina's blog very soon.

Need to start getting my workouts done earlier, the desert heat is coming back soon, and it will be 120 before you know it. Supposed to be 90 today. Time to break out the shorts. Bah.

Have a good one.

Random Update

It's been a bit longer than I'd like since my last entry here. I still haven't gotten a post schedule down for this blog. I really should set a schedule, but I never seem to be able to stick with it.

My first week back on my elliptical went very well. I only did one tenth of a mile three days last week, but that was my plan. Best to start slow, and build up from there. This week, I'm up to .2 mile. It's actually getting easier, as far as endurance. I really wanted to keep going yesterday, once I hit the .2 mark. I really thought about it. But I decided to stick with the plan and only go the .2. I may go for .3 tomorrow though.

My ankle is playing mind games on me. When I first start, it's really stiff, and I almost convince myself to stop. But it eventually loosens up and feels great. The first couple of days, I kept thinking I felt a twinge here or there. I really do think it was my mind playing tricks on me. It doesn't hurt at all, and I just tell myself to keep going.

Seems as though Wednesdays are my slack off days. I did do my workout, but it took me forever to get it all done. I honestly don't know why. I got into my workout clothes around 8:15, and finished at around 10:30. It should not have taken me that long. I didn't have that many bathroom breaks. I did do the pilates workout, and that adds about five minutes. Then after my workout, I got caught up on Biggest Loser. And that also took forever to finish. I made lunch about halfway through it. The husband got back from work, so I turned it off, and we watched the show Justified (on FX). When I finally finished Loser, it was about 5 PM.

I got absolutely no writing done, but that's OK, I don't have any pending assignments at the moment. I planned on writing a blog here yesterday, but time got away. Also managed to get two loads of laundry done, so that's something.

So, today, I'm getting busy. It's an early work day for my husband (he was actually awake by 4:45 AM and gone by the time I got up at 6 AM). I should have gotten up when he did, but that's too early. Crazy early.

Sorry this post is so boring. I plan on addressing a question from Tina's blog very soon.

Need to start getting my workouts done earlier, the desert heat is coming back soon, and it will be 120 before you know it. Supposed to be 90 today. Time to break out the shorts. Bah.

Have a good one.