This morning I put on my walking gear once more. I was not going to drive for a long time trying to find a nice woodland walk. This time I was going to stay local. Ish. Yes I was staying in my home town, but I was going to a different area than what I know.
It was a lovely walk, very much helped by good weather. I started in one of the suburbs, but pretty soon I was out of town and walking alongside fields and farms. I met a fair few dogs guarding their homes, saw some cattle, one sheep, a few horses and ponies. And trains. Plenty of them as there were two different lines running through the area I walked in.
I must admit I prefer walking in woods (softer on the legs), but this was a really nice walk. Longer than normal and that was on purpose. I felt that if my knee would hurt for 5 km and for 8 km, I might as well do the 8 km. So I did.
Some of the farmhouses were gorgeous and I was quite jealous of whoever lived in them. I would put up with the trains if I could live there! Most of the farms were still working farms. I saw cattle farms and a flower farm. And several others, but I didn't always look too closely.
When I got home I decided to enter all my kilometers in a spread sheet. See how well I have done this year. Which wasn't that good to be honest. Especially the first Corona wave had me sitting on my bum all day it seemed: April saw me log a total of 4,24 kms. That is just over 2 miles. For the whole month! Very very bad.
As you know I always have a goal for the new year. In 2019 I listed all the things I was grateful for on a weekly basis. This year I saved money by putting money aside every day (1 cent for day 1 of the year, 2 cents for day 2 of the year, etc. I now have a fair amount of money I will find a nice cause for soon). For next year?
Well, seeing as I have really started to like all this walking about and it does me good physically and mentally, I decided to put out a goal. Over 2019 my best month was October with a total of just over 67 kms. This year's best is November with a total of close to 65 kms. I added those two up and divided them by 2. Then I multiplied by 12. My goal for 2021 will be a year total of just under 791 kms. Or 491.7 miles if you are of the imperial mind.
It means I have to get out and walk. I will take my camera along and take photos of winter, spring, summer and autumn again. Anybody wanting to join me (not necessarily for the whole distance): welcome! Let's make it the 2021 Challenge!
It looks like you have a lovely area to walk close to home. Good luck on your personal walking challenge. I should do the same but probably on a treadmill since there aren't many places to walk right out our door (especially in the winter).
ReplyDeleteOh Mara such beauty right under our noses here too. We always (B.Covid) thought we had to 'go' somewhere to walk. But goodness me our neighborhood is full of beauty, and H I L L S,,,,did I mention Hills. Quite a work out
ReplyDeleteHugs cecilia
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteBrava Mara mate!!! On the saving challenge and on setting the walking challenge (I did for a moment hold my breath in case it was 1km first day, 2kms second day... 8~O)
The challenge for me is getting outside my door at all - firstly due to shielding and our being again in a virtual lockdown, but secondly because of the climate. I am not prepared to put on scuba gear just for a jaunt around the block! That said, on any dry day - and regs permitting - I do plan to get back to my toddle down to the shore and along the promenade then up the back of the hill and round again. I was just thinking yesteday about that - and also that on the days I can't do that, I must remember to get out my 'chair pedals' and at least work the legs and lungs for 20 minutes. I need to build up slowly again, after a year of being housebound. YAM xx
I could have done that the first week, but by the time I would come to day 31, I would have been struggling deeply. Let alone day 365!
DeleteI have a rain suit in my back pack at all times, but I do admit I don't really go out that much when it's really wet. But, just in case it starts to bucket down while on my walk...
Good luck with all the 'new' exercise again. I notice a difference already now, as distances are easier to conquer and my knee gets back to painless in a shorter period after a walk. Hopefully you will find an equal or even better improvement.
Klem
You have done well this year and that is quite a challenge for 2021. Keep walking.
ReplyDeleteWell, I have done okay this year. March (7 km) and April (4 km) were atrocious, but I have done good during the past few months.
DeleteHow many miles do you clock during a year or don't you keep track?
Good for you on your walking! Hope you have a Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteYou're doing well, and that seems like an achievable goal.
ReplyDeleteEen hele uitdaging. 15 kilometer per week! Succes.
ReplyDeleteDat is nog wel veel, maar als ik nu elke dag een kilometer of twee en dan in ieder geval 1 keer in de week een langere wandeling doe... Duimen maar.
DeleteYou have done such a wonderful job walking. I'm so proud of you. I enjoyed all of your photos. Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year!
ReplyDeleteNow I am really tired from reading all your walking ! I liked to walk and take pictures but this lockdown has made me soooo lazy and without any energy that I prefer to sit !
ReplyDelete