Exercise

I've mostly written about food in this blog . . . but exercise is part of the process as well.

My employer has a neat website: http://www.standingupforillinois.org/walk/default.php

The Governor of Illinois (I work in the Executive branch, so he's the top of the food chain in my organization) has challenged citizens of Illinois to walk 167 miles this year.  That's the distance from the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan. 

I'd been walking around the office last fall, but in January, we got logs to officially track our walks.   With measured distances.  (6 laps around the first floor hallway is a mile, 4 laps around the sidewalk on the outside of the building is a mile, once around the parking lot is mile.)   In January, I walked 77 miles.  In February only 62 (work kept me from walking as much).   With the nicer weather in March, most days, I get in 3 miles.  I have a mandated 15 minute break in the morning and afternoon, and an hour for lunch.  And a 15 minute mile works pretty well . . . I could go faster, but I don't want to be sitting at my desk looking like I need a shower.

I got a surprise earlier in the week.  Since I am over 100 miles already for the year, the Secretary of Transportation's office wanted to put my picture on their "Walkers Wall of Fame."  Nice to be recognized for something I would have done anyway.

By the way, since 167 miles turned out to be so easy . . . I'm now trying for 367 miles for the year.  According to Google Maps, that is the distance from Fort Defiance State Park at the very southern tip of Illinois to Navy Pier in Chicago.   Sounds like a good goal to me.

Although . . . I should point out that three miles a day on pavement has taken a bit of getting used to.  And I am writing this while sitting with an ice pack on my right Achilles tendon. . .  ow.