Last winter, I decided to keep track of my walks. So, I set my goal. It’s an ambitious one for me, 500 miles in a year. That’s a long way. It takes me more than a tank of gas to drive that distance. What would the distance do to my shoes? Would they last, or should I buy new ones?
As a math person, let’s break the mileage into doable parts. Somehow, 2 miles per day seemed like the trick. Next, I measured the mileage around the neighborhood. The plan seems entirely plausible, at least in my thinking. If I walked 250 times a year, I could do it. Two miles a day for 250 days. The math says 500 miles. The goal was to do 21 monthly walks.
January was cold. Temperatures were below 20° in the morning. It’s too frigid for me. I missed my goal by walking for only 18 days. February didn’t fare much better weather, and appointments conflicted with my schedule. I was really behind my schedule. March and April were cooperating, and I began to make up lost ground. May and June were kind. Finally, I was on schedule. I made the 250-mile mark, and I’m halfway there. July was good. August wasn’t too hot in the mornings. I had to hustle in September. Rainy mornings were disruptive.
Only 100 miles to go, and I still have 3 months. Things are looking good. But I don’t know if the weather, schedule, and health will cooperate.
If your legs work, the lungs expand, and heart beats, you, too, can set a goal of 500 miles. The pace isn’t important, but determination is required. There’ll be good days, and then there will be bad days where it’s an effort to put on your shoes and open the door. You’ll have to push yourself.
October was good, and I got ahead of schedule. Then came November, the goal’s insight. I got to double up some and completed my goal two days early.
I just coasted in December. It felt good. Real good. I would have patted myself on the back, BUT I couldn’t reach it. But I did congratulate myself. I did it!
What’s your goal for this year? If I remember, I’ll ask you in 2026.
