Today started a little busy for us. Some friends were at a nearby craft sale and we wanted to stop and say hello, we wanted to work on The Crippler's Amazing Geo-Race cache series, oh and a little 10K walk around Lake Geneva which is one of the YRE (year round events) they offer.
Geared up and headed to Brookfield to stop by Scrappy Scouts (Its a caching nickname) stand. Seems Scout stayed home and slept but we spent about an hour chatting with Scrappy. Nice and not as interesting as last time we visted with them, no runaway corn trailers this time (yes I am being serious).
Got to Lake Geneva and I assumed it would be slowing down since it is off season, wrong beautiful day and cars everywhere. Found a parking spot and headed to pick up the map for the walk. The start of the walk took us along the north edge of the lake, with a wind that made me wonder if I was wrong in ditching my coat and long pants in the car, I prefer walking in shorts. But soon the route took us on a trail that circles all 26 miles of the lake, the walking is very uneven through this area but the breeze was blocked.
Eventually the route breaks away and we headed into town and near the first cemetery in town (GR8 Eyes you missed placing a cache here) and would eventually start heading south on the east side of the lake. Now the lake front property on the North side is nothing I can dream about owning, and the property on the east side is what the people on the north side dream about never owning. A four floor 50 room mansion built in 1930 for $2 million, that included a mini golf course and a pool on the roof and a Frank Lloyd Wright design would be among the properties we would pass.
After what seemed like and endless distance we get routed back onto the path that circles the lake. This is an interesting area as it basically goes thru peoples back yards. Some have tried to get the path removed and fought it court but the path remains and basically it is public access but everything around it is private property. Some people have put down pavers for the path that cuts thru their yards and some have left it very primitive. In a few spots you are close enough to the lake to get splashed.
The cool part is you get to see all the multi million dollar homes much closer than when we past them on the road earlier. The coolest part of this walk was near that 50 room mansion I mentioned earlier, on the lake path there is one person who has put up a fence on both sides and the fence boards are ornately painted and there are inspirational quotes painted on the fence. From Lynn Redgrave to Michelangelo to Jiminy Cricket to various other thinkers, some religious, some proverbs from foreign county to the quote I have above. Even Munchkins get love here "Follow the Yellow Brick Road". You cant help but walk away from this place with an uplifting feeling in your heart. You owe it to yourself to walk this route once.
We finished the day but doing 2 legs of the geocache series I mentioned. One thought came to us on the second cache, we had to park almost a 1/2 away from one cache and after walking over 6 miles you would have thought we would have groaned about it. I know in the past we would have, before walking that is. No real complaints, except I had some mud to cross and I almost lost my shoe. Times are changing
With todays walk I have over 200K steps into my journey. Tomorrow is the HeartWalk and soon we will be adding walks in Vegas and Pasadena to our list. I have started to wonder can I hit 400K steps yet this year? I know I need to keep a go pace going if I am serious about the marathon walks in May and June.
Anybody want to go for a walk?
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
100 miles
When I started this in early September I actually wondered how long it would take me to get to 100 miles walked. Today I found out, while on the treadmill at the gym I started my second 100 miles. In about 4 1/2 weeks I have made it to 100 miles, trust me I am shocked byt his, I was hoping maybe 100 by Christmas or so, but never such a short time.
But I now look back and see some very clear cut changes in me. I may not have lost the weight I wanted to, but it is starting to come off, my lifestyle has become healthier. I would have never set health related goals or fitness related goals. Now I am looking at a 17 mile walk near Madison in May and a 26.2 mile walk in June and I am telling mys self that if I want to seriously do these two events (and I am seriously interested) I need to get at least 30 pounds off my body (or under 250) before that date. But I have 6 months so I think I can (guess I need to sound like the little engine that could).
My biggest fear is winter, I normally hibernate and come out 3 months later 10-15 pounds heavier. I can't do that this year, I don't know how not to, but I suspect it will be by putting one foot in front of the other. Other things that will help is we are planning a trip to Vegas and LA, I have already found walks in areas we will be staying. Visiti0gn family up north, already know what trail we can hike. Halloween with caching Team B&B do a walk in La Crosse first, finding a way to still do everything else but to also start to take care of myself.
Thanks Roxy for being there most every step of the way and inspiring me to start and get my butt off the sofa. Thanks Robin for Ourhike, it may have been for your cause, but it has shown me a new path
To date 182041 steps for 102.6 miles. I have now burned enough calories that if you wanted to visualize them in one sense, I could eat one fast food chain specialty Cheeseburger for every day in February, during a leap years an still have not used up my calories burned. Onward to the Heartwalk and The Dairyland Walkers Lake Geneva 10K walk this weekend
But I now look back and see some very clear cut changes in me. I may not have lost the weight I wanted to, but it is starting to come off, my lifestyle has become healthier. I would have never set health related goals or fitness related goals. Now I am looking at a 17 mile walk near Madison in May and a 26.2 mile walk in June and I am telling mys self that if I want to seriously do these two events (and I am seriously interested) I need to get at least 30 pounds off my body (or under 250) before that date. But I have 6 months so I think I can (guess I need to sound like the little engine that could).
My biggest fear is winter, I normally hibernate and come out 3 months later 10-15 pounds heavier. I can't do that this year, I don't know how not to, but I suspect it will be by putting one foot in front of the other. Other things that will help is we are planning a trip to Vegas and LA, I have already found walks in areas we will be staying. Visiti0gn family up north, already know what trail we can hike. Halloween with caching Team B&B do a walk in La Crosse first, finding a way to still do everything else but to also start to take care of myself.
Thanks Roxy for being there most every step of the way and inspiring me to start and get my butt off the sofa. Thanks Robin for Ourhike, it may have been for your cause, but it has shown me a new path
To date 182041 steps for 102.6 miles. I have now burned enough calories that if you wanted to visualize them in one sense, I could eat one fast food chain specialty Cheeseburger for every day in February, during a leap years an still have not used up my calories burned. Onward to the Heartwalk and The Dairyland Walkers Lake Geneva 10K walk this weekend
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Gyms and MIlwaukee AVA walk
With the bustle around Al's Run/Walk I failed to mention other new things that are occurring. Given we live in Wisconsin the likelihood that we will be able to walk thru winter is nil. Between cold,snow and early sunsets it just isn't a good match up. So what to do, join a Gym.
So we go to one place and the guy behind the counter seems annoyed because we ruined his attempted pick up, shows us some prices and none of the equipment, we didn't buy. So we try another place and the manager is about to go off duty but stays to give us the tour. The place is a little small but alot of high quality equipment in it, the same equipment they use on the Biggest Loser in fact. Clean, neat, not a meat market and prices that were good enough, so we bought a membership.
Friday after doing a few things around the house, we grab a bite to eat and hit the gym. Right know just an hour on the treadmill is all I am looking for. Quickly I realize that walking right after dinner isnt smart, as I get a B of a side ache, but I keep going. The other major difference is when your walking a trail you set your own pace and soemtimes have to stop for traffic. The treadmill just keeps going at the pace that I entered in, which in the end seemed much tougher than trail walking. But thru the winter it will work and just 10 minutes from home is all the better.
Sunday we did our second AVA walk. This one was a little different than our first as it is a unsupervised walk (they do many of these). In this case we went to a hotel near Grand Avenue Mall and picked up the start cards and maps. The walks would take us 10K starting down Wisconsin Avenue to the Calatrava, then North on Lincoln Memorial to the snack shop at McKinley Beach, up the hill to the Water tower by Columbia /St. Marys and weaving our way back down to Lincoln Memorial. This time we veer off at the War Memorial (who knew there was a statue of Lincoln in front of the War Memorial?), over to Cathedral Square and finally back to the hotel to stamp our books to show we did the walk.
In the Friday thru Sunday time frame we walked a 5K and two 10Ks, roughly 15 miles. No wonder the wife is tired. Next weekend brings the AVA in Lake Geneva and a 5K Heartwalk.
Its funny on how quickly we have gotten some serious distance accomplished, at times I have been a little bummed that the weight hasnt gone as quickly as the miles have but 280 is near for me and I started at 296 so I cant complain much. People are starting to see it so I know there is some good happening.
To date168316 steps for 94.7miles, Tuesday I should go over 100 miles
So we go to one place and the guy behind the counter seems annoyed because we ruined his attempted pick up, shows us some prices and none of the equipment, we didn't buy. So we try another place and the manager is about to go off duty but stays to give us the tour. The place is a little small but alot of high quality equipment in it, the same equipment they use on the Biggest Loser in fact. Clean, neat, not a meat market and prices that were good enough, so we bought a membership.
Friday after doing a few things around the house, we grab a bite to eat and hit the gym. Right know just an hour on the treadmill is all I am looking for. Quickly I realize that walking right after dinner isnt smart, as I get a B of a side ache, but I keep going. The other major difference is when your walking a trail you set your own pace and soemtimes have to stop for traffic. The treadmill just keeps going at the pace that I entered in, which in the end seemed much tougher than trail walking. But thru the winter it will work and just 10 minutes from home is all the better.
Sunday we did our second AVA walk. This one was a little different than our first as it is a unsupervised walk (they do many of these). In this case we went to a hotel near Grand Avenue Mall and picked up the start cards and maps. The walks would take us 10K starting down Wisconsin Avenue to the Calatrava, then North on Lincoln Memorial to the snack shop at McKinley Beach, up the hill to the Water tower by Columbia /St. Marys and weaving our way back down to Lincoln Memorial. This time we veer off at the War Memorial (who knew there was a statue of Lincoln in front of the War Memorial?), over to Cathedral Square and finally back to the hotel to stamp our books to show we did the walk.
In the Friday thru Sunday time frame we walked a 5K and two 10Ks, roughly 15 miles. No wonder the wife is tired. Next weekend brings the AVA in Lake Geneva and a 5K Heartwalk.
Its funny on how quickly we have gotten some serious distance accomplished, at times I have been a little bummed that the weight hasnt gone as quickly as the miles have but 280 is near for me and I started at 296 so I cant complain much. People are starting to see it so I know there is some good happening.
To date168316 steps for 94.7miles, Tuesday I should go over 100 miles
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Sorry if this one sounds like a PSA
This walk today was personal. Several years ago WKLH radio thru there morning team Dave & Carole started the Miracle Marathon. It was 60 hours of them on the air the days before Memorial Day Weekend, they simply were raising money for Milwaukee's Childrens Hospital. Had a nice little program that with a credit card they took $20.00 per month for a year. Thru job changes and downsizing we have done that now for a while.
They have used this explanation as to why you should give, simply think of it this way if you have a child who never in there lifetime has any reason to use Childrens consider yourself lucky. I am one of those people. But if you are not, or you have a grandchild, niece or nephew who need Childrens this is why you donate. To help them. And recently with Little Man E we have fallen into that second category, we have a loved one that needs Childrens all to often. Or even if you have an friend or acquaintance that has a child that needs Childrens, it is amazing how many of us either directly or indirectly have been effected by Childrens , even if you dont know it.
If what I have wrote to date cant inspire somebody to get off there tail and walk some to get rid of some of that excess weight all to many of us carry, then let me ask you to open the wallet and help the nearest Childrens Hospital to where you live, the loved one you may be helping maybe somebody that will have an effect on your life.
The day was picture perfect and great for a walk. We were going to do two walks so we parked nearer the second walks starting point (and it was free I parked at work), so we had some distance to walk to the starting line. As we approached we could hear Dave & Carole on the speaker system as the MC's of the event. The event is split into several different categories. An 8K wheelchair event, and 8K run and a 5 mile and 3 mile walk. We opted for the 3 mile walk since we had other plans after.
By the time the starters gun (actually an air horn) fired there was 16,000 participants. For those of you who know downtown Milwaukee that is about 5 blocks of people in both the East and West lanes. One item I thought was very cool was thre was a group a of Marines and Sailors running, two across in formation and the ovation the men and woman got as they weaved up to the starting line was quite loud.
Th walk itself was great MU Cheerleaders and Woman's Basketball team cheering you on as you passed the starting line. Several bands set up on the route playing as you went by, even the Milwaukee Festival Choir singing God Bless America. UWM Panther Cheerleaders were also visible as we rounded the last turn into the Summerfest grounds.
I think the one visual that will stay with me for years is when we first came down Wisconsin Avenue and could see the Sunburst statue on the left and the Calatrava with wings opening in front of us and about 8 solid blocks of runners and walkers (it spread out a little bit), the lake glittering in front of us, truly a wonderful thing to be apart of.
Once we made it to Summerfest we walked back to my car and headed to Grand Avenue Mall (are they ever empty three) to get a bite to eat. Between getting dehydrated and being on 500 calories per day said she couldn't go on to do our 10K. But that was ok since our 3 mile walk with going to and from the car was now over 10K itself. We called it a day and will head back downtown tomorrow to do that 10K
11211 steps today-ALL FOR A GREAT CAUSE!!
They have used this explanation as to why you should give, simply think of it this way if you have a child who never in there lifetime has any reason to use Childrens consider yourself lucky. I am one of those people. But if you are not, or you have a grandchild, niece or nephew who need Childrens this is why you donate. To help them. And recently with Little Man E we have fallen into that second category, we have a loved one that needs Childrens all to often. Or even if you have an friend or acquaintance that has a child that needs Childrens, it is amazing how many of us either directly or indirectly have been effected by Childrens , even if you dont know it.
If what I have wrote to date cant inspire somebody to get off there tail and walk some to get rid of some of that excess weight all to many of us carry, then let me ask you to open the wallet and help the nearest Childrens Hospital to where you live, the loved one you may be helping maybe somebody that will have an effect on your life.
The day was picture perfect and great for a walk. We were going to do two walks so we parked nearer the second walks starting point (and it was free I parked at work), so we had some distance to walk to the starting line. As we approached we could hear Dave & Carole on the speaker system as the MC's of the event. The event is split into several different categories. An 8K wheelchair event, and 8K run and a 5 mile and 3 mile walk. We opted for the 3 mile walk since we had other plans after.
By the time the starters gun (actually an air horn) fired there was 16,000 participants. For those of you who know downtown Milwaukee that is about 5 blocks of people in both the East and West lanes. One item I thought was very cool was thre was a group a of Marines and Sailors running, two across in formation and the ovation the men and woman got as they weaved up to the starting line was quite loud.
Th walk itself was great MU Cheerleaders and Woman's Basketball team cheering you on as you passed the starting line. Several bands set up on the route playing as you went by, even the Milwaukee Festival Choir singing God Bless America. UWM Panther Cheerleaders were also visible as we rounded the last turn into the Summerfest grounds.
I think the one visual that will stay with me for years is when we first came down Wisconsin Avenue and could see the Sunburst statue on the left and the Calatrava with wings opening in front of us and about 8 solid blocks of runners and walkers (it spread out a little bit), the lake glittering in front of us, truly a wonderful thing to be apart of.
Once we made it to Summerfest we walked back to my car and headed to Grand Avenue Mall (are they ever empty three) to get a bite to eat. Between getting dehydrated and being on 500 calories per day said she couldn't go on to do our 10K. But that was ok since our 3 mile walk with going to and from the car was now over 10K itself. We called it a day and will head back downtown tomorrow to do that 10K
11211 steps today-ALL FOR A GREAT CAUSE!!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Nice Milestone today
My wife has really surprised me the last two days. I had expected her to cut back on walking due to her 500 calorie days. She has not and we have walked 5K each of the last two nights.
I had wanted to see if I could run a mile but I rather have her by my side than try running. And truthfully on Tuesday I couldn't have run a mile, I could barely walk one. I have been having some serious cramping in the calf, above the ankle on the outside of the leg. Hurts like a SOB but I keep going
Good news for this weekend got our bibs 6601 and 6682 for Al's Run/Walk. They offer a 3 and 5 mile walk. So what would you expect out of us? Well we are doing the three mile. No we are not going soft.
The Dairyland Walkers has a Year Round Event (basically go to a set location get the map and take the hike and get credit upon completion), that is located within a 1/2 block of where we are parking so we are going to go there and after doing the 3 miles do another 10K (6.2 miles)
One thing I like with this walking club is that they are part of an international walking club and therefore if you are say in Nevada walking up the east side of the strip is a YRE that you can get credit for. Plus they have various challenges such as doing a club walk in all Wisconsin Counties, or all states, or one honoring fire and police professionals. One thing I learned from Geocaching is we like challenges so this should help us go more places to find new areas
As for that milestone, since I started I have passed the 75 mile mark. Over the next two weekends I will surpass 100 miles
I had wanted to see if I could run a mile but I rather have her by my side than try running. And truthfully on Tuesday I couldn't have run a mile, I could barely walk one. I have been having some serious cramping in the calf, above the ankle on the outside of the leg. Hurts like a SOB but I keep going
Good news for this weekend got our bibs 6601 and 6682 for Al's Run/Walk. They offer a 3 and 5 mile walk. So what would you expect out of us? Well we are doing the three mile. No we are not going soft.
The Dairyland Walkers has a Year Round Event (basically go to a set location get the map and take the hike and get credit upon completion), that is located within a 1/2 block of where we are parking so we are going to go there and after doing the 3 miles do another 10K (6.2 miles)
One thing I like with this walking club is that they are part of an international walking club and therefore if you are say in Nevada walking up the east side of the strip is a YRE that you can get credit for. Plus they have various challenges such as doing a club walk in all Wisconsin Counties, or all states, or one honoring fire and police professionals. One thing I learned from Geocaching is we like challenges so this should help us go more places to find new areas
As for that milestone, since I started I have passed the 75 mile mark. Over the next two weekends I will surpass 100 miles
Monday, October 4, 2010
2nd 10k in 3 days
My wife has taken most of the steps I have during this journey, but she also has another journey. She has been some seriously hardcore dieting, its three weeks of 500 calories then back to a more normal intake. One side effect of this is lack of stamina and energy, so I don't expect her to go as far or as often as we have during the 3 week period.
The person who is helping her has told her she can continue to walk once she is in her three week cycle since she has built some stamina herself at this point.
So we set out, I am just hoping to see mile marker two on our trip today, the weather is a little chilly but not bad for walking. To help we have gotten some better designed clothing for walking from the Nike Outlet store (finally no chaffing YEAH!!) and it seems to be going pretty smooth. We pass Mile Marker 2 and she wants to keep going.
Past the next road crossing, then the bend in the road the signifies the furthest we have hiked on the Bugline. Then the light goes on, she wants to see Mile Marker 3. How she is doing this on only 500 calories I have no idea, but I respect it. I dont think she has any idea how much she impresses me with her journey and how that makes my journey easier
On the way back she starts dragging and by the time we get home I think she would rather just go to bed than have dinner. We walked just a bit short of our second 10K in three days
No walking for her tomorrow, we will adjust to every other day while she is in her three weeks. I figure that I am going to try to up my game tomorrow, when I started I didnt know if I could walk a mile, many years ago I could run a under 6 minute mile. Tomorrow it is time to see if I can run a mile again, but I won't worry about the six minute mark
11351 steps today for a total of 123248 so far
The person who is helping her has told her she can continue to walk once she is in her three week cycle since she has built some stamina herself at this point.
So we set out, I am just hoping to see mile marker two on our trip today, the weather is a little chilly but not bad for walking. To help we have gotten some better designed clothing for walking from the Nike Outlet store (finally no chaffing YEAH!!) and it seems to be going pretty smooth. We pass Mile Marker 2 and she wants to keep going.
Past the next road crossing, then the bend in the road the signifies the furthest we have hiked on the Bugline. Then the light goes on, she wants to see Mile Marker 3. How she is doing this on only 500 calories I have no idea, but I respect it. I dont think she has any idea how much she impresses me with her journey and how that makes my journey easier
On the way back she starts dragging and by the time we get home I think she would rather just go to bed than have dinner. We walked just a bit short of our second 10K in three days
No walking for her tomorrow, we will adjust to every other day while she is in her three weeks. I figure that I am going to try to up my game tomorrow, when I started I didnt know if I could walk a mile, many years ago I could run a under 6 minute mile. Tomorrow it is time to see if I can run a mile again, but I won't worry about the six minute mark
11351 steps today for a total of 123248 so far
Sunday, October 3, 2010
How I walked 10K to do a 2 terrain Geocache
Been a little tardy and neglectful in my posting-Sorry to anybody who is reading this.
We started geocaching in an attempt to loose weight, that never occurred so now we have started walking. Nice thing is that sometimes these to things can coexist. To non cachers a 2 terrain geocache means there are some hills involved and the terrain is a bit rougher but no big deal, so people normally don't walk 10K (6.2 miles) to do these types of caches, but who said I was normal.
We arrived in Union Center to the Dairyland Walkers (part of the American Volkssports Association) sponsor walk on the Hillsboro spur of the 400 bike trail. We wore our Wisconsin Geocaching Assocication sweatshirts and while we were talking and getting information about the club (which we did join) about the club we were also waiting for a shuttle to take us to the starting point. The sponsor from the club then informs us there is a cache nearby, but it is time to go.
The walk started as a walk around the city streets of Hillsboro for about 4K. I am not a huge fan of walking on city sidewalks as it jars my knees and ankles. But the guy who decided airline seats should be smaller, must have designed the width of the sidewalks in this town, we couldn't walk two across the sidewalk. Finally we get to the access point to the trail (so we thought) and did a tour of a liquid fertilizer plant (good thing I quit smoking years ago, open flame would equal BOOM here). Tried again and found the proper route, the next 6K was on a trail similar to what I am used to walking on and was no problem on the body and completely different from the first portion. This part was heavily wooded around you, there were several bridges you had to cross and most of the time you couldn't hear Highway 33 even though it was just a few 100 feet away.
In the end it took us about 2 hours to do the distance, this make the furthest my wife has gone in one hike and she handled it wonderfully. Oh and we nabbed the cache after walking the trail
On the way homes stopped at the Nike Outlet to get some more cold weather friendly gear for hiking.
Next weekends goals Al's Run/Walk for Children's Hospital and hopefully doing the Dairyland Walkers YRE in downtown Milwaukee which is 10K. Will try to do both in the same day for a total of 15K that day
To date 111897 steps and 62.6 miles, startign to wonder if we can do 250K steps before year end
We started geocaching in an attempt to loose weight, that never occurred so now we have started walking. Nice thing is that sometimes these to things can coexist. To non cachers a 2 terrain geocache means there are some hills involved and the terrain is a bit rougher but no big deal, so people normally don't walk 10K (6.2 miles) to do these types of caches, but who said I was normal.
We arrived in Union Center to the Dairyland Walkers (part of the American Volkssports Association) sponsor walk on the Hillsboro spur of the 400 bike trail. We wore our Wisconsin Geocaching Assocication sweatshirts and while we were talking and getting information about the club (which we did join) about the club we were also waiting for a shuttle to take us to the starting point. The sponsor from the club then informs us there is a cache nearby, but it is time to go.
The walk started as a walk around the city streets of Hillsboro for about 4K. I am not a huge fan of walking on city sidewalks as it jars my knees and ankles. But the guy who decided airline seats should be smaller, must have designed the width of the sidewalks in this town, we couldn't walk two across the sidewalk. Finally we get to the access point to the trail (so we thought) and did a tour of a liquid fertilizer plant (good thing I quit smoking years ago, open flame would equal BOOM here). Tried again and found the proper route, the next 6K was on a trail similar to what I am used to walking on and was no problem on the body and completely different from the first portion. This part was heavily wooded around you, there were several bridges you had to cross and most of the time you couldn't hear Highway 33 even though it was just a few 100 feet away.
In the end it took us about 2 hours to do the distance, this make the furthest my wife has gone in one hike and she handled it wonderfully. Oh and we nabbed the cache after walking the trail
On the way homes stopped at the Nike Outlet to get some more cold weather friendly gear for hiking.
Next weekends goals Al's Run/Walk for Children's Hospital and hopefully doing the Dairyland Walkers YRE in downtown Milwaukee which is 10K. Will try to do both in the same day for a total of 15K that day
To date 111897 steps and 62.6 miles, startign to wonder if we can do 250K steps before year end
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