Fitness Challenge "Iron Ranger"

Day 216: I have to say I'm proud of this achievement. Yesterday, I received an unexpected prize as the "Iron Ranger" of the 2014 Fitness Challenge in addition to a certificate of completion. Each member of our team was given a handy little backpacking spoon/fork (all eleven members completed at least 100 miles), but as the top finisher among all participants, I also was rewarded with a pair of Merino "Smart Wool" socks in a two-color Norwegian design and a gift certificate to one of my favourite stores, REI.

The Challenge was based on the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, a 1200-mile traverse from the Continental Divide in Montana to Cape Alava on the Olympic Peninsula. It crosses five mountain ranges, three National Parks and seven National Forests. Teams participating in the Challenge were charged with accruing aerobic-equivalent miles to represent a hike of the complete trail between January 7 and March 30, 2014. After completing a few days of more than 15 miles, I was asked by one of my colleagues, "What, are you planning to do the whole trail by yourself, Crow?" At that point, I sat down with a calculator and saw that it was indeed possible. That was the goal I set for myself about two weeks into the Challenge. Between riding an exercise bike and walking/hiking, I finished the virtual "trail" with enough days remaining to add an additional 300 miles to my total, averaging 18 miles per day. I am happy to say that our team also took top honors.

"Iron Ranger." I like the sound of that. Not bad at all for a little old lady.

Banished!

Day 176: Hie thee hence, device of torture! And stay there until next winter! Yep, I have achieved my final mileage goal in the winter physical fitness challenge, and the exercise bike has been sent into exile. When I got up this morning, I only needed the aerobic equivalent of 16.5 walking miles to bring my total to 1500, and between riding the bike for almost two hours and walking 7.5 miles, I'm done!

A few statistics here, because when you're as old as I am, this is something to brag up:

Starting on January 7 and ending today, I rode the exercise bike for 216 hours to earn the aerobic equivalent of walking 891.5 miles. However, the actual odometer reading was significantly greater: 3456 miles "travelled" at an average of 16 MPH. As for the walking portion, I put 602.5 miles on my feet, covering a variety of terrain from pavement to steep, muddy trail. The remaining six miles were accrued with sweat equity while digging holes and planting trees in rocky ground for three hours. Thus the breakdown is 891.5 plus 602.5 plus 6 for a total of 1500 aerobic equivalent miles.

Over the course of the challenge, I lost 12 pounds and am now as trim as I've been at any time in the last five years. My leg strength has increased and my endurance is up significantly. Overall, I feel much perkier and energetic. That's not to say there haven't been a few days when I really had to push myself to get out there, but any program like this is as much a test of resolve as it is of physical ability. Fortunately, I have always enjoyed walking and challenging myself on a physical level. Just like climbing a mountain, the only way you'll get there is by putting one foot in front of the other one, over and over and over.

An Apple A Day

Day 16: I'm right out there with your drill sergeant when it comes to encouraging you to stay fit by engaging in a variety of physical exercise, but in addition to participating in active sports, you need to keep your brain trained as well. Even simple occupations such as putting together jigsaw puzzles, building model kits or following a needlework pattern stimulate synapses and keep them springy. Don't neglect the grey matter when you plan out your exercise routine!