Mid-June Check In, and a Milestone

There's no other way to put it - I hit 365 miles. That happened on June 5th, which is the earliest I've ever accomplished this goal. I have been steady and consistent about walking and riding my spinning bike, and those miles have added up. It struck me that for some reason, this year is different from the other two years I've participated in the 365 Mile Challenge. But why is that?

I began the 2018 challenge late; I was able to register in March, when registration re-opened. I wish I had a record of my miles, but they got dumped when the app I was using suffered a very large hiccup, and I lost all my data. I know I barely made it to 365 miles in late December, and I was determined to hit 365 miles much earlier in the year, and I wanted to achieve a double, 730 miles, in 2019. There was never a question that I would sign up again, and I did.

2019 started off strong - really strong! I was walking in rain and snow, and even bought skis, which I swore years ago that I would never own again, and I even got miles, not many, on them. I was willing to walk in the dark, using a headlamp - I was owning this challenge! And then I got the stomach flu, which knocked the stuffing out of me.  I was down, as in barely moving, for five days, and it took well over a week for me to get my strength back, but I have to admit - my motivation was gone. I went from going out daily to skipping several days at a time. My journal and calendar were filled with holes where I just ignored exercise altogether. Even though I hit 365 miles in late July, I dawdled around, never really regained my momentum. The double slipped away from me, and I barely made it to 500 miles on December 30th - 501.23 miles, thanks to a tandem ride. 

Enter 2020. I signed up, and I was ready to go. I wanted a neater, more colorful tracker this year. I was inspired by other participants cool-looking trackers! Some of them were so darn clever. I know that nobody was going to see my tracker, but hey, this challenge is for me, and so I rummaged around and found some colored pencils - much nicer! I decided to start this blog to record my year, and I ended up being a 365 Mile Challenge ambassador. When the materials arrived, I was happy - there was a journal, a couple of trackers, a welcome letter, and they all came in a folder, which is great because it's so much easier to keep everything in one place. My organizer-librarian-self loves that! I knew that I would continue to take pictures of my walks, and I wanted to also continue to post in the Facebook group, as well as on Instagram. I'm not trying to out-walk or out-bike anyone, but I always enjoy seeing the posts and pictures from other participants that I am encouraged and inspired to get out there! The people in this group go amazing places! They walk, hike, ride, kayak, ski, snowshoe - if there is a self-propelled mode of transportation, they/we are doing it. It is truly hard not to be motivated. 

Is there a secret to this? For me, it is being accountable to myself, through tracking and journal entries. I am tracking each day, and even if the day is 0.0 miles, I record it. I keep an accurate total going, and I record it as a fraction. My journal entries are short entries of where I went, was I walking, riding, or spinning, maybe something about the weather; I look back and often recall the day. I check in daily with the 365 Mile Challenge Facebook group, and I comment on member's entries and photographs, and I make myself part of the community. I participate in Mini-Challenges, and I've got the medals to show for those! On Mileage Monday, I often post late in the day, so I can include the Monday miles. There are all sorts of miles posted, and it can be a big range, but does that matter? We are all on our own path here.

I've got the second half of the year to get to my goal, 730 miles, and I plan to get there the same way I got to 365 miles; consistent movement, tracking, and continued involvement in the Facebook community. I'm planning on cycling more, and there is an e-bike in my future. As an ambassador, I plan on making a couple more videos about places I like to go to, and I'll continue this blog. I would encourage members to post pictures, tell us where you were, and celebrate your own story! Watch the monthly videos Val, the owner, posts - it's fun to see that snake or frog or vista picture you took flash by, and you can always check the YouTube channel for past videos. 2020, as weird as it's been so far, has been pretty darn good for me in terms of the 365 Mile Challenge. 

412.12/365

Blackbird Island & Waterfront Park

With the stay-at-home orders being lifted, and the possibility of finally traveling off the Olympic Peninsula on the horizon, it's time to start thinking about future walks. I haven't been off the Peninsula since late February, so the majority of my miles have been done straight out the front door. I'm not complaining; I'm lucky to have such pretty places so close to home. But Blackbird Island is a walk we usually take when we are at our cabin at Lake Wenatchee. And we've walked it in all seasons. If you are in central Washington, and visiting Leavenworth, a small town with a Bavarian theme, this is an easy walk to take if you are tired of shopping and hanging out in beer gardens.

The loop trail around Blackbird Island is easily accessed off Commercial  Street, behind the main area of shops. Most people access the trail at the bottom of the hill; head to the left. From there, head over the bridge, and you're on the island. The loop trail is a very easy and flat walk, and at the western edge, you can go off the trail to Enchantment Park, which features ball fields, restrooms provided seasonally, and a very cool bicycle pump track. Kids of all ages ride the track, and there is also an adjacent skate park. When you're done watching the activities, head back to the trail. The walk back is along the Wenatchee River. When the property was acquired by donation, 17 acres, and over 3,040 feet of riverfront became available to the public.  I love walking along the river; there are several places where there are good opportunities for pictures. As you continue along the trail, you'll hit another bridge - keep going! Once you hit the first bridge again, head east. There is one section that has a series of benches; I like to think I'm in Paris or some other European city, enjoying a leisurely stroll.

Leavenworth or Paris? 

Fall leaves 

As you continue on the trail to the east, there is a very nice play area for kids. We like to continue along the trail, which offers nice views of the Wenatchee River, and when we pop back up onto Commercial Street, we head back to the west to our vehicle, or to have lunch. It's a little over 2.5 miles for the route we usually take, but there are other ways to get back to town.

What I like about this walk, which we have done in all seasons, is the scenery. Walking along green trees in the spring and summer, lovely fall leaves in autumn, and snow in the winter - the island offers views of the river and the Enchantments in the Cascade Mountains. This is a very popular area, so be prepared to not be alone. We've encountered both high school cross country runners, and Forest Service fire fighters doing training, as well as people on bikes and lots of families. There have also been some wildlife sightings, specifically bears, but there are warning signs, and the trail will be closed if necessary. You will hear and see birds, and maybe even a deer or two, and the squirrels and chipmunks won't let you forget you're in their habitat. There are interpretive signs along the trail as well. Enjoy your stroll!

Winter work by resident beavers

The Wenatchee River with fall leaves

Looking west to the Enchantments

I know it won't be long until we head back to central Washington, but for now I'm still sticking pretty close to home. I am closing in on my first 365 mile goal, and expect that I will make that before June is over.


345.1/365