I have a general idea of what my route will be I want to start at a South Carolina Coastal area and I have pin pointed Goat Island and end in a currently undisclosed location off the Oregon coast. I am trying to plan this trip with weather conditions and climate in mind. I am thinking that central United States though not the hottest it is also not always the coldest. I do not want to be stuck in a desert heat wave or in a Colorado winter land slide so i will be working on finding out more about yearly climate and weather conditions. The route I am confederating starts with South Carolina to Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Idaho and lastly Oregon. This will be a trek through nine states. My next task is to work on detailing my route. I want to take the shortest route possible since I will be walking. I am physically not in shape in fact I should be a candidate for the Biggest Looser. I feel this trip will do one of two thing it will either force me to become healthy or it will kill me; I am hoping the former not the later. I think if I can figure out how long it will take me to walk from one state to the next I can work on planning a start time for this event. I have contacted The Department of Tourism in the states I am planning to trek through to get tourist information and maps of the areas. In future I will be fine tuning the plan.
8 comments:
I'm kind of concerned about this statement: "I am physically not in shape in fact I should be a candidate for the Biggest Looser. I feel this trip will do one of two thing it will either force me to become healthy or it will kill me; I am hoping the former not the later."
I know from personal experience that you need to work on having high self esteem so you will have the confidence you need to take this journey on and to complete it. I also know from experience that it's important for you to go to a gym and start a program to prepare your body for the grueling journey.
These kind of treks cannot be accomplished on will power alone. Preparation, both mental and physical preparation are key to being a successful finisher.
Best wishes for happy blogging and for a safe journey too.
If I wasn't fulfilling my dream to publish my book about my life in the Australian Rainforest I would walk with you Jane. This is, if not my next dream, one I want to do in my lifetime. My sister and I have wanted to do this and talk about it quite a bit lately. I think it is a WONDERFUL dream.
BTW, How did I miss this site??? This is fantastic! :)
I have a few ideas from my own walking dream. Here they are: I am walking at LEAST every other day, (try to do it EVERY day) no less that 1/2 hour sometimes an hour or two...depends on work sked. Start steady and build up if you haven't done it. Maybe start with 15 minutes and build up to 1/2 hour and then on to more.
Also, I started last year carrying 5 extra pounds EVERYWHERE I went. Even to the grocery store, the bank, etc. Get a small day pack and put some weight in it. If 5 pounds feels too heavy start with 3 then work up. I use mine like a purse. I don't care what anyone thinks. :) :) Once you don't feel the weight much...add some more....and keep going up.
Even if you can raise funds to have someone drive along with you you will still want to carry a day pack with sunscreen, lip balm, hat, raincoat, snacks, water, insect repellent, maybe camera, sunglasses, etc. I carry in my pack right now: My wallet and checkbook, a jackknife, matches, flint, compass, lightweight rain gear, small flashlight, cap, fleece, sunglasses, lip balm, camera/cards/batteries, car keys, 2 liters of water, reading glasses, ARE YOU LAUGHING YET??? Some days if I'm tired I take a bit out but I still go even if for a shorter time.
Also the good thing about walking now is to see how your feet respond to different footwear. It will also help toughen them up a bit.
I don't go ANYWHERE without carrying 15 - 25 pounds now. I've been doing it for a year and half and it not only builds strong bones (load bearing does that), but slowly strengthens your shoulders, legs and back. So even though I can't get away to do the "long walk" to Alaska or wherever, I am in training for it. So that is something you can start right away Jane. I would also probably start a really healthy diet and plenty of water. Whatever works for you.
If this is what you REALLY want to do don't let anyone discourage you. I am blown away that we have the same dream. I came here and my jaw dropped open. I am 54 years old and people have been telling me that I can't do this or that or the other...well I not only can....I DO do it! I run up steep mountains barefoot. I leap off buildings in a single bound, I'm faster than a speeding bullet...Okay, okay, I'm just a simple woman, BUT I am one heck of a determined woman.
Just take it a little at a time and you and Shirley set up a very simple exercise plan. If you can find a friend to train with you that helps sometimes. I actually like going alone as I spend so much time around people.
Also go to this website and read. It will blow your mind. This guy is an inspiration. He was actually way OVER weight when he left to walk across the country - I don't think he had any training. I followed him back when he was walking. It's called THE FAT MAN WALKING (LOL)
http://www.thefatmanwalking.com/
I think you or Shirley may want to contact him and read his site for ideas.
I wish you well and take care of yourself and start a little at a time to build up, and you can do it.
So good to meet you,
Hugs,
Robin
It sounds like you're well on your way to planning out the perfect route and what you will be facing weather wise...
While you're getting all this information together keep working on physical preparations.
I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to complete your dream walk, in fact I applaud your efforts to live your dream.
I am hooking up to your blog feed so that I can follow along with you and root for you too..
Make sure you have fun while doing this too. :)
~K
@ timethief the self esteem thing has been my debate with her my whole life.
@ Robin you missed it because it's new and basically a publicity stunt that was my idea. For my mom it is also a learning experience. She can barely get on the internet. I think I mentioned the guy to walk across America but I didn't know there was a link.
I have been through a lot of trials in my life and I relize that the proposed journey will be difficult that is why I am asking for all the help I can get. I have also done research on type 2 Diabeties and the research is showing that there is a cure but to obtain that cure you have to learn how to live a healthy lifestyle. A part of my goal is to learn how to be healthy.
I want to thank you all for your insight and comments. Robin you and Your sister may be able to find time to join me as the journey has not been fully planned as yet. Thank you again for visiting my blogg.
I've been thinking about all this and I think it is an exciting dream. And like I just wrote in my last post we all get to ask for help not just when we are dying....but also for our greatest dreams.
I've learned that although it may appear like one person writes a book, wins an Olympic Gold medal, climbs Mt. Everest....it's not so. Yes, that one person may get the majority of the glory, but usually there is a whole cast of characters behind the the scenes that helped that person fulfill their dream. Rarely do people get their on their own. So I think it is great that you are asking for help and support...even if it is just emotional support.
I have friends who are in their 80's who climb icy mountain ridges with crampons on their snowshoes, build igloos up in the mountains and sleep in them during the winter, canoe whitewater rivers and walk 30 miles in a day. They have completely shifted my thinking of what is possible at any age when we strive for health and fitness and dreams.
You are young Jane. I'm five years older than you. I have no doubt that you can do this. You just need to plan and prepare as you said and have a support team along the way.
If you or Shirley have a video camera you ought to start filming parts of this...even this early. The training, the shopping for supplies, sitting at the kitchen table plotting your route, your thoughts and concerns about it all, how your family feels, etc. Even if you don't edit the film just keep filming. It doesn't even have to be the best quality and can be in snippetts of 1 - 3 minutes or even thirty seconds. Because you can eventually turn it into a documentary. At the least a series of videos that would definitely inspire other women to live their dreams.
Most great dreams seem impossible and the people who had them often started with extreme handicaps of one sort or another. I know about that from my own life experiences. I guess that's what makes them dreams...things we long to do and strive for often against great odds. Dreams are more often than not what keep us alive. I know about that too.
I wish you well and am proud of you. You are already inspiring me. I will be following this site.
Hugs,
Robin
I love the way you write. Thank you again for the inspiration. I will need all the encouragement I can get in the near future as I plan and work on the trip. I do have a viedo camera but I live seventy miles away from my children. my friends at home all think I may have lost my mind, they think I should find another job. which I intend to do but I do not want to be so grounded in it that it holds me in place and time, never moving, nevery growing.
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