By Robin Mayes, Farm Educator
Since March, we have seen a huge increase in the numbers of people visiting the local parks. One of the few positive side-effects of the pandemic is that many have discovered they enjoy being in the great outdoors! Just because colder temperatures have arrived is no reason to abandon the habit. To offer new incentive to continue getting out and exploring the parks, the district created the Winter 100! Just walk or run 100 miles or 100 kilometers (62 miles) during the first 3 months of 2021 and log your distance. Once you complete the challenge you will receive a Winter 100 decal.
During 2020, virtual distance challenges proved to be valuable replacements for the canceled races, marathons and triathlons for many runners. Accepting a challenge and logging those miles (or kilometers) gives us an added reason to be active, makes us feel accountable and of course, creates a little healthy competition. During the lockdown, one runner who I follow on Instagram ran 15 miles in one day around his postage-stamp-sized backyard! Another runner in New York City, posted video of himself running around, within his apartment! (I am not sure how happy his downstairs neighbor was with that choice.)
I entered a few virtual activities last year. One event challenged participants to run the distance across Lake Erie – 241 miles. The beauty of the virtual events is that you complete them ANYWHERE. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to run across Lake Erie. In the month of June, I went “streaking.” No, not the streaking we used to see on the news in the ‘70’s, a running streak. It required only that you run every day of the month.
Thankfully, here in Central Ohio, we were fortunate to have had plenty of opportunities for safe, socially distanced outdoor recreation during the weeks of “lockdown.” Here in Delaware County especially, we have a plethora of beautiful outdoor spaces in which we are free to wander. Not only do we have our Preservation Parks, but we also have a portion of the Ohio-to-Erie Trail, numerous city parks, township parks, a metro park and even state parks to explore. Despite our inland location, our county even enjoys the unique distinction of the most shoreline in the state, about 140 miles!
Let’s keep our outdoor exploration of those spaces going despite winter. If the roads are safe, don’t let a snowfall keep you from the trails. If you have never walked in the woods during or after a snow, you are in for a treat! The landscape you thought you knew, becomes transformed. The insulating snow cover even changes the sounds around you and the tracks across the trails gives insight into the activities of the critters who call the parks, “home.”
Need a little help in counting those miles or kilometers for the Winter 100? Once you register for the challenge, you will receive a log sheet on which to keep track of your distance. No need to just guess at how much ground you have covered though. There are gadgets available like FitBit or Garmin step trackers. There are also numerous free downloadable apps available that keep track of distance covered with the help of GPS. Check out MapMyFitness, RunKeeper or Strava.
Now, get out there and go the distance!
