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Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 23, 2023 14:58:56 GMT
"All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking."
Friedrich Nietzsche
I'm putting out a challenge: to walk or run one mile a day in May. The trick is, you can't listen to books, music or be with another person. You must be solely with your thoughts for the 15-20 minutes it takes you to do the mile. I will post each day and if you are in for the challenge, you can share on my daily threads what your mind was considering on your walk.
Now, I know you're probably thinking what on Earth is Becki trying to do now and where does this challenge come from? Well I listened to a Not Your Average Runner podcast this week that had an interview with a woman that has walked or run a 5k every single day for over 4 years. (It's the most recent one, if you want to listen.) And I was inspired to get back involved in physical activity and see if I could establish a run/walk habit again now that the weather is changing.
Then I read a University of Virginia/Harvard University joint study that many people (25% of women and nearly 2/3 of men) will willingly choose to electric shock themselves rather than be alone in a room for 15 minutes without their phones, books, or TV. And I read an article in Breathe magazine last month that says we aren't allowing our brains to rest in the in-between times, (pulling out our phones and doom scrolling) and not giving our brains a break is resulting in cognitive declines.
Hence, this challenge was born. Physical activity combined with mental space. 1 mile isn't bad. Most people can walk a mile in 15-20 minutes. But many people who are regular exercisers wear earbuds while exercising (I know that has always been my MO). So what happens if you take them out, give your eyes and mind a break from taking in new information, and take a solo walk? What are you thinking about during this time?
If you know me, you know I am always down for a fun social science experiment. Hello? I wore the same dress for 100 days in a row just to see what happened. 🤣 So I'm committing to a mile a day in May. Alone (ok, maybe a dog with me but she doesn't talk.) Unplugged. Letting my mind wander. It would be fun if you joined me.
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Post by grammadee on Apr 23, 2023 15:10:57 GMT
I can't start with a mile a day. But I DO want to start walking outside now that most of the snow is gone. I can commit to 30 minutes of solo walking every day though.
I love my own company and just nature's sounds around me. Are you going to be throwing out a question each day? Or will we be discussing what comes up in our own minds as we walk?
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Post by gillyp on Apr 23, 2023 15:13:17 GMT
I always walk in silence, I hope you enjoy it!
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Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 23, 2023 15:18:00 GMT
I can't start with a mile a day. But I DO want to start walking outside now that most of the snow is gone. I can commit to 30 minutes of solo walking every day though. I love my own company and just nature's sounds around me. Are you going to be throwing out a question each day? Or will we be discussing what comes up in our own minds as we walk? I want you to explore whatever is rolling around in your own mind. And if you'd like to share, please share. I will share what is on my mind and I thought it might make for some good conversations here. I have gotten way out of shape the past year so I've got to start with a mile. And even when I was a regular runner I used earbuds. So walking/running in silence will be a change for me. I am something of an information junkie so I don't often tune out. While I'm crafting is the closest I normally get to letting my brain rest and even still I often have an audiobook or podcast going while I craft. So this will be a new change for me. |
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Post by monklady123 on Apr 23, 2023 15:30:17 GMT
I think I might try to do this.  Mostly I hate walking by myself, just randomly walking. It's better if I have a destination, or if I have company. I do listen to audiobooks sometimes but I'm not wild about them either.  But maybe if I had the goal of 1 mile, and then reporting back here...well maybe that would help. |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 23, 2023 15:41:22 GMT
I think I might try to do this. Mostly I hate walking by myself, just randomly walking. It's better if I have a destination, or if I have company. I do listen to audiobooks sometimes but I'm not wild about them either. But maybe if I had the goal of 1 mile, and then reporting back here...well maybe that would help. I would love to have you join. I think the challenge for me will be to be alone with my thoughts for the walk. I think it will be fun to share what's going on with our internal dialogue. |
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pantsonfire
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Post by pantsonfire on Apr 23, 2023 15:43:58 GMT
I do this 3-4 times a week but I either have Toby with me or Toby and DD. On the weekends, DS joins in. Sometimes we talk about what we see or what we are looking forward to, sometimes we just walk. When no one talks, my mind is off. Nothing. I am just walking.
My personal rule is no phone during breakfast and lunch. Oh and snacks. I just enjoy my food and chill out. Of course dinner, but we are together as a family. The other meals I am by myself. Now that it is getting nice out, I eat out front on the porch.
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mimima
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Post by mimima on Apr 23, 2023 15:47:40 GMT
I do podcasts whilst I walk, but good for you! May it be a good May
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Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 23, 2023 15:52:56 GMT
I do podcasts whilst I walk, but good for you! May it be a good May Would you consider for the sake of experiment turning off your podcast for a miles worth of your walk? I'd love to hear your experience if you tried that. |
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Post by Linda on Apr 23, 2023 17:08:56 GMT
I need to get back to walking regularly - I live in a beautiful rural subdivision and since I HATE ear buds, am typically alone with my thoughts. I'll give it a try - with the proviso that I might not be able to manage daily - I have to listen to my body and sometimes it says nope, not today
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Post by don on Apr 23, 2023 17:10:18 GMT
I would walk a mile a day, except I have a car.
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sueg
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Post by sueg on Apr 23, 2023 17:15:59 GMT
I walk a mile (but in km) most days, but I usually have my earbuds and listen to podcasts. I will try for a few days at least, to see how I go. Not sure I can commit for the whole month, due to medical stuff ( don’t think I’ll walk much on colonoscopy day), but I’ll do my best.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 23, 2023 17:18:09 GMT
I need to get back to walking regularly - I live in a beautiful rural subdivision and since I HATE ear buds, am typically alone with my thoughts. I'll give it a try - with the proviso that I might not be able to manage daily - I have to listen to my body and sometimes it says nope, not today Just do your best! I know with chronic illness every day might not happen but I look forward to your participation. |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 23, 2023 17:18:28 GMT
I would walk a mile a day, except I have a car. 😂 |
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paget
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Post by paget on Apr 23, 2023 17:26:17 GMT
I might not be the right person for this challenge. 😂 If the weather is decent I always do my 4 mile route and never once have I listened to anything or walked with someone else. I love being alone and quiet. However, if I do use my treadmill inside instead (which isn’t that often as if I’m inside I’ll usually choose my peloton instead) I always listen something since being inside on the treadmill doesn’t inspire me to want to just be with my thoughts in the same way. But honestly the treadmill is so noisy that I often just let my mind wander anyway so it could be off and that would be fine.
I want to add in another morning movement break anyway so I’m in just for the sake of accountability of that. I rarely listen to anything when doing activities, though. I work in silence, cook and clean in silence. Mostly scrap in silence. I’m on my devices plenty but I prefer most activities without “noise” or “entertainment.”
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Post by bianca42 on Apr 23, 2023 17:33:10 GMT
I have challenged myself to walk my dog 30 miles in April. Today is the 23rd and we've walked 19.67 miles so far (and none yet today). I will admit that only 1 time have I gone without my earbuds and a podcast or book in my ears.
I'm in for May! I'll still walk with my dog...but I'm going to ditch the ear buds.
About a week into this month, DH ordered himself a pair of sneakers and joins us occasionally. If he wants to join me any of the days in May, I'm going to go with it and not stress that I've missed a few solo sessions because time with DH is wonderful too.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 23, 2023 17:34:22 GMT
I might not be the right person for this challenge. 😂 If the weather is decent I always do my 4 mile route and never once have I listened to anything or walked with someone else. I love being alone and quiet. However, if I do use my treadmill inside instead (which isn’t that often as if I’m inside I’ll usually choose my peloton instead) I always listen something since being inside on the treadmill doesn’t inspire me to want to just be with my thoughts in the same way. But honestly the treadmill is so noisy that I often just let my mind wander anyway so it could be off and that would be fine. I want to add in another morning movement break anyway so I’m in just for the sake of accountability of that. I rarely listen to anything when doing activities, though. I work in silence, cook and clean in silence. Mostly scrap in silence. I’m on my devices plenty but I prefer most activities without “noise” or “entertainment.” Well sounds like you might have this mastered!  But still glad you're in. |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 23, 2023 17:36:14 GMT
I have challenged myself to walk my dog 30 miles in April. Today is the 23rd and we've walked 19.67 miles so far (and none yet today). I will admit that only 1 time have I gone without my earbuds and a podcast or book in my ears. I'm in for May! I'll still walk with my dog...but I'm going to ditch the ear buds. About a week into this month, DH ordered himself a pair of sneakers and joins us occasionally. If he wants to join me any of the days in May, I'm going to go with it and not stress that I've missed a few solo sessions because time with DH is wonderful too. Sounds good to me! I imagine that occasionally Jeremy might want to go too. However he is absolutely ok with walking beside each other in silence. It is me that always feels it necessary to talk. I know everyone is probably shocked by the revelation that I am the talker. 😂 |
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mich5481
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Post by mich5481 on Apr 23, 2023 17:39:48 GMT
I'm not sure I can commit to a mile every day, but I will try to walk every day without my phone! I'll try to bring my dog on most walks, except for when I have to travel for work later this month.
Question: will it count as a walk if it is a walk in the airport to catch a flight? ;-)
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Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 23, 2023 17:58:22 GMT
I'm not sure I can commit to a mile every day, but I will try to walk every day without my phone! I'll try to bring my dog on most walks, except for when I have to travel for work later this month. Question: will it count as a walk if it is a walk in the airport to catch a flight? ;-) Yes because I plan to walk at the mall if it's raining. Michigan can be very rainy this time of year. Welcome! |
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Post by lisae on Apr 23, 2023 17:58:57 GMT
I did a mile a day in May a few years ago. I didn't really plan it. I just realized into the 2nd week of the month that I hadn't missed a day walking. It continued for 6 months and I did it even longer the next year. Most of my walks were outside and I never listen to anything when I'm walking outdoors.
Hope you enjoy your time alone.
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seaexplore
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Post by seaexplore on Apr 23, 2023 18:37:09 GMT
I have a 2.8 mile loop I like to do at the lake near my house by myself. I never have music/earbuds because I need to be aware of my surroundings to feel safe. I’m sure I’m 100% safe but the city in this girl has never left even though I have lived here for over 20 years. There are always others walking the trails so I chat with people along the way.
I cannot commit to every single day but I do need to up my activity since PE teaching is done for this school year so I’ll pop in from time to time. I should probably do the track at the HS daily before I head for home. Less excuses for not doing it.
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Post by stormsts on Apr 23, 2023 18:37:36 GMT
I’m in. I usually walk alone and I always am listening to music. I really like this idea. I can’t wait to see where my mind leads to.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 23, 2023 19:02:16 GMT
I’m in. I usually walk alone and I always am listening to music. I really like this idea. I can’t wait to see where my mind leads to. Yes! I'm glad you're in. 😀 |
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milocat
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Post by milocat on Apr 23, 2023 19:20:02 GMT
I live really close to the backroads, I like listening to the gravel crunching underfoot while walking. It's certainly nice enough to walk outside now. Technically it's always nice enough to walk outside.
I'm away for the first 10 days in May, going to see a friend. We plan on walking but you know we'll be talking. I'm there disruptiing her life so if she has to go for an appointment or with her child, I will go for a walk around the block instead of staying in her house playing on my phone.
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Post by Lexica on Apr 23, 2023 19:20:03 GMT
I’ll do it! I will be with my dog, but that’s okay, right? I just signed up for audible and I’m listening to one of the pea book club books right now, but I won’t take my ear pieces with me or I will be too tempted to click it on.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 23, 2023 19:44:24 GMT
I’ll do it! I will be with my dog, but that’s okay, right? I just signed up for audible and I’m listening to one of the pea book club books right now, but I won’t take my ear pieces with me or I will be too tempted to click it on. Dogs are A-OK. Mine just kind of trots along. Although I will say that my old girl is a pitbull and even though she is very laid back and a sweetheart, people don't often try to interact with us. So I would try to avoid that aspect of it if you can. Just to be able to sit with your thoughts without interruption. |
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peabay
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Post by peabay on Apr 23, 2023 20:04:12 GMT
I can do this. I walk on my Peloton tread, but I can walk the first mile with the volume down.
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peaname
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Post by peaname on Apr 23, 2023 20:13:52 GMT
I love this! I need to remember to shut the noise off and just listen. And combining that with movement sounds like it will be healing. I’m in!
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Post by maryland on Apr 23, 2023 20:39:51 GMT
Does it count if you walk your dog?
I have been going on three to five almost 1 mile walks a day (each walk takes 15 min.). I never take my phone with me as I don't always have pockets and don't like to carry a phone on a walk. So I do get lots of thinking done on the walks! Usually it's about how to get my dog to behave better on walks though.
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Mostly I hate walking by myself, just randomly walking. It's better if I have a destination, or if I have company. I do listen to audiobooks sometimes but I'm not wild about them either. 
But still glad you're in. 
