MEGA MILES

Having never kept a training log for any length of time during the past fifteen years of running and walking, I can only guesstimate that we’ve run or walked a total of 15,000 miles, give or take a few miles. Those numbers are based on 1,000 miles per year or slightly less than 20 miles per week, and takes into account all running and race-walking events as well as the training.

The way the crow flies, we can rightfully say that we’ve run from Miami to San Francisco, enjoyed some Bubba Gump shrimp at Pier 39, and then continued on from San Francisco to Beijing, China. Phew, I’m tired just thinking about it!

Exactly how many miles we’ve logged in our neighborhood’s picturesque county park is anyone’s guess. I’m estimating that 25% to 30% of our training has been done within the boundaries of the 299 acre park, with the balance either on a treadmill, the three miles of sidewalk that make up our block, or Hollywood Beach’s boardwalk.

So my best estimate tells me that we’ve run or walked approximately 2,250 miles of curved pathways and asphalt roadways all within the fenced border of the park. That’s a lot of miles. And what makes those park miles so exceptional is the fact that clean bathrooms and cold drinking fountains are easily accessible all along our training route during daylight hours. And because the park doesn’t open to the public until the sun rises, all of our training takes place during hours of daylight.

It makes sense, then, to continue most of our training within a stone’s throw of our home and fitness center – enjoying breakfast afterward at Bobo’s Bed & Breakfast.

We do miss not being able to fraternize with our friends on Hollywood Beach's scenic boardwalk, though.  But when you take into consideration that they run and we walk, plus their busy schedules often prevent them from sticking around on the boardwalk for breakfast afterward, then it doesn't make any sense to drive 24 miles round-trip just to walk.


When we opt to train around our home area, we always have the option of training on the gym’s large commercial treadmills should the weather not cooperate. On days when the park isn’t open because of current budget issues, or we simply do not wish to train indoors, we can always retreat to the sidewalks and roadways near our gated community.

Realizing that concrete sidewalks can be more damaging to the joints, we make every attempt to remain off the hard surfaced paths. Walking, however, is much easier on the joints than running – no matter the surface.

The 10 miles of walking that we logged in the park this past Friday morning at daybreak has us in effect leaving Beijing heading back to San Francisco’s Pier 39 for some delicious Italian pasta at Swiss Louis Italian & Seafood Restaurant.

We can’t wait!