Working out the Working out

   Technology is truly inspiring. And the Nike+ app was my gateway drug to the world of gaming principles applied to real-life. Using the iPod Nano my Mom gave me for my birthday in 2010, I've been able to track all of my runs from January 28, 2011 until present. It is SO motivating to look back and see what I've accomplished, little by little, day by day. In two years' time, I've run 263 miles; I've run for 42 hours and torched 25,000 calories. It even tracks where I've run: the road, the treadmill, or the track. Plus it allows users to challenge friends to compete, and allows my Facebook friends to see when I begin a run, so that they can click to cheer me on—which I can hear through my headphones as I'm running. Wow.
   I still track my activity on paper too—I usually use Hallmark's free annual date books. And in two years I've averaged 165 active days (whether running, walking the dogs, rock climbing, snowboarding, yoga, or any of the other nonsense I love). That accounts for the 8+ weeks I was down and out from my ankle surgery too. Not bad... but this year I'm setting a goal to bump that up to 182... making me physically active for at least 30 minutes a day for half the year.
   The truth is that I am motivated by tough challenges, as well as being at a high level of fitness, precisely to enable me to tackle anything I want to try. It has given me a ton of confidence and I feel great, too. It's not always easy to get out there and push yourself, but I always feel better after I've made it happen. Here's to 2013 and lots more fun to come!