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  • Author Author: dubbie
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100,000 Steps Completed

dubbie

Just finished the Walking Challenge that I set for myself of taking 100,000 steps outside in 10 days. I actually managed it in only 9 days. It has been more of a struggle than I imagined, mainly because I think my step counter only counts 'some' of my steps. I've raised some money for Zimbabwe (http://www.paraclete.org.uk/), enjoyed getting up at 6.30am and going for a walk. I think I will continue to get up early - as long as it is light.

 

Although the step counter was low cost I was still disappointed with it's performance. I think that it missed between 25% - 33% of my steps, all taken outside. It uses a ball making contact with connectors to identify when a step has taken place, with some electronic wizardry that performs some sort of filtering as it only updates every few steps. I am assuming that it is optimised for some standard walking frequency (perhaps even gait?) with the ball and contacts designed to this resonant frequency. I am probably not achieving that standard pace as I do walk very slowly (always have).

 

I am tempted to take it apart now that I have finished the challenge but fear I may not be able to put it together again! Not that I intend to use it again - at least not before consuming more cake calories than I have used up (apparently only 668 kCal! so only one cake).

 

As the UK seems about to enter the Lockdown phase or Covid-19 I might not be able to get much more walking in so now I am thinking I might make my own walking treadmill. There was some activity about this idea on element14 many years ago but has anyone done anything recently?

 

Dubbie

 

Parents

  • I also endorse the benefit of walking each day. The wife and I usually take a 5 km walk in the morning and then I go out after dark and walk another 5 km between 10PM and Midnight. It has been a challenge lately as this is the first year I have attempted to do this in our winter months which at times are quite brutal here in Wisconsin. Thanks to some good ski and winter gear it has been possible though. I have found that an app on my phone works very well for counting my steps. I have run a couple of spot checks to see how accurate it is and I have been completely satisfied. It also keeps track of long term trends and interesting statistics as well as providing an audio cheer when I check it after meeting the daily goal of 10k steps. Keep up your walking Dubbie as it helps to keep you a few "steps" ahead of the Reaper.

     

    John

  • in reply to jw0752

    The Omron device shows up a little cheering figure after the 10k count has been reached. Although after 35k then I think it's perhaps trying to get your attention to stop...

     

    Apparently there was no real scientific evidence behind the 10k per day recommendation that has since stuck. However I did watch a documentary where the conclusion was that if everyone that could did 30mins brisk walking a day, then the nation's overall health would improve significantly and dramatically reduce the strain on health services. From my experience 30mins is just over 3k steps.

     

    As well as its physical benefits it can also be good for clearing the head mentally. It's also great for learning to listen to the sounds around you again which have often been blocked out by the brain due to the modern lifestyle. 

  • in reply to beacon_dave

    Dave,

     

    I agree with all these things, apart from maybe the 3,000 steps in 30 minutes. I do walk slower than most people and take shorter steps, no idea why, I just always have. 3,000 steps take me 45-50 minutes, especially when I start to stagger a bit towards the end. I've always staggered a bit towards the end, it is something to do with balance rather than anything else. I used to fall off my push-bike a lot as well for the same reason. You get used to it.

     

    Dubbie

  • in reply to dubbie

    If your balance is affected then it will have a huge impact on walking. A couple of years ago I saw a documentary on walking gait analysis and it demonstrated how as you get older and your balance deteriorates, your feet tend to get wider apart and your stride shortens as you walk for more stability.

     

    Another problem is that we probably are never taught how to walk properly. There is such a rush to get walking quickly followed by the fear of falling that rarely do we think about learning to walk properly and adjusting our gait. So it is likely that many adopt poor posture and technique whilst walking. There also appears to be a cultural element to it.

     

    Similar with jogging/running, you can identify the 'brute force', the 'high bounce pulse', the 'finally tuned spring' styles as they pass you whilst out walking.

     

    I wouldn't be too concerned about the exact number of steps or time it takes you compared to others though, it's more about regularly getting the joints moving and working the heart and lungs a bit more than otherwise would happen being sat in the same position at a desk/sofa all day. Sounds like you are doing just fine however.

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  • in reply to dubbie

    If your balance is affected then it will have a huge impact on walking. A couple of years ago I saw a documentary on walking gait analysis and it demonstrated how as you get older and your balance deteriorates, your feet tend to get wider apart and your stride shortens as you walk for more stability.

     

    Another problem is that we probably are never taught how to walk properly. There is such a rush to get walking quickly followed by the fear of falling that rarely do we think about learning to walk properly and adjusting our gait. So it is likely that many adopt poor posture and technique whilst walking. There also appears to be a cultural element to it.

     

    Similar with jogging/running, you can identify the 'brute force', the 'high bounce pulse', the 'finally tuned spring' styles as they pass you whilst out walking.

     

    I wouldn't be too concerned about the exact number of steps or time it takes you compared to others though, it's more about regularly getting the joints moving and working the heart and lungs a bit more than otherwise would happen being sat in the same position at a desk/sofa all day. Sounds like you are doing just fine however.

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  • in reply to beacon_dave

    Dave,

     

    I know what you mean about people not knowing how to walk. I am of an age when as a child rickets was still part of the national consciousness and my Mum made all use children walk properly, especially the toes pointed slightly outwards. With rickets your toes start to point inwards.

     

    I have also noticed the slightly wider foot placement and (even) slower walking pace. It doesn't bother me as I enjoy all my time outdoors (except the mixture of wind AND rain) but it drives my wife mad.

     

    Dubbie