Why Are You Doing The 1000 Mile Challenge?

We have had a few new people join the 1000 mile challenge since New Years Day, and I am really excited about that. I was thinking the other day that I know my reasons for doing this, but really don't know anyone else's. So let's share here. Why are you doing the 1000 mile challenge? Answer here by replying to this post.

I'll start: I've always admired that David sets goals and challenges for himself. So two years ago, I decided I was going set a goal for myself to walk 500 miles in a year. I was so proud of myself when I completed my goal by mid-December. Last year, I decided to up it to 1000 miles walking. I made it to about 700, but had a lot of foot issues and had to switch to bike riding and rowing, which I never counted because I had specifically said I was going to walk it. Regardless, I was pretty proud of myself that I had hit 500 miles in the early autumn, and might have made it the full 1000 if I had counted all the rowing and bike riding. I realized that the problem with limiting to walking was that it's a repetitive exercise that puts a LOT of pressure on the feet. So this year, I decided to go for 1000 self powered miles, so I could count rowing and bike riding.

So, why did I choose traversing 1000 miles instead of, seeing a certain number of birds like David does? A few reasons. One is that I wanted this goal to be my own. I think in a marriage it is so easy to lose your identity. While it is nice to have shared goals (which we do) I wanted to have something that all mine. The other reason is that I've always wanted to do something physical. In high school I skipped gym most of my senior year and almost didn't graduate. Despite the fact that I cut gym for an entire year, I have always admired the people who could do physical stuff. Growing up in the Boston area I saw the Boston Marathon every year, and it was incomprehensible how someone could run 26 miles, but deep down inside I really admired people who could and wanted (and still want) to try it some day. I started with a 1/2, and I know I will do a full one of these days. Maybe for my 60th birthday I will even try to qualify and get a real number for the Boston Marathon! 

But in the mean time, I'm doing my 1000 miles self propelled.

What's your story?