I walk 4 miles every day, so doing a 5K isn't really a challenge for me. At our meeting yesterday, our leader had everyone who walks at least 5K every day raise their hand, and about 20% of the people at our meeting raised their hands. So I know I'm not alone.

I would change the challenge to a 10K except that I already do that on the weekend as my "long" walk every week. So I'm thinking about doing a 1/2 marathon. I didn't sign up for our local marathon in time, but I'm thinking I could do it on the Walk-It Challenge Day myself on the hiking trail (old railroad bed) where I do my long walk every week.

Last summer I would do my normal walk (65-70 minutes) and then mow our lawn (1/3 acre, flat, with a non-self-propelled mower). The mowing season has begun, so I'm thinking doing that again will be my "training."

Anyone else thinking about challenging themselves beyond the 5K?

Maybe you could try running it? That is what I am going to do next year.

The challenge is just to get people up and motivated. You could try to set a fast pace for yourself. Work everyday to get a little faster and then finish your personal best on that day.

I can't believe your leader asked that, must have made it so disheartening for the rest of the room. No one in our meeting would dare have made a comment like that. That is discouraging. That 80% may have left offended and not wanting to do it.

Running it is a great idea.

I don't see how asking at a meeting would be disheartening. In my meeting, we have a lot of people at or close to goal, and the point is that they CAN do a 5K NOW. That's motivating to those of us who never have. And having those people participate is great - they'll be cheerleaders for the newbies.

It's perception, some people see things differently than others. My husband thought the same thing when I brought it up to him and then some.

I think the running/jogging goal would be a great one!

For me, I don't walk. I use the elliptical so it's very different (see Shin Splint post). So my goal of doing the 5k is an easily achieveable goal. I have friends who are trying to get me to do a 10k in 3 weeks. I don't think that will happen. But if you want to do a 1/2 marathon, then go for it.

Our leader asked who were big walkers and people brought up that they walk 3-5 miles a day. It was more inspiring to see who was walking that much.