Virtual Run From DC to Punta Gorda, FL, Day 1

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to to do a virtual run from my home in DC to our possible new home in Punta Gorda, FL. It is just a bit more than 1,000 miles. To run that distance in a year, I have to run an average of 2.75 miles a day. Today was my first segment of that run and I ran 10K (6.25 miles) on the treadmill at my gym. I wanted to get a bit of a cushion in so that if I miss some days down the road, I can still make my goal. If I had started at my house in DC, the distance I traveled would have taken me across the Potomac, into Virginia, past the Pentagon and down Interstate 395 (the Shirley Highway) to Glebe Road. Less than 1,000 miles to go. The map below shows the start near my house in South East DC and my finish today in Virginia.



Goal: Approximately 1,003 miles from DC to Punta Gorda, FL

Required Daily Distance: 2.75 miles

Actual Run Distance Completed Today: 6.25 miles

Total Distance Run in 2010: 6.25 miles

Today's Run Time: 53 minutes

Total Run Time: 53 minutes

My Virtual Distance to Punta Gorda: 996.75 miles

What date will I get to Punta Gorda?

I am also trying to improve my strength by doing push ups. I downloaded an application for my iPhone called 100 Pushups. It is designed to help you work up to doing 100 push ups a session, three to four times a week. I thought it would be fun to keep track of the number I do throughout the year. Goal for the year? 10,000.

Today's Push Up Total: 25

Push Ups in 2010: 25

Another one of my goals for the year was to weigh less than 165. I hopped on the scale today and weighed 178. Only 13 pounds to go, but with Christmas cookies and candies putting temptation in my way, for me, losing weight is not a cake walk (so to speak). Did I mention that Shane got me 5 boxes of Hot Tamales for Christmas? Four boxes remain.

My 10 Predictions for 2010

I thought it would be fun to try to predict what the coming year will bring. Here is what I think will happen.

1. I agree with Newsweek magazine's prediction that President Obama will do "nada" on gay rights. Though he could end the policy of Don't Ask Don't Tell (at least temporarily until permanent legislation is in place), he won't expend any political capital on doing the right thing. I hope I am wrong, but we can see by his first year in office that change is not coming soon. As Kate Clinton noted, he is a thin man with a lot on his plate.

2. The economy will continue to slowly improve with the Dow hitting 12,500 by year's end.

3. The Washington Nationals will have a banner year and not finish in last place of all teams in baseball.

4. I will run a marathon in less than 4 hours -- more than 20 minutes better than my previous personal record. To qualify for the Boston Marathon, I have to run a marathon in 3 hours and 30 minutes at my current age. I know I'm not near that.

5. Academy Awards will go to Mo'nique, George Clooney and Meryl Streep. The Best Picture winner will have the word "up" in the title.

6. Our purchase of a house in Florida will finally occur, but soon after, Al Gore's prediction of sea level rising due to global warming will also come true, making our house a giant aquarium.

7. The 2010 election will result in Democratic net losses in both the Senate (7 seats) and House (22), but will retain majorities.

8. TLC will develop a spin-off channel completely dedicated to reality shows about dwarves with sextuplets. My mom will be in heaven.

9. Celebrity deaths will include Elizabeth Taylor, Don King, John Gosselin, Betty Ford, Jerry Lewis, Bob Barker, Annette Funicello, Alex Trebek, Michael Richards, Sen. Robert Byrd and both remaining Golden Girls. Yes, I went there.

10. Same-sex marriage will become legal in Washington DC, and a certain runner with a blue sponge will tie the knot in May.