New Challenge?

So, most of you know that our Helm family was involved in a Health Challenge for the last 12 weeks. I had a lot of fun, and I'd like to think that I was motivating others to change their lives. I know the other participants were motivating to me. :) Well, the challenge just ended, and I'm kind of sad. Kate and I were talking about starting up a new challenge. I've heard about people doing a "walk across America." This is where they keep track of their steps and workouts, calculate how far they've walked each day, and then charted their progress "across America." Well, Kate and I thought it might be kind of fun to "walk" from Lani's house in Florida to Jill's house in Washington, which, according to Google Maps is approximately (since I didn't have addresses handy when I was inputting the info) 3861 miles. Wouldn't that be crazy? What do you think? Would it take us the whole summer? Would it take us a year? We could go from Lani's to Gwen's (in SC), to Kate's (in VA), to Pam's (in VA), to Peggy's (in OH), to Matt's (in ID), to Beth's (in ID), to Penny's (in WA), and end up at Jill's. Those would be our "checkpoint's." We could set goals, like "I want to reach Gwen's by June 1st." Or, "I want to beat Kate to Peggy's." Using a pedometer, you could keep track of your steps you make each day, but since I workout every day, I think that should count. How about calories burned? We could calculate how many "miles" we walk by converting calories burned into miles walked. For instance, for myself, walking 1 mile at a pace of 3.5 miles per hour burns about 70 calories (this is different for everyone, depending on weight). So, for every 70 calories I burn I would get 1 mile.
Here's a table to give you an idea--

Calories burned per mile by walking

Speed/Pounds	100 lb	120 lb	140 lb	160 lb	180 lb	200 lb	220 lb	250 lb	275 lb	300 lb
2.0mph	57	68	80	91	102	114	125	142	156	170
2.5mph	55	65	76	87	98	109	120	136	150	164
3.0mph	53	64	74	85	95	106	117	133	146	159
3.5mph	52	62	73	83	94	104	114	130	143	156
4.0mph	57	68	80	91	102	114	125	142	156	170
4.5mph	64	76	89	102	115	127	140	159	175	191
5.0mph	73	87	102	116	131	145	160	182	200	218

Biking of course would count, but we would count every 3 miles riding as one mile walking. Or something like that. I'm thinking that Matt will set up some sort of bulletin board or forum for us on his server that we can keep track of our progress and motivate eachother.

What does everyone think? Is this doable? Is it something you guys would want to do? I was also thinking that we could have teams. Maybe families, maybe mix it up. So, maybe me and Jill would be one team, while Kate and Beth are another. Lani and Gwen could make up a third, with Penny and Peggy a fourth. It would be cool if Matt and Mike would join in (all four of them :) but you guys get the picture. I think this is something we all could do, it would motivate me knowing that you all are "walking" the same path as me. And shoot, maybe this is a way for me to "walk" across the country before I bike it. :)

Let me know! Comments are appreciated. Neices, Nephews, Cousins, Spouses, In-laws, everyone is invited! The more people doing this, the better. Mom, that means you, too! I know you walk about a thousand miles a day, so you would probably be ahead of all of us!

I'm going to do this, and anyone that wants to join in can certainly do it! I am fairly certain that Kate is going to join in. We'll probably start sometime next week. I'm not sure exactly how it is going to work, but we'll get the kinks worked out and let you all know. Email me or comment and let me know if you are willing to do this.

I love you all,
Pam

*UPDATE* We have a platform for this challenge. It is at http://helmwalk.ning.com . Anyone interested is welcome to join-you don't have to just be a Helm sibling. Let me know, and I'll "Invite" you to join our "social network," (I need your email, if I don't already have it) since that is what it turned into- a social network, just for us and this challenge. I'm actually hoping that it turns into something more than just a fitness tracker. I hope we're able to share with eachother more easily as a family and get to know one another better. :)