Walking, running, or biking more than 400 miles across the State of Kansas over the next several weeks would seem a bit intimidating to most folks. Yet, an estimated 5,000 people in Kansas and beyond are gearing up to do just that as part of the Walk Kansas program that kicks off on March 31.
Walk Kansas is a teambased challenge that encourages teams of six to exercise and live more healthfully while working toward a common goal, and will run through May 25. You can register online through April 5. The cost is $10 per person. Registration will open on March 4. To register, please visit the Greenwood County Extension Facebook page or website.
According to Sharolyn Jackson, a K-State Research and Extension northeast area specialist and the state leader for the program, “When we created Walk Kansas in 2001, we were looking at the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which recommends a minimum 150 minutes of activity per week.” It was determined that if six people would collectively meet the minimum guidelines of physical activity, they could virtually walk across the state of Kansas, which is 423 miles, in about eight weeks.
Many forms of activity count toward “miles” accumulated. Miles are calculated based on minutes of activity, with adjustments for moderate or vigorous forms of activity. To reach 150 minutes a week, it is urged to make a goal to exercise 20-30 minutes per day. Any type of activity that gets your heart beating a little bit faster, or exerting energy to where you can carry on a conversation just barely, but you can’t sing; that’s the moderate intensity level. Vigorous activity also gives real benefits, such as short bursts of 30 seconds to a minute while you’re walking; you can kind of gauge vigorous exercise by whether you can say a few words but not really carry on a conversation. Check it out online to see the 4 different ‘routes’ that you and your team can take. Each route is longer than the previous. You can also do a solo trail if you are having troubles getting a team together, or just prefer to take on a challenge yourself.
Participants do not have to live in Kansas.
Participants are also asked to report the number of cups of fruits and vegetables and, optionally, water they consume weekly. This is great program for families who are looking for a way to get more active together. So, sign-up, get out there, and get walking!
Information comes from K-State Research and Extension News Webpage.
If you are looking for Family and Consumer Sciences programming through Extension, please consider liking our Greenwood County Extension Facebook page to follow along and learn more about upcoming programs. On April 12 in Eureka, we will be having a Food Preservation Workshop presented by K-State Food Safety Scientist, Karen Blakeslee. Please watch for registration information to be released in early March!
For more information regarding upcoming programs, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development, or K-State Research and Extension call the office at 620-583-7455, email me, Ben Sims, at [email protected], or stop by the office which is located inside the courthouse. Be sure to follow K-State Research and Extension- Greenwood County on Facebook for the most up-to-date information on Extension education programs and the Greenwood County 4-H program.
