By Amy Biolchini
The Holland Sentinel
HOLLAND, Mich. (AP) - Forget step counters.
Seventy-year-old Barbara Norlin of Park Township needs an odometer to measure her exercise.
The 2,014 miles she racked up in 2014 were completed on the bike paths around her Park Township home. The total distance is almost the same as that between Holland and California.
Norlin walks the same 8-mile route through Park Township almost every day. She averages 168 miles per month, with about six to eight days off from her treks.
"I do the same route every day. I know it's safe; there's no dogs. I avoid secluded spots," Norlin told The Holland Sentinel. "I go where I know I'm safe."
She started the walking effort last year, pushing herself to walk 2,013 miles in 2013. She did it with ease - and was inspired to push for one more mile out of 2014.
With her family and friends cheering her on, Norlin completed her goal on Dec. 29.
Norlin's doctor recommended that she incorporate weight-bearing exercise into her life, and she's embraced that wholeheartedly.
Norlin, a retired residential and interior decorator, said she's a pretty high-energy person and doesn't need a lot of motivation to exercise.
"It's very addictive," Norlin said of her daily walks. "You start reaping the benefits. At this point, if I was laid up with an injury or something, I would really miss it. I have to do it."
After returning from her walks, the first thing she does is write down the number of miles she's just completed on a calendar. She then tallies up the number of miles she walks each week and month.
Norlin said she hopes to inspire others to start walking. Though she's not sure if she'll keep as close tabs on the miles she logs in 2015, there's always a chance she'll hit 2,015 miles, she said.
Published: Tue, Jan 13, 2015
