# The 2005 Mullinator Step Project **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 22, 2005, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359 "2005-02-22T16:43:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/1 "2005-02-22T16:43:02Z")
Our company puts out one of those eminently forgettable newsletters for employees that focuses on things supposedly important to the busy corporate drone. Usually they include some healthwatch note with a couple of recipes. Recently, they had a little note that essentially said “To promote good physical health, you should take upwards of 10,000 steps in a given day.” “Whoa” says I. That sounds pretty much impossible. That’s a whole lot of steps for people routinely chained to their desks. I mean, I am an active person, but that just seems beyond the scope of normalcy. I sort of figured it was a load of hooey designed to make us feel bad about ourselves. Lo and behold, it turns out this is actually [a government based suggestion](http://www.shapeup.org/10000steps.html) that has spawned programs. I was shocked. So, to test out my theory that 10,000 steps in a day is really only possible for people who spend all day in protest marches, I’m going to track my steps per day for the next week and report them here. I chose a week because that gives me both weekdays and weekends (which should have some difference between them) and gives me multiple instances of each so I can have a smoother result to judge my hypothesis against. What’s a step? Running, walking, forward, backward, stairs, etc. Basically anything that transfers my weight from one foot to the other while I propel myself in a direction. When does this start? I’m going to do this on a midnight to midnight basis, so day 1 will be 12AM Wednesday through 12AM Thursday and continuing for the next week. I will update here every day (and sometimes throughout the day). Frankly I just want to see how close I am and what might be needed to reach 10,000 in a day. And, it’ll be interesting to see (based on my normal stride) the raw distance I would cover as well. And of course, you can feel free to guess on any aspect of this project. Side bets will be guaranteed by Lloyd’s of London, Kentucky. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/2 "2005-02-22T16:48:52Z")
How many steps in a mile?! (I realise it depends on your stride length…) I don’t have a car, so perhaps I can reach this target. Better get myself a pedometer! ---
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/3 "2005-02-22T16:50:40Z")
[cajun accent]You can do it![/cajun] 10,000 sounds like a lot, I know as a college student I routinely surpass that since I have to walk nearly 6 miles a day going from house -\> campus -\> through classes -\> back to house. But as an office worker, you’re going to have to take walks in the evening or morning before work (depending how motivated you are). Good luck man ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/4 "2005-02-22T16:59:53Z")
> [@glee](#): > > How many steps in a mile?! (I realise it depends on your stride length…) For me? Based on stride length (front edge of right foot to front edge where right foot ends up), I cover about 77". So, for 1 mile I am taking about 823 strides per mile which equates to 1,646 individual steps. To reach 10,000, I would need to hit 6 miles in a day. I know that random walking can add up, but I think I’ll get hammered on time. I doubt I spend enough time walking on a normal weekday to reach this. But, we’ll see. For the purposes of this project, I want to stress that I will be doing nothing out of the ordinary in an attempt to make a milestone. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/5 "2005-02-22T21:37:59Z")
> [@Mullinator](#): > > For me? Based on stride length (front edge of right foot to front edge where right foot ends up), I cover about 77". So, for 1 mile I am taking about 823 strides per mile which equates to 1,646 individual steps. I dunno – over three feet per step seems quite a lot. I’m a lot closer to a couple of feet per step which would bring it down to four miles which I probably do most of the time in the summer but not so much in the winter when I don’t walk anywhere for lunch. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2005, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/6 "2005-02-22T23:12:13Z")
IIRC, Mullinator is really really tall. ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2005, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/7 "2005-02-23T00:21:38Z")
The local paper had a reporter do this a little while ago, along with some other randomly chosen people. The reporter only had about 3,000 steps/day much to his surprise. He thought it would be more since he walked around downtown every day. On the other hand a maintenance man at the newspaper building regularly exceeded 10,000 steps/day, just on the job. ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2005, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/8 "2005-02-23T16:47:49Z")
Well, judging by the lack of activity in the thread this may end up devolving into me posting numbers in a pseudo-diary format. Which, odds are, would further degrade into a maniacally written, self-loving paean to myself which could then be used to illustrate the dangers of doing something that ends up turning into a thread where one posts only to onself. So, at least something good will come of this. Anyway, exactly halfway through day 1, and I currently stand (well sit technically) at 4,360 steps. Frankly, I’m a little surprised. That is pretty close to the number I would have guessed for a full weekday so I may end up a lot closer to 10,000 than I thought. This makes me pretty curious for the weekend when I know I cover a lot more ground on my gangly legs. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2005, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/9 "2005-02-23T19:34:35Z")
I want to follow this, so this is my subscription post. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2005, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/10 "2005-02-23T19:37:59Z")
The wife and I bought pedometers to keep track of just this kind of thing at conventions. I think we clocked about 12 miles a day at the last Comic-Con. Otherwise, we are both pretty desk-bound. Time to start taking a walk after dinner! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/11 "2005-02-24T12:19:01Z")
And, day 1 is complete with the grand total of steps at 8,892. I’m more than a little surprised because that’s a good bit higher than I would have guessed. Yesterday was exceedingly normal which means with no extra effort I am pretty close to a 10,000 pace through the course of normal activity. And, I know I have the weekend coming up that will pick up a good bit of slack (I assume). It is somewhat amazing how quickly walking to the bathroom, the copier, or someone else’s office can add up. Some stats: Total steps, most recent day: 8,892 Steps per day: 8,892 Distance covered: 5.4 miles (est.) Percent of 7 day goal achieved: 12.7% Ahead/(behind) pace by: (1.6%) ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/12 "2005-02-24T12:20:40Z")
> [@FilmGeek](#): > > IIRC, Mullinator is really really tall. Yep, 6’9" and mainly in the legs if my 38-40" inseam is any indication. I also walk pretty quickly which stretches my stride out as well. I’m not exactly a giraffe loping through the veldt, but I do cover a good bit of ground. ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/13 "2005-02-25T12:09:28Z")
Day 2, check. Relevant info: A very similar day. 2 fewer meetings, more printer trips, a slightly longer dog walking trek. Some stats: Total steps, most recent day: 9,110 Steps per day: 18,002 Distance covered, most recent day: 5.6 miles (est.) Distance covered, total: 11.0 miles Percent of 7 day goal achieved: 25.7% Ahead/(behind) pace by: (2.9%) The weekend coming up should give me a chance to get ahead of pace and build up a little slack for the remaining 3 weekdays. ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/14 "2005-02-26T12:05:13Z")
Day 3 Total steps, most recent day: 7,771 (dang, should have squeezed out 6 more) Steps, total: 25,773 Distance covered, most recent day: 4.7 miles (est.) Distance covered, total: 15.7 miles Percent of 7 day goal achieved: 36.8% Ahead/(behind) pace by: (6.1%) ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/15 "2005-02-27T05:00:16Z")
Hey Mully, lookin’ good. Thanks Mully, I appreciate the compliment. Think anyone else will surprise us and share in the Mully self love? Nah, just me, me, and that video camera over there. Now, talk dirty to me and tell me today’s stats. Day 4 Total steps, most recent day: 16,182 (and the weekend bump begins) Steps, total: 41,955 Distance covered, most recent day: 9.8 miles (est.) Distance covered, total: 25.5 miles Percent of 7 day goal achieved: 60% Ahead/(behind) pace by: 2.9% ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/16 "2005-02-27T14:37:44Z")
Good day! Any of this “…and on the seventh day, Mully rested” stuff in your personal philosophy? If so, you’re screwed, man. ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2005, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/17 "2005-02-27T17:47:12Z")
> [@UncleBill](#): > > Good day! > > Any of this “…and on the seventh day, Mully rested” stuff in your personal philosophy? If so, you’re screwed, man. Well, I won’t be interrupting today’s sermon by pacing around the sanctuary but I will be out and about later in the day. ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/18 "2005-02-28T12:12:13Z")
Kinda ready for a nice, restful weekday. We’ll see how that plays out. Day 5 Total steps, most recent day: 13,570 Steps, total: 55,525 Distance covered, most recent day: 8.2 miles (est.) Distance covered, total: 33.7 miles Percent of 7 day goal achieved: 79.3% Ahead/(behind) pace by: 7.9% ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/19 "2005-02-28T12:34:21Z")
So you’re 7.9% ahead of goal then **Mullinator**? Cool! Keep it up. ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359/20 "2005-03-01T19:12:33Z")
Day 6 sucked, in more ways than one. Is there anything more boring than an all day meeting that you realize you could have skipped once all is said and done? Ugh. That said, the downfall from Day 6. Total steps, most recent day: 4,026 Steps, total: 59,551 Distance covered, most recent day: 2.4 miles (est.) Distance covered, total: 36.1 miles Percent of 7 day goal achieved: 85.1% Ahead/(behind) pace by: (0.6%) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2005-mullinator-step-project/291359.md?page=2)