Go Gold! Week Five Results

Five weeks done, and one week left to log in those steps!  Here are the standings as of August 12th morning, and two inspiring messages from participants, Kathy Sklar and Mani Lanka.

Top Teams

1. Golden Girls (& A Guy): 180
2. STRI sweat storm: 174.2
3. OIG Frosh/Soph: 169.8
4. The Smithereens: 169
5. the tEEm: 166.4
6. Tag It Out Get Paid: 162.5
7. Sarahto:ken/Sore Heels: 157
8. Toucan Trekkers: 146.2
9. Allez-y!: 141.2
10. Legs Misérables: 132.6

Top Individuals

1. Ed Dequina (SE): 1,884,103
2. Raul De Leon (STRI): 1,523,835
3. Jim DiLoreto (NMNH): 1,264,796
4. Anabell J. Cornejo (STRI): 1,166,803
5. James “Jay” G. Harrison III (NMAI): 1,140,465
6. Taylor Jacovich (SAO): 1,050,747
7. Anna Rimel (AAA): 946,617
8. James Babcock (SE): 944,819
9. Kathy Sklar (NMAH): 921,453
10. Jaime Velasco (STRI): 910,611

Spotlight: Kathy Sklar
National Museum of American History

Kathy Sklar

I have always been a reasonably fit person. I believe staying in shape is easier than having to work hard to get back into shape. My fitness routine is pretty simple. At its core, I walk a lot. I walk to and from the Metro. I walk all over the museum, including up and down the stairs to my office on the 5th floor of NMAH. I also walk all over my neighborhood, a practice that intensified during the pandemic. I also do some strength training exercises.

The sports that I love are bicycling and swimming. I don’t go fast; my biking mantra is “it’s a ride, not a race.” Swimming is most enjoyable in the summer when I can swim in an outdoor pool. My biggest accomplishment is that I can swim a mile. It is “moving meditation.” 

Pickleball is my newest activity. It is fun and requires a surprising amount of running around. I wear a Fitbit so all the steps count! 

Spotlight: Mani Lanka
Office of the Chief Information Officer

Mani Lanka

What is your fitness/health journey?

I was a late bloomer and my fitness/health journey started at age 45 years (2019) after a health scare. I told my friend I wanted to do something for myself that year. She casually asked me if I was interested in hiking Kilimanjaro. I said “Yes,” without even blinking. In a couple of days, I realized what I said yes to. This challenge turned me into a hiker, made me realize my love for hiking and the mountains. My weak back had always been an issue, and I had a few setbacks in my late 40s – back injury with sciatica pain and herniated disc in 2021. But through all that, with the help and motivation from my hiking community, I was able to restart and continue my hiking expeditions and hope to keep on it until I cannot.

What are some of your accomplishments?

Feb 2020 (when I was 46 years old) – Summitted Mount Kilimanjaro, located in Tanzania, East Africa, the highest mountain in Africa with an elevation of 19,341 feet (5,895 meters). It is the largest free-standing mountain in the world and is one of the seven summits.

March 2023 – Summitted the Everest Base Camp in the Himalayas – height of 5,364 meters (17,598 ft)

September 2023 – Summitted Mount Elbert in Colorado – whose peak is the highest point (14,440 feet [4,401 meters]) in Colorado and in the American Rocky Mountains.

Currently training for a trek in Tibet in September 2024 starting on September 12th – Mount Kailash near Lake Manasarovar – Kailash Parikrama, known as Kailash Kora, is one of the holiest walking around Mount Kailash of far western Tibet. Kailash Kora walking circuit around Mountain Kailash through highest pass Dolma La (5,645m). The 3-Day Kailash Parikrama is considered the most challenging part of the Mount Kailash Tour. The 52-KM whole trekking starts from Darchen (4,560m) entering through Lha-Chu valley, Lham-Chu Calley, Dzong-Chu Valley, and ends at Darchen.

What are some words of wisdom?

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” ― Henry Ford

What is your inspiration?

My inspiration has always been my father, who believed that age is just a number.

Anything else you want to share with the SI-wide community?

Consistency and a supportive community are key to any success. And I am a huge fan of inspirational quotes. And the final one that I would like to share is,  “It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wears you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.” —Muhammad Ali. For fitness journeys, does not matter if you are late bloomer – just keep at it and it will all work out

Previous Weeks

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Please contact Epin Christensen if you have any questions at echristensen@oig.si.edu or 202-633-7076.