About Frank S. Ring

I am the father of a wonderful teenage son.

I am currently a teacher and form Cross-County and track coach, and have been an athlete my whole life.

I’ve played baseball, basketball, ran cross country, lifted weights, and ran thousands of miles while tracking my progress in what I call my “virtual run” around the United States.

Click here to: Follow me at my Author Page on Amazon… be the first to get the lastest updates on my ebooks and website.

Over the years I’ve goofed on my students about this as I have maps of all the states I “ran” through; first beginning in North Jersey and traveling down US Route 1 to Key West, Fl.

For a laugh, I Photoshopped myself at various landmarks within the states I was running through. I ran the miles… just not in those locals… but my students bought the whole running to Key West ruse.

After completing that “journey” I headed west with the idea of running around the perimeter of the United States.

June 24th, 2020 was the day I completed 11,285 miles around the United States perimeter. The end of my journey can during the Covid pandemic and was a real letdown as I had was looking forward to walking the final three miles from the George Washington Bridge to Palisades Park High School with family, and friends.

Read all about My Virtual Walk Around the United States.

Back Pain & the Dreaded Diagnosis

During the past few years, I began experiencing back pain which then traveled down my left leg. So, I began physical therapy and several months later the pain just suddenly disappears.

I began running again and several months later the pain had returned to my back and left leg and also developed a very sore inner right knee. Only this time I was worse and never responded to my return to physical therapy. Age has a way of slowing the recovery time down.

Then the dreaded diagnosis came from my Orthopedic doctor: “Frank, you’ve got a herniated disk that looks pretty bad. Stop all activity, rest, and go to a Pain Management doctor. I’m hoping I don’t have to operate on you!”

Yeah, that got my attention and for 4 months I did… NOTHING!

No PT, no running, no yoga (as even that hurt), sitting hurt, laying down hurt, everything hurt.

Was I depressed? Maybe, maybe not, but I do know for sure that my thinking and outlook on life became a little “pessimistic or muddied” for lack of a better word.

Three Epidurals later and I was pain free! I returned to teaching and coaching in the fall and quite honestly was too busy and a little afraid to do any type of activity.

Recovery and Discovery

During my recovery period, I began to walk and really began to enjoy it. I live in a hilly area of New Jersey and always included hills in my walk to get a good workout in.

I also began listening to podcasts and audiobooks…this was something I never did while running. The faster pace and intensity of running is not conducive to listening to a good book!

I didn’t miss running during at all my recovery because now, I really enjoyed walking!

I loved the solitude, the time for reflection, the podcasts, audiobooks, and great music (I’m a 70’s classic rock fan).

Once I began full-time walking, two things happened; I quickly began to lose the weight I had gained during my inactivity, and my thinking became much clearer.

Since I began exclusively walking, I’ve not been injured.

I was healthy, happy, and now felt I had a greater purpose in life and that is to share the awesome benefits of walking with everyone.

My first book was Walking for Health and Fitness: The Easiest Way to Get in Shape and Stay in Shape.

Walking for health and Fitness was the #1 best-selling walking book in Amazon’s Digital Download category on 10/21/24

I’ve authored three other books that focus on walking, Fitness Walking and Bodyweight Exercises, Walking Inspiration: a 12-month Plan to Inspire Your Health and Fitness, and Walk Logbook Journal.

I’ve also created several walking and fitness programs, including my biggest program, the Walking for Health and Fitness Complete Walking Program.

Most of the ideas in my books and programs came during my daily walks as I took notes with my iPhone! The ultimate in multi-tasking!

Good luck on your health and fitness journey and please reach out to me with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,
Frank Ring
Author: Walking for Health and Fitness, Fitness Walking and Bodyweight Exercises, Walking Inspiration, and my latest book Walking Logbook and Journal

Contact Frank Ring at: Frank@walkingforhealthandfitness.com

All photography provided by Frank Ring (Walking Man Frank)