Anita Handley finds peace one step at a time.

The Manteca resident who reached her 2,021st mile last year on 12-21-2021 by walking, jogging, or running is a devoted power walker.

“Walking gives me peace,” Handley said Wednesday at Library Park.

She was at almost the 9 mile mark for walking Wednesday after getting up after spending the night at Great Wolf, racking up 4½ walking around the resort grounds and then walking 4 miles to Library Park for an interview before taking off on foot to return home.

Handley, an avid walker since she turned 25, noticed a few days before Dec. 21 that she was nearing the 2,021 mile mark. After realizing the interesting numerical sequence she decided she wanted to hit 2,021 miles for 2021 on 12-21-2021.

“I had to reduce my daily mileage to hit (2,021 miles) on that date,” Handley said.

Handley has always been active. As a San Mateo High student she competed in swimming, tennis, and basketball. She also was on a judo team.

She took up walking in her 20s not to stay fit and healthy — although that is definitely a big benefit — but to secure peace of mind.

“You see things differently when you walk,” Handley said.

That runs the gamut from blue skies, landscaping and such to interesting buildings. It also allows her to enjoy the scents of the various seasons from dew on grass to almond blossoms to freshly mowed lawns in the summer.

She also enjoys striking up conversations with people she encounters while walking.

Most of the time Handley walks solo. Her husband sometimes joins her as well as friends.

“My friend Cindy calls me ‘the walking monster’,” Handley said.

On a typical day Handley will walk three to four hours.

It dovetails well into her schedule and that of her husband. Both work during the evening.

 She’ll tackle housework in the morning before heading out. But she makes it clear if a day or two goes without everything being cleaned that’s OK thanks to the peace of mind walking provides.

The ability to enjoy the peace comes in handy given the 63-year-old works as a caregiver.

While Handley figures she’s walked on about every street in Manteca except for some in the newer subdivisions she has yet to tackle, she also walks in the countryside as well as other locales such as San Francisco and Mt. Diablo with her friends.

Neither rain nor fog stops Handley from walking although she will often take a day or so off in a given week.

“The feel of the rain on your face is exhilarating,” Handley said, adding she is dressed to stay warm and dry.

When it is foggy she drives to Mistlin Park in Ripon to get in her walking.

Handley has learned how to take care of her feet. Besides making sure she wears proper shoes — she buys them at Fleet Feet — she has 10 pairs on any given time that she wears for several days and then rotates to reduce wear and tear.

She also makes it a point to have numerous ensembles for walking that are comfort, colorful, and coordinated.

And — more important — she makes sure she always has adequate water to stay hydrated.

Handley said she stepped up her walking while visiting Bandon, Oregon last year where she participated in an American Cancer Society fundraising challenger. The goal was to walk 100 miles in a week. She did that once and then again. After that she has completed a marathon and has hiked mountain peaks.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com