Running seems to be all the rage these days. Every time I check into facebook, I read another status update from one of my many friends who have forsaken walking for running. They write about the number of miles accomplished that day, how early they have risen that morning to go running, about which race they have recently signed up for, or better yet, which race they have just conquered. Occasionally I read about the thrill of runner's highs, which surely must be imaginary, and note that there has been a discussion about the merits of various types of running gear and shoes. All of this leaves me scratching my head.
Running is something I rarely do of my own volition. It can be useful for catching a tram, bus, or train, or for chasing down a toddler headed toward a busy street, but frankly, I can't think of many other good reasons to engage in this pursuit. I don't believe my body was designed to run, at least for any distance longer than a couple hundred meters. Any time I have been forced to run, say for a physical education class at school, or for that awful season when I joined the track and field team in the eighth grade, all I could think about while running was how soon I woud be able to stop.
You can perhaps imagine my delight when I came across an opinion piece in our local news magazine the other day that trumpeted the superiority of walking to running. I love these sorts of articles. The author began with anecdotal evidence supporting the decision not to run, including a neighbor that recently had to undergo the replacement of both hips and both knees after years of jogging. The piece then moved to more scientific evidence from Australia's federal Department of Health and Ageing which claims that brisk walking and a decent diet are all that is required for good health. It ended with a medical study published in an Oxford journal that concluded that running can actually be bad for you. A study of 40 elite athletes concluded that not only did the athletes display diminished heart function after endurance races, but that some even suffered scar tissue on their heart muscle weeks after the races.
I really did not need this article to confirm what I already know. Walking is better than running. Let me give you my personal reasons for why I like walking, but before I do, I will say that since the beginning of 2012 I have been walking a distance of approximately 3.5 to 4.5 miles between four and six times a week. What was occasionally challenging at the beginning seems easy now, and from initially having to force myself to go for a walk, I now look forward to this part of my day.
Christie's Top Five Reasons in Praise of Walking, in no particular order:
1. Brisk walking allows for the enjoyment of one's physical surroundings. I'll include photos from recent walks throughout the remainder of this post.
2. Walking is a wonderful time to deliberately disconnect from our obsession with electronic devices. I recently heard a psychologist discussion his new book about "iDisorder." The author claimed that most young adults have a hard time going longer than 90 seconds without checking their smart phones, even while engaged in personal conversation with friends. I sometimes leave my phone behind when I walk, and if I do carry it, generally leave it in my pocket for emergency contact only.
3. Brisk walking permits conversation. Walking alone can be good in that it can be a time of reflection and prayer, but I far prefer to walk with a friend. That can elevate the exercise from the chore list to the fun list. It works best if your walking partner lives close by of course, and is the type of person with whom you can discuss everything. You might even feel as though you have come close to solving the world's problems by the end of an hour's worth of discussion combined with the mild exertion. Better yet, you might even sort out those in your own family, at least temporarily.
4. Regular walking promotes a healthy appetite. I love being hungry for every meal now that I am exercising regularly. I sometimes struggle to find something to eat, and I don't know if I have lost any weight, but my clothes definitely fit better than they used to do. I realize that running might accomplish this same benefit, but why run when you can walk?
5. Walking imparts a more positive attitude toward life. This may have something to do with elevated serotonin levels or something like that. I don't really care to research the exact reason, but I know that I am a happier person after having gone for a walk, no matter how much I don't feel like going at the start. This holds true whether it is sunny and warm, dark outside, or miserably cold and rainy. Runners can claim their highs all they like. Walking does the same without making one miserable in the process.
In the interest of maintaining integrity, I should confess that I do occasionally break into a light jog if it is a bit chilly, or when we encounter an alley, as I have been told that alleys are for running and not for walking. Once I even ran for a straight ten minutes before coming to my senses. I am not sure what I was thinking. And when I walk with Ross, I almost have to trot to keep up with his long legs. Normally, however, any jogging rarely lasts more than a few minutes, after which time I settle back into a more reasonable speed. Here's to walking. I think I'll go for one now.
Inspiration! This is what I needed to motivate me .. Thanks!
Posted by: Aunt Marion | 06/04/2012 at 08:46 AM
Great post (and pictures)! Even as a runner, I enjoyed this. And after my recent ankle problems, I'm converting into more of a walker myself!
Posted by: Aubree Keys | 06/04/2012 at 02:35 PM
LOL...you make me laugh Christie, I couldn't have said it better myself!! I'll have you know that I have copied this blog to share with Mike tonight. Jodi and I went for a walk yesterday evening and your name came up when we talked about our walks and chocolate cake..and all the other random discussions we had. : )
For a real life example of how running wears-out the body...My father-in-law has had two knee replacements and one hip replacement over the past 6 years after countless miles and marathons in his life. Our aging process comes upon us without the necessity of helping it along, so here's to more brisk walks (without the running)!!!
Miss you! ~ Monique
Posted by: Monique | 06/04/2012 at 10:41 PM
Monique, I feel I should apologize to Mike! Wish I could have joined you and Jodi on your walk. Thanks for your comment, and perhaps I'll see you in June.
Posted by: Christie | 06/06/2012 at 02:12 PM
I used to run all the time (in my younger years). Running definitely did a job on my knees. I'm definitely a walker!
I wish our scenery around here was as beautiful as your pictures!
Posted by: Nikki | 06/07/2012 at 11:56 AM