I grew up during a time when parents seemed to be allergic to giving their children rides anywhere. Our main modes of transportation were riding your bike, public transportation, and the infamous walking. Walking wasn’t a form of exercise in those days it was a necessity. So, we, got a good laugh when the trend “Power Walking” emerged. It went right along with Jazzercise, step – something, and who could forget Tae-Bo. Here’s an example of power walking from the famous, but hilarious film, Doctor Detroit (1983).
I was a track athlete in those and remember walking home from practice or walking to just about everything I wanted to do. Portable cassette players had emerged so we would listen to our favorite while numerous treks. And wouldn’t you know once I joined the military, we something called road marches, so my walking days were far from over.
What I have always enjoyed about walking to provides me chance to clear my head without over exerting myself like when running. Running there was a target heart rate, distance, and time goals set. With walking it was just walking. I still enjoy walking today. I never was a fast walker, unless I was road marching where we would 12 miles in a few hours. I enjoy leisurely walk that I vary speeds and tempo.
Here are a few of favorite songs about walking.
I’ve always liked the groove of this Nancy Sinatra classic. Every time I listen to it, I rock back and forth.
However, my all-time favorite song about walking is by Prince & the NPG. Here that track …
There was a time when running was everything to me. I’ve literally have run hundreds if not thousands of miles in my life. It’s something about the struggle between your mind and body. The two of them trying to find synchronicity. The feeling is difficult to put into words.
Pushing past the pain, the burn in your lungs, the ache from your muscles, and the satisfaction once you have completed. Brings back memories. Depending on the weather, each run presents a difficult challenge. I always secretly loved running in the rain. Especially, a storm. I’d run straight into in an act of defiance. Knowing I should be inside, but no!
The battle between my will and Mother Nature had begun. Of course, I wasn’t going to win, but I would not be taken lightly. I would not cower inside like a good boy and wait. Yeah, that’s where was at, right there. Recalling it, brings back the emotions. My heart rate elevates, my breathing deepens, and my focus is on target.
I sometimes forget how I developed my love for running. How I built up my endurance, stamina, and intestinal fortitude. Oddly, it was from walking. I can’t to do the miles and rage war against the elements anymore by running. However, I can still go on a walk. I love it.
Let me explain why walking is so important to me. In earlier post, I babbled about a bionic kid wanting to a gymnast. It was attempt to be humorous, but missed the mark. Some of you might remember the story. For those who don’t remember or don’t have the foggiest idea what I’m about. Here is a link to the story
What I didn’t tell you about was after that fiasco I had to learn to walk again. I broke my hip in several places and lived in a body cast for a period of time. This marked the end of the adorable years. All my adorable chubbiness, which attracted women from the corners of the Earth just for the pleasure of pinching my cheek.
I never been a fan of cheek pinching, but it usually resulted in candy. So, I swallowed my disdain for the sake of candy. Once, I lost the chubbiness, the candy connection was over. Then, I met with healthy snacks, like apples, applesauce, and random raw vegetables from my grandmother garden. Of course, I suddenly wished I hadn’t broke my hip.
My journey of learning to walk again was challenging. I still don’t think I walk without a slight, but hitch in my step. It seemed I was going to be on crutches forever. I wasn’t before long, I was walking. Then I could run. Boy was I fast.
I walked everywhere. All across town, the different neighborhoods, the different stores, and all the different parks in town. I remember being told certain parks were only for the people who lived in the area. I paid that mess no attention. I kept walking.
Walking has always seem to be the activity where I can clear my mind. The activity where I can the peace that often escapes during the routines of the day. I can gauge myself while walking. Too much pain, tells me I’m not where I need to be physically. Or at least a good indication of my physical status.
Essays and stories have bloomed from my walks. My walks have also been the thread that has sworn together the story fragments that sometimes aimlessly linger in the corners of our minds. There not tucked too deep so we can forget, but they poke their heads out from time to time.
Memoirs of Madness 