The Joy of Walking (Again)

For the first time in many months, I went out for a walk in my neighborhood this morning. The sun was shining, even though it was cold (-11 degrees Celsius / 14 degrees Fahrenheit). The roads still had glassy patches of ice on them but it was possible to manoeuvre around the ice.

The fun of walking in the sun, listening to cardinals and crows singing around me brought back memories of the 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) walks I used to take part in weekly with the Nepean Nomads Walking Club, a local branch of the International Volksport Federation which began in Europe in 1968.

Every week the Nomads - in cooperation with other walking clubs around the city - would provide an interesting ramble somewhere in our vicinity. The walks were open to all, members or non-members alike.

Most were map-walks: When you showed up at the walk, you signed in and were given a map of a 10-kilometer course that ended up where you began. You could walk alone at your own pace or join a group of walkers. You were asked to sign in again on your return, or someone would feel obliged to go out looking for you!

For those not ready for a 10-kilometer walk, 5-kilometer options were often provided as well.

My daughter and I used to go on the map walks most Saturday mornings - and still remember our adventures exploring neighborhoods and country villages we never would have visited on foot otherwise.

We were always amazed at how quickly some of the "older" walkers, the "regulars," would manage to finish the course. Our personal time improved from almost 3 hours to complete a 10-kilometer walk to 2 1/2 hours. We still laugh about the time it began to sprinkle during one walk, and a kind gentleman offered to share his umbrella with us. He slowed down his pace for us, but we were still huffing and puffing trying keep up with him. He told us that most regular walkers could finish the 10-kilometer course in 1 1/2 hours!

I haven't gone on a 10-kilometer walk for a few years now. A sore knee held me back one year, and I never got back into the habit. I see that the local walking clubs are still going strong and have organized walks for every weekend of the year. The 2009 schedule of the NCR (National Capital Region) is posted online. A google search of Volksport will bring up links to clubs in many parts of the world. The American Volksport Association and the Canadian Volksport Federation have websites that connect to local clubs. Some walkers like to participate in walking events in other parts of the country or even other parts of the world when they are on vacation.

Walking is a lot of fun - I really must get back into it again! But before I attempt another 10-kilometer walk, I have to get in shape. The club used to recommend that walkers regularly take at least three 45-minute walks a week to build up stamina for the 10-kilometer course. If the weather stays nice, that will be my goal in the coming weeks.