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bainbridge

bainbridge

bainbridge

Soldato
Joined
9 Dec 2009
Posts
5,315
Location
Bristol
Does anyone here walk for exercise?

Last month I completed my second triathlon and I was pleased with the results, but at 46 I'm just not built for running any more and to reduce the impact on my joints through running, I was thinking about doing lots of walking as a substitute for the running during autumn and winter, and then pick up the running again in spring.

I'll keep up with the swimming and cycling, but if bad weather stops me riding I could do a big walk instead wearing waterproofs.

I've just bought a set of walking boots for when the weather gets bad, but in the meantime I'll walk in trainers when it's dry.

My partner and I are possibly looking at doing a walking holiday next year, so this will be a good opportunity to make a final decision on if this is something that we really want to do.

I'll be interested to hear from anyone who walks for fun/fitness.

Thanks
 
Thanks everyone for your contributions to this thread, it's great to hear than many forum members are keen walkers.

The walking is going well, I'm just doing short walks at the moment but will slowly build up. The plan is to build up to an 18 mike walk in the winter from our home to the in laws house. Instead of the family going together in a car to visit, I will set off early on foot, the family will drive there and I'll get a lift home afterwards.

One distinct difference I've found with walking, as opposed to triathlon (swim, bike, run), is that I can have a good think without it negatively impacting my exercise. With triathlon training, I have to constantly be thinking about the exercise I'm doing. For example, when swimming, I have to think about each stroke, reaching out fully, staying taut, timing my breathing etc to swim well. If my mind wanders and I go on autopilot I go floppy and my technique suffers. This is the same for the bike and running.

With walking, it's so natural that I can pretty much ponder, plan and daydream without it noticeably affecting my progress. No doubt when I've built up to bigger distances and I need to get a shimmy on to hit my hourly mileage I'll need to devote some attention to the walking, but even so it is nice just chilling out.
 
Well this morning I did a 19 mile walk from our house in Bradley Stoke, north Bristol, to the in-laws house in Nailsea, a town situated south west of the city.

I set off at 5:30 am, hoping to arrive by lunchtime. It took 5 hours 27 minutes with an 11 am arrival. My partner arrived half an hour later by car, having had a lie-in :)

The plan was to take a 10 min rest every hour after the first 2 hours, but it was -4c and I reduced the rest time to 5 minutes because my bum was wet and freezing due to the benches and bus stops along the route being covered in frost.

Here's a scenic view of the Clifton suspension bridge :)

PXL-20231202-081620188.jpg


Legs are a bit sore, so I think I'll ask for a lift home!
 
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