Out for a walk

I rediscovered the simple joys of walking in late July this year, largely because it was the only form of outdoor aerobic activity I could safely do at the time.

In the wake of a bicycle accident, cycling, my preferred form of outdoor activity, was on hold.

But my doctors told me that walking would be good for me, as long I avoided any falls that might aggravate my broken ribs and separated shoulder.

So I started walking regularly, usually anywhere from five to nine miles a day.

I guess I had been a cycling snob, viewing walking as vastly less efficient and productive, second string on the junior varsity for aerobic exercise.

But lo and behold, I found all my walking helped me shed a few pounds.

I also found that I grew to value my walks as prime time for relaxing and thinking, including about subjects for new blogs such as this one.

One nice thing about walking is that it doesn’t require more gear than a comfortable pair of shoes or sandals.

If you are planning to walk more than a couple of miles a day, it’s a good idea to put Superfeet insoles in your shoes. These may help you avoid foot ailments.

Don’t forget to wear a sunhat and sunscreen, and use insect repellent to ward off ticks and other pests if your walks take you off the sidewalks and pavement. I find that I am most comfortable walking in shoes that are up to one and a half sizes larger than my street shoe size.

For longer walks, you will want to carry water. A fanny pack or small backpack will do the job. And if you hike through mountains, walking sticks might be a good investment, particularly in helping you protect your knees on the descents.

If you want to add spice to your walks, try birdwatching. If you get bitten by the birding bug, you’ll be impressed by how much you learn quickly, with the assistance of a good birding app, such as this one: http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org.

By early September, I had healed enough to ride a bicycle again. But I haven’t stopped walking. Now both cycling and walking are important and valued parts of my daily exercise diet.

Proof that you can bird and bike at the same time.

20-mile lap on the bike on Sept. 3. First ride since July.