10 Things I hate about Walking
I apologise for the negative tone of the post (it’ll get balanced out by the next one I promise) but no matter how hard I try, there are some things I will ALWAYS hate about walking…..
The very early morning walk
I love my sleep, I really do and as a natural night owl I’ll often work through to 2 or 3 in the morning. Unfortunately, if I’m busy the next day that means an early morning walk and I will never, ever get used to these as long as live. Don’t get me wrong, once I’m out the door I’m fine but the 15 mins before doing that are absolute torture. I now make sure that I have all my walking ‘kit’ ready in the bedroom so I don’t have to find time scrabbling around for my trainers or iPod at 6am which does make thing a little easier. The main thing is I just make myself do it – no excuses anymore. It works but I don’t like it.
The evening walk
If I miss my morning walk then I need to fit it in during the day and as I prefer walking in the dark (in the winter at least) then the ideal time is roughly at 6pm. Again, I have no problem once I’m out the door but 6pm usually comes right about the time I either pick up my husband from the station/start making supper/am in the middle of a complicated project/am just home from a long day at work myself. It’s usually freezing outside, the house is cozy, the cat is on my lap and and I just want to flop down on the settee in front of a rubbish programme. Again, I give myself absolutely no choice but boy do I bitch for the first 20 minutes.
Rain - Don’t like it
Cyclists on the path – especially when they are behind me and I have my headphones in
The way my lower back aches if I walk over an hour and a half
Trying to balance drinking enough without wanting to pee every 10 minutes
Wanting to pee every 10 minutes
Dogs – I love ‘em but for God’s sake owners, don’t let them out and about on their own especially when they bark their bloody heads off at every little thing and look like they are about to eat your leg off.
Buses that don’t turn up
I like having somewhere to work to, it gives the walk a point and gives me a sense of purpose. I try and time my walks so that I’m at the bus stop after about 7.5 miles. If however, the bus fails to turn up, I have to walk 3 miles to the next town to get a different bus or walk 3.5 miles back to my town to get the local bus home. OK, so it’s extra mileage which is a good thing but it does my temper no good at all.
Just how long it takes to walk 7.5 miles
Yep, agree with the first one. I’ve been early morning walking for 3 years and I’ll never get used to that 5.30am alarm clock
Beat you – I’ve found 100 things I hate about walking!!!! hahahahaha
Looking forward to your next post – you know the good outweighs the bad…
I’m an ‘owl’ too but I don’t like walking in the dark.
I’m not keen on rain either and never set off in it. I usually avoid walking far unless the forecast is okay. Once or twice I’ve been caught out ‘on the tops’ in heavy rain and it wasn’t much fun!
I’m a walker and a cyclist so I’ve experienced both aspects of sharing paths. I’ve noticed an increasing number of people using MP3 players so I half expect people not to hear me approaching and pass with caution.
My back isn’t great, but I’ve found that regular exercise does strengthen it. I always wear either a small Camelbak bag or a rucksack to carry stuff on my back. Never carry a bag over one shoulder because it twists your back and that WILL make it hurt.
The ‘pee’ problem might be due to taking in too much caffeine before you go out. I used to have that problem so now I only drink water before a walk or a bike ride and that definitely helps. I usually have a large tea or coffee afterwards.
Dogs – I completely agree!
I prefer to catch a train or bus out then walk back though sometimes I do it the other way round for a change.
PS I think your blog is still running on British Summer Time!
oooh, good tip about the caffeine – will try that
PS Blog time updated