I love a good walk. Walking is one of the most primal and core-centering activities one can engage in. As long as you have the ability and mobility to do so, I believe in walking for pleasure and health every day. I will be the first to admit I am not an athlete. I am portly, 50, and my back can give me fits. I could be more coordinated, and, quite frankly, I am not a gym rat. Many years ago, I ran half-marathons, and I enjoyed that, but the constant pavement pounding took a toll.
Read more: My 500 Words: Time to Join the VolksmarchI started walking daily shortly after my grandmother died. After Grandma passed, I went on a long walk and have been walking ever since. I connected to the pace and calm walking brought me. So I kept going. I completed over 10,000 steps daily for 355 of the next 365 days. I missed a few targets when I was traveling or not feeling well. Since then, this has been my primary form of exercise.
Recently, I want to take my walking to the next level. I didn’t want to speed race or be competitive because this harmed the centering of my walking in the first place. And that is when I discovered the Volksmarch.
The Volksmarch is a form of non-competitive fitness walking where the participant commits to a weekly six-mile walk for health and vitality. This walk is accomplished best in a natural setting where the walker drives to a hiking trail or other outdoor venue and then takes a casual yet, challenging walk. The idea is to catch up on deep thoughts, walk and talk with family or friends, and listen to a podcast or music. It takes about two hours to complete, so set aside some time.
This form of recreational walking is popular in Germany and Austria and is commonly enjoyed by families looking to reconnect and enjoy each other’s company. In the United States, there are over 2,500 clubs and events dedicated to Volksmarching, and I love that people all over the country are meeting to “take a walk.”
And part of the Volksmarch experience is most participants will then make time to enjoy time with others, enjoying a cold beer or a dessert they want. The idea behind the Volksmarch is exercise does not need to be a grind and be fun and engaging. It can also be a time when you connect with the world around you and enjoy the splendor of nature. I aim to wake up early on Saturday or Sunday and hit the trail for six miles. The Cross Seminole Trail near my home is a great place to start my Volksmarch. I will keep you updated on how it goes!
Considering Outloud 