WALKING FOR CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS : DIABETES

Walking continues to be confirmed as “the best medicine” for chronic physical and emotional conditions. In the West, one of the 10 most common chronic diseases is diabetes and health researchers predict this will grow to a point where 1 in 3 North American will be diabetic. Good reason for us to look at walking for diabetics.

 Diabetics are advised that regular daily walking of 30 minutes results in:
·    Improved glucose control. Exercise helps muscles absorb blood sugar, preventing it from building up in the bloodstream. This effect can last for hours or even days, but it’s not permanent. That’s why walking regularly is essential for continued blood glucose control.
·    Better cardiovascular fitness. Because people with diabetes are at increased risk for heart disease, this is an important benefit.
·    Weight control. Regular walking burns calories; this can help control weight, which in turn can reduce health risks. 

Also crucial for diabetics is the added attention they need to give to foot health. Proper shoes, regular care and treatment of wounds or “wear’n’tear” are critical. Because of the greater risk of a sugar-related event while walking, diabetic walkers should carry some emergency food and have an up-to-date medic alert identifier, like a bracelet or necklace. Such risks also make walking with some else more beneficial. Walking with others builds social links and contributes to one’s self-strength.

yours on the trail,
Ray

TRACKS

TRACKS
I received and just watched the DVD of the film, Tracks, which tells the story of Australian walker, Robyn Davidson who walked 1700 miles across the West Australian desert in 1977. She walked, with her Lab and 4 camels as her only regular companions.  The journey took over half a year and nearly cost her her life and her sanity.
We will be showing this film, along with Wild, which I mentioned a few weeks ago, and The Way as our features in a Walkers’ Film Fest in mid-April.
I looked at some of the actual photos from Davidson’s life and travel and the film has done a superb job of capturing her accomplishment and her unbelievable courage. Particularly powerful is the sub-plot of her relationship with her animals and her connection with the Aboriginal culture she passed through in the desert.
You’re invited to come and watch this film, and also join us for some walks and talks which will form part of this walkers’ weekend event. More to come.

Yours , on the journey,                           
Ray

Robyn Davidson writes  in her journal:
Many times since the trek I have been asked why I made it, and I answer that the trip speaks for itself. But for those who persist I would add these few thoughts. I love the desert and its incomparable sense of space. I enjoy being with Aborigines and learning from them.I like the freedom inherent in being on my own, and I like the growth and learning processes that develop from taking chances.

read all her comments here

EVERYBODY WALKS

I can't remember if I have praised this YouTube site recently. It is a video site connected with the larger Walking movement the USA, especially the site http://everybodywalk.org/  It contains a huge collection of videos related to walking. Some have to do with the health aspect of walking, particularly the excellent videos of Dr. Bob Sallis, one the the USA's loudest activity proponents and walking voices. Some have to do with mini-guides to great walks, such as the Great Walk around Manhattan Island. Then there are the others which include one of my favourites, a micro-talk by Matt Algeo about the history of pedestrianism. This features Matt's demo of the contrasting style of two of the greats of pedestrianism, Edward Payson Weston and Daniel O'Leary. Its worth the price of admission.
There is also a feature video called The Walking Documentary at  http://everybodywalk.org/documentary
Check'em out at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QzxxXm9Ph9U

JANUARY WALK

Worst Parking Job Ever!

JANUARY WALK
Thanks to all who braved the -17/-25(windchill) temperatures for our KAPPS walk this month. Not knowing what to expect we re-visited the section from the Western Murphy Road intersection of the K and P and walked into Calabogie. The sun was glorious and almost spring-like with cold wind which stayed at our backs all the way.
Good spirits and good conversation got us back to Polly’s for burnch before the “church-rush”. Special thanks and welcome to Gayle T who chose this as he first walk with KAPPS and showed us how they walk in the Whitewater Region - fast.
And thanks again to the staff at Polly's who fed and coffeed us.
Here’s a photo of an odd sight just outside the restaurant. It seems like someone abandoned their truck in the grass many years ago, and trees have grown to imprison it where it sits.

Yours , on the journey,                           
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn       

ON THE TREADMILL

OK, let me announce my limits as a walker. I don’t walk where there are vicious animals.I don’t walk on fire. And I hate walking when its below -15 C, especially with a wind chill. Chicken-sh*t? I own that. With that out of the way, let me encourage everyone of us walkers not to give up in such cold weather. We have options.
One is the many “walk-in-the-halls” programs where you can walk in lighted, safe and warm surroundings to your heart’s content. I’ve tried that but its not enough. My choice was to sign up with a local gym where they have treadmills and elliptical machines. I agree with a no-nonsense local trainer who calls this stuff “dog-sh*t”, but, in the absence of an outdoor trail without lethal conditions, you take what you can get.
This offers me a way to walk on an “as-if” path with ups and downs, at whatever speed I care to go. I use the same walking tunes and shoes, so its not totally unfamiliar. Of course I would rather look at trees and ponds than TSN highlights.
What I particularly appreciate about the machines is the pre-sets which give me a simulation of a hill walk, with ups and downs. It is pretty much non-negotiable, so when it tells me to boot it up a slope, either I do that or embarrass myself by dialing down. My pride doesn’t like that.
The other advantage of a gym environment is that I can combine some mat work or rowing machine or weight routines with my walk. This keeps the days varied and increases the strength-building element of my walks. I can hardly wait for warmer weather, but the treadmill is a not-bad alternative.

Yours , on the journey,                           
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn

WALKING SONGS

WALKING SONGS

I was reading a commentary on the use of walking images in pop music and that got me thinking about how many songs actually use walk or walking in the title. 

Here’s a list:

    Walk - Jet
    Walk - Foo Fighters
    Walk - Kwabs
    Walk - Don't Run - The Ventures
    Walk Among Stones - Kate Campbell
    Walk Away - Ben Harper
    Walk Away - Good Charlotte
    Walk Away - Franz Ferdinand
    Walk Away - Kelly Clarkson
    Walk Away - Five Finger Death Punch
    Walk Away - Tom Waits
    Walk Away From The Sun - Seether
    Walk Away Renee - The Left Banke
    Walk Away Slow - Tiffany Page
    Walk Believer Walk - The Black Crowes
    Walk By - Good Charlotte
    Walk In the Country - Scotty McCreery
    Walk in the Shadows - Queensrÿche
    Walk In The Sun - McFly
    Walk it Back - R.E.M.
    Walk It Out - Jennifer Hudson
    Walk Like a Giant - Neil Young & Crazy Horse
    Walk Like A Man - The Four Seasons
    Walk Like A Man (You Can Call Me Your Man) - Grand Funk
    Walk Like An Egyptian - Bangles
    Walk Me Down the Middle - The Band Perry
    Walk Me to the Bridge - Manic Street Preachers
    Walk Of Life - Dire Straits
    Walk Of Shame - Pink
    Walk Of Shame - Deap Vally
    Walk On - U2
    Walk On - Neil Young
    Walk On - Billy Currington
    Walk On - Lucinda Williams
    Walk On By - Dionne Warwick
    Walk on the Ocean - Toad the Wet Sprocket
    Walk on the Water - Britt Nicole
    Walk On The Wild Side - Lou Reed
    Walk On Water - Eddie Money
    Walk Over Me - The All-American Rejects
    Walk Right Back - The Everly Brothers
    Walk Right In - Rooftop Singers
    Walk Straight Down the Middle - Kate Bush
    Walk Tall - Kele
    Walk That Walk - Dorrough
    Walk The Dinosaur - Was (Not Was)
    Walk the Edge - Shadows Fall
    Walk The Fleet Road - Editors
    Walk The Walk - Poe
    Walk This Way - Aerosmith
    Walk This Way - Run-D.M.C.
    Walk This Way - Mø
    Walk Through Exits Only - Philip H. Anselmo and the Illegals
    Walk Unafraid - R.E.M.
    Walk With Me - Richie Kotzen
    Walk With Me In Hell - Lamb of God
    Walk With You - Ringo Starr
    Walken's Syndrome - Fugazi
    Walkin' After Midnight - Patsy Cline
    Walkin' Back To Happiness - Helen Shapiro
    Walkin' Blue - Sonic Youth
    Walkin' Mat - The Answer
    Walkin' My Baby Back Home - James Taylor
    Walkin' My Cat Named Dog - Norma Tanega
    Walkin' On The Moon - The-Dream
    Walkin' on the Sun - Smash Mouth
    Walkin' the Floor Over You - Ernest Tubb
    Walkin' Through The Park - Muddy Waters
    Walkin' With A Mountain - Mott the Hoople
    Walking - October Fall
    Walking - Mary Mary
    Walking After You - Foo Fighters
    Walking Away - Jason Aldean
    Walking Back To Jesus Parts I, II & III - The Broken Family Band
    Walking Contradiction - Green Day
    Walking Far From Home - Iron & Wine
    Walking Her Home - Mark Schultz
    Walking In Memphis - Marc Cohn
    Walking In The Air - Aled Jones
    Walking In The Winter - The Coral
    Walking On A Dream - Empire of the Sun
    Walking on a Thin Line - Huey Lewis & the News
    Walking On Air - Bee Gees
    Walking On Air - Katy Perry
    Walking On Air - Anise K
    Walking On Broken Glass - Annie Lennox
    Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & the Waves
    Walking On The Moon - The Police
    Walking On Thin Ice - Yoko Ono
    Walking Paranoia - MUTEMATH
    Walking The Dog - Rufus Thomas
    Walking With Elephants - Ten Walls
    Walks Like Rihanna - The Wanted
  
Yours , on the journey,                           
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn

WALKING INTO 2015

WALKING INTO 2015

The journey known as Padakun has taken us down many surprising side trails this past year, and looks to do the same for the coming year. The year included a major presentation on contemplative walking at a mindfulness conference in Fredericton, the acquisition of certification for Nordic poling, the founding of the Kick and Push Pedestrian Society [KAPPS], Renfrew County’s newest walking group, and numerous wonderful walks throughout the County. All through the year, I have been pleased with a number of enthusiastic walkers of all ages and all interests. I have made the acquaintance of a few sympathetic walking authors and am convinced that interest in walking, for recreational and spiritual purposes, will only continue to grow.

We had a unexpectedly pleasant [for December] final KAPPS walk for the year. Having wrapped up the route from Renfrew to Calabogie in November, we concluded our double-route adventure, with a relaxed walk into Arnprior, and equally relaxed circuit through Gillies Grove. Although the last section of entering Arnprior was little more than bare fields, the walk in the Grove, with its old-growth trees and friendly fellow walkers, more than made up for the early part of the walk.

Having concluded these two routes we now have the delightful obligation of planning our progress for the coming year. I will be circulating a short questionnaire to all our interested walkers. Please take the time to complete this so we can have the most satisfying monthly walks for 2015.

As the Walker knows, we cannot predict what the trail will look like further along. The path does unfold as we walk it.

Yours , on the journey,                           
Ray
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet
Thich Nhat Hahn