MIM: Walking is Back in Style!

Edward Payson Weston was born on March 15, 1839

He first received attention as a notable pedestrian in 1861, when he walked 478 miles (769 km) from Boston, Massachusetts to Washington, D.C. in 10 days and 10 hours, from February 22 to March 4. During the walk, he faced snow, rain, and mud, and he fell several times. His longest period of uninterrupted sleep was 6 hours, and he usually ate while walking. He arrived in Washington at 5:00 pm, and was strong enough to attend Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural ball that evening.

The walk was part of the terms of a bet on the 1860 presidential election. The bettor whose candidate lost was to walk to Washington to see the inauguration of the new president. Weston lost when he bet against Lincoln, and received only a bag of peanuts for his trouble. However, he also received newspaper coverage and a congratulatory handshake from the new president, which inspired him to further pedestrian feats.

At age 67 Weston was examined by thirty doctors who found that his muscles, lungs, breathing capacity, eyes, and mental alertness were the same as when he was 32.

During Weston’s time, walking was a glamorous sport and stadiums regularly filled with spectators for walking events and matches.

Today, many of us have lost sight of walking’s potential as a healthy activity and sport.  We think we need to run 5k, 10k, 15k, half and full marathons, forgetting what is available to us by just getting out the door and taking a walk outside.

It has been shown time and time again that walkers have fewer incidences of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other killer diseases.  “Research shows that adults who are physically active in their 50s and early 60s are about 35 percent less likely to die in the next eight years than those who are sedentary.” (Nov. 2004 Journal Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise)

We’re always told never to throw anything out because it always comes back into fashion.  Well, here at Leash Your Fitness, walking is back in fashion.  

Where are you going to walk your dog today?  Make a plan to MIX IT UP! Add an extra block, a hill, a set of stairs or an entire new area!  If you want to try something entirely new, JOIN US for our NEW walking classes, Walking Woof Workout!

We will introduce you to new areas of San Diego County

AND add some fun stuff to get you fit into the walk.

References:

Wikipedia

Danny & Katherine Dreyer, ChiWalking