Walking: The Nearly Free Exercise
You know what we like about walking? It's great for your health and it costs almost nothing. But it does help to put a little thought into what you put on your feet before you hit the trails.
If you've ever had sore feet a few days into your walking routine, then you already know why it's important to choose the right shoe in the right size. Just like our bodies, our feet change over time and those old shoes you dug out from the back of the closet may no longer fit, meaning your walking plan is doomed before you've even taken your first step. Who needs aching feet when there are pounds to be lost?
Premium shoe stores may cost a bit more than online providers, but the staff at the premium stores are trained to give you a proper fit, plus they carry higher quality models of the brands you find online so your foot may get better support. There's a lot that goes into a walking shoe that you don't see, so ask your salesperson how yours is built. And be sure to explain exactly how your shoe will be used, as a jogging shoe isn't the best one for walking and a walking shoe isn't right for the marathon you may be training for.
After you've chosen the right shoe, head for the sock rack. Today's athletic socks cushion in just the right spots and wick away sweat so your foot won't blister. Don't be afraid of choosing Smartwool for your spring and summer walks. It may sound itchy, but Smartwool is really soft and there's a reason it's the number one brand of so many hikers.
So where do you start walking? Your own sidewalks are the easiest place to start or your local park will surely have pathways to follow, likely marked with the distance of the pathway to make it easier to track progress toward your goals. But if you want a more challenging walk, then head for the trails.
Google is our friend when finding area trails matched to our difficulty preference. All Trails keeps a good list of trails in the Springfield area, like the Sac River trail at Ritter Springs. You can take your dog on this moderate 5.3 mile trail, just keep a firm grip on the leash as the trail is heavily wooded and your four-legged friend will likely spot more than a few tempting squirrels. Or find your new favorite SW Missouri trail at the Hiking Project's website, where you can search by difficulty and location. Maybe you can try the Table Rock Lakeshore Trail, a paved and mostly flat 2.3 mile that starts at the State Park Marina. Or are you one of our northern Arkansas friends? Try the Hiking Project's link to your area
See you out on the walking trails!