Walking in San Antonio - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

Shannon · 05-18-2005, 08:25 AM

This post is more about walking for health/exercise and well-being more than specifically about trails in San Antonio, but since all my walking's been in San Antonio this year, it's an accurate title. I'd be happy to answer questions about any of the trails or paths I've covered thus far. There aren't many -- I've covered maybe 5 in the vicinity of my home in NE San Antonio, the S.A. Int'l Airport and NW San Antonio.

This is an excerpt from my blog entry at GeekHabitat.com, for Tuesday, May 17th.

Thanks to finally installing my Garmin Forerunner 201's logging software, I've confirmed that our math was correct (3.09 miles in 48 min 18 sec = 3.84 mph). I've also learned that I have walked more than 85.12 miles in the past twelve weeks -- that's when, at 2 week post-op, I was cleared for full weight bearing ("ditched the sticks" -- crutches!) and began wearing my hinged brace! In fact, my actual mileage is slightly more than the Garmin reports, due to several instances where I forgot to bring the unit along on my walks! My pace is also vastly improved since pre- and immediately post-op -- such much so, in fact, that I am now exercise walking at a pace faster than prior to my knee injuries (avg. walking pace now 3.5 to 4mph.)

Now, if I could just get Justin to make time to accompany me on a walk at least twice a week, for at least 2.5 or 3 miles each time ... Once you build up your muscles and endurance, it's not too difficult to pull off 3 miles in less than 1 hour.

With a little work, surely most Americans -- or at least my dear husband -- can spare 2 hours out of every 7 days walking together for greater physical and mental well-being? I'll start with my husband before seeing if that hypothesis can be proven on a more accurate sample size.

ploddinTod · 05-18-2005, 01:14 PM

Shannon, This is a very timely post and on a subject I feel very strongly about.....walking. We, as Americans, don't have to engage in a vigorous daily workout to get ourselves in shape. The simple act of walking will do it if we're consistent about the routine. Of course, we know that the hardest step is the first one out the door.

All it takes is a comfortable pair of shoes, comfortable clothing and you're ready to go. Oh, maybe some pepper spray for that pit bull around the corner.

I carry a whistle with me when I'm hiking but it might not be a bad idea to have one in an urban setting as well.

Shannon, you may want to start with Justin on a slightly smaller scale just to get him out the door. Ask him to walk with you for 20-30 minutes. This is a great time to reconnect, talk about the day's event, future plans, etc. Of course, you'll have to adjust your pace downward because he's just starting. But that's okay. You may choose to continue your walk when he heads back to the house.

Now if I can only follow my own advice.

Shannon · 05-18-2005, 03:17 PM

To be fair to Justin, he actually walked regularly and routinely long before I got bitten by the walking-as-exercise bug (forced upon me by my knee surgery and resulting ongoing rehabilitation). He'd walk with his parents if I "bugged out" and didn't join them. He'd walk right after getting home from work and letting the rush hour traffic die down a bit. So, I don't mean to make him sound like he's a laggard in the least. It's just that we've swapped roles in the past 6 months or so, and he's recently expressed wishing he had the kind of walks I do. My answer? He can!

You are right that my consistent walking and post-surgery physical therapy has me at a pace that Justin or others will likely need to work up to. I don't mind slowing down -- they slowed down for me after my surgery, when I hardly felt like I was moving forward at all!

The important thing is simply getting out there and doing it. I think a combination of mileage and exercise time goals will work for us best -- it's worked well for me independently. While I have luxuries that I didn't have when I worked in corporate America, I think the proposal Justin and I discussed last night is sound -- shoot for 2 hours of walking per week and 6 miles. If our pace means it starts out at 2 hours of walking and 4.5 miles or whatnot, that's fine too. The goal is consistently getting away from the computers, away from work or other stresses, and enjoying the outdoors and exercise together.

Eventually, we'll resume hiking and -- as had been my goal for 2005 before I got injured -- some short backpacking trips, though I know I'll be doing some solo (just as some of Justin's flights are solo because I'd rather be doing other things, sometimes.) Rehab wise, I am still a long way off from backpacking yet, though it'll be a topic of discussion when I see my orthopedic surgeon again this coming Monday. He didn't even want me hiking until 16 weeks post-op! I cheated a little, but not much... no sense ruining all the terrific work he did to rebuild my knee, and all the work I'm doing to rebuild the muscles.

texasfolks · 01-08-2006, 11:52 AM

I am a 10k step walker in San Antonio, if anyone wants to walk I live off Broadway and Lawndale. My fav. time is in the morning, my wife likes to walk when she gets home, I highly recomend 10,000 steps everyday for everybody

ploddinTod · 01-13-2006, 10:06 AM

Harley Mike,
That's a pretty good distance everyday.....close to 5 miles as I figure it. It also takes a big block of time which can be a scheduling challenge in our work-a-day world. Kudos to you.

Shannon · 01-13-2006, 08:41 PM

I wish I could say I've kept up the walking that I was doing during my post-op knee surgery rehab. As you say, exercise to that degree definitely requires time. After I was released from physical therapy, I kept up my walking for awhile, but then normal life returned, I stopped thinking about my knee (because it's healed and feels great!) and I stopped dedicating so much time to walking or other exercise.

That said, I now need to make time for walking and hiking and bike riding again because the penduluum's swung too far in the opposite direction.

My weight's maintained, but my cardio health and muscle strength (especially in my left leg's hamstring, which was harvested from to create my new ACL knee ligament) are lacking again.

Exercise is very important to a healthy, long life. I don't know why it's so hard to make time for it, but we all should!

And camping? Man, I can't even remember the last time I went camping. I *really* need to get back into doing that. Like hiking, it's terrific for one's mental health (imho) as well as physical health. It's the only "reality TV" any of us really needs -- birds, wildlife, the sound of the wind in the trees or water flowing in a stream/river. {sighs} Am I the only one who's fallen so far out of her routine when it comes to outdoor recreation? I miss it...

maleko · 01-30-2006, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shannon

The goal is consistently getting away from the computers, away from work or other stresses, and enjoying the outdoors and exercise together.

This is going to be my first post, so hi everyone. Need a waving smilie. Shannon, I quoted what you said because that's exactly how I feel about walking. I've been on a walking regimen for a few months and all I can say is, should've started way back when. I try to do around an hour a day, after work to calm the senses and breathe the fresh air instead of the stale, recycled air cond kind. I prefer at twilight, when the sky is clear and filled with limitless stars.

06-14-2007, 02:57 AM

Walking is a good exercise also!