Grind it out. That's what today felt like, I captured no photos, and I find myself short on inspiring tales, so I'm reaching back to my 10 List of things to write about and pulling out something I know because it's easy to execute without a great deal of thought.
Five "Must Have" Items for Long Distance Walking
1. Good Socks. I experimented with quite a variety of socks before I finally settled on a medium weight wool blend running sock for long distance walking. I even marched a little over six miles without socks, and that was the worst of my errors. I've tried thick socks, thin socks, double socks, triple socks, toe socks, tube socks, socks for a particular foot, etc. Some things I've learned.
No socks is bad. Really bad. By the time I realized I had a hot spot the blister was there.
Avoid cotton. Soaking up moisture, this is the second worst sock error I made.
I recommend wool and synthetic blends in the 35% wool range. Also, I recommend a sized sock. When I finally got the material right, I chose medium socks to start with and this led to blisters between the toes. I thought the larges would bunch up, but a roomy toe box worked best for me.
2. Technical running shirts. The slick fabric of the technical running shirts allows your skin to breath, protect you from sun, keep you warm in the cold, and aid in evaporation in the heat. Again, avoid cotton like the plague.
3. Shoes. After some experimentation, I went to a competent running store and told them what I intended to do (walk long distances), and they fitted me for running shoes. The lightweight materials and good cushioning make this a solid choice for my walking which is mostly on asphalt and concrete. They even work well on prepared trails through the woods. For serious hiking, more support might be required, but the running shoes are the right choice for distance walking in a suburban and urban environment. It turns out that all those lawyers in athletic kicks and business suits/skirts were right after all.
4. A good watch cap. I prefer technical fabrics. A good watch cap will be useful for about 8 months out of the year in the mid-Atlantic region. It will keep your head warm and dry and allow you to wear less clothing overall as the weather gets chillier. I also like to sleep in mine from time to time.
5. Lycra, form fitting, boxer underwear. The longer legs and slick fabric keep the inner thigh chafing to a minimum, and if you wear them to the pool they can pass for an olympic style swim suit. I don't recommend that last part, but they might help you escape with a shred of dignity if you give it a try.
Till tomorrow reveals her true nature, adieu.
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