Walking By Ed Kemmick
Two years ago, after rotator cuff surgery, when almost all other forms of exercise were temporarily impossible, I took up regular walking for the first time in my life. A year later, when the Covid-19 pandemic descended on all of us, I had even more reason to keep walking. I’m not here to tell you what you already know, that walking is one of the best forms of exercise there is, that it increases your strength and agility and that it’s good for your heart. And there really is no downside to walking. As an amateur sports enthusiast who has managed to damage both wrists, both shoulders, a knee, an ankle and an elbow over the years, I am grateful for that. What you may not know is that walking can also be good for your mind, your disposition, your general sense of happiness. The Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard hit on the dual benefits of walking when he said, “every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness.” If you need inspiration to begin and to continue walking, I recommend setting yourself a goal. That may be as simple as committing to walk 10,000 steps a day, or
My constant walking companion has been Xavi, a cocker spaniel-black lab mix (as far as we know), seen here on a North Side street just under the Rims.
three or four miles every other day, or whatever you’re comfortable with.
There are so many beautiful old cars to be seen when you’re out walking, some of which are still running, while others appear to be rotting into the ground.
Once I began walking regularly, I set myself a different kind of goal, which was to become more familiar with Billings. It is a never-ending inspiration. Every new thing I discover on my walks makes me want to discover something else, so that I look forward to my outings as a chance to stretch my legs and nourish my brain. I used to bicycle all over town, and as a Gazette reporter for almost 20 years I visited every corner of Billings. But it wasn’t until these past two years of walking that I felt I had really begun to know this city. It is only while walking that you’re moving slowly enough to appreciate your surroundings, to focus in on things that you might not have noticed when you zip by in a car or perched on a bicycle.
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APRIL / MAY 2021
