Walk a mile in Thoreau’s shoes
Lori Borgman | Monday, April 13, 2009
Henry David Thoreau said he could not preserve
his health and spirits unless he spent at least four hours a day
walking. I’m guessing he had to give up his day job.
Wouldn’t it be something to take Thoreau along
on what we consider a walk today?
“About your shoes, Mr. Thoreau. Are those walking
shoes, aerobic shoes or running shoes? They’re regular shoes? Sir,
we have different shoes for different sports these days.
“You say you walked 10 to 20 miles in those shoes
every day and you’re not about to trade them in now? Fine by me,
but I hope you don’t get shin splints.
“Sir, since it is early morning and dark outside,
I was wondering if you’d mind clipping this reflector to your jacket?
It flashes three speeds: steady, blinking and intermittent. If you
clip one to the front of your jacket and I clip one to the back
of mine, chances are we won’t get hit by a car.
“Why are cars in the wilderness? We won’t be in
the wilderness, Mr. Thoreau. We walk on concrete these days.
“Wildlife? We’ll hear some birds and a few dogs,
but don’t worry, I have pepper spray. I’ve never used it and always
worry that I might shoot myself in the face with it, but if we need
it, we’ve got it.
“Mr. Thoreau, I know you were big on sauntering,
ambling and meandering, but we walkers today are about speed.
“Whose dumb idea was that? The heart people, the
lung people, the fat police. We walk to burn calories, get the old
cardio going, lower bad cholesterol, raise good cholesterol and
turn flab into muscle. What’s your best mile, Mr. Thoreau?
“Walden Pond was your best mile? I mean what’s
your best mile for speed. Two hours, you say. And a really good
mile would take you three?”
“I see. I wonder if you could pick up the pace,
Mr. Thoreau – yes that is a sycamore. It’s the tenth one you’ve
stopped to admire.
“The reason my walking buddy and I walk so early
is because we have to squeeze it into the day. We can’t all hang
out in a cabin in the woods, sir.
“Yes, I did read that you liked to walk after
the morning papers had been read and before the afternoon papers
arrived. Mr. Thoreau, we don’t get two newspapers a day delivered
anymore. Just be glad we’re not in Detroit. The Detroit News only
delivers on Thursdays and Fridays!”
“No, sir, that’s not a bog up ahead. It’s a retention
pond. I wouldn’t go any closer if I were you. It’s not a natural
habitat; it collects run-off and has nasty sludge at the bottom.
“You find this walk unsatisfying? It entirely
misses the point? But look at you! I bet you’re up to a 55-minute
mile! You can really hustle when you put your mind to it. What’s
your pulse rate? A man your age should aim for 135. We turn here,
sir.
“What? You’re heading back to Walden -- to the
mink and fox, the rustle of the trees, the earth beneath your feet?
That’s the real way to walk?”
“Would you mind if some of us came – ”
Judging by the lightning speed with which he left,
I will take that as a no.
