The Power Of Walking

Walking Is Not Something To Be Taken For Granted, It Has Amazing Health Benefits

(CBS) 
"If you can get one good hour of walking a day, I would say that would be great," Girandola said. "Even though it is a miracle exercise, most people, they're lucky if they walk off the couch."

How do you get people off their duffs? Well, motivation can come in many forms. One is the charitable motivation like the March of Dimes Walk-a-Thon. Ever since that first Walk-A-Thon in 1971, more and more people have been walking for a good cause — doing their bodies good, while raising money to fight birth defects, AIDS, and cancer. Few, if any, have done more good deeds walking than Barbara Jo Kirshbaum. She's 68 and did her first Walk-A-Thon ten years ago.

"I think I have walked about 3,700 miles for breast cancer," Kirshbaum said. "Now, I have raised $675,000."

Kirshbaum set a record for this cause and her goal is $1 million dollars. She tackles the toughest two- and three-day walks — a feat that surprises even her.

"Being raised in the '50s, I always thought, you know, you didn't break a sweat," Kirshbaum said. "That wasn't a ladylike thing to do and I never did anything that was very physical. I avoided anything very physical."

Today she says she is probably in better shape than she was in her 40s. Keeping up this pace isn't always easy, even for someone as motivated as Kirshbaum. Williamson also has to keep himself motivated to walk through the pain — through scorching sun, rain, hail and cold. When he made it 2,655 miles to Canada, what should have been one of his best days was one of his toughest.

"Because this is extremely difficult mentally to get here and to turn around and start all over again, I use a strategy," he said. "I call them micro-goals. OK, I'm going to hike, walk to that tree and when I reach that tree, I spot another object. Ok, I'm going to walk to that rock. Then OK, I spot something else, I'm walking to that ridge top. And if you do that over and over and over again, for months, pretty soon you've walked over 5,000 miles."

Williamson said the key is to start small with a short walk down the street, if that is all you can do. Gradually increase your distance. The best thing about walking, Girandola said, is that it can be done anywhere and at any time.

"People think, well, I have to go to the gym, you know, I have to find a formal time to work out. I have to find a pool," he said. "They don't have to do that. You know, you can walk anywhere."

"Everybody can do it. I don't think it's the issue really of can or can't. It's the issue of will I or won't I?" Williamson said.

Williamson is getting married to his sweetheart Michelle in June. They are going to do the yoyo for their honeymoon.

"We're going to start at the Canadian border, head southbound to the Mexican border," he said. "To me, it's my dream and it means a lot to me. Follow your dreams, keep at it, eventually you'll arrive there."

[engrint]

I watched this segment on CBS Sunday Morning (aired: 8/12/07) and felt compelled to write in. My brother, Lawton Grinter, is also a long distance hiker. He is actually a 'Triple Crown' hiker which means he has thru-hiked the three longest trails in the United States - the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail and the Appalachian Trail. In total, he has walked almost 10,000 miles to date. He has produced a documentary entitled 'The Walkumentary' (walkumentary.blogspot.com) about his CDT hike, which occured in 2006, and has recently been interviewed by a national publication regarding his travels. If CBS is ever interested in doing another segment on long distance hiking, Lawton would be an excellent interviewee. Sincerely, N. Grinter

[rockymtnram]

I am preparing to go on a long run from Bonham, TX to Copper Harbor, MI. I have been a long distance runner my entire adult life and have run primarily mountain/high altitude marathons such as Pikes Peak, Mt. Evans, and Peak to Peak. I would greatly appreciate being able to correspond with Scott to gain from his experience. It was very fortuitous turning on the TV to Scott's segment Sunday morning. Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

Rick M

[richdiet]

I started walking 10,000 steps a day in January 2007. It was the best thing I've ever done. I'm overweight and have tried many diets over the years and always ending up quitting. Now I just try to eat less and get my 10,000 steps each day. I have only missed a few days where I didn't make my mark (even in rain/snow). I don't beat myself up if I don't make the 10,000 one day, but instead try to do more the next day to make it up. Last month my average number of steps per day was 14,000+(more than 7 miles). I've lost a fair amount of weight (still hope to lose more) and my blood pressure has dropped. All in all I feel great and intend to do this the rest of my life. I highly recommend walking to everyone. It's something we all can do and once you establish it as part of your routine, it's not hard. I do two (2 mile) walks per day, sometimes three. And I'm able to make my goal that way. The neat thing about it is that my daughter has also been doing it since January and I'm responsible for about three other friends doing it. Just start slowly and work your way up. Any walking is better than none. Good luck to all who try!

[fidgit2]

I agree with the comments about balance in these stories - how does one accomplish this feat and also be employed and self-supporting?
The accomplishment is great - but even better with a full time job!

[fridak-2009]

STR8LACE, with all due respect, I work for a living also. I was able to take a month this year to do a 500 mile hike with my brother (who also took off work). We hiked The Colorado Trail, and met scores of others doing the same thing. If it were important enough to you, you would do it.....

[str8lace]

I have been an avid walker for years. I would like to walk more, but alas, I must work to live. I found it odd that nothing was mentioned about how this person supports himself. This is another example of how this show caters to the wealthy! I could do alot of things if I had the money. Those of us who struggle to stay fit and pay the bills, are the ones who should be admired.

[doczott-2009]

This piece has inspired me to plan a walk-thru. My son and I sat down last night and started preliminary planning. My son is 14 (8th grade) and we are very close. I grew up in a family with a very distant father. We still don't talk about much more than the weather when we are together. It is a sad thing.

I decided 14 years ago when my baby boy was born that I'd never let this happen to him. We do a lot of camping and hiking in the Cascades where we live. But, never in a million years did I ever consider taking a hike this long. We are planning to do 1/4 of the trail for each of the next 4 summers and then, if we can, we are going to attempt the entire trail the summer before he goes off to college. While 10 hours of walking at 3 mph per day seems daunting now, I'm sure that we can achieve this goal if we carefully plan and train hard.

Even if we don't tackle the entire trail in one season, I think we will have a lifetime of things to talk about! Thanks for the inspirational story!

David

[darrellvmc]

Shame on YOU, Brenda, for your caustic comments! The trail Scott picked for his hiking was incidental. The story is not about the trail he picked, it's about the accomplishment, the experience and the greater meaning for all of us--finding quality of life and extending it. The important thing is the hiking. I do trail construction and maintenance, too, but I don't expect to be listed in the credits like at the end of a movie whenever someone makes use of the trail. A trail is not something to be worshipped, it's a means to an end. It's just a route. The people who establish and maintain that route are the subject for another story.

[nonnietob]

Glad to see you doing a piece on walking and the benefits. But you missed the boat big time on this piece. Do you have any idea how many day hikes are available on the Trail, how many use the trail on a yearly basis. This is an opportunity lost, you had a captive audience to promote one of our most precious pieces of earth. You could have kept your focus on Scott, but how about all the day hikes on the trail and the fact that thousands flock to it yearly from all around the world. What about those who do the trail work on their vacations and holidays or retirement so that Scott was able to yo-yo yet again!!
Shame on you for just brushing off the trail and all it has to offer even the most unexperience hiker!!!
Brenda Murray
Auburn California

[plane51]

Walking at a fairly fast pace can definately improve your life.Improvements in cardiovascular and weight problems can be drasticly improved.

[stroke2006-2009]

I had a stroke on Nov 11, 2006. It was caused by a hole in by heart. I was very lucky that I can use my legs and arms (and hands). It mainly affected my writing and speaking. I have only been able to write in about the last week. I have been walking at least one mile a day for 5 days each week. I think that the walking has helped.
Russell J.