fitness · walking

Beach walks as exercise

Sam B
Since damaging my knee, I can’t run. That was my go-to exercise when camping. I’d throw on my running shoes and hit the trails. No more, never again. That’s over. But with my knee brace on I can still cover lots of territory. I’m gradually coming to think of walks as exercise.
Cate put it much poetically in terms of giving your body the exercise or needs. Me, I’m just working on changing my attitude about all exercise needing to be intense

Last weekend Sarah and I packed the tent up and zoomed off in the car for a night of (unusual for us) car camping. I was anxious to sleep in a tent at least one night this year. So hello, Pinery Provincial Park. And hello Sunday morning beach walk. We covered  more than 5 km in 84 minutes. Lots of it was along the beach. It felt like fun and it felt like a fitness activity. Glad I’m gradually shaking the idea that if it’s not running or biking it doesn’t count. I’m hoping to work up to carrying a pack so that next summer we can do some back country camping by foot as well as by canoe.
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Sam in a red Guelph Arts hoodie and wearing black tights and a knee brace on the edge of a campsite.
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Driftwood sculptures on the beach
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Steps, boardwalk, trees, and dunes. And Sam.
Sam and Sarah climbing down the stairs to the beach
Sam pauses to have her photo taken on the stairs
Google Fit stats for the walk

Published by Sam B

Philosopher, feminist, parent, and cyclist! Co-founder of Fit Is a Feminist Issue, co-author of Fit at Mid-Life: A Feminist Fitness Journey, published by Greystone Books.

One thought on “Beach walks as exercise”

  1. Running has always been hard on my body and I eventually quit my love affair with it after a knee injury from a car accident in college. It forced me to find new, less punishing exercises – like long walks and yoga. Both of which are perfect for traveling. I think long walks are even better than running when exploring a new place since it allows you to really take in the scenery.

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