Ruxton Walking Open Forum
Here are some proposed topics that could be worth continued discussion, some specific to the area and some general.
1. Distance
There is an interest in any distance from 10 meters to 200 miles. At the short end there are standardized tests for timing a 10 meter walk. This would be for those frail due to age or other medical problems. This could be done locally but needs some safety support.
Another standard test is the six minute timed walk for which there are age standards. This should generally be a little more than a quarter mile. There is that timed mile walk over at St Joseph Hospital near the Osler Dr entrance.
There is a consensus that health exercise need not involve a marathon. Twenty minutes 3-4 times a week gives much of the exercise benefits. An hour three times a week may be better.
An occasional long distance walk can be an interesting goal, 25 mile charity walk, or the walks across country. A range of options.
2. Technology of walking. There are massive references, which I will leave to those interested. A nice feature is not much is required if goals are moderate. We may have been born to walk.
3. Deterrents to walking. By this I mainly mean barriers like the light rail and Charles Street. They are probably less dangerous than they appear. There are weather concerns and health concerns like Lyme Disease. (I am agnostic about Lyme, check for ticks, but relatively unconcerned. But I have heard some other horror stories.)
Safety might need its own heading. The 3 mile walks I take no water, no staff, one or two layers as needed, and just running shoes. But no objection to those with more equipment, it would be good practice for the longer walks. Well, ok, I take a mobile phone, more for the camera. (service can be one bar but pretty much available everywhere. Lowest along Towson Run).
I often do not report a "flight plan" to the family but that is also not a bad idea. Airline safety is a good model.
4. Nature along the way. Some may be more interested than others, there are interesting habitats even in the suburban environment . Plants can be identified through the Natural History Society or the Lake Roland ranger.
5. Logging the walks. This may be a motivating factor, or a competitive factor. If we only have a handful of people we can log your progress on this blog. If more interest there could be a physical spreadsheet, perhaps at Good Shepherd or online at Strava or Garmin Connect. Either way you would get some cheerleading.
6. Group walks. If interest grows there could be groups based at Graul's or Good Shepherd church. Currently there is a group at 9 am Friday leaving from the Lake Roland ranger station. That will start again the first of March. Village at Home does a walk from the Roland Park Starbucks on Tuesday around 930 but check their website for details. Then there is the Chesapeake Sierra Club and the Mountain Club of Maryland. The latter has more offerings but is on average more aggressive hiking. They often require driving but arrange carpools.
7. Unused right-of-ways. I may delete this if too emotional. But it is interesting from a historical point of view. Google shows a hint of right of way between N. Wind and Greenwood which would avoid Charles Street. At one time kids could walk up Chelsea, connect to Walnut Hill and get to Elementary School. But this is not an essential topic. Maybe two more pedestrian crossings for the light rail?
Comments and additional references are welcome
1. Distance
There is an interest in any distance from 10 meters to 200 miles. At the short end there are standardized tests for timing a 10 meter walk. This would be for those frail due to age or other medical problems. This could be done locally but needs some safety support.
Another standard test is the six minute timed walk for which there are age standards. This should generally be a little more than a quarter mile. There is that timed mile walk over at St Joseph Hospital near the Osler Dr entrance.
There is a consensus that health exercise need not involve a marathon. Twenty minutes 3-4 times a week gives much of the exercise benefits. An hour three times a week may be better.
An occasional long distance walk can be an interesting goal, 25 mile charity walk, or the walks across country. A range of options.
2. Technology of walking. There are massive references, which I will leave to those interested. A nice feature is not much is required if goals are moderate. We may have been born to walk.
3. Deterrents to walking. By this I mainly mean barriers like the light rail and Charles Street. They are probably less dangerous than they appear. There are weather concerns and health concerns like Lyme Disease. (I am agnostic about Lyme, check for ticks, but relatively unconcerned. But I have heard some other horror stories.)
Safety might need its own heading. The 3 mile walks I take no water, no staff, one or two layers as needed, and just running shoes. But no objection to those with more equipment, it would be good practice for the longer walks. Well, ok, I take a mobile phone, more for the camera. (service can be one bar but pretty much available everywhere. Lowest along Towson Run).
I often do not report a "flight plan" to the family but that is also not a bad idea. Airline safety is a good model.
4. Nature along the way. Some may be more interested than others, there are interesting habitats even in the suburban environment . Plants can be identified through the Natural History Society or the Lake Roland ranger.
5. Logging the walks. This may be a motivating factor, or a competitive factor. If we only have a handful of people we can log your progress on this blog. If more interest there could be a physical spreadsheet, perhaps at Good Shepherd or online at Strava or Garmin Connect. Either way you would get some cheerleading.
6. Group walks. If interest grows there could be groups based at Graul's or Good Shepherd church. Currently there is a group at 9 am Friday leaving from the Lake Roland ranger station. That will start again the first of March. Village at Home does a walk from the Roland Park Starbucks on Tuesday around 930 but check their website for details. Then there is the Chesapeake Sierra Club and the Mountain Club of Maryland. The latter has more offerings but is on average more aggressive hiking. They often require driving but arrange carpools.
7. Unused right-of-ways. I may delete this if too emotional. But it is interesting from a historical point of view. Google shows a hint of right of way between N. Wind and Greenwood which would avoid Charles Street. At one time kids could walk up Chelsea, connect to Walnut Hill and get to Elementary School. But this is not an essential topic. Maybe two more pedestrian crossings for the light rail?
Comments and additional references are welcome
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