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AIBU?

to not get the attraction of Walking

92 replies

Bogeyface · 19/12/2013 01:14

Walking as opposed to walking. Getting from A to B on foot because it is quicker, easier or cheaper than other modes of transport? Fine.

Walking 15 miles in one day just for the pleasure of....walking 15 miles in one day. I dont get it. I never have!

My mum is a walker, she considers anything under 10 miles to be a stroll, but because she is so focused on covering the miles, she seems to miss more than if she was driving! She says she doesn't, but at 63 with health issues, there is no way she can cover 15 miles without her head down and powering her legs!

It isnt fun, it isnt entertaining, it isnt particularly sociable either as you have to Walk with someone else who is as miles obsessed as you are!

All of this I wouldnt give brain time to if it werent for the evangelical nature of Walkers! You love it, good for you! I dont, stop trying to convince me that driving to Buxton, walking 15 miles and then driving home is a good day out! All you have done is wasted petrol and energy to end up in exactly the same place you started at! A walking holiday that takes you from one place to the next, I can see the attraction in that. But walking in one big circle from the car to....the car, nope.

AIBU that a) I dont get and b) wishing that those who do get it would STFU about it?!

OP posts:

Report

IndridCold · 19/12/2013 09:02

You should be pleased your DM enjoys walking, it will keep her fit and healthy into her old age .

I love walking and we used to walk on Dartmoor most weekends when DS was younger. The feeling of standing next to an ancient stone circle in the middle of nowhere with no-one else for miles around is wonderful. I understand that it's not everyone's cup of tea, and I wouldn't say they were BU because they didn't want to do it.

cory · 19/12/2013 09:08

errr.... this strikes me as one of those threads where you have to say YANBU because otherwise you are being evangelical about it.

Where is the good of posting in AIBU if all you want is for us to STFU about it?

I wish I could have spent more time Walking in the last decade. But it hasn't been easy with a disabled child who can't cope with exposure to cold. Can't wait to get going again though.

GodRestTEEMerryGenTEEmen · 19/12/2013 09:18

I have no car. I walk everywhere.

I would break my own leg before I would do it for "fun".

It's not a hobby. It's a way to get from place to place.

JoinYourPlayfellows · 19/12/2013 09:26

I love walking.

Both to get from place to place or just for the sheer enjoyment of putting one leg in front of the other and having a good think.

I don't even need to walk anywhere beautiful. I just like walking around.

TheFuzz · 19/12/2013 09:40

It's exercise isn't it ? Some folk like it. Better than sitting on ones fat arse !

samandi · 19/12/2013 09:53

I love walking, whether around cities or the countryside. I used to walk an hour to work and back rather than sit on a crowded train and love walking for hours in the hills at weekends.

It's great exercise and good to clear the head. Gives you a different perspective. Keeps you strong and slim too. And like another poster said, when I'm out walking with DP we have some of our best conversations.

But miles obsessed? No, not really. Of course you need to know roughly how many miles to have an idea how long it will take you.

FoxMulder · 19/12/2013 10:12

I like walking. It's sort of the default thing to do when you want to get out of the house. And you don't need any gear, except maybe a pair of boots. I do live in the Lake District though, so that sort of helps. But I hate walking alone - I get bored.

Lilacroses · 19/12/2013 11:03

I absolutely love it. I've always walked alot anyway but I really ,really love it when we go on holiday and do long country walks. I love everything about it. I love that it's easy, that you are in the fresh air, that you get to be quiet or chat to your family, no one else can bother you. The thing I love best though is when you get back from a really long, tiring walk and you feel really satisfied and a bit tired and you put the kettle on and have a huge cup of tea. So lovely!!!

PrimalLass · 19/12/2013 11:14

I love it. Gets me out of the house and into the amazing countryside around us. Plus I get a natter with my friends. We are doing our third Moonwalk in May.

plainjanine · 19/12/2013 11:29

I can't stand walking to the shops, unless it's a short distance, say less than half an hour. But I love hill walking. We live in a flatish area, and go away to the mountains a couple of times a year [including our annual holiday].

There's a lot to enjoy: feeling physically tired at the end of the day, the views, the solitude, the feelings of acheivement after a difficult or demanding hike...

But I'm with the OP in not understanding the idea of walking just for the sake of getting the miles in, head down, oblivious to the scenery.

Each to their own, I guess.

snowed · 19/12/2013 11:32

With walking you get fresh air, beautiful countryside, lots of space around you, appreciating wildlife/nature, space to think, exercise, and a change of scene.

Who cares if it's not "entertaining"? The modern world demands that we're constantly "busy" and "entertained", but personally I find walking a great way to unwind and get away from the everyday bustle and noise.

TheArticFunky · 19/12/2013 11:43

I walk miles and miles and always have.

I do not however like hillwalking. When we go on holiday dh acts like I am the laziest creature on the planet because I don't express enthusiasm at the prospect of climbing another hill. Dh walks about 2 miles per week whereas I walk about 35 miles. If I want to spend my holidays people watching from a cafe I shouldn't be made to feel guilty.

revivingshower · 19/12/2013 11:47

Yes sorry another here who likes walking. I can't walk at all at the moment and have been unfit for a while, but when I was younger we did some great walks. Now I am so unfit but still love taking the dog round the park.
Only one thing puts me off I have a very poor sense of direction and terrified of getting lost. (not in the park but in the wild)

Joysmum · 19/12/2013 11:55

I have lots of things I love but my hubby is indifferent to and the visa versa. We don't try to convert each other but are happy in the knowledge that the other appreciates how this things enrich our lives, even if the don't share in it.

I hate preachy people who try to convert and change you.

HesterShaw · 19/12/2013 12:03

Loving the capitalisation of Walking :o

Must admit, I am a Walker. I love Going On Walks. Overly hilly ones, when my lungs burn...not so much. But I do love a Nice View as well. Preferably with a Flask.

VivaLeBeaver · 19/12/2013 12:15

I often drive to the Peak District, have a walk and drive home again. Love the scenery and the exercise.

My 70yo mum does 15 mile walks every week and its keeping her fit and healthy.

Guiltismymaster · 19/12/2013 12:15

omg, I had no idea that some people don't like walking! (I'll stop taking everyone for walks when they come round!)

I've never thought of it as a hobby, I just assumed that it's something everyone does on holiday or at the weekend. I never think much of it, just can't imagine not doing it.

Is it really geeky? I thought outdoorsy types were cool but then I feel like it's OK for us because we also go mountain biking/surfing etc. ?? Please tell me those are OK!

OP, you've turned my whole world upside-down!

revivingshower · 19/12/2013 12:16

haha hester yes a Nice View with a Flask lol

Guiltismymaster · 19/12/2013 12:19

I would add that I don't do long walks regularly, but I've experimented with a couple of 20 - milers in the past and, I have to admit, I did enjoy them.
The problem is, my son has seen me doing it and now he's getting into it too. The other day I found an anorak and a thermos under his bed. You don't have to be a genius to work out what he was planning. What have I done to him? I don't know if there is any hope for us.

Shockers · 19/12/2013 12:25

I bloody love a good walk!

HesterShaw · 19/12/2013 12:42

Guilt, I'd be seriously worried if I were you. Were there any walking magazines? What about Gore Tex? You poor thing :(

(((((((((((hugz)))))))))))

SettingPlaster · 19/12/2013 12:51

I've no desire to evangelise, OP. I like the fact that it's not crowded out there.

I agree with the irritation with the elaborate clothing and equipment, though, and tbh, have always found walking organisations a bit tiresome, either all gung-ho about covering the planned route despite freezing fog, or spry Ramblers' Association types with tight, grim little smiles...

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HesterShaw · 19/12/2013 12:53

Oh yes, ramblers with bloody stupid sticks shouting at farmers about their rights to walk in a group of 1000 through a field of heavily pregnant ewes. Those people are wankers, admittedly.

MinesAPintOfTea · 19/12/2013 13:02

Hester do you provide a reasonable diversion if you want ramblers out of a specific field? I am a walker but prefer open hilltops and try to be as quiet, discrete and quick add possible when in the centre of farms. But its not easy when farmers tie up gates and ensure footpaths are as hard as possible to follow. I will always happily follow signs "field uncrossable, go this way" or similar though.

woozlebear · 19/12/2013 13:07

I love walking. I think better and feel at peace when I'm just putting one foot in front of another. I love the scenery, the sounds (and silence) of the countryside, the feel of the fresh air, the lack of crowds.

I don't really 'get' the miles obsession for the sake of it, and agee the head down dogged approach is barmy - may as well walk on a treadmill at the gym. But it's nice to know how far you've walked, speed etc to see improvement. Sure anyone who excercises in any way does the same.

Most of our holidays are based on walking (or similar - ie snowshoing and cross country skiing). Anywhere/anything where you can get out away from everything and just pootle around under your own steam. It makes me feel human again. I feel as you do about walking about shops and busy cafes/bars etc.

Re the gear obsession. It's easy for people who LIVE in the places walkers visit to be snooty. Don't forget that when the stuff is on your doorstep every day you can make sure you only go out for long/far when it's not tipping it down, and so you can trot off in jeans and a normal coat/boots/wellis, and if you do get caught out, you can go home and change. If you're out for 12 hours on a planned trip, you do it rain or shine, and you need waterproof/breathable stuff. It's not as excessive as it may look. The UK is safe, but even then there are fatal hypothermia cases every year (often with cold and wet jeans/cotton t shirts as a contributing factor).

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