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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I could walk to work and back in nicer weather?

265 replies

NapQueen · 13/02/2017 00:33

New job is, according to Google maps, 2.3 miles away and the estimated walking time is 53mins.

It's a nice walk there, downhill to the riverside then along and up a little at the end. Obviously the walk home would be harder!

Anyone walk a distance like this?

Nb am hideously bad at cycling so that's a no go!

OP posts:
OttilieKnackered · 13/02/2017 20:26

I walk exactly 1.5 miles to work and back every day. There is no bus really and I don't drive but I love it anyway. I'd happily walk further. I always go for a walk at lunchtime as well unless it's absolutely pouring. I do anything from 4-7 miles a day. I'm otherwise pretty lazy and hate nearly all sports. There's a shopping centre five minutes walk from work and someone drove there the other day! It would also cost at least a few quid to park. Crazy.

megletthesecond · 13/02/2017 21:22

Otti we went out for a team lunch recently. Everyone bar me drove there despite it being round the corner. I walked, with my runkeeper checking the distance. Not only did I beat them there (I didn't have to get out the carpark) it was only .5 of a mile. Pissed me off a little tbh that so many people are unable to walk even short distances.

Janey50 · 14/02/2017 17:28

How about walking one way and bus it the other way?

Craigie · 14/02/2017 17:29

All the time. Have a 60 minute round trip to take my kids to school every day. Don't drive, never have.

NewtScamandersNaughtyNiffler · 14/02/2017 17:31

Yep I walk a similar distance in the summer. Leave home at 6am and get home at 9pm.
If I get the bus I still have to leave at 6.15 so it's hardly a hardship. Plus the walk is beautiful.

tandt5 · 14/02/2017 17:35

My commute to work is about 30 minutes walk. While I enjoy walking (especially when the weather is nice) I don't particularly look very polished when I arrive. My hair all over the place, I sweat easily (and nothing helps). I don't even want to mention how I look if the weather is not nice.

lukeymom · 14/02/2017 17:40

You'd probably walk the first few days but then think you want to find an alternative.

monkey1978 · 14/02/2017 17:41

I walk around 4 miles and it takes me around 50 minutes so it might not take you that long at all. It's annoying sometimes but as I quite like walking I don't mind.

Fadingmemory · 14/02/2017 17:44

I walk to my voluntary job which takes an hour. No issue for me as I walk for a hobby and am an early riser. I listen to the radio on my phone which makes the journey even more pleasureable, plus the knowledge that I am burning calories (approx 150 each way). You could save the amount you would have spent on bus fares towards a holiday or chocolate

reiki73 · 14/02/2017 17:46

"These boots were made for walking!....."

farfarawayfromhome · 14/02/2017 17:47

Oh I would love this! I used to live in a city centre and walk to work in the outskirts. 45 minutes or so. I love podcasts so always had lots to listen to. I kept clothes at work to change into..I had my 'walking to work' gear for when it was raining. I miss those days! Walking is one of life's greatest pleasures....

Beeziekn33ze · 14/02/2017 17:49

Napqueen - Go for it and enjoy it!

Jaxhog · 14/02/2017 17:58

I have to say, I'm seriously impressed by all of you keen walkers. There are so many benefits to walking. Unless you have a lot of pollution?

We should all do this. Go for it OP!

Daisies123 · 14/02/2017 18:02

I used to walk that distance split in two- walked to the station and then from tube to work at the other end. I used to arrive at work in a fab mood and it helped me work through any stress on the way home again.
Downside was carrying stuff like packed lunch. I used to keep smart shoes/boots under my desk at work so I only had to carry them in once a week or so.
It's also a very easy way to fit in some exercise. I don't do nearly as much now I drive to work.

Hygellig · 14/02/2017 18:03

I'd certainly give it a go. Make sure you have decent shoes/boots and waterproofs. It will get you fit and maybe help unwind at the end of the day.

One of my son's teachers always drives to school despite living only a mile away, a distance I would much prefer to walk.

FrancisCrawford · 14/02/2017 18:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ArriettyClock1 · 14/02/2017 18:12

I would do it, and love it.

It's the same distance to my ds school and he often walks home. Takes him 45 mins of brisk walking.

Ipsomatic · 14/02/2017 18:12

I've always loved walking to work. It is really good for the body and mind I think. I used to walk through a park in the morning and there were retired people doing Tai Chi in the mist very slowly which was lovely. As long as you are not somewhere isolated or dangerous then it's fine.

RubyGoat · 14/02/2017 18:17

I walk daily. It's not quite as far - 1.5 miles in my case. But I do it in all weathers. Including (only a couple of times) proper blizzard conditions when I needed a thin scarf over my face to avoid iceburn. I wear walking boots & a knee length raincoat in winter, occasionally waterproof trousers in very bad weather (rural area = lots of leaves, mud & occasional animal leavings). In summer I wear walking trainers & my normal clothes. In warm weather I take my work top in my bag & change when I arrive. I use a proper hiking backpack, with a packaway raincover. I leave my work shoes at work under my desk, and some water wipes, body spray, perfume etc in my desk drawers.

I like to listen to music as I walk, or sometimes audiobooks borrowed from the library. I have a playlist of tracks for a decent walking pace.

SecondsLeft · 14/02/2017 18:19

I walk out of my way 45 minutes a lot of the time on my way to work (because its too close), and never regret it, its an amazing start to the day. I even do an extra 20-30 minutes on the way home sometimes. However, I am time rich at the moment. It sounds like walking is a definite alternative to the bus for you.

MiddlingMum · 14/02/2017 18:25

I would do it. As others have said, it's actually not far and if you have suitable clothes and shoes it will be fine. You could investigate different routes, find some indy shops to pick up a few treats for supper, watch the daffodils come out each day, watch the leaves unfurling on the trees, get to see bits of your area you'd never see otherwise.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 14/02/2017 18:39

We are evolved to walk, as nomadic hunter gatherers. So yes it is good for the soul.

Nothing dafter than people who drive to the gym then go on the treadmill/bikes.

TheFullMrexit · 14/02/2017 18:41

spring is a great time to walk - all of a sudden its boom, so many beautiful trees and plants out

you will be sooo fit if you walk and do some fast walking and then slow etc if you have any weight to loose its a winner.

Flowersandbirds · 14/02/2017 18:44

Some dubious maths by Hatesummer if she thinks you'd have to leave over an hour earlier for a 53 min walk Wink. Do it - cheaper than a gym membership and you save on petrol too. No brainier.

Dominithecat · 14/02/2017 18:51

Couple years ago I was so skint I had no choice but to walk to work,2.1 miles,it took 25 minutes in and 30 minutes back, uphill.
Then I moved further up the hill and made it 3 miles, which took 45 minutes in and 55 back.
Somewhere during this time I was no longer skint, but I told myself any day that was miserable I would bus it in, any other day walk. I think I spent around £20 in a year on fares. Which with a quick calculation means I didn't spend £700 ish each year.
Not a vast fortune I know but still money I had for other stuff.
I now have a 4 minute commute and kind of miss the walks, but not cos I have to walk the dogs. In normal times it's 5 miles a day.