...to ask your opinions on a ‘walking commute’.

[LemonsLemonsLemonsLemons]

Background: new job, terrible public transport to new workplace. Scared to cycle, and can’t drive.

I need to be at my new work place fairly early each day (before 8). I figured it would be around a 45 minute walk door to door at a leisurely pace. Is there anyone out there who does a regular daily walking commute? Would 45 minutes of walking early every morning be miserable or invigorating?! And then of course 45 mins home again at the end of the day.

I’m curious to hear other experiences, and maybe tips from anyone who does a walking commute.

Years ago I had to walk my kids 35 mins to school then 35 home again. Only had to to it twice a week though and had to push younger child in buggy or encourage her on her bike but it was doable. Just think of how for you will get 👍

I think it sounds a brilliant idea - good for everyone as well as you!

If it helps, when my DS was four he used to do a 35-minute "commute" to primary school every day (as did I but then having dropped him off I had to walk back), and then another 35 minutes home at the end of the day.... A bit shorter than yours, but to be fair his legs were pretty short then, too.

You've all inspired me to think I should be a 50 minute walk home as part of the last bit of my commute, rather than 15. So used to being treated as a weirdo for walking as much as I do and I do hate the final bus home of the day.

I would love that sort of commute. I have a 45 minute train journey and then a 25 minute walk each way. A lot of the time the walk seems to be the only exercise I get and I’d really miss it if I didn’t have it as part of my commute. I’d love to ditch the train and have an extra 20 minutes walking. There will be days when the rain and dark makes things a bit bleak But you do just get used to it and you’ll get used to saving the money.

I used to have a commute like this, I loved it. Podcast or audiobooks or occasional prearranged calls, proper nice thinking time. In the very worst weather I wore waterproof trousers and took a change of boots.

The weather is never as bad as people who drive everywhere think. There will probably only be about 10 days a year when it's wet enough for waterproof trousers in London. Also you don't feel the cold as you are exercising. Driving is colder as you get in a chilly car that takes ten mins to warm up. Get some waterproof boots for winter though.

Waterproof trousers is a step too far IMO. Skirts and decent knee-length leather boots (or walking shoes and a change of tights) will do you fine.

The weather is never as bad as people who drive everywhere think.

I only started driving six months ago - before that I walked everywhere and it was miserable in the driving rain. Granted, it wasn't often but it's still worth bearing in the mind.

And I don't think waterproof trousers are a step too far at all. If you've got to straight into an important meeting or something, you don't want to be doing it with your clothes stuck to you, or feeling damp and cold from the rain.

Event
Only if its tipping down !
I wear just wooly tights underneath -trousers off ,dry skirt on 😉

It funny because when I don’t have a good walk as part of my day, I do it anyway when I get home. Whatever the weather. I also do a similar amount of mileage on days I work at home. If the journey is under about 5km, it’s just how I get places on an everyday basis. I don’t always have time to make journeys longer than that on foot, but often do on days off.

I walk 50 minutes to work (currently on maternity leave though). I love it, I hate getting on a packed bus and paying for the privilege. Occasionally I beat the traffic home as well. Headphones go in and off I go - only downside is that I go through a lot of trainers, worth buying a waterproof pair for rainy days

I don't have water proof trousers, but do wear jeans and then change when I get in. Always carry extra socks too. I live in a far better part of the country than the OP though

Get yourself a Fitbit and watch the steps add up!

I've walked 40 mins each way to work for the last two years. 90% of the time it's nice. Get a coffee, listen to a podcast, clear my head before the day starts. I often walk in trainers and slip into work shoes at my desk. Rain can be pain but a good brolly goes a long way.

I used to do an hour each way on foot and it was fab. I was very fit and felt a lot better than when I started another job that required an hour by car.

It's great! Before I got pregnant I used to walk home most days. It's a 7 mile walk across central London. I listened to Audible on my phone and it meant I I could eat loads without gaining weight!

I used to walk 45 minutes home each night. I often arrived home soaked and needed to change immediately. That’s what I would worry about with a walk to work. Also depending on where you live, might you get sweaty if it’s warm in the morning.

Could you wear some sort of trainer and leggings type affair for the walk to work and then quickly change in the loo when you arrive?

I think it sounds fab in terms of how much exercise you will get.

I have always walked to work as long as it is less than 50 minutes each way. Been doing it now for over 10 years except for when DD was a toddler and I had a detour to nursery.

My tips would be:

1. the first 2-3 weeks will be hard and sweaty, but you will get better quickly. Don't give up, your fitness will improve and you will stop being sweaty.
2. wear sturdy, comfortable shoes. Be prepared to buy shoes more often, you will wear them out.
3. get a decent waterproof jacket, a lightweight one that can be folded and put in your rucksack.
4. get a lightweight rucksack, carrying a shoulder bag on one side is harder, and it can give you a bad back.
5. get some light weight waterproof trousers for days when it is wet and windy. Umbrellas are crap.
6. keep a change of clothes including socks at work in case of unexpected bad weather.
7. enjoy being fit and healthy for free

If it’s really wet, which like others have said, is pretty rare, I wear running tights and carry my work clothes in my rucksack in a plastic bag. I then get changed at work.
Agree that umbrellas are annoying and a baseball cap is much better for keeping off the rain.
You can save a bit of time by not having to bother parking, you can just get going when on foot. And you learn the best shortcuts over time and the best places to cross the roads.
Occasionally I look slightly bedraggled upon arrival at work but I have kudos for getting in on my own steam so I don’t worry too much.
Driving in doesn’t sound too much fun anyway, judging by the amount of whinging about heavy traffic and lack of parking spaces I have to endure at work.

Commend OP and some really great tips eg Oleannas re doing a trial. Hopefully, you'll have a locker at work to build up stash of shoes / clothing options to change into (and back). It's lovely to have a little bit of me time to listen to audio books / podcasts / music but please not too loud so you're still aware if traffic dangers, people running up from behind you etc. You'll soon get into your stride; see what I did there?! fnarr, fnarr!

I often arrived home soaked and needed to change immediately.

Yah, that could be an issue. I worked at a place that had showers and changing rooms because they encouraged cycling (even financed half a pushbike if you wanted a new one) and walking to work, but if there aren't facilities it can be a bit daunting to come in fresh in the morning.

I have showers and locker,travel hairdryer and mini straighteners .
Johnsons Baby washcloths are good if no showers

I do 30 mins and love it.

It wakes me up so I'm ready to go when I get there rather than half asleep.

I walk 40 mins to school (40 mins back) twice a day. TBH some days it's soul destroying. Esp when dull and rainy.

Some days it's a glorious walk.

Headphones/music helps no end.