to ask for help and advice on a walking commute

[crochetmonkey74]

I can and sometimes do walk to work (40 mIns each way) and I enjoy it and am keen to do it more, maybe even every day yet I am really struggling how to practically do it - this is going to make me sound very stupid but I struggle with - what to wear (even if I check the weather I seem to always have the wrong coat. am too hot, am too cold etc) I walk in trainers but occasionally get blisters/ shin splints/ aching calf muscles etc which then put me out of action for the next few days. My hair-I arrive to work in a humid frizz or with a fringe flick

I know these are all a bit pathetic and first world problems and the physical stuff is probably embarassingly that I am unfit (which is why I want to walk more)
So do any of you with walking commutes have any simple tips to make it easier/ sustainable in the long term etc- I know if I had no car I would have no choice so I would just have to get on with it so maybe I am just a bit lazy and need to push through the discomfort/ inconvenience. Any tips and advice gratefully received.

I walk 30 mins to station then 15 mins at the other end. Sketchers trainers, replace when they start to go as I found that caused shin splints. I proper power walk though so I'm surprised you're struggling if in trainers. I used to walk in decent flip flops in good weather but have struggled since having such a big break for covid. I have a really lightweight mac from Trespass. Keeps me dry and the wind out but only cost a tenner and folds down to nothing. I either use a backpack if carrying lots or a laptop style handbag for computer and then tote for lunch and bits.

Good trainers and also key is good socks in the trainers. That plus wearing too few clothes when you set off are my absolute essentials for a walking commute.

I used to walk to work when I lived in London (55 minutes).

I absolutely HAD to wear a hat when I crossed over the Thames or my hair would be a disaster all day. I just had an Accessorize cap style hat that was lined with cotton (other linings make my hair frizz).

I actually gave myself stress fractures doing this commute as I was wearing cheap trainers which it turns out weren't up to coping with my slightly thin bones and the amount of walking I did. After I'd recovered from the stress fractures I ended up getting running trainers which supported my feet properly (they'll measure your gait at a running shop) and ensured the balls of my feet have enough padding (even though I categorically do not run and never will!)

Coat wise, I'd go with layers. So layer up a thinnish but long waterproof coat with a hoody or something underneath for when you need extra warmth. A big bulky coat will be too much on all but the coldest days and is a pain to carry.

And a backpack for carrying stuff. You don't want to do a long walk carrying a handbag on one shoulder.

Walk slower... so you are not out of action for days afterwards. Be gentle on yourself. Can you take the bus half way and maybe do it more frequently or drive in one day and walk home, walk in the next day.

Better shoes.. thin layers, start cold and you will warm up. Warm gloves, a wind blocking jacket, a snood or thin beanie.

On your non walking days, take what you need into work so you can wash and change when you get there.

(Don't use wet wipes... a flannel and some deodorant will be fine)

I agree it does sound like you need the right gear, but if you are also unfit at this stage maybe you can ease into it and start by walking part of it and take transport for the rest, gradually increasing the walking part.

Or if there is no bus you could drive in, leave car and walk home, walk in the next day and then drive home (only works if parking is good and you don't need your car later obviously!)

Yeah I wouldn't go from nothing to walking 40 mins twice a day, five times a week. I'd probably start at walking 40 mins once a day, Mon and Tue, then have Wednesday off, then do Thu and Fri. Then slowly add in the other journeys until you're doing all 10. Would definitely try to carry as little as possible. You could tie your hair back and wear a buff to keep it in place.

Waterproof trousers used to help me. I had some very lightweight ones.

OP I think we have the same hair. Whilst everyone else who also walked in managed to to arrive with lovely straight hair I always managed to come to work with frizzy flicky dragged through a bush hair (I’d arrive earlier to spend time in the loos sorting it out, drying my fringe under the hair dryer or trying to brush it into some sort of shape etc.)

There are a few things I changed which seemed to help (all internet research and experience) ☺️

1. You sound like you have porous hair like me. Porous hair sucks in moisture so if it’s dry then it’ll pull any moisture it can get from the air and that can make your hair frizzy. Get a good conditioner for very dry hair.

1. If you straighten your hair make sure it’s completely cool before you leave the house. If your hair is warm and it’s windy out your hair will cool and set outside and into whatever style the wind is blowing at you. I do my hair before my makeup and that seems to do it but you can use the cool setting on your hair dryer to speed it up.

1. If it’s drizzly, that really fine spray like rain, all I found helps is to clip my front long fringey bits of my hair back with a butterfly clip, as Kirby grips leave dents in my hair. If it’s really lashing it down, I twist all my hair and butterfly clip it up and put my hood up under my umbrella.

As for the clothes, most people have said exactly what I would do no point in repeating it. Just wondering if you wear heels a lot as in my 20s I never wore trainers or flats and the first time I had to walk a couple miles in flats my calves ached like mad because I was stretching my ligaments/tendons and they weren’t used to it. 🙂

Wow- so much good stuff here
Backpack- got this already so that's good and I do love podcasts and audio books too

I think the advice for breaking it up or doing it a bit at a time is good- I need to work out how to do this though- will investigate closer parking spots - public transport is very tricky and faffy where I am and I don't think it would work for me but I could investigate.
Will get sorted with a work bag of toiletries etc - got plenty of scope for that.
Love the straighteners idea too- I really do enjoy it but I feel like I am maybe doing it too quickly so building up slowly is best.
Thanks so much for all the help- for a PP who asked about previous fitness I have always been very walking based in the past and in lockdown 1 I even took up running which I enjoyed - I'm just so shocked how tense and unfit my body is - I'm determined to sort it out. A colleague walks to work, she takes about 20 mins each way and she has lost a lot of weight and is really fit (she was forced to give up driving due to a medical condition) and I think the daily routine of that much exercise is what has helped her.
Lots to think about/ get organised here- Thank you so much!

DH walks 45mins to work daily.
I'd advise a good rucksack, good trainers from a running shop (go and spend some £ on a decent running brand, not Sketchers as they are too soft), buy travel sized toiletries if you need them, keep some stuff at work, get a lightweight reflective rain jacket that folds up as it will be darker in the morning, good ear phones...and enjoy the walk, it will get easier.

If public transport is a bit faffy you might still be able to use it to get half way. So ten minute bus fifteen minute walk.

Scrap the trainers and buy proper ankle boots with supportive leather structure and soft soles. Decent socks eg thicker ones made for walking. Trainers are unsupportive as they’re so flexible (designed for running and sport).

Lots of lightweight layers eg base top, cardigan, longline zip up fleece, breathable waterproof coat so you can remove them easily and roll them up small. Anti perspirant, cotton, silk, bamboo or merino as a base layer. If you get hot and sweaty a lot, leave earlier so you’re not rushing… and carry things like a brush, powder, wet wipes, deodorant etc to freshen up at work. I used to wash my hair in the morning and let it air dry on the journey (by summer it would be fully dry by the time I arrived).

A rucksack that’s ergonomically designed and holds all your stuff including layers and laptop etc. A waterproof cover for rucksack.

I used to commute by train with a 20 minute walk each end. It was easier in winter though I’d always check the check the weather forecast each morning before deciding what to wear. Changing between footwear each day makes it easier, I had several pairs of sturdy ankle boots for winter/autumn/spring and leather shoes for summer, that I rotated. Snow chains for grip when it’s icy. Umbrella for wet days. Different types of lightweight coat to suit the weather.

The boots is a good idea- I have got some really good sturdy boots that are comfy so I'll try those instead of trainers- public transport for me is not good- have just looked it up but I may have better luck with a closer car park space