 |
 |
The Art of Walking the John Merrill Way.
1. Always set off in the clothes you plan to wear all day, given the weather conditions. Only on sudden changes in the weather will I stop and put on a waterproof or warmer clothing.
2. Set off at a steady comfortable pace, which you can maintain all day. You should end the walk as fresh as when as you started.
3. Maintain your pace and don’t stop. Stopping for any period of time disrupts your rhythm and takes upwards of a mile to settle back down into the flow/ease of movement.
4. Switch off your mobile phone and music centre, and listen and enjoy the countryside - the smells of the flowers, bird song, the rustle of the leaves and the tinkling stream.
5. Ignore the mileage and ascents - don’t tick of the miles, just concentrate on what the walk’s goal is. To think otherwise slows you down and makes the walk a struggle rather than a joy. In a similar vein, when ascending just keep a steady pace and keep going. To stop is to disrupt the flow and make the ascent interminable.
6. Whilst a walk is a challenge to complete, it is not just exercise. You should enjoy the world around you; the flowers, birds, wildlife and nature and look at and explore the historical buildings and church’s that you pass. All are part of life’s rich tapestry.
7. Remember that for every mile that you walk, you extend your life by 21 minutes.
8. A journey of a 1,000 miles begins with a single step and a mile requires 2,000 strides.
“The expert traveller
leaves no footprints.”
Lao Tzu. |
