Battleangel | Personal

This is something I’ve been meaning to do for some time. But was afraid to since it seemed a little effeminate. Not to mention how the senior citizenry has spoiled the idea. Yeah, I know, I’m not as progressive as I like to pretend. Well, you just have to conquer your fears sooner or later … and if it gives you a slight physical edge and you can use your allotted time more efficiently, well, then it’s alright I suppose. Plus, who’s gonna see you in the middle of the woods, right?

“Nordic walking” is undoubtedly the right thing to do, scientifically speaking. And frankly, one can make it as hard as one likes and needs. So it’s not just for old folks and women. And I will obviously turn it up a notch.

Anyway, the McKinley Storm poles are a bit of a compromise. Originally I had opted for something more along the line of hiking. As opposed to walking. Hiking poles (example) however proved difficult to find. And since I’m not primarily using the poles for support, well, I just gave up on that. Seems hard to get a pair of poles that have EVERYTHING.

Having tried the walking poles once under what I believe to be typical circumstances I’m sort of impressed. Or perhaps the word is ‘incapacitated’. I’m exaggerating of course, but the workout sure felt more wholesome, even though I suspect my zealousness kind of got the best of me and that I’m sitting here feeling awfully pleased about de facto injuries. I suppose the load I carry is already sort of maxing out my capacity at the speed and terrain I’m walking. Plus, I may have been a little heavy-handed in using the poles, effectively smashing them into the ground and heaving myself forward. We’ll see how long they’ll last.

I’ll see if I can also get back in the ring with trail running this fall. It offers a nice complement to walking with a pack. Just as long as it doesn’t get competitive and I’m glued to the stopwatch. Oh well.