|
|
Walk of the Town
January is a glorious month to fete a local health ritual—and maybe a late-breaking New Year’s resolution
BY RITZY RYCIAK
Walking in Seattle winters is more than a footnote.
In September, Seattle received an award from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) as a “Best Walking City” for 2005. An APMA study reveals that 30 percent of Seattle residents walk to stay fit and 36 percent buy athletic shoes.
Overall, the podiatric group evaluated 200 of the largest U.S. cities based on healthy lifestyles, modes of transportation to and from work and involvement in fitness and sport activities. Seattle is ranked as the nation’s third “walking city” and was surpassed only by Arlington, Va., and San Francisco.
Let’s agree Seattle is even better come winter, when Virginia is facing snow, ice and windchill factors more obscene than acceptable.
Local walkers are on foot for all sorts of reasons, both functional and recreational.
"I cannot run,” says Sol Fernandez, in her rich and chocolatey Spanish accent. “I cannot go to the gym. I love to walk. I walk everywhere that I can."
One recent afternoon Fernandez, originally from Madrid, is on her routine three-mile walk around the crown of Queen Anne Hill. She has a bright smile on her face and her steps are almost at a skipping pace.
"Just look at this view,’ says Fernandez. She spreads her arms and breathes in her surroundings along with the fresh air. Today, during her walk she thinks about her family in Spain and wishes that they could share the Seattle skyline with her.
“Walking calms me down and makes me happy,” she says. “It is my time. I am not with the baby or my husband. I think about the day, about the world. I reflect about life."
Walking and reflection go hand in hand. Prolific writers like Thoreau and Rousseau are quoted as celebrating the genius of daily walking. It serves as a way to clarify and solidify thoughts. Fantastic ideas can spring from walking.
"I walk to find things like my identity,” says a laughing Nancy Gagliano, a walker at Discovery Park.
"Walking gives me time to let go of the very heavy stuff I carry with me during the day,” says Jessie Dye, a lawyer and mediator in the Seattle area. “When I walk my mood is better and I sleep better. It increases my energy level and my whole day goes better."
Dye walks around Greenlake three days a week and is a regular marathon walker—she has done both the Seattle and Portland marathons.
"I average 3.2 miles an hour,” says Dye, who last year completed the Seattle marathon in 8 hours. “It is not too fast but it is very persistent."
Persistent walking (30 minutes, three to fives times a week) has major health payoffs too. Walking reduces the risk of heart attacks and breast cancer, boosts your immune system and can ward off depression.
Tony Jadach, who recently underwent bypass surgery, takes one-hour walks around Discovery Park in Magnolia twice a day.
"He walks for dog and for heart,” says Jan Pawlowski, originally from Poland, speaking for his friend, Jadach. “On weekends I join him. We like the scenery and nature in the park."
Another plus of walking: It is a weight bearing exercise it protects against osteoporosis, Winter in the Northwest is no time to stop growing new bone matter.
"I believe in keeping my body healthy,” says 87-year-old, Olive
Benson, dressed in a plum sweat suit and straw hat. “I am happy and I don’t take my good health for granted."
Benson grew up in Bellevue when it was a one-stoplight town. She lived on a ranch surrounded by farmland that doesn’t exist anymore. Today, she stays connected to nature by walking at least two miles every morning.
Not that all of our open spaces have vanished. Seattle, with some 620 parks, has more than 6,000 acres of parkland in the city. 2,500 acres is developed parkland and the other 3,500 acres is considered natural areas or greenbelt.
And nature blends with the urbanscape.
"I saw an eagle swoop down and catch a fish out of Greenlake,” says a man who calls simply calls himself Leonardo. He wears a white painters frock with bold red capital letters that read,: SPANISH LESSONS, while he navigates around the lake.
Leonardo has explored Greenlake for the past 15 years and has seen Osprey and falcons too. He knows practically every tree in the vicinity, whether birch, sycamore or maple.
"Rarely do I miss my daily walks,” says Leonardo.
One of Hadiyah Carlyle’s favorite places to walk is the Fremont Bridge. The 65-year-old memoir writer explains that when you look down into the water from the bride you are part of the picture instead of simply an observer.
"There is an intimacy with the Fremont Bridge and you can only see that walking–believe me.” CC
Ritzy Ryciak is a contributing writer for Conscious Choice. She wrote this month’s feature about astrology. Contact her at Email.
 Recommend this page to a friend
|
|
|
