Take, for example, the discussion at work I've been having recently.
I've decided to walk to work from my new flat. That's from Eaton Rise in Ealing to Mansfield Road in Park Royal. Look it up on the map now.
You see? It's about a 30-45 minute walk to work.
When I first mentioned I was thinking of walking the distance to work, everyone was heaping praise on me - "well done", "it's great exercise", "you'll lose lots of weight".
Now, as the day of my first walk fast approaches, people are changing their tunes - "you're mad", "it's miles", "why don't you look for alternative transport".
First of all, it's meant to be exercise. I'm meant to dislike it because if it was easy it wouldn't be exercise.
Secondly, it gives me time to reflect on Life, The Universe & Everything. Whilst other people are running around like mad chickens on speed getting to work on time, my aim will be to walk to work knowing full well that either I'll be on time or I'll be late - because I won't be dependant on any other variable. Like Traffic, or crap excuses for why the trains are late.
Thirdly, and this is only a bonus point, it will cut costs.
Maybe they're right, though, and I'm completely wrong. Maybe it is too far. What are the options?
1. I could learn to ride a bike/scooter/alternative vehicle.
2. I could walk to the Western Avenue and catch a bus:
This will of course involve a 20 minute walk, followed by god knows how long actually waiting for the bus, followed finally by waiting for the traffic to move. A possibility perhaps for when it's absolutely pissing down.
3. I walk to Ealing Broadway, catch a train to Ealing Common, catch another train to Park Royal and walk to work:
Hmm, this involves a 15 minute walk to Ealing waiting for a train, a 3 minute train journey, waiting for another train, a 5 minute train journey, followed by a 7 minute walk to work. At around 30 minutes minimum, this is a particularly stupid option considering I could walk to work and save myself £40 and a whole heap of stress.
1 comment:
My only comment would be that its a splendid idea to walk during the drier and drizzly periods, but when the torrent weather arrives (and it does in this grey land), an alternative method would be useful.
Otherwise, carry a backpack with a spare pair of shoes/trousers, coz walking in the rain will get your shoes/socks and bottom of your trousers wet.
So either a spare set of the above at work that stays there, or carry the work ones in your backpack and wear weatherproof gear on the way.
In all though, a very sound idea of exercise and cost saving - and 40 mins of walking is LOAAADS and will do you good.
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