Are You a Bad Walking Partner?
Thursday August 21, 2008
I'm about to get in a van with nine of my best walking buddies to walk 127 miles on the Portland to Coast Relay. That's more togetherness than I usually want. But I've road tested these buddies, some for years. I went through a lot of walking friends before I ended up with this crew. Some would always cancel at the last minute. Some would be too needy or monopolize the conversation. Some wouldn't understand that I stop talking after 10 miles. Maybe I was the bad walking partner, maybe they were.
When a reader asked if there were rules for walking partners, I came up with 10 rules that new walking partners should follow, and longtime walking partners should check. Maybe, like a marriage, your walking buddy is just gritting her teeth and putting up with some of your bad habits. You can check yourself with this quiz:
Quiz: Are You a Bad Walking Partner?
And if you are a bad walking partner or just stuck with one you can't ditch (like, he's your husband), here is some advice to help make walking more pleasant for everyone:
Photo © Flash-Pro, used with permission. My best walking buddies at the worst moments of the Portland Marathon (mile 22 - The Wall).
Enjoyed your article!! I have been walking with my 71 year old mother for a few years.For her, it’s mainly to help keep her heart in good shape. I walk to get weight off. She says I walk too fast and therefore it’s not fun to her. She likes to enjoy the country scenes. So, I have slowed down for her and enjoy the scenes too and walk briskly on a treadmill at a different time of day.
I’m definitely a bad walking partner! lol. My walking time is my meditation. I walk briskly, don’t like to talk, and love getting lost in thought, or not, while enjoying the beauty around me. I tried to discourage people from going with me, and nobody asks anymore!