Your Own Route
A bit of route planning can ease your fears. Consult a good, current map of the area. I love Thomas Bros. maps ( compare prices) and buy the current one each year for my area, as it is growing and there are always new streets.
Our online Google Map Pedometer lets you view, map and measure walking routes.
Look for streets and greenways that will take you on your preferred sort of walk. You may want to drive a portion of the route to see what things are like.
- Surfaces: sidewalk, trail, gravel, road shoulders?
- Are you separated from traffic? Does the sidewalk or bike lane disappear at blind corners?
- Hills or portions with difficult footing?
- Water fountains, restrooms?
- Through areas that make you fear your personal safety?
- Points of interest: parks, greenways, historic areas, shopping?
- Think of ways you can cut the walk short or lengthen it when desired.
- Alternate routes to take if there is construction or other problems.
- Be familiar with the major cross streets and intersections along your route so you can get your bearings if you make a wrong turn.
- Know where businesses, schools, and other public places are in case you need to seek help.
- Multi-tasking: can you do some banking or light shopping or pick up the mail along the way?
Before you head out, you may want to draw yourself a map or write out directions if it is complex. Let a loved one know where you are going and when you expect to return.
Walking Events
Attending a walking event relieves you of some of the responsibility for planning your route. You still need to figure out how to get to the event. Most run/walks have a route diagram available to study, often in their brochures or on their websites. If you are going for speed, you may want to check out the course ahead of time. At larger events you will have no chance of getting off the route by mistake. But if you believe you won't be in a crowd, study the route before starting.
At non-competitive volkssport events the club marks the trail and/or provides maps and directions. Always take a map, even if you don't think you will need it. Trail markings have a way of disappearing. Be sure to ask what the markings look like so you know what to look for.
