Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-12-10
This and That
BIZ Charles Z. Trdce1UeH.
CHEVY CHASE, Nd.

CdEVY ChASE, ma.
Dear Sir:
Give us short dissertation some day
on walking. don't mean hiking, for that
is for experts, but just the sort of plain
everyday walking which plain folks
can indulge in.
II mean by plain folks, the older
people. 1t seems to me that so much OF
the writing of all kinds is directed to-
ward young people.
ut is marvellous to be young. was
young once, myself! But there were
millions of middle-aged and older per-
sons, few of whom can or do 60 on hikes,
and yet no doubt some walking would
do them good.
Let us have your ideas on the SUBJ
ject Sincerely, J. T."
Perhaps the first thing one should
consider, in thinking Of everyday walk
ing. as our correspondent properly calls
it. is the equipment.
One of the hiking clubs rightly puts
this item No. on its list.
Boots, or stout, low-heeled walking
shoes and breeches or Stacks are recon-
mended."
The city and suburban walker may
modify this to mean simply that good
walking shoes will make pleasure of
out of what otherwise might be task.
Today few persons wear too-narrow
shoes, but even now too many middle
aged and elderly persons, especially
women, set out to walk in shoes which
are not fitted to the task.
After the Shoes the most important
thing is to have good walking COM
panion. This does not necessarily mean
two-legged one. Often a dog is the
best possible walking mate. He should be
we'll trained as there is nothing more
distressing than dog which will not
mind.
just as an old pair of well-fitting,
comfortable shoes will do admirably,
so the companion should be of ones
own choosing. Under certain circum-
stances, the best companion is none at
all. Certainly there are some persons
who find the best walk is one taken
alone. We know one writer who finds
that ideas come to him best when he is
on q cross-country walk. To others this
is an impossible way to get ideas. They
see too much. It all depends upon the
temperament.
Much can be said for fast walking,
but here again the personal tempera-
ment should rule. Some persons work
up heat quickly, and too much sweating
spoils the walk. In such cases, and for
other reasons, walk in moderate time
is best for most.
A special style of breathing proves
fascinating. All breathing, in and out,
eSa NH,1I kA h. It'll
especially in cold weather
This special breathing is done in
short shifts, one sniff to step. The
breathing out is done in one steady
blow-through the nose. Thus four steps
may be for the inspiration, and three
for the putting out This shorter time fol
expiration is for the purpose of expelline
the lungs as completely as possible. II
has been found that time as long a.
for inspiration does not do this as com.
| pletely.
As one walks, breathing in this fash.
ion, more and more steps will be neces.
sary for completely filling the lungs Il
is fun to think up new combinations
and to vary the methods of breathing
from time to time.
The best walk is one which ends q
home, so that bath, a rundown an,
complete change of clothing may be tn
order of the day. In this way there is n,
chance for catching cold.
One wonders how many sedentar,
persons who were forced to walk becaus
Of the gasoline shortage found anything
good in walking? How many went bacl
to their cars with sigh of relief? Wei
anyway, little walking is better thai
none at all. When one walks, one cal
see things and seeing things Is one Q
the real blessings.