Benefits of walking

I went for a walk today, about 2 1/2 miles.  A little before midway on the walk, there's a Starbuck's.  I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but Starbuck's has a brownie, and God, it's good.

Right away you're thinking, "That brownie just undid your entire walk!"  That would be true if the simple burning of calories was the only benefit of a walk.  But a walk also strengthens the legs, the lungs, and the heart.

And then there are the pleasures of a walk.  Now I have to admit that, when it comes to scenery, I live in a boring neighborhood.  The houses were all built at the same time, and there are only three types.  The walk consists of a ranch, a Cape Cod, a colonial, a ranch, a Cape Cod, a colonial, and so on.

But along the way, you might see a pretty girl.  And along the way, you might see a beautifully restored 1957 Chevrolet.  I am a man who loves great art, but neither a pretty girl nor a '57 Chevy has ever been matched for beauty.

Then there's the old man's reverie, in which he drives a '57 Chevy full of pretty girls.  It could happen, right?

Years ago, I was a runner, and running was a joy.  I've always given walking short shrift, as rather a dull pursuit in comparison.  A few weeks ago, I thought I might giving running another try.  But I'm 20 pounds heavier now, and almost as many years older.  I found my little jog to be unpleasantly punishing to the knees.

When you discover running will never be the pleasure it once was, a walk is sweet.