HAPPY B-DAY, MUFFY!!! So sorry about your ankle, MamaCando – good you carry the wrap with you!! DH does too for knee.
OK, sorry this is long but WHAT we carry when walking home will be important so I was thinking of that too today.
Before I had surgery earlier this year, I decided to increase my strength by walking. I have aging and disability issues but I can still walk…most of the time. Some days are better than others, definitely. Adrenalin helps to some extent but then there is payback. After the surgery, which had a odd complication, it was a long time before I could even get to the end of the driveway. But slowly, I regained my former ability. Then I began to increase that this summer. On my best, able-bodied days, I’ve been doing about half mile in morning and almost mile in evening. Different directions.
Today I prepared as tho I was stuck somewhere. I ALWAYS go out with my cargo shorts stuffed with EDC items. Today I added some things in a small hip pouch. All of these things would be with me if I went “into town” and got stuck walking home. I would have to be very careful not to overload myself with STUFF. [and oh…I DO like my stuff!] LOL
My normal EveryDayCarry [EDC]
Key ring attached to belt loop with carabiner…keys, whistle, P38, very small folder knife, safety pin,a bit of wire, tiny light.
Pockets:
I.D. Packet [which also has medical insurance cards, pain reliever tablets, hair binder, 1 stick peppermint gum, $$, 2 Bandaids ]
Packet of peppermint gum, Sliver mylar blanket [warmth, sun or rain protection],
bandanna, cig lighter, multi-use lip balm
breathing mask [mainly dust on roads],
tissues, protein energy bars, bits of string/cord,
dog treat(s), 2 peppermint hard candies Swiss Army knife,
house cordless phone [which only works on road in front of my house/no cell service]
plastic grocery bag, baseball hat, sunglasses and reader glasses,
white cotton overshirt – wet, to keep me cool with evaporation,
shirt/shorts/thick sox/Croc shoes
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Also added for this “walk home” [I would have all of this with me “in town”]
headlamp and hip pack with: small water bottle…and I drank water before leaving from bottles in my truck, tiny 1stAid pack, 2 small gel packs and ice pack and a small Chilly Towel [in winter I’d rely on snow for overheating medical issue ]
During the little more than half-mile I used the water and the peppermint gum when my sinuses suddenly [but not surprisingly] began to plug. I needed the wet white overshirt for cooling and stopped frequently/briefly in the shade of trees.
I had my [ski pole] walking stick. I also always have two forms of protection on these walks: a very large dog [also walking assistance if needed]. The other protection is in my pocket. Our area has the potential for large predators [4 and 2 legs].
It’s bizarre to me that only Croc shoes will make my feet happy. But they do and don’t add any weight. If I had to go cross-country instead of roads, I’d have to have a different choice in footwear.
As an older, disabled walker, I have 3 speeds. Brisk, medium, and stroll. Initially I found myself at brisk pace…which I can’t sustain long. The very idea of this being a PRACTICE “EMERGENCY” and I had to reach home, hurried my pace. Forced myself to slow down. I can get much further at “stroll” pace…with many brief rests under shade trees. Most of the time, slower but further would fit the need. That’s how I can maximize my distance.
Needed: If we were in town, DH and I would walk along many creeks/streams. We both have filtering water bottles in BOB/GetHomeBag. Bigger than the bottle I carried today but I’d need that to go any distance. For cooling and hydration.
Unless I was just in the nearby “village”, I would be with DH. He has an OLD, BEAT-UP, DUSTY rolling GetHomeBag for traveling along highways/roadways. My options alone would include a rolling grocery hauler. If I didn’t think I’d make it home before dark, I might use that to bring enough to camp out on my way home. I’d tie the handle to the middle of my belt in back and lean into the weight with cane and dog. Dog might be with us or not if I was with DH.
I’m thrilled at my increase in stamina …distance. Once was a time when I would measure my walking distance in yards, not mile. I can/will go further!
OldMtWoman …will walk again tonite too in the almost-mile direction.