I've done a lot of long-distance hiking, completing the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. It's given me a lot of time to think about walking and also observe other people's experiences. I've done multiple consecutive days of 30+ miles on the PCT, and there are those out there that do mileage that make that look like an easy day. Case in point - a man who went by Cujo hiked the AT in '99 and completed the entire thing in 48 days 10 hours. He AVERAGED 50 miles per day. Then there was Flying Brian who's feat of completing the PCT, CDT, and AT all in one hiking season was so incredible that all kinds of non-hikers (people who barely even knew of these trails) kept telling me about him.

The point is that humans are very well adapted to walking. As a population, we have gotten so far away from it that I think most people have lost sight of that. When we look at the animal kingdom we can easily see what other animals are adapted to - running quickly, living on very little water, camouflage, etc. We look at ourselves and say - well it's our large brain and ability to speak that is our adaptation. True, but it overlooks the other fundamental talent. We can cover amazing amounts of ground.

As a species I think we often confuse speed with walking ability. We look at 4-legged creatures that can cover ground very fast and think they are better suited for mobility. We aren't fast. But what we lack in speed we make up for in sheer unrelenting endurance. There is a tribe in Africa that hunts using this as their tactic. The hunters will go out on particularly hot days, find a herd of some kind and begin chasing it. They don't run, but the animals do. The hunters track the animal. The animals run again, the hunters keep walking after it. The animals don't run as far each time, and the hunter can keep a visual on it. Eventually the animals only trot ahead of the hunter. Finally, the animal stands there utterly exhausted while the hunter can throw a spear at point blank range.

Lastly I find walking to be the next best thing to a panacea. How many times have you heard that the answer is "diet and exercise". I'm hear to tell you that while diet is important, the exercise is more so. I've lived for months at a time on pop-tarts, chips, M&M's and peanut butter while hiking. I don't gain weight, and I feel great. My cardiovascular system runs top notch. My energy level is on overflow. I seldom get sick, and when I do it isn't for long. I heal quickly as well. In short, when I'm making my body do what it was designed to do, it operates very well. As long as I keep moving I have a feeling that everything is OK.