WALK, WALK, WALK!

WALK, WALK, WALK!

By Andy Weddington

Thursday, 20 March 2025

Walking is a man's best medicine.  - Hippocrates 

This time 45 years ago I was in Quantico, Virginia. 

Specifically, U. S. Marine Corps Officer Candidates School (113th OCC) and but a few weeks underway. 

We walked (marched/hiked) everywhere. 

And ran. 

Usually under some type of load and with time constraints. 

Hurry was SOP. 

Chow hall and classroom seats and squadbay racks in reality refueling and recharging stations.

Ten weeks of OCS, 26 weeks at The Basic School, and 8 weeks Infantry Officer Course ... more walking and running; under load and time constraints.

We still hurried.   

And all of that but a taste of life in an infantry battalion in the Second Marine Division.

Hurry! 

Not a big deal, really. 

Childhood and youth duly prepared - we walked. And walked. Not for exercise necessarily but such and good health was the result of necessity. 

And this morning just home from a long walk. 

I just finished a book about a woman who enjoyed walking.

At 67, 70 years ago, the mother of 11 and grandma to more than a score, decided to go for a walk - thru walk the Appalachian Trail (AT) - Georgia to Maine; 2,000+ miles - mountain top to mountain top. 

She did it without what is considered formal training and high tech clothing and gear. 

She figured it out while walking; wearing out 7 pairs of shoes.  

And then she thru walked the AT a second time. 

And a third; though in sections (not thru). 

And later she completed the Oregon Trail.

And more. 

Emma Gatewood walked. 

And walked.

And walked. 

Comedian Steven Wright dryly opined, "Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time."

Grandma Gatewood had the time.

She made time. 

And she was rewarded - physical and mental health. 

As to military service, for more than a decade now I've seen reports 70% of today's military aged youth do not physically qualify for service.

A truth that is ridiculous! 

And national security concern.

Obesity the biggest problem.

Pharmaceuticals - pushed by pharm, medicine, and media - is not remedy. 

Rather, 1. Correct fuel choices; 2.Walk every day (not necessary to jog, run, trot, carry load, etc.); multiple times a day (for 20-30 minutes minimum) after a meal. 

Physiological fitness the result.

Oh, by the way, stationary bikes, elliptical, et al., do not equate to the healthy stresses and benefits of walking.

Caution! 

Discipline (to fueling and walking) required.

As the ant consumed the elephant one bite at a time, Grandma Gatewood conquered her grueling, at times dangerous, walks one step at a time.

Her secret to success - step at a time. 

For a little inspiration and motivation, to walk or accomplish most anything challenging in life, read Ben Montgomery's well-researched and written account of Emma Gatewood's life and trail achievements in 'Grandma Gatewood's Walk' published in 2014.

I know two Marines who tackled the AT last year. One on thru walk, about the same age as Gatewood when first attempting, who opted for sundry reasons to end the effort. We talked about that adventure. What one thing not taken that would have been nice? Deck of cards. [There was not mention of Gatewood carrying a deck of cards.] The other Marine, some years younger, successfully covered a section not previously hiked to complete the trail.

I know another Marine, older than Gatewood on first hike, on the AT at this writing. No sitreps on social media that I'm aware of. 

I have no desire to attempt the AT. 

If only in the neighborhood - walk; tune in to nature, think, dream.

The first step triggers the rest. 

Post Script: 

1. I've previously mentioned the book 'Good Energy' (pub 2024) by Dr. Casey Means and her brother Calley Means as a not fad guidebook to restoring and maintaining metabolic health. December past, during a PCM visit, I asked my doctor if familiar with book. She was not. I offered Executive Summary - she made notes. I saw her in February and she offered having read the book and now recommends to all patients. Refreshing ... a prescription for a life-changing book vice a symptom masking medication. 

2. I have followed Dr. Means's counsel since August past and within months realized body and weight of that as officer candidate those 45 years ago. Age-related weight gain is nonsense. Weight gain, age moot, is a consequence of a breakdown in discipline: poor eating and failure to walk. Sadly, 'Good Energy' practices do not restore hair.