Preparing to Walk

I have spent much of the past thirty years walking behind my wife. I alway ask her to slow down, she often tells me to hurry up. When two people walk together it's generally considered polite for the faster walker to slow down to match the pace of the slower walker. IMHOP

In the rare occasions when I am the faster walker, which never happens on a walk with Lynn, I slow down to match the pace of my slower walking partner. This allows both of us to walk comfortably together without one person feeling rushed or the other feeling like they can't keep up and nobody spilling their beer.

Last week, my wife and I were walking with her brother Mark and his wife Darlene. The women, of course were at least ten yards ahead of us, chatting away while Mark and I actually stopped a couple of times to smell the magnolias that we were passing.

We're not alone in this conundrum, Mark and I.

If the slower walker is able to increase their speed and keep up with the faster walker, then they may choose to do so as well. Ultimately, the goal is to find a pace that both walkers are comfortable with, which may involve some compromise on both sides.

Holding hands can be a lovely compromise as well as creating a sense of togetherness, pace and connection. If one person is walking significantly slower than the other, however, holding hands may actually make it more difficult for the faster walker to slow down and adjust their pace to match the slower walker. In this case, it's still best for the faster walker to slow down to match the pace of the slower walker, even if they are holding hands.

At least according to my side of the argument.

Ultimately, holding hands while walking with someone can be a personal preference and can add a sense of intimacy and closeness to the experience, but it may not have a significant impact on the pace at which the two people are walking.

And then there's the problem of choosing how to hold hands. There are several methods to choose from; 

Interlocking Fingers: This is a classic and intimate way of holding hands where both individuals interlock their fingers with each other. This allows for a tighter grip and a greater sense of connection.

Overlapping Fingers: In this style, one person's fingers are placed on top of the other person's fingers. This is a less intimate style than interlocking fingers, but it still provides a sense of connection between the two people.

Pinky Hold: This is a more casual way of holding hands where both individuals hook their pinky fingers together. It's often used between friends or young couples.

Hand-in-Hand: This is a simple way of holding hands where both individuals place their palms against each other and grip their hands. This allows for a comfortable and natural grip.

Wrist Hold: In this style, one person holds the other person's wrist while walking. This can be a more protective and comforting way of holding hands.

Arm-in-Arm: This is not exactly holding hands, but it's still a way to connect while walking. In this style, the two individuals link their arms together at the elbow, which allows them to walk side by side in a more formal and elegant way.

Lynn prefers over lapping fingers while I prefer interlocking fingers. We fumble around a little bit before we settle on hand in hand which tends to feel a little awkward for both of us, just like the pace which is a little too slow for Lynn and a little too fast for me.

Next thing I know

Lynn's ten feet ahead of me.

She is walking briskly and swiftly with a purposeful stride.

Meanwhile ten feet behind I am far more leisurely with my saunter. Lynn calls my walk a slaunter. To her it's a kinda saunter but it's sloppy rather than leisurely. 

I also consider my walk to be an amble, gentle and relaxed. Over the years, my amble has slowed to a bit of a shuffle. Lynn describes the combination as a shamble.

I have a combo name for Lynn's walk as well. It's kind of a lightfooted rapid clomp that makes me feel as if she's angry or frustrated, however, that clomp is always regulated by her ever purposeful stride so I call the whole combination a stromp.

As previously mentioned,  if a slow walk may be described as taking the time to smell the flowers then an equivalent description of a fast walk might be "racing against the clock" or "rushing to get somewhere." A fast walk is often associated with a sense of urgency or purpose, such as when someone is running late or trying to meet a deadline.

Since I've retired, I've noticed a significant decrease in my sense of urgency particularly after surviving cancer. I often wonder, "what's the hurry" and the term 'deadline' has taken on an entirely different meaning.

Sometimes my bladder reminds me of exactly what the hurry is. At that point, I find another walking speed even faster than Lynn's and more purposeful.

To avoid that kind of purposeful urgency, I have to plan the timing and elevation of my walks so that I can slaunter my way through them without lumbering, plodding, trudging or peewalking.

It's a beautiful April afternoon here in North Carolina. Lynn is gardening. I'm doing this. When we both finish, perhaps we'll go for a walk.

I'm done right now so I've go about an hour to prepare, physically and emotionally.