Island Senior: Hiking Hadrian’s Wall in real life or virtually

Hadrian’s Wall — Photo credit: Michael Vouri

I was impressed when friend and local historian Michael Vouri set out to hike Hadrian’s Wall across northern England. Hiking the wall is a popular trek that follows the Roman Emperor Hadrian’s massive masonry wall and forts. During the Roman occupation of Britain, the wall defined the edge of the Roman Empire leaving the troublesome Scots on the far side of the wall. It spans the narrow waist of Britain at roughly 100 miles across.

Mike documented his trek in a brilliant series of articles in the San Juan Islander. Here you can benefit from an historian’s take on hiking the wall as you follow along over farmer’s stiles and through the boggy spots in sunshine and in soaking rain while taking in magnificent scenery. However, you don’t have to be quite that ambitious to gain health benefits from walking.

Adding just 10 minutes of walking to your day is very likely to extend your life. So says a recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine and written about in the New York Times by Gretchen Reynolds. The results of the study indicate that even a little extra physical activity can potentially stave off premature death.

I was not in great shape before the pandemic. Spending the first two years of it staying home by myself indulging in toast, cheese, and the internet did not help. Finally, my physical therapist assigned me two-minute walks on the hour. It has been a challenge to motivate myself that often. What has inspired me lately is that I have embarked on a virtual hike of Hadrian’s Wall.

That’s right — I count my steps right here in Friday Harbor. At the end of the day I post my distance on my Conqueror’s Challenge app. I can see my progress along the wall on a map, in a satellite view or street view. There are virtual postcards along the way. While obviously I’m missing some of the pleasures of hiking in real life, at least I don’t have to locate a bed-and-breakfast before I can sleep at night and I can make my steps in small increments throughout the day.

Once I have completed my virtual hike I will get a fancy medal for my achievement. This was paid for when I signed up and purchased the app for $29.95. Other virtual hikes through the Conqueror’s Challenge that I have my eye on are the Road to Hana on Maui, the road from Marathon to Athens, and the Great Wall of China. There are many more, plus a Facebook page occupied by supportive fellow travelers.

Whatever your level of fitness, finding what keeps you putting one foot in front of the other is a good thing.

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