No Sense of Distance

I recently overheard a 30-something couple talking as they exited their vehicle to attend a sporting event. The wife asked, “How far away is this place?” The husband replied, “’Bout half a mile.” The wife made a sour face and grumbled, “Couldn’t you have dropped me off at the doors and then parked the car?” This incident may not have seemed eavesdrop-worthy, but I found it interesting for one reason and one reason alone. Most people have no real sense of distance. A half of a mile will take the average person about ten minutes to walk, which really isn’t all that time-consuming. But in light of our fast-paced world, ten minutes could have been six Hot Pockets “cooked” in a microwave, or total research on the effects of radiation on the human body (thanks to Wikipedia), or 20 miles closer to Las Vegas, if you’re my dad in his Saturn Sky.

I’d like to challenge you this week to physically find out how long it would take you to walk (or run) a half of a mile, or a mile, or two miles. Or ten miles for all you over-achievers. (No calculators!) Map out what is easily within walking distance from your home and try walking places that really don’t require the use of a car. Some of you will make it as far as the next rancher’s fence, while others will pass a gas station, grocery store and restaurant before you reach a half of a mile.

It is often surprising to discover how fast a human can walk places that seem far away. What amazes me more is that humans have only used planes, trains and automobiles for the last century or so. Before that a person walked, rode a bicycle, or employed an animal to carry them. (Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about boats, but since this is a piece on walking, I figured I’d stick to transportation across land, not water.) Our world has been traversed by billions of feet, walking from one place to another. Despite our machines that transport us quickly, we still have to use our own power to reach our end destination, whether it’s the grocery store or the Eiffel Tower.

I’ve seen people with those pedometer things that track how many steps a person walks and I always thought those people were simply neurotic. But tracking your steps can help you realize just how much you rely on your own two feet (or hands if you’re in a wheelchair) and how relatively easy it is for anyone to travel ten miles in one day without the use of any motorized vehicles.

If you begin walking instead of driving short distances, your sense of distance becomes more refined and you may feel less dependent on your car. Another less “grueling” method of honing your sense of distance is riding a bicycle. Bicycles often require less effort than walking, yet still give you the opportunity to observe your surroundings and pay attention to how long it takes you to travel from Point A to Point B. Who knows? You may even come across a bakery that you never knew existed, and after you find it you can create a daily ritual to walk the half-mile, pick up a fresh, warm loaf, and enjoy it for the rest of the day.