By Elizabeth Grover
By this time, you have most likely heard how important exercise is for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Very important. In fact, it’s essential. Perhaps you have not been an exercise fanatic most of your life. Spending your weekends competing in athletic events or running marathons is just not your idea of a good time. And now your doctor tells you that you MUST exercise. Where to begin? I suggest you begin with walking.
When I was diagnosed, I began by walking. My best friend, eager to do anything she could to help, arranged for 3 or 4 friends a week to go on regular walks with me. What a gift that was! Exercising with what seemed like the simplest of activities was a great way to get started. Additionally the buddy system made it more fun and added accountability. And walking can be quite vigorous if you walk briskly and/or include hills. So it remains an excellent way for anyone to exercise.
In our area there are a number of great places to walk. If you are tired of walking around your neighborhood, try somewhere new. If you have trouble walking (as many of us with PD do), you may want to stick to paved trails, which can be safer than wooded trails (which are uneven and may contain rocks and roots) or sidewalks (also uneven and potentially lots of traffic). Here are a few that stand out:
Winton Woods has a two-mile paved Harbor Trail that encircles the lake. We saw some deer right on the trail once. Winton Woods is a Hamilton County park located just north of Finneytown.
Sharon Woods, also owned by Hamilton County, also has a trail that goes around the lake. It is about 3 miles and we have seen turtles, ducks and herons there. Sharon Woods is in the Sharonville area.
Miami Whitewater Forest on Mount Hope Road in Harrison is the largest Hamilton County park. It has the paved Shaker Trace trail. The inner loop is 1.4 miles, and the outer loop is 7.8 miles. Bring a sun hat as this trail wanders out in the open.
The new Wasson Way on the former railroad bed in Oakley/Hyde Park is currently about 4 miles but will eventually hook up with the Little Miami Trail. The first bike-path-friendly business to open along this path was the Busken Bakery walk-up window, but you don’t have to stop here!
Paved trails at Otto Armleder Park (2 miles) – which is off of Wooster Pike – and Lunken Airport Loop (5 miles) connect with the Ohio River Trail. As it enters the downtown area, this trail includes Sawyer Point and Smale Riverfront Park.
One of my favorite places to walk (and one that has lots of hills ) is Spring Grove Cemetery on Spring Grove Avenue. At 733 acres it is the second largest cemetery in the US. It is open every day and there is no charge. Grab a map at the visitor center or you might get lost! And don’t forget it is an arboretum, too!
Here are a few tips about taking a walk:
Most paved trails are multi-use, so look out for cyclists (and their bikes).
If you have balance problems, consider taking hiking or trekking poles.
Try to always have a map of the area where you are walking
Take water and some extra meds.
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
In hot weather, don’t overdo it. Slow down and stay hydrated.
So call a PD friend today and make a date to take a walk. It is essential!