Since completing my last marathon in San Antonio in 1990, I never again ran any long distance races. I did, however, run one of the legs of the Longest Day Marathon and the Jack 15 in those long-ago days when we here at the Register cobbled a team together. Over the years, I did run regularly but slowly for the fitness benefits. Now my sole means of ambulation is a brisk walk outside for an hour a day, which for me translates to just over a couple of miles.

For me “brisk” is a relative term. I believe I’m stepping out smartly, but I find myself being passed by my fellow human beings — men, women, young, old, boys, girls, children, fat, thin, and everything in between.  Are toddlers next? Or walkers using walkers? I see them every now and then moving at a fast clip. I know the fad these days is to count every step taken, anywhere and everywhere, with a goal of 10,000 steps a day, which is about 5 miles.

As a paperboy back in the ‘50s, I suspect that on my (early morning) route I must have walked at least about 3 miles a day, seven days a week. A mailman, mailwoman, or letter carrier might have to walk maybe 10 to 12 miles on a city route.

I have resorted to running indoors on a treadmill in bad weather. I like being able to adjust for speed and elevation, while I try watching TV to alleviate the boredom that I find goes with a treadmill. So I pretty much stay with walking outdoors. Brookings is a great place to walk outdoors. I love it, especially with the long days of summer. Good gear is essential for enjoyable walking. Obviously, a good pair of shoes is your No. 1 need. The best I’ve found, bar none, is a pair of “Clark’s – Mens –Unstructured – Brawley Pace.” This is not per se a “walking shoe” (most of which look like wannabe running shoes) but a shoe that is great for walking. And they shine up nicely for dressy occasions. One last note about shoes: no “hook-and-loop” or “fabric fasteners” please. (You know what I’m talking about; it’s all caps and starts with a “V” but it’s a trademark, so I can’t use it.)  Nothing sends a message that says: “I’m in the land of the living but just marking time,” like an otherwise good-looking pair of shoes with hook-and-loop fasteners.

For my walks I always have one other vital piece of gear: a good, strong wooden cane. An adjustable aluminum cane is OK and I used one before I switched to wood. I don’t really need a cane for walking. But read on and I’ll explain why I always have one with me: dogs. However, before I go further, let me insert an alhaigian caveat about Brookings dog owners. I have found most owners to be responsible: they keep their dogs on a leash and clean up the mess when (not if) their dog decides to squat and drop a load. It happens.

A pet peeve I have is the owner who assures me their dog is under “voice control.” Recently I saw voice control that was shaky at best. As I’m walking along on a neighborhood sidewalk, two large dogs come at me barking wildly. They approach and I go into a defensive position, cane at the ready and make eye contact. As this is happening, a woman in the yard is using voice control — which in this case is loud yelling and shouting at the dogs. They begin to retreat, but one decides to try once more and comes at me again. Now a man, who is in the yard with the woman (his wife or girlfriend, I assume), tries his skills at voice control, yelling and shouting louder than his female accomplice. The two large canines now somewhat back off. Undeterred, I continue my walk.

My most interesting who-let-the-dogs-out encounter was several years ago, as I was walking on the north side of West Eighth Street where it borders Sexauer Park. From out of nowhere on the other side of the street comes a trio of large dogs growling and looking less than friendly. I assume my defensive stance, cane-ready and a bit concerned as I face the mongrels. But not far behind the dogs comes a young man exhibiting what for a few dog owners in Brookings is voice control. Shouting loudly, he herds them back home. But I couldn’t see what house and yard the four of them came from. This encounter was I must admit somewhat exhilarating.

The pair of Unstructured shoes I’m wearing as I write this column has served me well on many a walk. The heel of the left shoe has a bit of battle damage from an unprovoked dog attack while Bea and I were vacationing in Northern Virginia and staying with our oldest son and his wife. I wasn’t wearing the shoes at the time of the attack by Cole, one of a pair of somewhat incorrigible Cardigan Welsh Corgis they own. I repaired the damage with a bit of duct tape and the shoes remain serviceable. I keep walking.

Bottom line: readers, get out there and enjoy a walk around Brookings. Take a cane, just in case someone along your route has let the dogs out — and assures you they are under voice control!

Have a nice day.