How Walking With The AVA Transformed My Life

By Pat Jewett

I’ve always enjoyed walking, hiking and backpacking, but it wasn’t until I became involved with the American Volksport Association (AVA, or America’s Walking Club) in 2003 that I began to take on a more consistent walking program (AVA walks are usually 3.1 miles or, more commonly, 6.2 miles). I was still working, including weekends, so in those early years I wasn’t consistently doing all the wonderful walk events that were being offered. 

Walking for friendship has been just as integral to my health as walking for fitness. When I began walking with the AVA I was still struggling with the divorce and later the suicide of my former husband. This happened prior to my being involved with the AVA. I was in therapy and taking medication for depression. Walking with a group got me out of my solitude and showed me a path to a healthier life. I became more sociable and I have meaningful friendships from walking that continue today.

I’ve always enjoyed walking, hiking and backpacking, but it wasn’t until I became involved with the American Volksport Association (AVA, or America’s Walking Club) in 2003 that I began to take on a more consistent walking program (AVA walks are usually 3.1 miles or, more commonly, 6.2 miles.) I was still working, including weekends, so in those early years I wasn’t consistently doing all the wonderful walk events that were being offered. 

I joined a local AVA club in 2007 and appreciate the social connection the club fosters and provides. I still attend monthly meetings, arriving early to socialize. Members rotate bringing snacks and drinks for the meetings and we acknowledge monthly birthdays and have a drawing for a Starbucks card or a walk coupon. This connection helps build lifelong friendships. 

The meetings are important for connecting people and working towards a common cause. In our case, we plan walks around festivals and holidays. We go on hikes, hold three-day walking events, and plan trips for the club members. The trips are often walking events in other states or Canada. During the pandemic, we had a core group of eight-to-12 club members and we walked twice a week. Four years later, we are still walking together because we enjoyed it so much. We all agree that walking together during the pandemic kept up our spirits, provided us with exercise, and kept us healthy. 

I was so enamored with walking that I created my own walking website: allthingswalking.com. This helped me discover all kinds of information about walking. In 2017, I attended the America Walks College, completing a six-month program learning about walking advocacy and the importance of creating walkable neighborhoods that meet the needs of people from eight to 80 years of age. 

While in the AVA and walking I started competing in walk relays and walk marathons and discovered that I really enjoy walking longer distances. One of my favorite activities is to park my car somewhere and go on a two-to-four hour walk. When I retired in 2018, it was easier to go on a volkswalk (non-competitive walk) three-to-four times a week with various clubs in Oregon and southwest Washington. 

Walking for friendship has been just as integral to my health as walking for fitness. When I began walking with the AVA I was still struggling with the divorce and later the suicide of my former husband. This happened prior to my being involved with the AVA. I was in therapy and taking medication for depression. Walking with a group got me out of my solitude and showed me a path to a healthier life. Subsequently, I was able to discontinue the anti-depressants and the depression subsided. I became more sociable and I have meaningful friendships from walking that continue today. Being outside helped me experience the present moment, something I learned about through meditation.

That’s why I am a Social Ambassador for Grouper. I believe being active and involved in group activities is vital to our health as we continue to age. Many of my friends range in age from their fifties to their nineties. Yes, it is possible to still be walking in your nineties! I look at my aging friends and many are role models for how I want to be when I am in my eighties and nineties.

I believe that anyone can benefit from walking. Even walking 10 minutes at a time, three times a day provides health benefits over time. Walking in a group provides opportunities for connecting with people and some accountability for continuing to walk. Sometimes the first step is committing to go on that first walk.

If you want to connect with me to become involved with walking in Oregon or Washington please email me at scoutpjwriter@gmail.com. Perhaps we can walk together. 

Pat

Check out the AVA website here.