Let me start by stating the obvious: I'm not a big fan of walking.
For starters, it's pretty slow (at least for me), making it take ages to get anywhere.
However, it's also the best way to reach any destination.
You don't need much; you're self-sufficient and, most importantly, it gives you time to think—something we don't do much of these days, being always "too busy" with our phones, in meetings, or replying to emails.
Giving myself time to think wasn't the reason I decided to walk 400km across Switzerland. So why did I do it?
- To raise money for GreenLamp
- To challenge myself
- To do something I could tell my kids about in a few years
So, I set off for Sargans on the 11th of August and started walking at 6:30 am on the 12th. I was alone and slightly afraid of the challenge ahead. The first 2 days were intense, walking for 13 to 14 hours non-stop. I was scared I wouldn't be able to finish, so the only thing I could do was walk more than necessary... Don't ask me why.
After 3 days, I fell into a rhythm of sleeping, eating, and, of course, walking. My legs and feet were quite painful, but like almost everything in life, you get used to it. The days were still long but closer to 10 or 11 hours of walking.
I'm lucky to have amazing people around me. So on the 19th, 2 friends joined me for 2 days. Their legs were fresh, and they were excited to get going, meaning I had to dig deep to keep up with their pace. We walked 50km together and crushed 3 stages in 2 days.
After they left, I was back to walking alone for a few days. Then my brother joined me for the last day and the last 2 stages, from Château d'Oex to Montreux. Together, we walked for 13 hours straight and reached Montreux on the 13th at 6:43 pm after a 1600m descent and 1055 steps.
In total, I walked 393km with 23,180m in ascent and 23,170m in descent. I almost cried once and laughed (alone) twice. It was long and in a way too short, painful yet enjoyable, funny and sad, lonely yet full of life. It gave me time to think and reflect. Thirteen days are definitely enough for that, but I truly believe everyone should schedule some "thinking time."
Twice a year, Bill Gates takes a self-proclaimed “think week.” He spends seven days in solitude in a cabin in the forest, away from interruptions, allowing him to sit down and think.
Your turn now... When are you planning your next "thinking time"?
Keep on rocking,Alex.