A walk on the wild side

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Barbara-and-Sarah.jpg” caption=”Barbara Hourigan and Sarah Lampson on their way to work.”]Sarah Lampson has a reason to get out of bed every weekday morning.
A self-professed “un-morning person” she knows that bright and early each weekday, co-worker Barbara Hourigan — decked out in a wide-brimmed sun visor and brand new pedometer — will be knocking on her door, eager to set off on their walk from Dundas to McMaster.
It's quite the commute. The pair regularly sees turtles, herons, rabbits (and, being rabbits, their offspring), and an amazing array of birds. “We're so lucky to have such beautiful trails,” Hourigan notes. “It's incredible to be able to say that, hey, on my way to work today I saw half a dozen baby deer frolicking a few feet away from me.”
At the Office of Research Contracts and Intellectual Property, where Hourigan and Lampson work, water-cooler conversation between co-workers who walk or cycle to McMaster often centres on what wildlife was spotted that morning. “I'd miss all of it if I was in the car,” Lampson admits.
The pace of their walk — and occasional cycle — to the University has allowed them to nurture a real friendship. Time flies by as they chat together, scope out the wildlife, and even stop for a quick breakfast, the food fuelling both their bodies and their relationship. Their commute has also enlarged their circle of contacts. “We've met some lovely people,” Hourigan mentions, recalling their encounter with a very tall researcher who was bent in half to photograph baby turtles by the side of the path. Hourigan — an amazingly energetic woman who got rollerblades for her 52nd birthday — is a mentor for her commute companion. “I wouldn't have done it on my own,” Lampson admitted candidly. “Barbara even set me up with a bike so we could ride in together.”
Canada's physical activity guide recommends 30 to 60 minutes of moderate physical exercise each day to stay healthy. In contrast, 63 per cent of Ontario adults are inactive — a risk to health that researchers have compared to a pack-a-day cigarette habit. But for busy employees, many of whom are parents of young children or have other care-giving responsibilities, fitting in exercise may seem like one more unrealistic demand. Those who are able to fit exercise into their daily commute, however, have a leg-up, so to speak, on their colleagues.
Hourigan gave up her parking permit a while ago. She comes to the campus by car an average of once a month, and considers the $3.50 daily rate to park in Zone 7 a “pretty good deal” (though both Lampson and Hourigan were keen to learn that the ACT Office is developing a program that will provide reduced rate parking vouchers for those who regularly commute by bike, bus or on foot).
This will be Hourigan and Lampson's first winter walking to work together. They anticipate the dark and cold with a shiver. “We can do it,” Lampson says with conviction, turning to Hourigan with an encouraging smile. It's like witnessing the motivational power of buddy-commuting in action. “Yup,” Hourigan replies without hesitation. “We'll just have to stop for a hot chocolate on the way in to warm up.”
October 25-29 is Healthy Workplace Week at McMaster. For those McMaster employees interested in honing their cycling skills, the ACT Office is offering two “Cycle With Confidence” sessions during lunch on Thursday, Oct. 28. You could win a new Raleigh bike and helmet, or a number of other prizes. A limited number of bikes and helmets will be available to loan to participants. See http://act.mcmaster.ca/promotions/specialpromotions.htm for details.