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Today, the idea of Hiking came to my mind. I was thinking "How many kilometers could I even do it?"
So I have put about 2 kg of stuff in my backpack and started walking through my city.
I really liked it for about 5 km. Then it was a chore. I did two more km and was very exhausted :)
How much better can I get at it?
I bet you'd be able to walk until you are bored instead of tired soon enough (unless you are never bored, but if you can be, listening to podcasts could be a way to go).
Walking in a city can be exhausting because of the concrete, the noise, the heat and the traffic.
I can walk for hours no problem. Elevation gain or loss and the sun counts more than simply the distance.
Being hydrated helps a lot. Good shoes too.
Good walk!
To me, hiking means self supported long travel, possibly with an overnight and certainly with a pack that has food and supplies for a day. Daypack weight no more than 5-6kg, multi-day pack under 14kg if i can manage it (but will depend on if i've topped up on water recently)
That’s not the same as waking around a city, which usually involves much less stuff on your back, and sneakers not more technically-oriented shoes.
i’m good for about 20km/day in wilderness (class 1/2), substantially farther on class 0 (gravel paths, dirt roads,habitable places…), substantially less on class 3,4. (and i climb at about 5.9 lead/.10a follow)
https://www.sierra.com/blog/hiking/hiking-classes-defined/
I tend to prefer a bicycle to walking in towns and cities, so I don't really know how far i can walk, but it's a ways.
Like anything, routine practice and habit get you a long way. My parent is in their seventies and walks 10-15k around the neighborhood every day after breakfast. Goes through shoes pretty fast!
I can't emphasize enough the importance of good shoes!
Remember to not overdo it and to take breaks; hikes don't have to be long.
The beginner gains are the most fun :)
Walking in a city you can easily do 5-7km/h but when hiking in a forest or mountains your speed will be more like 2-4km/h.
Keep walking
Between 2008 and 2012 I had gotten extremely lethargic and sedentary. In 2012 I started walking - could do 2 miles at best. I gradually got up to doing 5 miles and easy biking over those years. After that I started hiking in the mountains - long easy ones first and now I'm up to easily doing 8 miles moderate ones. (Heat makes it more miserable for me than anything else so I go early in the mornings.)
I am 50 and don't look at it as a competitive thing - just something to stay active and feel good.
Also 100% agree with the comment below on getting good shoes that fit you well. You do not want to get foot or back pain. Also avoid walking on concrete pathways.