clarawertzberger

For the past four years, I’ve always felt that walking through a hallway is like driving. Staying in your lane is crucial. If you need to stop, you go to the far side. You should always obey the speed limit. I must admit, I do have a bit of a lead foot, so it’s no surprise that I am one heck of an irritable walker.

Now, I understand that different people have different priorities. Maybe your next class is only two rooms down and you want to take a breather between classes. Maybe you’re a senior headed to study hall, so you’re in no rush at all. Maybe, you’re one of my favorite types of people who just like to walk slowly, and you aren’t aware that the female human embodiment of Sonic the Hedgehog is right behind you.

My gotta-go-fast mentality started in middle school. I was an anxious young girl who was always afraid that no matter the distance between my classes, I would somehow arrive late. I developed a speedy walk that allowed me to zip across the building regardless of how much I was carrying. My walk is perfect for me: it gets me where I need to go when I need to get there, aka three minutes before the class even starts.

Obviously, there are some downsides to my speed walking. My tendency to carry several heavy books in my backpack forces me to walk through the hallway like some abnormally fast turtle. Also, my need for speed can leave my friends irritated and in the dust. But the greatest issue I have with my pace is not actually with me, it’s with others.

As I said earlier, different people have different priorities and, therefore, different paces. I respect that, but they must realize that my long gazelle legs cannot be hindered by what they would consider a “normal pace”. Often my peers like to stroll through the hallways while talking with friends. I understand their desire to chat, but there’s a time and a place, people, and that place is not the middle of the hallway!

Slow walkers, I know that you may not place much emphasis on walking quickly, but I do. I like that I’ll never have to worry about being late or forgetting something. Because I’ll be so early to class, I can go to my locker and be back in time for the late bell.

Contrary to your beliefs based on this article, I do not run track. While many of you probably have athletic activities before or after school and don’t want to tire yourselves out, my exercise is done in the halls of Marian. It’s silly, I know, but three stairwells are more than enough for my easily exhausted lungs.

If you decide to stop in the hallway or walk slowly, that’s fine. Just know that I will patiently, kindly make like a track star and jump over you.