Trailblazer
BUTLER TWP — Township resident Walt Shaffer is an official Trailblazer. After walking 260 miles, he has two shirts to prove it as well as a pair of shoes with worn tread.
As part of the April dedication of Butler County Community College's Shaffer Walking Trail, Walt Shaffer and other walkers participated in the BC3 Trailblazers Project.
The trail is named for educators E. Bertrum and Esther Shaffer.
Walt Shaffer is not related to E. Bertrum and Esther Shaffer.
At BC3, E. Bertrum Shaffer was the first academic dean, twice served as the college's acting president and is credited with designing the college seal.
“The project was a fun way to keep fit and enjoy the beautiful Shaffer Walking Trail,” said Torey O'Donnell, assistant director of student life at BC3.
Trailblazers logged miles on the trail. When they reached a total of 100, 250 or 500 miles, they received blue, white or black T-shirts that displayed the project logo and the number of miles walked.
“When I retired, I figured out I had to get out and do something. I started bike riding,” said Shaffer, an engineer who will be 67 in October.
While he retired in 2011, he continues to work part-time as a tutor at BC3 and volunteers at two elementary schools.
Shaffer got used to walks of two to three miles in his neighborhood and bicycling a couple of times a week at Moraine State Park. As a Trailblazer, he was more ambitious.
“They were going to have three goal levels, 100 miles, 250 miles and 500 miles,” said Shaffer. “I thought I might as well try to do it. I set the personal goal of 250 miles. Us old people like free stuff, and we were going to get a T-shirt. I wound up with two.
“I started off three to four miles a day up to the end of May. Then I upped it to five miles a day and did that on the days I could,” Shaffer said. “In the heat of the summer it got pretty hot, so I was walking at 6 o'clock in the morning.”
“I did 56 miles in May just getting started,” said Shaffer. “I think I did 79 miles in June. Then I was away for three weeks. So, in order to complete this thing, I had to walk about five miles a day.”
It took Shaffer about an hour and 15 minutes to complete the five miles. From the first of July through the first of August, he walked 125 miles.“The last 50 miles were pretty tough psychologically and physically,” Shaffer said. “You anticipated finishing it up and you know you've still got 40 miles to go.“It's a little tough and makes you wonder if you want to continue to do it. It challenges your motivation.”Although Shaffer usually walked alone, he was not alone on the trail.“We had over 100 people sign up including faculty, staff, students and community members,” O'Donnell said. “About one quarter of the participants were from the community. Faculty and staff formed teams.“Trailblazer Case Willoughby, vice president for student services at BC3, said, “It's a beautiful trail. It's just about a mile. There are a couple of hills.”As a team captain, he completed 101 miles.“There are benches around the quarter mile marks. There is a pond. You pass the observatory and you walk between some of the academic buildings,” Willoughby said. “It is dog friendly but bring your own bags.”Willoughby jogged on the trail listening to music or walked listening to National Public Radio podcasts. Sometimes he walked alone and sometimes he walked with a friend.At the end of the project on Aug. 19, the three top walkers, including Shaffer, had walked between 250 and 260 miles. Thirteen individuals, including Willoughby, walked 100 to 250 miles.“The trail is still available for the public,” said O'Donnell. “It is free and you can purchase a year-long parking pass.”The pass is required to park a vehicle on campus while the person walks.For others who want to start a walking program, Shaffer recommends formulating a goal they know they can achieve and knowing how many days they are willing to devote to it.“It's a nice paved trail. It's very peaceful, especially first thing in the morning,” Shaffer said. “You get to see some ducks or geese and maybe some deer. There is no traffic and you don't have to dodge cars.”“We hope more of the community will take advantage of it,” Willoughby said. “The autumn should be beautiful, and there are a lot of trees on campus to enjoy the view.”“It's more important to do something than to just sit around,” Shaffer said.
