I had a foot problem with an extra piece of bone that was rubbing against the right side of my foot...I was told by my podiatrist to take it easy and use a cold ice pack for 20 minutes at a time till the swelling came down along with Motrin or Tylenol...it worked...that was a couple of years ago, but my foot has been ok since then....walking is something that I never want to take for granted....hope you get back to your walks soon.

@rosemarya, Ouch! Hope your walking times can resume soon. Yesterday, on my walk I heard this curious flapping sound. Had to sit on ground to examine bottom of New Balance 606 shoes; one of the soles was hanging by a strong thread at toe and had loosened to instep. I must have looked like slow starting cold honey creeping home. Made it safely but have never had anything like this happen before; just glad I wasn't a mile or two away! I don't own headphones either and prefer the quiet on my walks. Hubby used to wear them in bed to watch tv; while I could read my favorite mystery in peace. Whatever works, right? Feel better soon.

How's your foot, @rosemarya? Is it getting any better? I too tend to overdo at times and then pay fort.

When walking I too would enjoy those quiet times if I was alone but I am always with my husband. When I do my water jogging though I am concentrating on really making it vigorous so I find that having music streaming into my hearing aids helps to keep me motivated, and music with a good tempo helps to energize me. I find a lot of the Latin music has a great beat. Of course there are others too that are not Latin. I love Neil Diamond's "America". When I'm on the elliptical and that comes up I get energized.
JK