Walking Place, for Wishers walking their races

[windwalker]

I thought I'd start a thread for those who were planning to walk thier races. We can post our daily training, help the ones who are going to walk their first race and talk training tips and training plans.

It's 6 mo till the January race weekend at WDW so it's time to get serious again about getting your walks in, getting your healthy habits started and time to drop the winter fluff.

I'm currently on my own mission to get back to my racing weight of 160 by cleaning up my diet. I've lost 8 lbs already and have 18 more to go.

Dave:hippie:

[windwalker]

Walkers face some different issues than runners. Runners will normally be done quite a bit sooner than walkers so walkers must deal with being on the course longer. On a hot day that can mean 7 or more hours sweating in the sun, for a marathon walker.

A walker often must eat more on the course since they are there longer so it's very important to know how different energy foods react with your system. A cramping stomach in the middle of a long hot race is no fun. Know your reaction to different things ahead of time.

A walker is sweating just as much as a runner but sweating for often a lot longer. It's double important for a walker to begin drinking early and often. Waiting till you feel thirsty is to long, then your trying to play catch up.

Plan ahead of time for potty stops. Make sure you wear clothes that make that as easy as possible. If your walking a marathon in a Gumby costume you just might have some bad moments at the porta potty about 4 hours into the race and you are staying well hydrated.

It's also important to make sure your chaffing spots get attention, use a product like body glide on your chaffing areas. A marathon can be a nightmare if you have burning and chaffing for several hours.

Dave:hippie:

[SamSam]

Thanks for the great tips for us walkers.
I know for myself, when I'm training in the heat of summer I always use a fuel belt so that I have plenty of water with me.

[windwalker]

Thanks for the great tips for us walkers.
I know for myself, when I'm training in the heat of summer I always use a fuel belt so that I have plenty of water with me.

Some of our walkers even carry an electro lyte replacement drink that they buy or make themselves. But it goes back to what I said before make sure you train with it before you race with it. Just as you do your self.

Dave:hippie:

[johde]

I don't know how I'm going to complete my next 1/2 marathon yet (probably Walk/run). But I completed my First half marathon as a walker and can attest to alot of what Dave said. On my long walks, I carried a fanny pack with a water bottle, a bottle of Gatorade, as well as a pack of powerbar gel blasts (they were free at CVS a couple of month ago and I had everyone I knew get me a pack). That gave me the fluid, electrolytes, and carbs needed to make it though. The time commitment is much greater than for runners of an equivalent distance. I did an 8 mile, two 9 mile, and a 10 mile long walk in training. All of those took between 2 and 3 hours to complete.

As a walker, you also need to be prepared to provide your own support. I've read stories of walker who were greeted by water stops that had already packed up and finish lines that were practically deserted. Fortunately, I haven't run in to this problem yet.

I try to research the races I'm planning on entering in before registering. I look to see if there is a pace requirement and if there is, do I think I can maintain that pace. As most of us know Disney requires a 16:00 mile pace for the marathon and half marathon. I would consider that walker friendly. Some race have more lenient pace requirement, some have more stringent. For example, here in Ohio where I love Cleveland has 18:30 for the half and full. Columbus has 17:00 for half and full. Akron on the other hand has 13:44 for the full and 18:30 for the half. Akron Obviously wants just runners and real race walkers entering the full marathon. Where pace requirement aren't set, I look at prior years results to see if the race attracts walkers. This is not always the best indicator because some smaller races don't report times over a certain time.

[windwalker]

The invention of the timing chip was a God send for walkers. We can start toward the back where we are not in any one's way and still not get the time penalty we once did. Usually if we are determined and keep our pace we are passing other people the whole race if there is a big crowd.

Some of the things we don't wanna do are to get up in the front and be in the way of the faster runners. We don't want to earn that put down of being called "speed bumps". We don't want to walk more than 2 abreast, that one even goes for runners. Make room for passing. Another caution that new runners are often even more guilty of is to be running and stop to walk while they are in the middle of a group. Or even worse run till they get right in front of someone and then slow to a walk.

Running and walking are both sports but they are different sports that compliment each other. Run/walk is now one of the most common ways to finish a half or full marathon. With that new wave comes new responsibilities for the athlete to be a good race citizen.

I personally find that the best place to walk in a big race is close to the sides. Not right on the side because there will be runners that are working their way through the crowd by running on the very edges of the road.

Dave:hippie:

[nkkilala]

Such great advice coming in! I will be doing the WDW 11 as my first 1/2. Right know I plan on walking but I am hoping that I will be able to run walk by Jan. I am doing good at keeping a 15 minute mile pace at the moment, pretty good for just starting.

I have seen people using fule belts. Where could I pick one up? More importantly, where can I get one for a plus size gal?

At what times should I start experimenting with different "fuel" for the course. I just finished week 2 of M4M....

Thanks for the great thread!

[johde]

Chip timing is great, when it works. In Cleveland, my chip didn't work right and my timing is all messed up.

I was watching the start of the Cleveland Marathon, trying to spot me, but didn't get a shot of me at the start line. I was surprised how many walkers and slow runners were in the front to middle of the pack where they were "speed bumps". I also personally saw lots of runners who didn't get to the start line in time and are trying to weave in and out of a sea of walkers. Most races have pace teams for the runners, so you should be able to tell if you are too far up. For example, when I did the 10K at the USAF marathon last fall, I started way in the back but was over to the side where at the gun we were moving quicker than the middle but still walking to get the start line. After about a minute, I looker over to the side and noticed I was next to the 5 hour pace group for the marathon. So, instead of continuing to inch my way to the start, I slowed way down to get closer to the walkers.

Once the course thins out, I actually like staying close to the middle of one of the lanes. Often times roads can have a pronounced slant on the edges.

People also need to be aware of what division they need to enter in.

Casual Walking Division:100% walking but form does not need to meet official race walk standards.

Race Walking Division:100% walking Usually form must meet Olympic race walking standards. Form may be judged.

Walking Division: Could mean either Casual walking or Race Walking you need to check race information.

Running Division: People who don't meet the definition of the walking division in the race.

In running events, walking all the time is often on the honor system.

[windwalker]

Nikki, there is a web site called Runningwarehouse.com they have the best prices I have found and if you enter the discount code WISHD up at the top right hand corner and hit enter you get an extra 15% off.

They Have everything you could possibly want.

Jeremy thanks for helping with the thread and yes most walk races are on the honor system. We try to police ourselves and explain to people who run in our races that we take our sport seriously.

A good time to test the gels, Gu and other electro lyte and calorie replacement is for a snack at home. If you can tolerate it for a snack then try it when your exercising close to your car or home in case it makes you cramp or sick. I learned that fried chicken is not tolerable for me before a race.:upsidedow

Dave:hippie:

[windwalker]

Always eat a little something before you take off on a training walk or before a race. I do a bagel and coffee in the morning before my training and a couple of hours before a race I eat a bagel and a bowl of cereal with skim milk and a banana.

If you don't eat a little something before your morning training your body will not release the energy you need to do your best. It's like when you diet and eat to few calories your body starts hording the calories and you feel listless and weak.

Staying well hydrated all the time is the best way to keep your body in balance. If you are not well hydrated going into a race or training you won't catch up by drinking during the race. Always drink a bottle of water in the evening before bed even though it means you will need the potty during the night, we lose a lot of water during sleep since that's when the body goes into healing overdrive.

Dave:hippie:

[windwalker]

Trail walking is a wonderful way to cross train for road walking. It takes more effort and you use your muscles a little differently. I got a lesson in that this morning when I did a trail race.

Another advantage of trail walking in a wooded park is how fresh the air is and how much better the air quality is. Trees and all plants breath in CO2 and breathes out oxygen. So the concentration of clean Oxygen is better. The plants filter the air also removing the high level of crap in it like car exhaust.

Dave:hippie:

[mousemgr2]

Good job on the weight loss. I've recently lost 30 and I am finding it much easier to walk.

[mousemgr2]

[QUOTE=windwalker;36815808]Some of our walkers even carry an electro lyte replacement drink that they buy or make themselves. But it goes back to what I said before make sure you train with it before you race with it. Just as you do your self.

Dave:hippie:[/QUOTE

I second that point Dave!

I learned very quickly during a race that Powerade makes me sick. It was a long, painful race after that. Now, I carry Gatorade with me. Since I travel to all of the races, I buy the powder and just throw it in my suitcase.

[windwalker]

Today I want to address my opinion on a long time piece of advice that I believe is wrong.

We are told that because there is no wind resistance on the treadmill that to make it more like outside training you need to increase the incline to 1%.

The surface of a treadmill is soft like walking on grass or dirt. You walk by pushing off with your toes, the soft surface dampens your push requiring more effort for that push off and resulting forward motion. I strongly believe that more than over rides the tiny bit of wind resistance that you don't have indoors.

I have heard from many runners and walkers that they can go faster on the road than they could on the treadmill. They also say that the treadmill is more tiring.

Now my point here is that a treadmill is hard enough already without the 1% incline and most people will not continue with an activity that is to tiring. Exercise should energize you not tear you down.

Dave:hippie:

[Hockeychic]

Hey Dave, great advice as always. Been away from the boards for a bit not enough time to train and post:guilty:. Thank you as always for your great input and support.

[windwalker]

Hey Dave, great advice as always. Been away from the boards for a bit not enough time to train and post:guilty:. Thank you as always for your great input and support.

I'm trying to get the walkers thread going here again. Walking is a big part of what WISH is all about. Running is wonderful but if the running isn't for you walking is perfectly fine and walkers are real athletes.

Dave:hippie:

[windwalker]

I want to talk a little about shoes today and ask those, long time WISH racers. who walk their races to help me out here. Please post what kind of arch you have and what shoe you have had good success with.

I have high arches and the rule of thumb for that is a cushion or light stability shoe with a low heel and plenty of padding. I normally wear a 9.5 D but for half and full marathons I wear a size 10 D. The larger size allows me to avoid the sore toes when my feet swell from hours on the road.

I like the Mizuno brand because I have duck feet and like a lot of toebox room. I don't like for my feet to feel squeezed. Your power as a walker comes from the toe push off and you need room in the toebox for a good stride.

Dave:hippie:

[princessbride6205]

Thanks for continuing this thread and adding advice, Dave!

I'm a run/walk interval person, but I'd like to learn more about walking.
And I'm also thinking of race walking a marathon.

I whole-heartedly agree about the treadmill! Adding the incline is unnecessary. It may help for going up small hills on a race course, but otherwise not needed. I am nearly a minute faster per mile outside, with the same perceived effort.

[windwalker]

Thank you Nicole. Yep if someone has never walked a marathon they have no idea what a pleasent experience it is for a well trained walker. You get a longer and more vivid experience that when running. When I ran I was so focused on the effort that I missed a lot of what was going on around me.

Dave:hippie:

[Hockeychic]

I totally agree, I find it so much harder walking on the TM and my pace isn't nearly as fast. However, the funny thing is I find it easier to jog on the TM makes no sense at all I know.

I like being a walker, I just want to be a quicker walker. I don't like being so worried about being swept. Doing some serious training over the next 6 months to make sure that doens't happen.

[windwalker]

I totally agree, I find it so much harder walking on the TM and my pace isn't nearly as fast. However, the funny thing is I find it easier to jog on the TM makes no sense at all I know.

I like being a walker, I just want to be a quicker walker. I don't like being so worried about being swept. Doing some serious training over the next 6 months to make sure that doens't happen.

The reason jogging can be easier is you get a bounce effect from the rubber surface of the treadmill. walkers use a toe push off where runners are raising and lowering the knee, walkers stride should be forward and not so up as a runners.

Dave:hippie:

[disney_mommy]

I have seen people using fule belts. Where could I pick one up? More importantly, where can I get one for a plus size gal?

At what times should I start experimenting with different "fuel" for the course. I just finished week 2 of M4M....

Thanks for the great thread!

Hey, Nikki. I, too, am a plus size gal and I used the Nathan Speed 2 Waist Pack (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RJHU98/ref=oss_product) in large and it worked perfectly for me. I filled one bottle with a half powerade half water mix and the other with water.

I started trying out the PA that I knew they would be using on my long walks during training, as well as the gels and chews and blocks, so I could find the right combination that worked for me.

[Daisybelle]

I'm a newer walker and I have a question for you more experienced folks, is you don't mind.
I have my first 5k on Saturday (I'm so excited!). Currently when I do a long walk, my warm up is just starting out slowly to get everything moving and then I pick up my pace after about 4 minutes. At the end of my walk I do more actual stretches. Is this sufficient? Should I be doing more to warm up before walking a distance, like the 5k this weekend? I'd love some advice!

[windwalker]

I'm a newer walker and I have a question for you more experienced folks, is you don't mind.
I have my first 5k on Saturday (I'm so excited!). Currently when I do a long walk, my warm up is just starting out slowly to get everything moving and then I pick up my pace after about 4 minutes. At the end of my walk I do more actual stretches. Is this sufficient? Should I be doing more to warm up before walking a distance, like the 5k this weekend? I'd love some advice!

Very good question. I like to just walk around for a half hour before my race. Not fast or race walking just normal brisk walking. Then when I start I'm good and warm. One of the ways you can tell you haven't warmed up enough is that your shins will hurt. They are the smallest of your working leg muscles so they feel it first.

It's always a good idea to do your stretching after your race. I do some stuff like leg swings where I hold onto something and swing my legs back and forth easy and lift my knees and swing my legs around to work my hips and glutes a little. Nothing hard or dramatic just to get a little motion for all my muscles. I will do this during my 30 min of walking around.

If it's a no pressure race there is nothing wrong with doing your first mile slow and then getting into your planned pace after you warm up with that first mile. That's how I do my Disney, or any big, half or full marathon.

Dave:hippie:

[disney_mommy]

I'm a newer walker and I have a question for you more experienced folks, is you don't mind.
I have my first 5k on Saturday (I'm so excited!). Currently when I do a long walk, my warm up is just starting out slowly to get everything moving and then I pick up my pace after about 4 minutes. At the end of my walk I do more actual stretches. Is this sufficient? Should I be doing more to warm up before walking a distance, like the 5k this weekend? I'd love some advice!

I think what you're doing is perfectly fine, especially if it's been working for you. Just remember not to get caught up in the excitement of the race and start too fast.

Of course, if you're trying for some real speed, warming up before the race is the way to go.

Good luck and HAVE FUN!! :cheer2:

[windwalker]

I want to discuss weight training today and caution everyone about it.

You hear all the time, you need to train with weights to lose weight, to get strong and fit. This is true, HOWEVER!

Weight training is dangerous, I would strongly recommend that if you are going to start a weight training program as cross training that you: 1. Get help from a personal trainer or someone else with real knowledge. 2. Start with light weight and do lots of reps instead of heavy weight and few reps.

If you are just getting started with exercise then following a video, an on line plan or looking at a book is a disaster waiting to happen. A back injury or a knee injury from trying to lift to much to soon can haunt you for a long time.

After you have been walking, doing classes or biking you will begin to build muscle and reduce fat. After you get a basic level of fitness and some knowledge about how your body reacts to exercise then you can experiment with light weights only. If you are going to try to lift heavier then spend the money for a couple of hours with a trainer. A lot of health clubs have trainers on staff that will give you a fitness evaluation, free of charge, that will give you an idea where you are.

Bruce Lee a long time student of fitness spent the last years of his life in constant pain from doing a back exercise without warming up.

So, is weight training good, yes it is, very good. But start with caution, get someone to help you lean how, take a class or if you have no choice but to go it on your own then start with lighter weight than you think you need and go up from there slowly. Lighter weight with lots of reps builds up muscle and also helps build muscle endurance.

Dave:hippie:

[Daisybelle]

I think what you're doing is perfectly fine, especially if it's been working for you. Just remember not to get caught up in the excitement of the race and start too fast.

Of course, if you're trying for some real speed, warming up before the race is the way to go.

Good luck and HAVE FUN!! :cheer2:

I'm not worrying about speed on this one. I want to keep a good pace and finish strong. I have goals beyond this first 5k where I will focus on improving. This is Step One.
Thank you!

[ultramickeymouse]

Great thread Dave :thumbsup2

Lots of great info for all levels of walkers :)

[windwalker]

I just finished reading a book written by a race walker I competed against at the 2007 Senior Olympics. He wrote the book promoting walking for Baby Boomers who have beaten themselves up over the years with running and other sports. I agree with that completely since a running injury was what started me walking.

He made a point that a lot of men don't look at walking as macho enough. I also identified with that statement. I continued to run hurt for two years instead of switching to walking. But let me tell ya there's nothing macho about limping either.

Personally I think that if more people took up walking then we wouldn't have a health care crisis. There are three things people do to themselves that cause a huge portion of health problems: Smoking, over eating and not getting regular exercise.

Dave:hippie:

[MaryJ]

I just finished reading a book written by a race walker I competed against at the 2007 Senior Olympics. He wrote the book promoting walking for Baby Boomers who have beaten themselves up over the years with running and other sports. I agree with that completely since a running injury was what started me walking.

He made a point that a lot of men don't look at walking as macho enough. I also identified with that statement. I continued to run hurt for two years instead of switching to walking. But let me tell ya there's nothing macho about limping either.

Personally I think that if more people took up walking then we wouldn't have a health care crisis. There are three things people do to themselves that cause a huge portion of health problems: Smoking, over eating and not getting regular exercise.


Dave:hippie:

Dave...could you share the title and author of this book? It sounds like something I might be interested in reading.

[windwalker]

The title is Boomerwalk by Brent Bohlen.

I'm headed out for to forage for supper. I'm thinking grilled salmon.

Dave:hippie:

[ultramickeymouse]

I'm headed out for to forage for supper. I'm thinking grilled salmon.

Dave:hippie:

Foraging is when looking for berries. Getting fish is fishing :rolleyes1

[nkkilala]

Andrea,

Thank you for that link! I'll look into the belt!

I'm loving all of the great advice listed here!

[Hockeychic]

Daisybelle: How did you do??????

[Daisybelle]

Daisybelle: How did you do??????

I had so much fun! It was a very small event, in part due to the bad weather we have been having. I think that the small crowd made it a nice introduction into races. I was nearly last, but I felt good the whole way through and couldn't stop smiling for hours afterwards. I was just under an hour. Slow, but it's a start! I've started looking for my next event. I have my eye on one in July; I'll have to see if the date will work out.

Thank you so much for asking! :yay:

[windwalker]

I had so much fun! It was a very small event, in part due to the bad weather we have been having. I think that the small crowd made it a nice introduction into races. I was nearly last, but I felt good the whole way through and couldn't stop smiling for hours afterwards. I was just under an hour. Slow, but it's a start! I've started looking for my next event. I have my eye on one in July; I'll have to see if the date will work out.

Thank you so much for asking! :yay:

Thank you so much for sharing. Especially the part about how good it made you feel after. Those of us that have been at it for a while can't get enough of that feeling of success, it's the best.

Dave:hippie:

[Hockeychic]

WTG, that is awesome. I am glad you had a great experience.

Remember the WISH motto

DLF>DNF>>DNS!!

[Daisybelle]

Remember the WISH motto

DLF>DNF>>DNS!!

Okay, newbie here. :goodvibes What does that stand for?

[Hockeychic]

OOPPPSSS sorry,

Dead last finish,
beats did not finish
which greatly trumps did not start.

[windwalker]

Yep the WISH words are well worth spreading around. That's a wonderful way to say it and I've always loved it.

Dave:hippie:

[Daisybelle]

OOPPPSSS sorry,

Dead last finish,
beats did not finish
which greatly trumps did not start.

That's very excellent. I'll have to put that up by my desk. :thumbsup2

[CliffordM]

I LOVE the DLF>DNF>>DNS philosophy. So true for everything else in life too.

[Hockeychic]

I have worn my WISH shirt for every event I have ever done and I always have people come up from behind me (I am not very fast) and comment how much they love the motto and how very true it is.

[windwalker]

I had continuing education classes yestersay and a nice rest day off my feet. That and 8 hours of sleep has me ready to train again.

Walk training is a lot like run training. You need the long slow, the short fast and some inbetween. Today I'm going to do the short fast, I will go to the local high school track and do an interval waorkout.

Walk easy to brisk for 2 miles, 8 laps, then do a lap as fast as I can. I'll walk easy again a lap and then another lap as fast as I can. I'll repeat the fast and slow laps 5 times then walk two miles easier to cool down.

Dave:hippie:

[es45]

I thought I'd start a thread for those who were planning to walk thier races. We can post our daily training, help the ones who are going to walk their first race and talk training tips and training plans.

It's 6 mo till the January race weekend at WDW so it's time to get serious again about getting your walks in, getting your healthy habits started and time to drop the winter fluff.Dave:hippie:


I'm in! My best friend and I are walking the Princess Half in '11. I'm training for my first 5k (at the end of July) but I've quickly realized that training to run a 5k and training to walk a half are completely different. Thanks for the great tips.

[Daisybelle]

I LOVE the DLF>DNF>>DNS philosophy. So true for everything else in life too.

I made a little print out of that to put up in my little cubicle here at work. It's a nice little reminder to just keep moving and progressing!

[windwalker]

I want to say something about training for half marathons. I have had good personal success and helped several others prepare for a good strong half with 8 miles as the longest training walks.

I try to get in 20 miles a week spread out over 4 or 5 days. I have found that an 8 mile walk every two weeks and a 6 miler on the opposite week works well. I did the Goofy with a longest walk of 8 miles and don't recommend that. I was tired by the end of the marathon.

For a marathon I really should have had a few 16 milers in there along with the 8 milers.

A good schedule for half training should also include regular stretching and some type of strength training. Strength training can be as easy as making sure you walk some hills during the week and doing some push ups and sit ups. Better is the hills and a pilaties class or type or some other type of aerobic training like step.

Dave:hippie:

[johde]

In my limited experience, I would agree that average total weekly miles is more important that longest distance walked. I used the John Bingham "Marathoning for Mortals" walking plan for the basis of my first 1/2 marathon. His plan is 3 days a week of walking. I worked up to 5 miles 2 days a week and then my long walk. His plan peaks with weeks of 8, 6, 10, 8. I had started early for fear of bad weather and was able to add 2 9's with 6's inbetween as well. So, I had an average weekly milage of 18 to 20 miles for a good month or more before the half marathon.

From what I've read, the advantage of the 10mi or longer walk, in a person who's goal is just to finish, is more psycological than physical. A friend of mine finished a half marathon with a longest walk of 6 miles, but she was walking 4 to 6 miles five or six days a week for a couple of months before someone mentioned doing a half marathon about a month before competing.

[Hockeychic]

Last year while training for my goofy I ended up with bone spurs and PF so I only got in 1 long walk of 16M and 1 of 15M and was fine. I would like to get in a 20 M this time and will follow MFM. Haven't decided yet on the marathon or goofy but will train for the marathon

[windwalker]

Kimmer, that's a problem I share, I have a bone spur and occassional PF that I brought home from the Air Force. My long running career left me with that and if I try to increase weekly miles to fast it gives me discomfort.

That rule of increasing no more than 10% per week with miles and never work on increasing speed and miles in the same week, is a good one. Training every other day is great if you do quality workouts and then do some sort of cross training on the opposite days.

Dave:hippie:

[nkkilala]

Hello everyone!

Just had to chime in and thank you for all of the wonderful advice!

Also regarding PF. I work in a physical therapy clinic (going to school to be a physical therapy assistant) and we do this GREAT treatment for PF that has really good results! It is called ASTYM. I would recommend you see a physical therapist for this treatment. It requires special certification so you can look up which PTs perform ASTYM (http://www.astym.com) on their website! Maybe it will work for you!

[Daisybelle]

That rule of increasing no more than 10% per week with miles and never work on increasing speed and miles in the same week, is a good one. Training every other day is great if you do quality workouts and then do some sort of cross training on the opposite days.

Dave:hippie:

Quick question if that's ok! I've been adding a mile every couple of weeks. What you are saying is that I should add an extra 10% each week instead? For instance I'm planning on going to 4 miles this week. With the 10% rule I would only do 3.3. Is that easier on the body?

[windwalker]

Quick question if that's ok! I've been adding a mile every couple of weeks. What you are saying is that I should add an extra 10% each week instead? For instance I'm planning on going to 4 miles this week. With the 10% rule I would only do 3.3. Is that easier on the body?

Yes by all means do the 4 miles. Right now you can add more, when you have built up to doing 10 miles then the 10% rule is more important. that's ten miles for a total week. For your long walk of the week right now still only increase a mile every other week.

If you are doing 3 miles total for the week then you can safely add a mile per week till you reach 10 total. Once you hit 10 miles total for the week then don't add any more for a week. Then add a mile to your long walk of the week. Each week after that you can add 10% spread out over the whole week, not all on the one day.

An ideal schedule to build toward right now is 4 walks a week, alternating a rest or crosstraining day between. Walk 3 days of 3 to 5 miles and the 4th your long day increasing to 8 miles. When you are comfortably doing 20 miles a week you can cruise at that level since you are in shape to finish a half and need only add a couple of months of slowly increasing miles to 30 when you want to finish a marathon.

These are the minimum required to comfortably walk and finish a half or full. If you are a runner you need more miles. The difference is that you don't run during your daily activities but you do walk. So if you normally walk a couple of miles a day or more that adds up.

Dave

[windwalker]

Cross training should work some different muscles than your walk muscles. Pushing a mower, raking leaves, walking on trails, swimming, biking, gym classes, most anything that get's your heart rate up and makes you sweat works.

I like to go to the pool, get in the 5' deep end and run laps in the water. I do that a couple of days a week for an hour, then stretch. This works well for me since the resistence of the water makes the workout similar to a light weight workout.

I try for an hour to an hour and a half of exercise 5 to 6 days a week with my rest day determined by my work schedule. The older you are the more recovery time you need between workouts. My days of twice a day workouts are over, darn it.

Dave:hippie:

[windwalker]

Monday, June 14, 2010
Heat Training

I have spent a lot of my life in hot climates. Four years in Southern Louisiana, nine year in the Las Vegas desert and five years in Okinawa. All these places were very hot and in the case of Vegas, although not as humid, very extreme temperatures. I leaned a lot about training in the heat from my years of running in these climates.

To start with we were designed to not only survive but to thrive in these temperatures. Human civilization, according to what our best scholars can figure out, started in the hotter climates. We only later branched out to the other areas of the planet.

I learned that you need to stay hydrated all the time, keep a drink handy all day so you can drink some several times an hour. The old rule of thumb of 8 eight ounce glasses of water is a minimum. If you exercise in the heat every day that's not enough. Remember this: It's an old American Indian saying, "it's the water in your body that does you good, not the water in your canteen". Basicly that means if you are heading out into the heat for a hard workout you need to have all your required fluids in you not in a bottle you are going to be sipping during the workout.

I don't drink during a 5K and I will only occasionally take a drink during a 10K. But I will go into the race well hydrated and start drinking again as soon as the race is over. During a 10 mile or longer race I will hit all the aid stops and drink the Powerade or Gatorade, I drink that for the fluid but also the electrolytes and calories. Since you burn a 100 calories a mile, the calories from the sports drinks helps you feed your cells with easily digested sugars. Solid food takes to long to digest to do you any good. That's why Goos and Gels are so popular. Fruit will digest quickly also so a lot of longer races will have bananas and oranges on the course for the athletes.

Another observation I've noticed over the years is that sometime after the heat of the year starts that I will have a workout where I feel the heat really bad and I get a dizzy feeling. I will stop working out when this happens and cool down with water and shade or air conditioning if available. But after this happens once, my body handles the heat much better. It's like I'm feeling my body acclimate to the heat. This has happened many times and I've learned that untill it does I need to stay close to where I can get water and cool down. Once it happens I can start doing longer walks where I cover a lot of distance.

Heat is dangerous but heat is also not a reason to stop training. It just needs to be respected and you need to be prepared for how you will react to heat training. Stay hydrated and untill your sure of how the heat will affect you, stay close to help.

Dave:hippie:

[Daisybelle]

This last post on dealing with heat is perfect timing! It finally got warm here in Oregon over the weekend and I about did myself in yesterday. I was well-hydrated (I thought) and had water with me but about an hour after my walk I felt TERRIBLE.
Is this when drinks like gatorade come in handy? Would it be more beneficial to have that with me instead of water on warmer days with big walks?

[windwalker]

This last post on dealing with heat is perfect timing! It finally got warm here in Oregon over the weekend and I about did myself in yesterday. I was well-hydrated (I thought) and had water with me but about an hour after my walk I felt TERRIBLE.
Is this when drinks like gatorade come in handy? Would it be more beneficial to have that with me instead of water on warmer days with big walks?

Yes the sports drinks have some electrolytes and calories of easily digested sugars so they keep you from getting that feeling you were experiencing.

Dave:hippie:

[windwalker]

We all want to be winners, we dream of it, we hunger for it. But if we did win every time we took the field then winning would be routine and not the amazing moment that it is for most of us. For most of us finishing well in a race is satisfying and special, even when finishing well is to merely finish.

The heat will be with us for a while now but we can't let it stop our training. If we are to call our selves athletes we must be able to function in heat and the cold. We are winners each time we don't give in to excuses and do our workouts.

Dave:hippie:

[es45]

windwalker: so glad that you posted about the heat. Last week, the heat during my training was so unbearable that I cut it short. I didn't want to go out the next day (it was hotter) but decided to do it anyway. You are right, in spite of it being hotter, I could handle it a bit better and a bit longer because of the experience the day before.:thumbsup2

[windwalker]

Free Form

Today was, I believe, a turning point in my training. It was hot, 82 degrees with high humidity. My plan was to have an LSD to start acclimating to the heat of summer and working on endurance. Then I had one of those moments. The song lyrics, on my iPod, were, "Freedom comes when you learn to let go". Wow, talk about a Revelation, the light bulb came on and I realized something I'd been missing.

I went into free form mode. Suddenly technique was natural not something I was forcing my body to do. Because I just loosened up and let it flow. Now this was my first long distance on a really hot day this year, but the pace was easy, my body was responding to the rhythm. My original plan was 10 miles but by 9 miles I'd had plenty. It was an amazing workout but I didn't force it, I went with how I felt, my body performed well, but when I started running out of steam I stopped.

I had a couple of rough spots, the first when I hit where my normal long distance walks stop, six and a half miles. Then when I passed a fence with a large angry pit bull behind it. My heart rate soared there and finally when I was nearly run down in a cross walk by a couple of guys smoking and drinking beer. The driver had to swerve the old Buick wide to keep from hitting me.

I can't wait to get to the track next week and practice what I learned today about letting go and letting the motion flow.

Dave:hippie:

[windwalker]

I think I'm going to have to lace my shoes different on each foot. I started lacing them a bit different to take pressure off my lower shin, which made my achillies tendonitis feel better but irritated my right heel. So today I changed it back and my achillies is singing and my right heel feels better. So I'm keep the right normal and doing the other method on my left for the next walk.

Dave:hippie:

[Hockeychic]

It is hard finding the even balance isn't it Dave, I have to have mine pretty secure as I suffer huge with blisters if I lighten up just a bit. I do everything to protect my heals, bandages, 2 layer socks.

[windwalker]

I tried the new lacing with the stability version of my Mizuno racing flats. Tomorrow I'll try it with the neutral cushion version. My feet are sore after my 5 miler on the hills.

Dave:hippie:

[queen mimi]

As a walker with a tiny bit of running, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate this thread. I started out training 22 months ago after a lifetime of inactivity. In that 22 month span, I have done two 10 K races and 4 Half Marathons. My next race is the Air Force Half Marathon in September. I feel that I need to step up my training to include cross training. I just can't seem to get that aspect going. Walking the miles 4 or 5 days a week isn't an issue. Any one have any ideas about cross training motivation?

Meg

[queen mimi]

As a walker with a tiny bit of running, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate this thread. I started out training 22 months ago after a lifetime of inactivity. In that 22 month span, I have done two 10 K races and 4 Half Marathons. My next race is the Air Force Half Marathon in September. I feel that I need to step up my training to include cross training. I just can't seem to get that aspect going. Walking the miles 4 or 5 days a week isn't an issue. Any one have any ideas about cross training motivation?

Meg

[windwalker]

Hello Meg welcome to the walking place.

Cross training is all in how you approach exercise. Anything that hits your muscles in a different way than your primary sport, walking, is cross training. You can actually get your cross training with walking. If you normally walk on the road or other hard surface then hit the trail or the grass one day a week. Walking on grass or a dirt trail helps with balance and works your ankles and your whole body differently to an extent.

Another way to cross train is to do some things manually that you normally don't do like washing the car or mowing the yard with a push mower. Any type of yard work like raking leaves or in the winter shoveling snow is great cross training.

My cross training is to go to the pool, at the health club and running laps in the 5 foot deep end. The water resistance works my entire body. Then of course good stretching after.

Another thing I recommend is combining activities. Do your walk then go right into something else like the marketing or house work, that way you are in motion longer.

Walking steps is a wonderful way to hit your leg muscles differently. It gives you a strength training workout and the down portion helps with your balance and coordination.

Dave:hippie:

[Cotillard]

I'm interested in walking the various marathons held at WDW. I am not a runner. Is walking even allowed/offered? Could someone please tell me how I can find info on the marathons (Princess? other?) and how to sign up for them? Thanks.

[windwalker]

I'm interested in walking the various marathons held at WDW. I am not a runner. Is walking even allowed/offered? Could someone please tell me how I can find info on the marathons (Princess? other?) and how to sign up for them? Thanks.

Yes the Disney races are very walker friendly. When the time limits get to strick the WISH goes to battle to get it changed. The half and full marathons have a 16 min per mile pace limit. That is very doable if you walk regularly to get ready for it.

Do a search for Disney endurance sports or just search disney marathon.

Dave:hippie:

[ultramickeymouse]

I'm interested in walking the various marathons held at WDW. I am not a runner. Is walking even allowed/offered? Could someone please tell me how I can find info on the marathons (Princess? other?) and how to sign up for them? Thanks.

Check out http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/sports/endurance/index

[windwalker]

Please notice the thread I started on Pearl izumi shoe company slamming marathon walkers.

Dave:hippie:

[es45]

Dave, how fast do you walk? I'm wondering what a safe goal would be, perhaps a 15-minute mile?

[windwalker]

Dave, how fast do you walk? I'm wondering what a safe goal would be, perhaps a 15-minute mile?

Good question. It all has to do with distance your going. When I'm walking quarter mile sprints (interval training) I walk about 9:20 per mile pace. My best mile pace right now is right around 10 min per mile and my 5K is around 35 min. My best half this year was 2:45 which comes to around 12:30 per mile for the half and 11: for the 5K.

When you are training first think good technique. Walk in a straight line, arm swing more to the back than the front and walk straight up and not bent forward.

Do a minimum of three walks of at least 30 min a week and try to find time for 4 to 5 times a week. When you have a good routine down then do one of your walks longer then the others, walk that one for an hour instead of a half hour. Then make one of your walks at a faster pace than the others. Add 10 or 15 min to your long walk every other week till you have it to 2 hours.

When you can walk for 2 hours briskly and feel at the end that you have plenty left you are ready to walk a half marathon.

Dave:hippie:

[Cotillard]

Yes the Disney races are very walker friendly. When the time limits get to strick the WISH goes to battle to get it changed. The half and full marathons have a 16 min per mile pace limit. That is very doable if you walk regularly to get ready for it.

Do a search for Disney endurance sports or just search disney marathon.

Dave:hippie:

Check out http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/sports/endurance/index

Thank you both so much. I can't wait to walk my first Disney marathon :cool1: I appreciate your help!

[Cotillard]

Good question. It all has to do with distance your going. When I'm walking quarter mile sprints (interval training) I walk about 9:20 per mile pace. My best mile pace right now is right around 10 min per mile and my 5K is around 35 min. My best half this year was 2:45 which comes to around 12:30 per mile for the half and 11: for the 5K.

When you are training first think good technique. Walk in a straight line, arm swing more to the back than the front and walk straight up and not bent forward.

Do a minimum of three walks of at least 30 min a week and try to find time for 4 to 5 times a week. When you have a good routine down then do one of your walks longer then the others, walk that one for an hour instead of a half hour. Then make one of your walks at a faster pace than the others. Add 10 or 15 min to your long walk every other week till you have it to 2 hours.

When you can walk for 2 hours briskly and feel at the end that you have plenty left you are ready to walk a half marathon.

Dave:hippie:

Wow! Even walking the half marathon is going to take a lot of training :upsidedow

[escape]

Hi Dave!!!! :wave:

Steve and I are thinking about doing a Dave McGovern race walking clinic in August. Have you heard anything about these clinics (good or bad)? I want to become fast like you (at the very least, faster than I am now.) :teeth:

[johde]

Wow! Even walking the half marathon is going to take a lot of training :upsidedow

The time commitment to train to walk a half marathon is probably going to be longer than the time commitment to run it. My long 10 mile training walk was over two and a half hours long at about a 16 minute mile. A runner going a 10 min/mile is going to complete the same distance is 1:40.

[Lynn G]

I'm interested in walking the various marathons held at WDW. I am not a runner. Is walking even allowed/offered? Could someone please tell me how I can find info on the marathons (Princess? other?) and how to sign up for them? Thanks.

Dave and Robert have answered alot of your questions, I just wanted to add that I have walked WDW half and full marathons and DL half marathons. They even let me finish the last WDW half I did which was just a few months after knee surgery - so I was really slow - about a 17 m/m overall pace. As long as you can maintain a 16 m/m pace for the 13 miles, you will do fine, there are quite a few of us at the back of the pack!

Hi Kim!

[windwalker]

Sorry I haven't been keeping up but I'm having some life issues that are taking a toll. A nice case of PF isn't helping either.

However, I'm going to the pool this morning and get my grove back and maybe on the road to recovery on a lot of levels.

Dave:hippie:

[Bibbidi]

I started running last summer to train for the Disney Princess Half, but due to some health issues--I never did get my running very far off the ground. I've found that with my newly diagnosed exercise-induced asthma problem walking is soooo much better for me than trying to run. Here's my question though--I know nothing about walking specific shoes--I know there is a lot of personal taste involved, but are there certain brands that walkers tend to find most comfortable?

[windwalker]

I started running last summer to train for the Disney Princess Half, but due to some health issues--I never did get my running very far off the ground. I've found that with my newly diagnosed exercise-induced asthma problem walking is soooo much better for me than trying to run. Here's my question though--I know nothing about walking specific shoes--I know there is a lot of personal taste involved, but are there certain brands that walkers tend to find most comfortable?

I suggest you make a trip to a good real running store and get fitted for a shoe that fits your gait, foot and walking style. Once you have become a strong walker with a good base then go back again and get analized again, since when you get stronger your gait and stride change.

I use the Mizuno racing flats, Ronin 2 and Musha 2 styles. I like the lower heel height and the cushioning.

Dave:hippie:

[Bibbidi]

Dave, thanks for the advice on walking shoes. My DH is a runner, so I know he can point me in the direction of a good running store around here. I have super running shoes, but they're a little too bulky in the heel for walking--I'll have to check out those Mizunos you mentioned.

[Hockeychic]

Hi Lynn!!!!!:hug:

[windwalker]

I will have a class on here about getting over PF as soon as I do. I'm stretching, icing and taking a joint health drink called Elation.

Hi Kimmer.

Dave:hippie:

[Hockeychic]

Hi Dave :hug::hug:

Yes please do put a post in here about beating PF, you advise worked great for Mike last year and it was enough for me to at least finish my races, still in pain but was able to finish so for many more out there working through PF your advise will be priceless.

[Lynn G]

I have delay with PF and the doc I went to also had me taking Ibruprophen As an anti-inflammatory and sleeping with a night splint on my foot.

[MaMa3Princess]

I can't wait for the post on PF. I am new to speed walking and I did a 10k this 4th of July and I made all the classic mistakes. Starting out too fast, not having proper form and keeping an uneven pace. My feet feel like flames of fire underneath. Now that I understand better and am really researching how to properly walk for racing, I definetely want to avoid PF.

[windwalker]

I can't wait for the post on PF. I am new to speed walking and I did a 10k this 4th of July and I made all the classic mistakes. Starting out too fast, not having proper form and keeping an uneven pace. My feet feel like flames of fire underneath. Now that I understand better and am really researching how to properly walk for racing, I definitely want to avoid PF.

Well this PF issue of mine popped up after I tried to go from walk training every other day to 5 days a week. So far my battle plan is take a week off from training, which is over tomorrow, and go back to every other day walking and pool work on the other days.

I'm using a joint health drink, called Elation, to take my vitamin every morning and stretching everyday. I'm icing when I remember.

Dave:hippie:

[Cotillard]

Dave and Robert have answered alot of your questions, I just wanted to add that I have walked WDW half and full marathons and DL half marathons. They even let me finish the last WDW half I did which was just a few months after knee surgery - so I was really slow - about a 17 m/m overall pace. As long as you can maintain a 16 m/m pace for the 13 miles, you will do fine, there are quite a few of us at the back of the pack!

Hi Kim!

Thank you. So great to hear from someone who has walked so many marathons. I've never walked 13 miles quickly before, much less 26. I'm so excited at the thought of reaching that though!

I can't wait for the post on PF. I am new to speed walking and I did a 10k this 4th of July and I made all the classic mistakes. Starting out too fast, not having proper form and keeping an uneven pace. My feet feel like flames of fire underneath. Now that I understand better and am really researching how to properly walk for racing, I definetely want to avoid PF.

Can you tell me about how fast you walk, in general? I walk between 4.5 and 5mph at this point but it is just my natural exercise walk speed. I get passed by women all the time who are shorter/taller/bigger/smaller/older and younger than I! How do you do it? Any training tips? Thanks!

[windwalker]

Cotillard your pace is awesome, 5mph is a 12 min mile so your right there with the good walkers already. A 12:30 pace puts you finishing a half marathon around 2:45.

I'll heading out to do a training walk this morning with my race walking students, we will be averaging a 12 mpm pace on our hilly trail course. I've rested and not walk trained for a week and my PF is much better. If today goes well I'll pool train tomorrow and friday do an easy 5 miles, then race on Saturday.

Dave:hippie:

[Cotillard]

Cotillard your pace is awesome, 5mph is a 12 min mile so your right there with the good walkers already. A 12:30 pace puts you finishing a half marathon around 2:45.

I'll heading out to do a training walk this morning with my race walking students, we will be averaging a 12 mpm pace on our hilly trail course. I've rested and not walk trained for a week and my PF is much better. If today goes well I'll pool train tomorrow and friday do an easy 5 miles, then race on Saturday.

Dave:hippie:

Thanks. This gives me hope. I'm going to check out your blog now :)

[mishoe01]

In my limited experience, I would agree that average total weekly miles is more important that longest distance walked. I used the John Bingham "Marathoning for Mortals" walking plan for the basis of my first 1/2 marathon. His plan is 3 days a week of walking. I worked up to 5 miles 2 days a week and then my long walk. His plan peaks with weeks of 8, 6, 10, 8. I had started early for fear of bad weather and was able to add 2 9's with 6's inbetween as well. So, I had an average weekly milage of 18 to 20 miles for a good month or more before the half marathon.

From what I've read, the advantage of the 10mi or longer walk, in a person who's goal is just to finish, is more psycological than physical. A friend of mine finished a half marathon with a longest walk of 6 miles, but she was walking 4 to 6 miles five or six days a week for a couple of months before someone mentioned doing a half marathon about a month before competing.

I have the M4M book too....pulled it off the shelf this morning. Goal is to do the Princess 1/2 marathon in Feb.

[Cotillard]

The time commitment to train to walk a half marathon is probably going to be longer than the time commitment to run it. My long 10 mile training walk was over two and a half hours long at about a 16 minute mile. A runner going a 10 min/mile is going to complete the same distance is 1:40.

I forgot to say "thank you" for this bit of wisdom. Yes, I can see that it's going to take time to walk 13.1 miles. I've never done it. I need to add on bit by bit, I guess. It seems intimidating but hopefully it won't be.

Cotillard your pace is awesome, 5mph is a 12 min mile so your right there with the good walkers already. A 12:30 pace puts you finishing a half marathon around 2:45.

I'll heading out to do a training walk this morning with my race walking students, we will be averaging a 12 mpm pace on our hilly trail course. I've rested and not walk trained for a week and my PF is much better. If today goes well I'll pool train tomorrow and friday do an easy 5 miles, then race on Saturday.

Dave:hippie:

OK - I messed up somewhere. I blame my phone's pedometer app! :laughing: I am not walking a 12-min. mile. I just found a runner's calculator online and my pace works out to 14:36 based on the distance (5.2mi.) and my walking time (76 min.)
Turns out I'm only walking about 4.1mph. But that is without really pushing - just showing up. So now I'm inspired!
Thank you so much for all this information and wisdom :flower3:

[windwalker]

I just returned from spending the wekend in Nashville so haven't been able to post.

I walked a 2 miler with my girlfriend last night and it felt funny not being in the mix to win but a good time anyway. Hopefully this PF injury will be healed before the next race in Aug.

Dave:hippie:

[MeredithRX]

Yay! A walking thread! This is fabulous.

I decided while watching the 2010 Princess HM that I was definitely going to participate in 2011. I've been a couch potato (with three very small potatoes with me at all times :rotfl: ) and got up that afternoon after the race and started walking. I'm up to 8 miles as my long distance so far, but I can only steadily hold about a 15:30 mile. I do go closer to 15 mpm on my shorter walks but obviously I don't have a lot of time cushion built in there!

I decided that I would sign up for the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon in October to give me a 'test run' for the Princess in February. It also has a 3.5 hour time limit, but I'm assuming that's gun time and since I'll be at the back of the pack starting, I'll have to find a way to step it up!

Any advice on getting faster is greatly appreciated!

[windwalker]

Yay! A walking thread! This is fabulous.

I decided while watching the 2010 Princess HM that I was definitely going to participate in 2011. I've been a couch potato (with three very small potatoes with me at all times :rotfl: ) and got up that afternoon after the race and started walking. I'm up to 8 miles as my long distance so far, but I can only steadily hold about a 15:30 mile. I do go closer to 15 mpm on my shorter walks but obviously I don't have a lot of time cushion built in there!

I decided that I would sign up for the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon in October to give me a 'test run' for the Princess in February. It also has a 3.5 hour time limit, but I'm assuming that's gun time and since I'll be at the back of the pack starting, I'll have to find a way to step it up!

Any advice on getting faster is greatly appreciated!


Sounds like you are doing great. The people I've worked with have agreed that 8 mile long walks will carry you through walking a strong half marathon. The Disney races require a 16 mpm pace but the time starts when the last person crosses the starting line.

As Sarah Palin says "Be a Momma Grizzly". Or as your resident walking panda advises, "Get your best Grrrrrr!! on".

Good luck in your training and welcome to our walking thread.

Dave:hippie:

[MeredithRX]

Thanks Dave! That's very encouraging. I'd love to get at least one 14 mile distance in before that half in October, but I know that's just a mental thing. Once I've done it once, I know I can do it and it's like getting past that first wall!

We'll see!

[grammynelliebelle]

Haven't read the whole thread but am very interested in walking the princess 5K advice. I really need to train for this. It will be my first time doing anything. I am going to be 64 at the time of the race and am overweight and have arthritis. HOWEVER, I really want to do this, so I will do what I need to do. Anybody have a program in mind that would be appropriate for me? I did make a MD apt to get an ok to proceed. Currently I can walk a mile in about 20 minutes, so I really have to get on some kind of a reasonable, safe program. TIA Grammy

[johde]

Grammy I've used Hal Higdon's plans before. He has a 5K walking plan at http://www.halhigdon.com/5K%20Training/5-Kwalk.htm . It starts out just about where you are now and slowly build distance over 8 weeks.

[windwalker]

Hey there guys. This is great helping each other is what this thread is all about.

Walkers are indeed athletes and darn good ones to.

Dave:hippie:

[MeredithRX]

I am so excited! I finally caved in and bought myself a nice treadmill. I can't explain how good it feels to have one coming (and KNOW that this one isn't going to be a dust-catcher like our last one was :lmao: ). And, this will make things so much easier for me. I have MS and sometimes the heat and humidity here in the south just don't agree with me. The only walking I've been able to do in the last 2 weeks was my long distance last weekend. I hate not being able to get out and go!

It should be here in about a week and I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas.

And Dave, I appreciated your post earlier about walking on the treadmill. I have heard so many people say that you get 'spoiled' when not walking outdoors,etc. In my opinion, getting the walking in at all is better than NOT walking - but I don't think I'll be 'spoiled' by using it. I'm excited about how this will open up opportunities for me, even when I'm having a bad day with my MS. I don't have to walk miles way from home and worry about getting back!

Can you tell I'm thrilled? :cool1:

[grammynelliebelle]

:goodvibesGrammy I've used Hal Higdon's plans before. He has a 5K walking plan at http://www.halhigdon.com/5K%20Training/5-Kwalk.htm . It starts out just about where you are now and slowly build distance over 8 weeks.

Thanks Jeremy! I just checked the site out and it looks just like what I need (and can do)!:goodvibes Grammy

[windwalker]

Panda approved breakfast this morning was Special K cereal with fresh blueberries and skim milk, a cup of coffee and a multi vitamin. What did everyone else have that was healthy to start the day?

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because your body will release stored fat calories if it's had food, if it hasn't been feed it will hold on to those stored calories because it doesn't know when it will get fed again. It's a built in survival instinct.

Dave:hippie:

[MaMa3Princess]

I just want to say Grammy, I am so proud of you for making the commitment to yourself as I have a mom who is 60 and very inactive. I would love if she would just get up and try. SO hats off to you! You can do it, you are such an inspiration:goodvibes

[grammynelliebelle]

Thanks Ma Ma! I am embarassed a little because, believe me, I wouldn't consider myself an inspiration. It's just that lately I have been feeling a little down and was attributing it to getting older, but I think I realized that it was not getting older that was the problem, but my inactivity and poor condition. You cant do anything about the years (except be thankful for them!) but I can do something about the inactivity and poor habits. Thanks again for your support. Grammy

[John VN]

Panda approved breakfast this morning was Special K cereal with fresh blueberries and skim milk, a cup of coffee and a multi vitamin. What did everyone else have that was healthy to start the day?

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because your body will release stored fat calories if it's had food, if it hasn't been feed it will hold on to those stored calories because it doesn't know when it will get fed again. It's a built in survival instinct.

Dave:hippie:

Up at 3:00AM getting ready to take DGS fishing. We hit the Gulf beach but westerly winds brought nothing but waves and seaweed. He did catch a shell though.

Got home and ate Eggbeater's with Chili powder and Organic Turmeric on Whole Wheat then a bowl of uncooked rolled oats with honey and cinnamon, ground flaxseed, raisins, nuts and a glass of milk to take fish oil, senior vitamin, and Curcumin95 pills.

[Cotillard]

I had so much fun! It was a very small event, in part due to the bad weather we have been having. I think that the small crowd made it a nice introduction into races. I was nearly last, but I felt good the whole way through and couldn't stop smiling for hours afterwards. I was just under an hour. Slow, but it's a start! I've started looking for my next event. I have my eye on one in July; I'll have to see if the date will work out.

Thank you so much for asking! :yay:

I've been reading through this whole thread and wanted to say that I love this post! I hope I feel as happy after my (very first!) walk/race this Saturday!

Thanks for all the great info and encouragement everyone.

[grammynelliebelle]

I've been reading through this whole thread and wanted to say that I love this post! I hope I feel as happy after my (very first!) walk/race this Saturday!

Thanks for all the great info and encouragement everyone.

The best to you and let us know how you make out!:goodvibesGrammy

[Cotillard]

The best to you and let us know how you make out!:goodvibesGrammy

Thanks. I will :)

[Hockeychic]

Cotillard: Good luck this Saturday and let us know how you did.

Dave: I have the same breaky every morning ....unless of course I am at disney and have Tonga Toast....ohhhh yummmmm. Ok enough day dreaming.

I have tea, oatmeal, 1 tbsp of wheat germ, 1 tbsp of ground flax, 3 egg whites, milk and 1 tsp of sugar in my tea and 1 in my oatmeal.

[windwalker]

Cotillard: Good luck this Saturday and let us know how you did.

Dave: I have the same breaky every morning ....unless of course I am at disney and have Tonga Toast....ohhhh yummmmm. Ok enough day dreaming.

I have tea, oatmeal, 1 tbsp of wheat germ, 1 tbsp of ground flax, 3 egg whites, milk and 1 tsp of sugar in my tea and 1 in my oatmeal.

Ok I give up what is Tonga Toast?

I'm still rehabing that PF so no walking till next wed.:rolleyes1

Dave:hippie:

[grammynelliebelle]

Tonga toast is a deep fried french toast with bannas in the middle. Definitely a WDW indulgence! Today I had golean and cherrios mixed with skim milk. Coffee, vitamins and water. Will grab some fruit mid morning. Out today for my walk. Best wishes to all of the "walkers" and "runners" Grammy

[John VN]

Up at 3:00AM getting ready to take DGS fishing. We hit the Gulf beach but westerly winds brought nothing but waves and seaweed. He did catch a shell though.

Got home and ate Eggbeater's with Chili powder and Organic Turmeric on Whole Wheat then a bowl of uncooked rolled oats with honey and cinnamon, ground flaxseed, raisins, nuts and a glass of milk to take fish oil, senior vitamin, and Curcumin95 pills.

Fished again this morning, hit the beach at 6:15, this time DGS (8yo) caught a flounder. He asked of we were going to have it for breakfast:lmao:. Told him no way since grandma loves fresh caught Gulf of Mexico flounder. Got back home, prepped fish for dinner, he had a Pop Tart I had my rolled Oats.

Today is a rest day in our W&D schedule but I am thinking about a 45 mile bike ride with the younger fast boys tonight.

Have a good day every one.

[grammynelliebelle]

How are the walkers doing today? Good luck to those in an event this weekend. Grammy

[windwalker]

How are the walkers doing today? Good luck to those in an event this weekend. Grammy

I'm still a non walker right now but as soon as this PF is beaten I'm going to be back to getting my miles in.

Mentally ready but letting body have it's way for the time being.

Dave:hippie:

[grammynelliebelle]

Hello to everyone! Windwalker hope you are feeling better! I have been following the walking plan suggested to me on this thread and it has been working well. Thanks so much. Grammy

[windwalker]

Hello to everyone! Windwalker hope you are feeling better! I have been following the walking plan suggested to me on this thread and it has been working well. Thanks so much. Grammy

I'm coming to the end of my planned 2 week rest period for healing my PF. I did some walking in the pool today and then stretched really good. I going to try walk training again on wed and then go on an every other day schedule. Later after I have regained my strength I'll add another day but 4 days of walk training a week is going to be my limit.

Glad to hear your training is going well Grammy.

Dave:hippie:

[Benducci]

I just registered for the Princess Half Marathon and I intend to walk the bulk of it - I just am not a running. I am hoping to jog some of it!

[windwalker]

I just registered for the Princess Half Marathon and I intend to walk the bulk of it - I just am not a running. I am hoping to jog some of it!

You can do it princess. Get your Best Grrrrrrrr! on and make it happen. You are boss of your life.pirate:

Dave:hippie:

[Cotillard]

Happy Monday :cutie:

My first experience in a run/walk was this Saturday. I had such a great time. But I was pretty nervous beforehand!
I walked the 4 mi. in 58:40:16. I didn't "race" but I definitely walked hard the whole way and passed some other walkers at the end. I'd say 95% of the people there were running.
What can I say - I loved it! Looking forward to a 5K in September and another in early October.
For anyone who knows - how does it work if you both run and walk in a 5K or other race, as far as your "time" - it seems like it's not fair to full-blown walkers to have a time based on some running? (I'm doing the C25K right now for fun.)
Thanks.

[Cotillard]

I just registered for the Princess Half Marathon and I intend to walk the bulk of it - I just am not a running. I am hoping to jog some of it!

I think I'm gonna go register now.

You can do it princess. Get your Best Grrrrrrrr! on and make it happen. You are boss of your life.pirate:

Dave:hippie:

I just teared up a bit when I read this. You're so right. And you're awesome for saying it. I surely wish I'd realized at a younger age that I am THE BOSS of my life :headache:

[windwalker]

Happy Monday :cutie:

My first experience in a run/walk was this Saturday. I had such a great time. But I was pretty nervous beforehand!
I walked the 4 mi. in 58:40:16. I didn't "race" but I definitely walked hard the whole way and passed some other walkers at the end. I'd say 95% of the people there were running.
What can I say - I loved it! Looking forward to a 5K in September and another in early October.
For anyone who knows - how does it work if you both run and walk in a 5K or other race, as far as your "time" - it seems like it's not fair to full-blown walkers to have a time based on some running? (I'm doing the C25K right now for fun.)
Thanks.

Great job on your race, you did super.

To answer your question if there are awards for the walkers and you register as a walker do not run or jog. We walkers take our sport seriously and it's a point of pride to win our awards fairly. If it's an open race where you just register with no catagories but age group then do whatever feels good.

Dave:hippie:

[Cotillard]

Great job on your race, you did super.

To answer your question if there are awards for the walkers and you register as a walker do not run or jog. We walkers take our sport seriously and it's a point of pride to win our awards fairly. If it's an open race where you just register with no catagories but age group then do whatever feels good.

Dave:hippie:

Thanks!
And thanks for the explanation. That certainly makes sense. I knew it wouldn't be fair to walkers yet I've heard of people both running and walking in races. So I guess if you sign up as a runner and have to walk part of the time THAT is what can be done fairly b/c you're not going to win any awards for time but fairly get your medal for finishing.
It's all very new and exciting to me still!

[windwalker]

Thanks!
And thanks for the explanation. That certainly makes sense. I knew it wouldn't be fair to walkers yet I've heard of people both running and walking in races. So I guess if you sign up as a runner and have to walk part of the time THAT is what can be done fairly b/c you're not going to win any awards for time but fairly get your medal for finishing.
It's all very new and exciting to me still!

I'm planning to start back training on wed, I've taken 2 weeks off to heal my planter fasciitis (PF), I've lost some fitness but I'm not hurting much at all now. I have a half marathon scheduled on Sept 18th and then Oct 2nd I have the state trials for the National Senior Olympics. I race walk, a sport where you are judged on form as well as speed. I do all my races at proper technique because if you get in the habit of doing it right then judged competitions are not a problem.

Dave:hippie:

[Cotillard]

I'm planning to start back training on wed, I've taken 2 weeks off to heal my planter fasciitis (PF), I've lost some fitness but I'm not hurting much at all now. I have a half marathon scheduled on Sept 18th and then Oct 2nd I have the state trials for the National Senior Olympics. I race walk, a sport where you are judged on form as well as speed. I do all my races at proper technique because if you get in the habit of doing it right then judged competitions are not a problem.

Dave:hippie:

That is really cool. Way to go and good for you for giving yourself that time off. Is PF the one where your heels hurt like heck if you don't stretch your calves enough?
National Senior Olympics? That is incredibly impressive :cool1:

[windwalker]

That is really cool. Way to go and good for you for giving yourself that time off. Is PF the one where your heels hurt like heck if you don't stretch your calves enough?
National Senior Olympics? That is incredibly impressive :cool1:

Yes that's what PF is, feels like a nail stuck in your heel, ICK! The Senior Olympics are great because over 50s like me can compete in a national competition against our own age group. I went in 2007 and there were 12,000 total competitors in all the events. Bruce Jenner and Peggy Flemming lit our torch and Bruce gave a very good speech. We even had dancing to the oldies at the Expo with Richard Simmons. (I passed on that.)

Dave:hippie:

[Cotillard]

Yes that's what PF is, feels like a nail stuck in your heel, ICK! The Senior Olympics are great because over 50s like me can compete in a national competition against our own age group. I went in 2007 and there were 12,000 total competitors in all the events. Bruce Jenner and Peggy Flemming lit our torch and Bruce gave a very good speech. We even had dancing to the oldies at the Expo with Richard Simmons. (I passed on that.)

Dave:hippie:

LOL about Richard Simmons.
Hope your PF is behind you. Congrats on your incredible competitive spirit and abilities!

[grammynelliebelle]

Bumping up. Still walking. Grammy

[MeredithRX]

Hey Grammy!

I'm still walking too. I did my personal best distance of 10.1 miles yesterday and am very proud of myself (can you tell? :rotfl: )

I hope everyone is doing well!

[windwalker]

I'm still around to guys. I'm covering for another store and mine as well so I'm putting in 60 hr weeks and not getting much else done. But Hey I have a job.

My training last evening was a 10 min walk around the block. After a 2.5 hr drive here and working the Lenscrafters store by myself I was beat.

Keep on putting one foot in front of the other and we will all end up at the mouse house.

Dave:hippie:

[Benducci]

I like walking, I do not like running or jogging so I am thrilled to find others who would rather walk also. I do a 16 minute mile currently and am trying to get down to a 13 or 14 minute mile so I can do the Princess half marathon. I just started training so I figure I have time. Just rying to get my legs used to all this walking!

[DreamBeliever]

:wave2: Hello Windwalker and fellow walkers :wave2:

I've been away from these boards for quite a while, but I continue to walk for exercise and competitive events. I'll walk any course for a shiney new medal. I've participated in several Disney half marathons, Minnie Marathons, and Race for the Taste events. As you can see below, I'm currently training for the Wine and Dine Half in October. I'm considering the Princess Half in February if a bounce back is offered once I get to Disney in Oct. Yes, it is an addiction.

Now that I've found this thread, I'll be sure to stay in touch and I look forward to knowing you better.

[windwalker]

:wave2: Hello Windwalker and fellow walkers :wave2:

I've been away from these boards for quite a while, but I continue to walk for exercise and competitive events. I'll walk any course for a shiney new medal. I've participated in several Disney half marathons, Minnie Marathons, and Race for the Taste events. As you can see below, I'm currently training for the Wine and Dine Half in October. I'm considering the Princess Half in February if a bounce back is offered once I get to Disney in Oct. Yes, it is an addiction.

Now that I've found this thread, I'll be sure to stay in touch and I look forward to knowing you better.

Welcome back princess.princess:

[DreamBeliever]

Welcome back princess.princess:

Thank you!

As much as I love training for these events, the heat and humidity of this summer is torture. We all need to be extra mindful of our energy and hydration levels.

Good luck walking and training.

[escape]

I'm planning to start back training on wed, I've taken 2 weeks off to heal my planter fasciitis (PF), I've lost some fitness but I'm not hurting much at all now. I have a half marathon scheduled on Sept 18th and then Oct 2nd I have the state trials for the National Senior Olympics. I race walk, a sport where you are judged on form as well as speed. I do all my races at proper technique because if you get in the habit of doing it right then judged competitions are not a problem.

Dave:hippie:

Hi Dave! I just took a race walking clinic with Dave McGovern. Wow! My shins are sore. I used muscles I never knew I had. I'd like to get into racewalking but I think I need to lose a lot more weight. Most of the speedy people seemed to be pretty lean. I guess that's true with regular walking and running. However, I think to get the proper technique with speed, you have to be fit and lean. I'll work on it after this fall. I may need your advice every now and then. I'll try not to bother you too much, though. :laughing:

[windwalker]

Susie you are never a bother darlin. I need to get my pudgy butt back in training to, I've been working a herd of hours so I haven't felt like training. But this week should be better.

Dave:hippie:

[Cotillard]

How's everyone doing?
I am doing Couch to 5K and incorporating it into my 5-mile walks. I must say, I love it! I'm almost through Week 5.

[Benducci]

Still walking here- I am still around a 1-16 minute mile but I am hoping to start speeding up. Doing a 5k this next month & I really hope to do it in 40-45 minutes.

[Cotillard]

Still walking here- I am still around a 1-16 minute mile but I am hoping to start speeding up. Doing a 5k this next month & I really hope to do it in 40-45 minutes.

Good luck with your 5K!

[DreamBeliever]

Just checking in with fellow walkers.

I'd be willing to walk in the rain to cool off from all this heat :cool1: Training this summer has been brutal. However, I think I'll be primed for the W&D Half. Last year, heat played a huge factor in my slow timing during the RFTT, but at I managed to cross the finish line. This year I say, BRING IT ON

Don't forget to hydrate!

[eyor44]

I haven't read the entire thread yet, but wanted to say thank you for starting it. I walked the 5K and 1/2 in January and will be back in January 2011. Can't wait.
I was able to maintain 13.5mm going in but the weather and crowds really slowed me down. I finished in the allotted time but not when I wanted.

If this is your first race, don't be discouraged by the crowds. I tried hard to stay out of others way at first, but soon found my pace and learned how to get through the crowd. I never stopped but found that I passed people the entire way.

[DisneyBride'03]

I haven't read the entire thread yet, but wanted to say thank you for starting it. I walked the 5K and 1/2 in January and will be back in January 2011. Can't wait.
I was able to maintain 13.5mm going in but the weather and crowds really slowed me down. I finished in the allotted time but not when I wanted.

If this is your first race, don't be discouraged by the crowds. I tried hard to stay out of others way at first, but soon found my pace and learned how to get through the crowd. I never stopped but found that I passed people the entire way.

Thanks for this post! I have been nervous abt the crowds!

I am glad I found this thread:) I have done one 5K local, and signed up for the Inagural Wine and Dine 1/2...I figured I would be down there for F & W, what better motivation for me to do this!!

My 5K was bitter cold...it hurt to breath! lol It was through a golf course...so very hilly but I maintained a 13 mm...now I have been training also for endurance....last week I did 7 miles and maintained abt a 14 mm...
I have abt 6 weeks left!!

I am getting nervous...I am going to try and practice the run/walk...run a few minutes...then walk...and repeat...I have never been a runner tho:(
My goal at this point is to cross that finish line and not be swept!!!

So yesterday was my DS17 bday and took him and GF to our Six Flags....I walked all day...through the park...thought it was good practice...on asphalt...crowds...theme park:laughing: and it was hot and humid...unfortunately did NOT have my pedometer! ugh!
Anyway, thanks for this thread:)

[BlazerFan]

Thanks everyone for having this walking thread. I am proud to be a walker and have no intention of becoming a runner. I've walked 2 marathons and several 1/2 marathons. I'm not super fast but I'm steady. I'm walking my first Disney event in 2 weeks and I'm excited about it.

A lot of good information here!

[Benducci]

What does everyone do in the bad weather? It is pouring here today so I did not go out to walk. I don't belong to a gym so I am kind of stuck. Trying to figure out what I am going to do once the cold weather starts.

[AlohaNow]

Hi everyone,
I don't have time to post much, but I do enjoy reading the threads and find this to be a very supportive community!

Earlier in this thread, shoes were mentioned. What type of shoes do you all walk in? I just purchased new Asics Nimbus for walking the Las Vegas Half in December. Then I read that walkers should utilize a shoe with a low heel, and these things are stacked to the max! They are SUPER comfortable, lots of padding (it really is like walking on clouds), but now I think I may have purchased the wrong type of shoe. I mean, you can't damage your feet by walking in running shoes, right?

Do you all prefer a walking-specific shoe? (which I know Asics does make)
Just looking to see what others have experienced on the shoe front. Thanks!

[windwalker]

Hi everyone,
I don't have time to post much, but I do enjoy reading the threads and find this to be a very supportive community!

Earlier in this thread, shoes were mentioned. What type of shoes do you all walk in? I just purchased new Asics Nimbus for walking the Las Vegas Half in December. Then I read that walkers should utilize a shoe with a low heel, and these things are stacked to the max! They are SUPER comfortable, lots of padding (it really is like walking on clouds), but now I think I may have purchased the wrong type of shoe. I mean, you can't damage your feet by walking in running shoes, right?

Do you all prefer a walking-specific shoe? (which I know Asics does make)
Just looking to see what others have experienced on the shoe front. Thanks!

You will be fine with those right now. You will find later as you get faster that a lower heel is more efficient but right now the extra cushion is super.

Dave:hippie:

[eyor44]

I use basic Reebok cross trainers. I tried more expensive shoes and they just didn't work for me.

Thursday I walked for 45 minutes at work and then another 30 at the soccer field. Both times I received comments about how fast I was walking. :cool1:

[queen mimi]

Finished walking my fifth Half Marathon, the USAF Half in Dayton, Ohio. Had my PB time of 3 hours and 20 minutes. It was so hot that didn't need to use the Porta potty at all since I sweated so much. That certainly shaves off a few minutes! Am trying to work in some running into my training. When race day comes, I go back to my tried and true walking. So far, it seems to be working. (Although I do admit, I run in the last little bit in front of the crowds) Next race is the inaugural Cincinnati Half Marathon in a month. Wonder how hot that will be....

[johde]

Congratulation Queen mimi. I did the USAF 10K last year. I'm walk/running the Columbus Half on Oct 17th. I'm guessing the weather by the end of October will be cooler. It may end up being cold.

[queen mimi]

I'm doing the inaugural Cincinnati Half Marathon at the end of October. Like you, I hope it's cooler. But, in Ohio, you never know what the fall weather will be like! Good luck in Columbus.

Meg

[momoflizandains]

Great thread. I'm (mostly) walking the half in January.

[dsnyfan21]

Hello,

For those wanting a "WISH racing team" Headsweats brand Visor and/or Hat by the January Marathon Weekend, please hurry and place your order over on the thread. I need to get the minimums before the end of the month so the order can be placed and I can get them mailed out to people.

Find the link below in my signature for the Hat/Visor order (not the special order Visor)

Thanks!!

[RatherBeWithMickey]

Hi everyone!
Am enjoying all the info in this thread. Just did my first Half Marathon relay this weekend in Hershey. What a blast! I had previously done 2 5K's, and have a goal of doing the WDW Half Marathon in January 2012. When the opportunity arose to do a "half" Half, I jumped at the chance. Was really pleased with my results, too. Didn't quite know what to expect, as I had never done that distance before. My son has been trying to give me advice, but he's a runner, and sometimes the "rules" are different for walkers and runners. It's great to have a resource that is focused on walking. So I'm sure I'll be sending lots of questions your way as my training continues!
Mindy

[escape]

Mindy, did you get lots of chocolate at the end? :teeth: Congratulations!!!

Dave - :bday: Hope it was a good one! :goodvibes

[RatherBeWithMickey]

Actually, there was chocolate involved!!:thumbsup2 Snack size Hershey bars during the race, plus a new chocolate energy drink (ReGen, I think was the name) made by a Hershey subsidiary. Not to mention the delish oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, large Hershey bar, and Pay Day bar in the goodie bags they gave out! :banana:
Mindy

[queen mimi]

I might have to sign up for that race! Just a little over a week until my next Half - the inaugural Cincinnati Half Marathon. On Friday, I will do my 10 mile walk. I've been averaging just about 15 minutes per mile. I do my long walks in a beautiful but very hilly huge historic cemetery. Gives me lots of things to look at while I'm walking (with a little bit of jogging). Nobody there seems to mind an out of shape, unathletic old lady walking down the road. If they mind, they keep it to themselves!

[eyor44]

Actually, there was chocolate involved!!:thumbsup2 Snack size Hershey bars during the race, plus a new chocolate energy drink (ReGen, I think was the name) made by a Hershey subsidiary. Not to mention the delish oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, large Hershey bar, and Pay Day bar in the goodie bags they gave out! :banana:
Mindy

This goody bag, I mean race sounds awesome!:thumbsup2

[RatherBeWithMickey]

It was pretty awesome. This was the inaugural, and they must have had some pretty good sponsors. My DS has been to several other races, and he says this was one of the best goodie bags he's ever gotten (of course, that cookie was pretty darn good, so that might have influenced his opinion!!) :lmao: Nice shirts, a towel, some of the usual little sample stuff, all in a nice laminated reusable shopping tote. Plus the Hershey Kiss medal was really cute! :thumbsup2 We definitely plan to do this race again next year.

[RatherBeWithMickey]

I might have to sign up for that race! Just a little over a week until my next Half - the inaugural Cincinnati Half Marathon. On Friday, I will do my 10 mile walk. I've been averaging just about 15 minutes per mile. I do my long walks in a beautiful but very hilly huge historic cemetery. Gives me lots of things to look at while I'm walking (with a little bit of jogging). Nobody there seems to mind an out of shape, unathletic old lady walking down the road. If they mind, they keep it to themselves!

:rotfl: Good luck with your race! Your long walks sound great. I do most of my training indoors on a treadmill, due to allergies and lack of a good place to walk nearby. Can get a little boring sometimes, but I try to spice it up by varying speeds and inclines. Plus a good playlist to keep me motivated. And I highly recommend the Hershey race. :thumbsup2

[queen mimi]

Did my 10 miles at the cemetery today. Weather was good but hills were big!! My pace at the end of the walk was much faster than at the beginning. Even put a few short runs in there. now comes my favorite time of training --tapering! I do my best work then.

[eyor44]

I am going to start posting my walks here also.

For clarification, right now, most days I don't know my mileage only time. I walk the halls after work and then around the soccer field while DD has practice.

Monday - 40 minutes of zumba
Tuesday - 35 minutes (work) and 30 minutes (soccer field)
Thursday - 48 minutes (work) and 45 minutes (soccer field)
Friday - 1.25 miles at track at 14 minute mile. DD was with me, couldn't keep up and got bored so I had to bring her home.

[queen mimi]

Great pace at 14 minute mile. Keep it up!

[eyor44]

Saturday - 30 minutes of dance
Monday - 20 minutes of zumba, 30 minutes of dance
Tuesday - 20 minutes of zumba/dance, 55 minutes walking (soccer field)

[queen mimi]

Walked the Cincinnati Half Marathon yesterday. Personal Best time of 3 hours 13 minutes. Pace was 14:44 mm. Very exciting. don't know if I will ever be that fast again!! Next Half is the Princess.

[Minnie Lor]

Great thread but where did everybody go?

[John VN]

Great thread but where did everybody go?

I was wondering this also.:confused3 From reading the posts its seems that everybody is walk/running or just running so there are very few, just walkers.

DW and I are strickly walkers, however I am a much faster walker when on my own. Our main goal of 2011 was to walk the 5K and Donald together and then I would do Mickey by myself. Things worked out so well we are heading to DL in Sept. to get our C2C Medals.:cool1:

Already have reservations at FW for 2012 Marathon Weekend so we must be hooked.:thumbsup2:thumbsup2

[Hockeychic]

I am still here.....

I am strictly a walker as well but do admit that I would like to be able to be a walker/jogger only to be able to be quicker on the course. I would like to do more marathons but being on the course for 7 hours is killer for me. Fortunatley the 2 years I walked the marathon it wasn't really hot and disney has a liberal time limit but most marathons I have looked at have 6 or 6.5 hour time limits and my best is about 6:50.

[johde]

I continue to lurk on this thread but for the most part I've moved on the walk/run combination. After my Walking half marathon, it seemed like I was getting the biggest speed bang for the buck by doing the combination over working on improving walking alone.

Hockey Chic - If you don't mind a bit of a road trip, the Cleveland Marathon has a course limit of 8 hours. I did the half last year and the course is "mostly" flat. There one decent sized hill in Miles 11-12.

[Hockeychic]

Is this the one in May? Thanks for the info. I am doing a 1/2 marathon that weekend and my son is doing a marathon but no always up for a road trip.:thumbsup2

[Minnie Lor]

I mostly walk with a wee bit of running. I'm trying to add Chi Running to my mix just to help get my pace up. I'm at a 14.5-15 min. pace without any running. I can't add too much running due to prior back issues. I really worry about the impact. I've looked at race walking and that looks like that would really throw the spine out of whack.

I walked a half last Oct. and will be doing one in June and October this year. I'm booked at WDW for the half next January and will sign up when the race becomes available. Would so love to get my pace up to 13.5 minute or even 12 if I added a bit of running.

[johde]

Is this the one in May? Thanks for the info. I am doing a 1/2 marathon that weekend and my son is doing a marathon but no always up for a road trip.:thumbsup2

Right, that's the one in May. Ohio has some fall marathons with some longer time limits as well. Columbus in October is 7.5 hours and USAF (Dayton) is 7 Hours. Columbus has an actual walking division, USAF is just walker friendly.

[queen mimi]

Glad to see this forum active again. Maybe it is the long winter across the country and everyone is getting "antsy" to start walking again. I did a 10 mile training walk/run today. I am putting in a little bit of running but am not sure it is helpful. Sometimes I feel walking is faster for me and less taxing. other days, I feel like a bit of running. My next race is the Princess Half in 3 weeks. After that, the Cincinnati Heart Mini Marathon Half Marathon. In April, the Nashville Country Music Half Marathon. Most of every race will be walking for me.

Meg

[Hockeychic]

Jeremy I did USAF just this past September. I loved alot of things about this event but there where parts of the course I really didn't like but seeing the soilders along the course and actually doing the race in full combat gear was very inspirational and LOVED the bling.

[longhorns2]

I'm a former walk/runner now just walker. Doing my first race at the Princess coming up!

I don't walk *that* much slower than my running, and it doesn't hurt my body nearly as much (legs, knees, ankles in particular) I switched to walking because I got myself pregnant during training- lol- and felt more comfortable walking. I might stick with more walking even after baby though- it just feels better for my knees!

Very excited for the half coming up! It's going to be fun. I hope. LOL

[johde]

I did the 10K portion of the USAF in 2009. It was my first event longer than 5K. I went to college at Wright State University and I have family that live in the area. I didn't have any problems but I have read things especially about parking, and the long stretch in the full along the flight lines. This year I'm doing the ORRRC half marathon in Xenia. It's a smaller race with a 6:30 hour limit for the full and I think 4:00 for the half. That seems to be the trend around here expecially in the smaller races. Making the half marathon very walker friendly and the full marathon for fast walkers and runners.

[John VN]

I mostly walk with a wee bit of running. I'm trying to add Chi Running to my mix just to help get my pace up. I'm at a 14.5-15 min. pace without any running. I can't add too much running due to prior back issues. I really worry about the impact. I've looked at race walking and that looks like that would really throw the spine out of whack.

I walked a half last Oct. and will be doing one in June and October this year. I'm booked at WDW for the half next January and will sign up when the race becomes available. Would so love to get my pace up to 13.5 minute or even 12 if I added a bit of running.

My walking only effort in January for the Marathon portion of Goofy was completed in 4:56:28. I tried some Race Walking while training but it proved to be slower than Chi Walking and it did not feel as comfortable. Today, DW and I walked the 2nd Annual 5K Make A Wish Walk/Run in Sunrise, Fl. While walking with DW I decided to give a short burst of speed and held a 6:50mm pace for a short distance, again walking. We will be at WDW in Jan. 2012 for my 2nd marathon and Goofy with a goal of 4:30 or under.

I too can not run or even jog so rapid turn-over using Chi Walking following a year of more intense training will reduce my time. What better way to usher in the 62nd year of my life.

Be careful with the introduction of jogging into your training but rest assured, faster speeds and lower times can also be achieved by walking.

[Minnie Lor]

My walking only effort in January for the Marathon portion of Goofy was completed in 4:56:28. I tried some Race Walking while training but it proved to be slower than Chi Walking and it did not feel as comfortable. Today, DW and I walked the 2nd Annual 5K Make A Wish Walk/Run in Sunrise, Fl. While walking with DW I decided to give a short burst of speed and held a 6:50mm pace for a short distance, again walking. We will be at WDW in Jan. 2012 for my 2nd marathon and Goofy with a goal of 4:30 or under.

I too can not run or even jog so rapid turn-over using Chi Walking following a year of more intense training will reduce my time. What better way to usher in the 62nd year of my life.

Be careful with the introduction of jogging into your training but rest assured, faster speeds and lower times can also be achieved by walking.

:thumbsup2 Maybe I should be reading Chi Walking :idea:

[MeredithRX]

I read Chi Walking, and while it was a good read, I just apparently am not coordinated enough to incorporate the 'lean' I need to. I'm all for using gravity to my advantage though! I need to read it again.

[John VN]

Thought I would bring this thread back to life. I was wondering how you-all are doing.

The weather has been good here in SW Fl. so training is enjoyable. I got out at 3:30AM today and walked a 10K just soaking up the peace and quiet. Returned to house and then left with DW for another 5 miles of walking. Will admit that the legs were a little tight from yesterday's 100 mile bicycle ride but on my 10K every mile got faster.

Personally I think road riding is an outstanding cross-training exercise. If you are able to get out on a bike and spend the time riding I feel that the benefits far surpass indoor biking or spinning. I love riding for hours on end and after all, walking a 1/2M or Full takes hours on end.:)

DW and I don't have anything cooking until the DL 1/2M so we are taking this time to improve our training methods compared to last year.

I hope things are going well for everybody.:thumbsup2

[windwalker]

Hello John and other fellow walkers.

I've been out of pocket for a while with the flu and lots of life things going on but I'll be back training really soon.

Dave:hippie:

[MeredithRX]

I just finished walking the Princess Half last weekend and had a great time! Now I'm gearing up for the DL1/2 in September. I do have another half scheduled in April, but I'm seriously considering skipping it. I just don't know if I'll enjoy it...I signed up for it on a whim because it was local and cheap at the time.

So, now I need some walking professionals' advice on how to speed up my walking. What should I do as step 1?? These 15:30 minute miles on the long distances just are not cutting it. I can do 14 on shorter 5K distances, but that's about it. Where to start?

[John VN]

Hello John and other fellow walkers.

I've been out of pocket for a while with the flu and lots of life things going on but I'll be back training really soon.

Dave:hippie:

Hope things get better for you real soon.:thumbsup2 Miss the Panda Ramblings. :)

I had the good fortune a couple of weeks ago to ride along with a group of racers from the McDonald's of Central & Southeastern Kentucky Cycling Team. Some fast younger riders. A great workout for the heart, lungs and legs.

[Minnie Lor]

I just finished walking the Princess Half last weekend and had a great time! Now I'm gearing up for the DL1/2 in September. I do have another half scheduled in April, but I'm seriously considering skipping it. I just don't know if I'll enjoy it...I signed up for it on a whim because it was local and cheap at the time.

So, now I need some walking professionals' advice on how to speed up my walking. What should I do as step 1?? These 15:30 minute miles on the long distances just are not cutting it. I can do 14 on shorter 5K distances, but that's about it. Where to start?

Bumping this to the next page in case it got lost. No advice. Sorry but hopefully someone will post some tips.

I've started adding running to the mix. I'm doing just the first few weeks of C25K since I have no intention of running alot. I would like to do Jeff Galloway's method of running 3 minutes followed by 1 minute recovery which should give me a 10 minute pace overall. If I was able to walk faster then I'd cut it down to 2 minutes of run. My walking alone is at a 14.5 minute pace which is good jump from last October's 16.5 minute pace.

[RatherBeWithMickey]

Just thought I'd check in, and give this a bump. Was glad to see the thread become active again, as I had a 6 week lay off in my training and was having trouble finding the motivation to start up again. Seeing the activity here reminded me of what I was missing. So I'm back at it again. I'm training for the Hershey Half relay again in October, then I plan on taking the plunge and doing the Donald Half in January. I'm a little bit nervous about taking that step, but I've got over 9 months of training until then, and it IS what I was shooting for when I first starting doing some serious walking. And mine will be strictly walking. Now they've gone and introduced the Chip and Dale relay, so my husband is already talking about doing that one in 2013! And here I thought I was going to do one half marathon, just to be able to say I did it, and then back off a little. Silly me!! :lmao:
Anyway, anyone else doing the Donald in January? Do a lot of people walk this? My husband is planning to do this with me, but he's a bit slower than me and is worried about being at the back of the pack, or even getting swept. He wasn't that much slower than me at Hershey, and I was well above the pace requirement, so I really think he'll be fine. But any thoughts from those of you who have done this would be appreciated. Thanks!
Mindy

[John VN]

Just thought I'd check in, and give this a bump. Was glad to see the thread become active again, as I had a 6 week lay off in my training and was having trouble finding the motivation to start up again. Seeing the activity here reminded me of what I was missing. So I'm back at it again. I'm training for the Hershey Half relay again in October, then I plan on taking the plunge and doing the Donald Half in January. I'm a little bit nervous about taking that step, but I've got over 9 months of training until then, and it IS what I was shooting for when I first starting doing some serious walking. And mine will be strictly walking. Now they've gone and introduced the Chip and Dale relay, so my husband is already talking about doing that one in 2013! And here I thought I was going to do one half marathon, just to be able to say I did it, and then back off a little. Silly me!! :lmao:
Anyway, anyone else doing the Donald in January? Do a lot of people walk this? My husband is planning to do this with me, but he's a bit slower than me and is worried about being at the back of the pack, or even getting swept. He wasn't that much slower than me at Hershey, and I was well above the pace requirement, so I really think he'll be fine. But any thoughts from those of you who have done this would be appreciated. Thanks!
Mindy

Welcome back Mindy :cool1:

DW and I walked this year's Donald. We are registered for 2012 and will walk that together again. On Sunday I will compete in my 2nd Mickey for another Goofy. Plenty of people walking and the best thing to do is get to the coral early to start up front so there are lots of walkers behind.

BTW, there is a 2011 thread Dave started for us walkers so join in there...http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2675855

[RatherBeWithMickey]

Welcome back Mindy :cool1:

DW and I walked this year's Donald. We are registered for 2012 and will walk that together again. On Sunday I will compete in my 2nd Mickey for another Goofy. Plenty of people walking and the best thing to do is get to the coral early to start up front so there are lots of walkers behind.

BTW, there is a 2011 thread Dave started for us walkers so join in there...http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2675855

Thanks for the info! I moved/quoted my post over there as well.

Mindy