New Walker's Sharing Ideas

[windwalker]

First of all Hi everyone I've been busy as heck getting everything done this week with having to save my days off for Erica's surgery. I've miss and thought about all of you.

All our princesses are beautiful. I see so much genuine goodness and strength in you gals. Walk proud ladies you glow with a beauty within and most of you would put a little Barbie to shame on the race course. Each of you are so special and wonderfull.

SamSam, ours is a different sport from running but so many people don't realize it. We are changing that, we are the leading edge of a sport whose time has come.

I compete in walk races whenever I can but sometimes I have to walk a run race. The first time I was last, police car on my butt as I finished. Now the runners look at me as a fellow athlete, and many of them know they better be on their game or I'll beat them.

Last year I was competing in the Sunset walk, a 5K that was being held before the run 5K. I was walking to warm up for the race and I passed a family. I heard the mom say to the kids, "That is a olympic racewalker", I heard the kids say "Wow". Yep I was pumped for that race.

Like Jeanne said, we all have something we would love to change, true strength is changing what we can and learning to accept what we can't. Yep she is one of my heroes.

Next week I'll have more time to catch up with y'all.

Busy Panda

 

[WDWFAN9]

SamSam,

I struggled with this too....I am "just" a walker. But as wiser folks on this board have pointed out - there is no JUST. You don't "just" do a 5K, or a 10K or a half marathon.

I have been very fortunate IRL that people around me are very supportive of my walking addiction. And, everyone here on the WISH team recognizes and celebrates all achievements! You have set a goal and are working towards it! Good for you! That is way more than most people, especially those who point out you are a "just" walker. Let them get out the door and put in the steps and see what they say. In the meantime, don't give them another thought, and enjoy the journey!

 

[Steffwalks]

SamSam: I used to hear the "Just a walker" phrase. I don't hear it much anymore. I hear, "Dang, is that running or walking??". I am not fast, but somehow I always manage to beat some of the runners in every race. Even my grandkids are in awe! Nope, I don't just walk! Most people can walk a 15 minute mile, for a little ways. But they can't do it mile after mile after mile.... Offer to go for a walk with the people who say that you are just a walker! They won't go!

I am 51, did my first race at 49 years 9 months! I have a few pounds too lose (at least 20)! So Superdebbie, glad to have you amongst us!

 

[jeanneg]

Dave and Bill: you both expressed that beautifully....and you are both heroes to me.

SamSam: don't get discouraged. Let me tell you what happened to me recently. After the marathon, I was on such a high I told just about everybody about it. And I mean EVERBODY......the bank teller, the mailman, the supermarket clerk, you name it, I told them! Most people reacted exactly the same. They kinda pulled back, looked me up and down, and said "Really, you RAN a marathon?" And I would reply, "Well, actually I walked it." Then they would just say "Oh" and change the subject. Well all of a sudden I started to feel like maybe it wasn't such a great accomplishment afterall and posted my feelings here. Probably no less than 20 people responded and they all said similar things. As Bill mentioned, most of the people who are unimpressed have never even attempted to challenge themselves and have no concept whatsoever of what is involved. Someone else pointed out that I covered the exact same 26.2 miles as the first place finisher and someone else remarked that I got the exact same medal as the 4th place finisher. Another person suggested I should have responded by asking the person how fast they ran their last marathon. The fact is we are doing something that a relatively very small percentage of the world's population will ever do and we need to be proud HOWEVER we accomplish it. There were several WISHers that barely made it over the finish line and received their medals just before the race was shut down. Some of them are not even considered to be "official" finishers because their net time was over 7 hours. But you know what......THEY DID IT! They achieved what very few people have managed to achieve and they are true marathoners whether Disney records them in their book of finishers or not.
So you just keep on doing what you're doing. 10.3 miles is a LONG distance and you are doing great. If you can do that while training you can easily go further at an event where your adrenalin will kick in and give you an extra boost. Don't associate yourself with people who will bring you down. Just stick with us because in our book you're already a WINNER!

 

[Hockeychic]

Wow everyone I am so sorry I am not much of a team player lately. Just seem to be so much going on and our weather has turned so nice that when I am at home I am outside and unfortunatley do not have a lap top.

Just wanted to pop in to say hi....so Hi!!!!!!

Have a great day all.

Kim

 

[wdw4us]

SAMSAM

Funny what you said is WHAT I SAY!

I did a ½ marathon and when people are surprised, I quickly tell them that I walked it. As if to say I only walked it. But truly, I was only 10 min behind my DH and DD who ran it. Did I feel good – you bet, am I proud – OH YA. Will I do it again, Of Course.

Why? because I can. The look that people give me is amazement when I tell them at 53 I did my first ½ marathon. My DD is a jogger and can jog the entire 13 miles. When we were at the end of our training in December we went for a powerwalk. She’s used to jogging. She could not keep up to me walking,my stride is different and too fast for her walk but too slow for her jog. I insisted that during the race they leave me alone so I could keep MY pace. It worked, they did fine and so did I. We all do what’s best for us and you should too.

Way to go!

denise

 

[SamSam]

Most people reacted exactly the same. They kinda pulled back, looked me up and down, and said "Really, you RAN a marathon?" And I would reply, "Well, actually I walked it." Then they would just say "Oh" and change the subject. Well all of a sudden I started to feel like maybe it wasn't such a great accomplishment afterall and posted my feelings here.

That is exactly the way it is. Intellectually I know it's a big accomplishment and not to let them get to me, but for some reason it's just got to me. Thanks to all of you, Jeanneg, Denise, Steffwalks, Pat, Busy Panda, Bill (I'm sorry if I missed anyone), I'm feeling back on my game again. Your words actually brought tears to my eyes, you are so inspiring and helpful in keeping me upbeat. You have all reminded me that I started out wanting to enter this first race for Myself, not anyone else, and I was doing it to finish it, not to set any records but just because I'll be 55 this year and I felt it was time to quit saying 'someday' I'll do it. I will definitely be sticking with the WISHteam, you guys are awesome.

 

[jeanneg]

You have all reminded me that I started wanting to enter this first race for Myself, not anyone else, and I was doing it to finish it not to set any records but just because I'll be 55 this year and I felt it was time to quit saying 'someday' I'll do it. I will definitely be sticking with the WISHteam, you guys are awesome.

That's the spirit!

 

[deekaypee]

Debbie - The Minnie 15K will be my first race ever and I am 54. Stay on these board and 'catch' the excitement!

I'm feeling a little down myself right now. I've been training hard (I'm a walker) and really feel like I'm accomplishing something (longest to date 10.3 miles), that part is good. But everyone once in a while I hear "oh,you're just walking not running". Yesterday, I was getting a massage (a gift from wonderful friends) and I was talking to the masseause about training for the Minnie 15K and the workouts I was doing and even she said "but you're just walking". I'm okay with being a walker and even with not being super fast, but when people make comments like that I feel like I need to start running instead of walking. Do any of the rest of you experience this type of response to being a walker vs. running? Okay, I'm off the PityPot now.

SamSam,

I'm coming out of lurk mode to add my $.02. I really can't add much to what my WISHmates have said, or say it more eloquently, but you aren't alone. I'm a RW right now, and have been a walker and a WR. Different challenges/goals for different parts of my life. Everything that's been said to you, or Jeanne, Connie, et al. has also been said to me. So it doesn't matter what your chosen mode is or what your pace is, there's going to be some people feel the need to diminish your accomplishments--and most of the time, those reactions don't come from people who participate in the events or who are truly close to you. (And FWIW, DOOD has gotten the comments too, because he's not "fast enough" as a runner.)

Such people choose not to "get it" because to understand that all of us are athletes would challenge their assumptions about what an athlete is; and to challenge that idea means they might have to rethink their own identities. If we're not athletes then they don't need to look at themselves. On the other hand, if we are athletes, then such naysayers might have to consider our accomplishments as either things that are also possibilities for themselves. But only if they were willing to do what we are willing to do--put in the time, the effort, the sacrifices. Or, alternately and more painfully, that what we do in participating in our events is, quite simply, out of their reach for whatever reasons.

So when those people react, try to remember they don't really diminish your accomplishments. They diminish themselves. When they fail to recognize your successes--which demonstrate your abilities, strength, determination, and spirit--they deny themselves the joy you have found in the doing. And they will never achieve what you have already achieved.

 

[dsnyfan21]

HI all you wish walkers!!!!
SamSam: Hey you wonderful walker you!!! I get the same thing from people. When I first started walking in races and my first Half Marathon I would tell people that I was a "speed" walker. Then they would go "ooohhh." At work my co-workers would put up a little sign congratulating me on a race or something and patients and parents would come up to me and congratulate me and always assumed I ran it. I would and still proudly tell them, "no I walked it, I am a racewalker!!" Then I would tell them my pace, and I kinda would educate them. They would then be more impressed.
When people kinda say things like "why don't you just run?," I ask "why don't runners just get on a bike??" If you explain to your massage person more about it, hopefully they get more educated!!
Don't let others diminish your goals you have set for yourself!!! When you get out there and finish your first race, you are going to feel SOOOO AWESOME!!!
Just like someone else said, I would ask the person how fast and how far can they walk, tell them you have to keep a pace and for a certain amount of time and distance. Educating is the best thing.!!!!
You are doing great!! KEEP IT UP!!!!!

 

[windwalker]

Good morning y'all.

Please share my high today. Today was as close to perfect as a day could be. To start off I woke to a warm pleasent morning, a break for half a day at least before more storms, that on the way, get here.

My weight was 169.2, first time I've seen the 160s in a year or so at least. The body fat is holding at 10% but I'll take it.

I went to the gym and warmed up for a mile on the treadmill, then went out for a 4 mile walk on the hills. This was the first walk I have timed since my injury layoff. (7 weeks ago I was limping badly with the achillies tendonitis).

I walked my four miles on the hills at a comfortablely brisk pace, not even close to the effort of race pace. My split for 5K was 37:09 and the total time was 48:53. I was very pleased with this pace, 12:13 per mile on long steep hills. The last 100m or so I even sprinted in.

I finished my workout with an hour of stretching and calistetics, then went home and mowed the last section of the yard with the push mower. Now for some lunch and time to get ready for work.

We have to leave very early for the hospital in the morning so I will not be on again till late afternoon tomorrow. I'll check in then and let y'all know how Erica did.

Have an awesome day everyone

Walking Panda

 

[wdw4us]

Wow that sounds wonderful!!! Great Pace and for a LONG walk too!

It's in the 70's here in NH. Mark wants to walk tonight as the rest of the week - until Monday will be crappy with rain. Soooooooo we'll walk tonight - probably the city route since Miranda will be at work and Mark will have to walk with me.

Doesn't the nice warm weather just make you want to sing! I won't be crabby pants this weekend because I have to spring clean my house. Today at work shhhhhhhhhh yes I'm at work, one of our co-workers went out and got us all Dairy Queen Blizzards. YUM, mine is a small but a splurge because when I got on the scale today I had lost 12 pounds!! So Dave, I can understand your joy..

My neck is much improved and they are increasing the weights. I hope all goes well for Erica and she is home being waited on by you as soon as possible.

Good luck tomorrow, we'll be praying for her.

denise

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Gotta get in here with my good wishes for Erica -- I hope it is as seemless as possible, and her recovery is short and complete! Better, stronger, faster!

I have been (as my native NE friends would say) wicked sick. A cold has beaten my down since Monday. I even lost 3 lbs...of course I'm sure they'll be back the moment I start eating again...

No workouts since Sunday. I'm going to do a bike ride tomorrow, and hopefully still do my 5.5 miles Saturday. I'm going to take it slow, and work on distance rather than time. Since I can almost breathe clearly, I think that's they way to go.

Dave -- What a wonderful day you had! I'm smiling just reading about it.

Denise -- Isn't this weather incredible? I think it's drying the cold right out of my body...

Everyone else hang in there and have an awesome evening!
Maria

 

[funwalker]

CONGRATULATIONS, Panda!

Erica you are in our thoughts and prayers...Counting on the Panda to update up asap after your surgery.

CONGRATULATIONS, Denise ... Wow that weight loss is wonderful!

Scott, my sympathies on the snow...we have heavy cold rains today but that is still better than shoveling!

Gym workout tonight. But it is so dreary all I want is to curl up with a good book.

 

[momoftwogirls]

Hi fellow walkers -

Erica - best wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery! I'm sure Dave will be taking good care of you!

I just read the last two pages of this thread and think this is where I belong. I haven't read this thread before but I think I need to start participating here.
I loved reading all the responses to SamSam about being "just a walker". I have tried to add running into the mix but I just don't think it's for me. I get the same responses that you all mentioned "oh, you just walked the half marathon" from many people, including my extended family. It is very hurtful at times. They always congratulate my DH for his races and comment on his fast times but never ooh and aah over my accomplishments. Oh well! I've completed two half marathons and a 15K and am very proud of myself.

How many walkers from here are doing the Minnie this year?

Maybe if I have more time next week I'll go back and read some more of your thread for inspiration.



Kathy

 

[DisneyWalkerGirl]

Hi fellow walkers -

How many walkers from here are doing the Minnie this year?

Maybe if I have more time next week I'll go back and read some more of your thread for inspiration.


Kathy

Hi Kathy - as you can see from my screen name, I am a walker. I am doing the Minnie 15k again this year to complete the 3 year sweep

Too many knee operations to even consider running, but I have completed 3 1/2 marathons - my next one is Saturday morning, about 10 15Ks and more 5 and 10ks then I can count since I started 3 years ago.

I have NEVER run a step in any of these events and don't intend to in the future!

 

[jeanneg]

Count me in for the Minnie......and I'll be walking too. I'm a big girl and running would be just too strenous. Every once in a while I'll add a little to my practice, but I never do it in events as I am too afraid I will injure myself and not be able to finish.

Glad you found us, momoftwogirls!

 

[dsnyfan21]

Hey, I'll be walking the Minnie 15K, it will be my first Minnie 15K9and I guess my last?) Walking is great!! I have completed 4 half marathons and about 5 5k's.

Walkers are awesome!! (I do tend to jog down the downhill sections, hehe!)

 

[funwalker]

I am a Walker who is very proud of her accomplishments!
I am blessed with family and friends who are proud of me.
But we will always have those who say hurtful things out of ignorance.

*I will not run, jog, etc in a race because I am a Walker and that would be cheating

Carrie showed me her race memory scrap books.
Wow...very very impressive!
So now I am going to start doing Scrap Books of my races! We have to be proud of what we do for other to catch the excitement!

*My first marathon at Columbus, if they caught a walker jogging or running you were disqualified and moved to the running category.

 

[padisneyfan]

Morning everyone. It has been so nice weather wise the past couple of days with temps in the low 70's. I wore my new runningskirt and WISH shirt yesterday to do my 4 mile walk. I'm still not completely sold on the runningskirt, it is very comfortable but I did have some riding up of the compression shorts but only on my R thigh. I hope some body glide will hold it down better. Also losing 20 pounds probably would improve the way I look in the skirt, but at my age I don't really care as long as I'm comfortable. The new Race Ready shirts are so light I love them.

Kathy--- Yes you have found the right place. We are the fun group at the back of the pack.

Erica--- Good luck with your surgery and best wishes for a speedy recovery. Dave you take good care of your Princess.

Robert--- I hope all is going well since your surgery.

Denise--Congratulations on your 12 pound weight loss.

Maria-- Hope you are feeling better soon.

Hi to Kim, Funwalker, SamSam and everyone I forgot to mention.

In 3 weeks I will be on my way to WDW for the Minnie. Let's home the mess with the airlines is cleared up by then.

Hope everone has a great day.

Nancy