Walkers Sharing Experiences

[windwalker]

Tracey I do try to drive like a normal (which is pushing it for me) person in town but when I head for your state I have 750 miles to go. I like to do it in one day so I have max time at the World.

Connie I never use the hill function on the tready for a couple of reasons. One, I live in a town that is all rolling hills so hill work is a given. Two, tready and I have a love hate relationship, since I can get off at anytime I sometimes go less than I would outside because outside I have to get back from where ever I am. Three, although outside I like hills they feel much harder on the tready. Like Susie I'm to weird for fake hills. That being said I know a lot of people who do all their hill work on the thing. The personal trainer at our gym, I think his name is Igor, gets on the tready with a 25 lb plate in each hand and cranks the tready up to max hill and walks that way.

I ordered a new pair of Brooks racers. Just came on the market and Runningwarehouse has them for $45 and we get 15% off for our wish discount. Couldn't resist a state of the art racer at that price. It's the Brooks Mach 10. I just recieved the Mizuno Precision 9s and with an after market insole they are working fine, for a cushion LSD shoe.

Erica got the new Asics Stratus, in "Your such a girl" purple trim. She hasn't tried them out yet. We should be set for the next six months now for shoes.

Walk strong y'all.


Walking Panda

 

[escape]

Connie - the hills for the LR half aren't too bad. It's the 2nd half for the marathon that gets a little .

I'll have to check out the drop foot thing. I'm not sure what can be done about it, though. I wonder if a walking clinic might help; in other words, if expert advice might help with my technique. I know the Panda Man has mentioned some clinics in the past. I think my DH might be interested in a class as well.

Dave - that sounds like an excellent price for those shoes. WTG! Also, I think the "your such a girl" purple trim on Erica's shoes will look fabulous with the WISH green apparel.

 

[Steffwalks]

Susie! I noticed you said the hills aren't too bad. That means there are hills! Hills don't like me, yet!

There are walking clinics. You can find them listed at: http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/rayzwocker/worldclass/clinics.htm

I have wanted to take one, myself!

 

[escape]

Connie - more like inclines than hills. I'll walk along with you. That way I can point out historical homes and buildings including the Governor's mansion, the Villa Marre (Julia Sugarbaker's home in Designing Women), Central High (it's so big, you can't miss it), etc. Maybe you won't notice the hills, er, inclines if I do that.

 

[windwalker]

Hi Guys.

Thanks for the link there Connie. One of these days I suppose I should do a racewalking clinic. If one is ever at a convient time. The judges at state and Nationals said my technique was spot on so I guess I'm doing it right. I just need to get faster.

The problem with being a self taught walker is that you probably have a few bad habits and there is no one to help you identify them. The plus side is that there is always room for inovations in any sport.

So I'll just keep pressing on and and building my strength and endurance.

Susie you are one of my heroes.

Tracey we need to compare notes at the Disney events.

Have a great evening 'all Y'all

Walking Panda

 

[Steffwalks]

Susie! I really appreciate that offer! I would LOVE to have you show me all those things! And I will try to not complain or even notice the "slight inclines" And I could even give you some walking pointers. I am nowhere near as fast as Dave, but I think I have pretty good technique!

 

[windwalker]

Susie! I really appreciate that offer! I would LOVE to have you show me all those things! And I will try to not complain or even notice the "slight inclines" And I could even give you some walking pointers. I am nowhere near as fast as Dave, but I think I have pretty good technique!

I may be faster but all our pretty princesses look way better doing it.

I finally got a chance to watch the tour today and as always it amazes me. It's not so amazing that they can put out the effort, but they can do it day after day after day. We are in fair shape and we feel like jello after doing a marathon, I can't imagine doing a marathon day after day.

Walking Panda

 

[Superdebbie]

Hi everyone! Just checking in to let you all know I'm still alive. Haven't posted in about one month! Too much stress in my life right now. I had signed for the ToT, but not sure if I'll be able to attend. I was going to rent a car and leave my car at home with my son because I was (am) hoping he'll have a job by then and need the car. But, I can't afford to rent a car. My daughter and granddaughter moved back in a month ago and now I'm REALLY broke. My daughter can't find a job - this economy sucks! Well, about my walking....not happening. I've gained 10 pounds since the Minnie and was struggling trying to learn racewalking. I just wasn't enjoying it and was skipping my walks because walking wasn't enjoyable any more. So, I'm going to give up on the racewalking (at least for now) and try to just get out and walk! We'll see how it goes. And, of course here in SW Florida it's so hot and always seems to rain when you want to walk.

 

[dsnyfan21]

Hi Debbie:, was wondering what happened to you. I agree to just go back to walking and enjoying it. Speed and technique come with time. I suggest just trying one little technique at a time and mabye not even during your entire walk. I was thinkiing of signing up for the ToT, but haven't yet. TImes and gas are hard right now and I agree. I had 10 miles to do today but weather was iffy so I ended up at my sisters on a treadmill (dreadmill). I don't like them for doing more than let's say 5-6 miles. Good Luck with everything and keep posting!!

 

[SamSam]

Debbie, Definitely do what you enjoy doing. Nothing wrong with not racewalking. I have tried to teach myself racewalking (not very successfully), so I just walk as fast as I can and it works for me. I'm sending some Pixie Dust your way to help reduce your stress.

 

[windwalker]

Hi guys dumb panda here. I have been really stupid so here is the grisly details. I would just keep my mouth shut but just in case someone else has this happen.

As I have posted thge last couple of days, I have been feeling drained. Exactly like you feel when you are coming down with something but it hasn't materialized yet.

Well this afternoon I took a quick potty break and realized my urine was dark. That is one of the classic signs of being dehydrated. So being the mental giant that I am I got to thinking about how much water I've been drinking lately. Now remember every day last week I did 4 plus miles hard on the hills and sweated like a plow horse.

This has been kind of the norm: Up at 5 am and have a few swallows of water to get my vitamin pill to go down. A cereal with skim milk and a cup of coffee. Then off to the gym. I put my bag in the locker and head out for my walk. After I get back sweating like crazy, I get a couple of swallows of water and go to the weight room. After the weights, I do the stretching and calistetics and then have a shower. On the way out I might grab another swallow of water. After I get home I have a coffee with Erica and take a nap.

When I get to work I have a water bottle that I'll take a drink from ever once in a while. At dinner I'll have a small paper cup of water. Maybe another swallow of water in the afternoon. When I get home I'll either have a beer or a bottle of water and go to bed.

Ok back to present. After the dark urine I got my water bottle and drank it empty twice, then at dinner I had 3 big glasses. Well guess what, I'm feeling wonderfull now, I felt so good I mowed the front yard with the push mower and still feel energetic. Right now I'm chugging another bottle.

That was yesterday. Today I slept in, 10 hours total with several potty trips during the night.

In a few minutes Erica and I are off for a 5 mile walk. We had a 10 miler planned but we are moving that to tomorrow. I bonked and needed extra sleep.

Have an awesome day y'all and stay hydrated.

Silly Old Panda

 

[Steffwalks]

Thanks for reminding us how improtant proper hydration is. Keep a water bottle handy at all times Silly Old Panda! Out here in the Great Plains atop the Cap Rock, I even keep water in my vehicle that I stash under the seats and other places. It's no fun to be caught anywhere, without a drink!

Debbie Racewalking is hard to learn and it is frustrating. If you aren't enjoying it, no reason to do it. Speed comes with time and practice. SamSam is right, do what's fun! This shouldn't be a chore for you. You can always do a modified power walk and racewalk combing the parts that work best for you!

Awwwe shucks, Dave. Thanks for the compliment.

 

[windwalker]

Hi everyone! Just checking in to let you all know I'm still alive. Haven't posted in about one month! Too much stress in my life right now. I had signed for the ToT, but not sure if I'll be able to attend. I was going to rent a car and leave my car at home with my son because I was (am) hoping he'll have a job by then and need the car. But, I can't afford to rent a car. My daughter and granddaughter moved back in a month ago and now I'm REALLY broke. My daughter can't find a job - this economy sucks! Well, about my walking....not happening. I've gained 10 pounds since the Minnie and was struggling trying to learn racewalking. I just wasn't enjoying it and was skipping my walks because walking wasn't enjoyable any more. So, I'm going to give up on the racewalking (at least for now) and try to just get out and walk! We'll see how it goes. And, of course here in SW Florida it's so hot and always seems to rain when you want to walk.

Debbie if we get to walk together at ToT or in January I'll help you with your walking if you like. Once I stopped fighting the motion everything started coming together.

I used to have a lot of problems with racewalking myself and a lot of little tweeks brought everything together. At one time it was powerwalk for a while and racewalk for a 100 m of pain and then back to powerwalking. Now is pretty effortless up to 12 min per mile.

When you racewalk to start with your stride is to the rear rather than the front like running. So when you are doing it right it feels like you are taking short little steps. You need to swing your arms more to the rear also. You let your forward motion start from the glutes and hips and kinda swing your foot around to the front so you are walking in a straight line. You can't raewalk with a duck stride. I naturally have a duck walk so I have to over come that. Don't lose any time bothering with the straight leg technique that just starts happening naturally. Your kinda riding that leg back since the pushoff is on the back leg.

Walking Panda

 

[SamSam]

Panda, I'm glad that after discovering your problem that it's improved your energy level and general well-being. It was also a very good, timely reminder for me to keep up my fluid intake. Walking out in the heat really dries me out and I have to remind myself to drink much more than I normally would.

 

[windwalker]

Panda, I'm glad that after discovering your problem that it's improved your energy level and general well-being. It was also a very good, timely reminder for me to keep up my fluid intake. Walking out in the heat really dries me out and I have to remind myself to drink much more than I normally would.

I'm just glad I figured it out so I can make sure it doesn't happen again. I don't want a heat related injury. Heat is a problem here in Ky in the summer, we have 90+ degrees and very high humidity. Last year we were over a 100 degrees for over a month straight. That kind of heat and being dehydrated is a dangerous combination.

Drinking Panda

 

[escape]

Superdebbie - for your daughter getting a job. I hope you can find a way to do ToT.

Panda - you're so right about hydrating. I'm really bad about that. I seem to lose a lot of steam after a few miles and I'm sure part of the reason is because I'm dehydrated. Steve is really good about drinking a lot of water throughout the day. I really have to force myself to do it.

 

[bubba73]

Panda You are so right about hydrating. I am one of the world's worse. I will go to the track and do anywhere between 3-5 miles and may never take a drink of water. I can also stay on the bike for a couple of hours and barely drink a single bottle of water. I am working on getting better about that one. But Panda, you are our motivational leader so we want you to take care of yourself. Be careful and keep moving.

Bryan

 

[dsnyfan21]

Ok I just have to chime in and say, "You Silly Bear..."

Enough said.

4 miles for me after work and I will drink before, during and after.

Racey Tracy

 

[windwalker]

We are off for a 10 miler in a few minutes. I will be drinking water al day today so don't beat me. I also had a small instead of the usuall large cup of coffee.

Debbie one other thing I forgot to mention is that I have to walk a normal brisk walk to warm up before I start racewalking. I need the glutes, hips, shins and hams all warmed up good before I feel smooth. When Erica and I go out the first mile is always at a normal walk then we get into our racewalking stride.

Walk strong y'all.

Hydrating Panda

 

[windwalker]

I should get the new Brooks Mach 10s in the mail tomorrow. I'm looking at them for my new racing shoes. I like the Mizuno Revolvers but that electric bule color just ain't cutting it.

I'll let y'all know how they do for me. The Mizuno Precision 9s are working well as my LSD shoes. We did a 10 miler today and I wore them. No foot issues what so ever so very pleased. I did haver to replace the stock insoles with a pair of "10 Second Sport" insoles. They are thicker in the heel so it gets the side of the shoe off my ankle bones.

Walking Panda