Walking Place, for Wishers walking their races

[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

 

[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 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

 

[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!!

 

[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

 

[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!!

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

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

 

[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

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

 

[ultramickeymouse]

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

Dave

Foraging is when looking for berries. Getting fish is fishing

 

[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!

 

[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!

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

 

[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. 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