March 10, 2009
I went walking today and it smells like spring. It’s not just the smell of warmth. If you get on a plane and end the day on a tropical beach, you won’t smell spring. You can only smell spring and absorb its rejuvenating power after walking through the deep freeze. When you have walked for months and smelled nothing and, suddenly, you smell earth and dampness, it feels like the world is giving you a hug. This aromatic embrace precedes other, more common, signs of spring like crocuses, buds, and daffodils. Step out to be embraced by a spring hug. It’s free and it will help your heart grow large. |
||
| Etiquette tip : : As power walkers entered in races we battle some stereotypes. People think we are “just walking”. Many (including race organizers) do not understand the kind of training we go through to walk our fastest. They think of us on a stroll through the streets with packs of food on our backs walking three to five people abreast. At WoW we’ve been working hard over recent years to change that stereotype. We have been coaching our walkers to be the best walkers they can be and to abide by race organization rules. If we hope to continue the great advances we have made encouraging race organizers to introduce walking divisions, starts, and separate results, we must be good race citizens. 
Over the last few years there have been occasions when it has come to our attention that there are walking “bandits” out there. A “bandit” on a race course is someone who has not registered but wears the race bib and chip of another registered participant who can not make it out on race day. Bandits are a huge problem for race organizers. Remember when you fill out your race registration and it asks for an emergency contact? That’s because people can become seriously unwell during races and medical staff need to be able to count on the accuracy of the information behind that bib. Aside from safety concerns, there is the issue of ranking the finishers. When you wear the bib and chip of someone who is a different sex and age, you render the official results in that age category inaccurate. Indeed, even if you are in the correct age and sex categories, the information is inaccurate, incorrect, and illegal. It can happen that a walker who deserves an overall, masters, or age category prize receives neither acknowledgement nor a prize because a bandit has inserted themselves in that position. For all of these reasons, we encourage you to never enter a race under another person’s name. And if you can’t make a race, don’t “give” your bib to someone else. Let race organizers know as soon as possible that you won’t be there so that they can let someone on the waiting list in the event. Strength tip : : You know how common it is to hear people complain that this muscle or that muscle is tight? Well…keep in mind that tightness on one side implies weakness on the other. Strengthening the opposing muscle groups will help stretch the tight muscle! For example, adductor strength exercises work well to stretch out the IT band area. Attach a resistance band to a heavy object close to the floor. Insert one ankle in that band with the outside of that foot close to the heavy object. Stand tall and pull the foot, with band attached, across the front of your body. You will feel the muscles of the inner thigh working. Those are your adductors getting stronger. An alternative to this exercise that requires no equipment is to lie on your side. Lift your bottom leg up and down repeatedly until you feel fatigue in the adductor group of muscles (inner thigh). Switch sides. Words to walk and live by . . . It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:
|
View from the…sidelines! The Chilly Half Marathon on March 1 lived up to its description. Although I wasn’t racing, I had fun from my new perspective on the sidelines, encouraging both walkers and runners with hoots and claps. My only disappointment is that had I been participating, I’m sure my speed would have been greatly enhanced by the wind chill factor. I arrived prepared, if somewhat immobile in my layers of clothing, with Coach Krista who joined me for a few hours of screaming loudly and flailing about, all in the name of racer encouragement. As we cheered and waved, I felt so appreciative having Krista there to help me “in” the race. I began to think about friends, and how important friends are in my walking world. I have met dozens of people through walking. Every time I join a class, I meet people with a similar interest in walking for fitness. Classmates become close in many ways, if only due to the shared agony of “the mile test”. Often there is much more - we commiserate about the weather, consult about footwear and perhaps, compliment each other on the combination of a jauntily placed hat on top of a balaclava, with a scarf flipped artfully around a neck warmer. It’s that camaraderie that found me out on the curb watching as many WoW power walkers completed the challenge of the Chilly Half Marathon. Some were pushing hard on their own, while some drew strength from their training partners. There was the occasional group of people sporting WoW gear passing by. I know that those who were on their own would find friends at the finish line, waiting to cheer them in, proud of their accomplishments. I have gratefully experienced friends on the course, or even strangers - one-time friends - helping me when I felt weary, sharing their generous spirit and enthusiasm to guide me to the finish. That Chilly Half Sunday I was struck by the people who encouraged us to encourage them by smiling, lifting a tired arm, even giving high 5s in appreciation. I like to think we were their friends, at least in that instant. It was an honour to be there. |
|
On the website : : All spring classes are posted including: Walking Strength and Balance in Oakville and Toronto, Marathon Training Level 1 in our new Hamilton location, and all Marathon Training Level 2 classes. And don’t forget to check the blog - people are loving it! Fall races : : It’s barely spring but the way registrations are filling up we recommend giving serious consideration to your fall race schedule. It is exciting that there are two excellent walk-only events within driving distance of the GTA. The KW Walking Classic in Kitchener on September 27 is a walk-only 10k event. A little further a field in Ohio, the New Albany Walking Classic exponentially expanded its enthusiastic supporters last year by adding a half marathon distance to its 10k event. The website states that registration sells out very fast and recommends registering soon after the April 1 registration opening as possible. Both of these events offer great opportunities for WoW Power Walkers to go out in force and have their walking efforts recognized. Reply here if these races interest you and we’ll keep you posted on carpooling or bus options. Stretch tip : : Stretching immediately after you finish a race can be a dangerous proposition. Your muscles may be tight and inflamed beyond recognition. Your best bet is to take a cold bath or shower after a race to reduce any inflammation. When the inflammation is reduced and you are able to move through a reasonable range of motion in key joints such as the hips and knees, that is the time to consider some gentle stretching. |
||
|
|
||
