March
13 , 2004
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Yes, the Chilly Half Marathon has come and gone and everyone is pretty much done with chilly training! Bring on the sun! Seriously, the event was a huge success for walkers – largely because of the early walking start the race organizers allowed. Leaving one hour prior to the runners meant that all walkers had a good part of the course covered by the time the runners trundled through. This early start turned out to be an amazing gift as giant, mutant snowflakes began falling around noon. Most of the walkers had crossed the finish line and those that were left had just a few kilometers to walk. To top it off, the wind decided to come in from the east so that everyone had a push from behind on the final leg along Lakeshore Road back to the finish line. WoW Power Walkers outdid themselves, as usual. We represented half of the walking entries. This was the first event for some while several other veterans acheived personal bests. To get an idea of just how amazing everyone did, go to our website to see the final results. Still waiting to hear if anyone dared to eat chilli in the race tent after the finish! Hall of Fame: When
the going gets really tough, the really tough keep going! It’s one thing to train through the January and February
that we just experienced, it’s another to BEGIN your first
course, stick with the weekly schedule, and train for a March 7
event. When Louisa and Pat made it to the finish line after walking
for more than 40 minutes in snow that was so wet it soaked through
my down ski jacket in 10 minutes, after already power walking for
3 hours, the crowd of Pat and Louisa’s children and grandchildren
were witnessing an inspiring feat of resolve and tenacity. Their
smiles tell you how good that feels! |
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| Spring
Coffee and Muffin Walk: We know it’s early but you gotta get up early if you are
a power walker … it’s the best part of the day and it’s
when most of the events begin! Also, it's the time when most of
us go to work during the week and our bodies are happier when we
keep them on a regular schedule. All WoW power walkers – past,
present, future - friends, spouses, children, and pets are welcome
to attend this sociable, non-competitive event. If you’ve
never walked with us before, it’s a great way to find out
what we’re all about. If you have walked with us, it’s
a chance to meet walkers from other classes, view some different
scenery, enjoy some delicious home-made snacks and, in this case,
celebrate the end of another winter! Route distances will approximate,
to the best of our ability: 5km, 13km , 26km. Racewalk clinic: We are thrilled to announce that Stafford Whalen, race walking coach, will be offering a 3-hour clinic for any interested WoW Power Walkers on Saturday April 17 from 1-4pm. This should be a fun afternoon. At WoW we encourage everyone to take their walking to a level that is comfortable yet challenging. Consider coming out if you are interested in pushing your walking technique to another level or if you are just plain curious – learning is always good. Stafford will be there with a race walker. He will show us some videos, take us outside to walk, video us, and then review these to help us with technique. We'll provide snacks. At WoW we believe any experience is made that much more enjoyable with high quality snacks! The course will be listed on the website for registration as soon as cost and location have been confirmed. |
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WoW Tip :: Strengthen your Back The strength and utilization of your back muscles can have a powerful effect on your walk. During the winter months we have been working in class with resistance tubing to imitate the arm motion we use when walking. The fantastic news is that you don’t need to be in class or even in your workout clothes to do it! Try it anytime in the privacy of your kitchen, backyard, office, bedroom, bathroom, hallway, stairwell, television/media room, porch, driveway, office, garage, gardening shed, furnace room wearing your housecoat, bathing suit, underwear, suit and tie, PJs, socks or bare feet!
Find a partner to do this exercise or a stable object
to attach one end of your resistance tubing. You can use both
hands at once if you have two bands or work one arm at a time.
Stand with one leg in front of the other, keep your abdominals
pulled in, start with your hand in front of you and pull the wrist
back to meet the top of your hip bone. You should fatigue the
muscles somewhere between 8-12 repetitions. Try 2 sets on each
arm. |
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| Courses are starting very soon! Check them out on the website: Marathon Training or First Steps for new walkers, On Your Mark for WoW veterans. On the website choose the course, then choose your location! And don't forget we'll come to your office, if you have 8 or more willing bodies! | ||
Long-distance number 1-877-WOW-WALK (1-877-969-9255)! |
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Such must have been the mantra going through the minds of Louisa
Filipuzzi and Pat Borda when the Chilly Half Marathon in Burlington
on March 7 turned ugly. Both Louisa and Pat started training in
January with a group of 20 at the Dufferin Peel District Catholic
Secondary Board. The mere fact that Louisa and Pat attended every
class, did the homework every week, and made it to the start line
is a testament to their determination. 
