Never have so many steps been taken by so many, so quickly! Spring 2006 has been so much fun and so busy; I haven’t had time to get our newsletter out to share all of our great news! First, there was Big Sur, California. This event is addictive. I entered the 21-miler for the third year in a row and 6 more WoW Power Walkers enjoyed their second crack. Even more got hooked on it for the first time. Next year I think we might take over the event entirely. Registration for 2007 opens August 1, 2006! After Big Sur, there were a few people who entered the Sporting Life 10k in Toronto and many more walked the half marathon in Mississauga. The last weekend in May, we’ll have one of our best turnouts to the Ottawa full marathon. Check out our results from these races and Lee’s journal for Big Sur on the website.

Whither wander power walkers? While the WoW Power Walkers are burning up the asphalt at so many events, impressing everyone with speed and inspiring form, we have faced some struggles with race organizations. In 2005 it appeared they realized that the number of walkers entering all events warranted changes to start organization and results postings. The success of early starts at the Chilly Half Marathon, the Mississauga Marathon, and the Ottawa Marathon were encouraging. In 2006 we’ve noticed a few steps forward unfortunately matched with a few steps back. At the Mississauga event, the marathon walkers had an early start but the half marathon walkers had to start with the runners. There was no way to register or identify competitors as walkers. In the Ottawa Marathon it was looking as if the organizers were going to start the half marathon walkers early with the full marathon walkers. In the end, they allowed separate walker registration and walker results posting but there is no early start for walkers in the half. Finally, at the Scotiabank Marathon held in Toronto at the end of September, the race organizers will not have walker registration and no early start. There will be no way to identify walkers in the results. This reverse trend is disappointing and we at WoW will be doing our best to convince race directors that it is in everyone’s interest to not only encourage walkers but to respect and acknowledge the effort walkers put into their training by having separate registrations, starts, and result postings.

For our part, we must continue to be excellent competitors. At WoW we believe in the power walker as athlete. In our programs we challenge you to be your best. We are rewarded at every race, by seeing you do just that. Other competitors on the race course are noticing. We hear similar comments again and again: “Have you walked the whole race at that pace?” “I can’t run as fast as you are walking” and, of course, “Nice form!” On the race course we must encourage other participants: runners, run-walkers, walkers who may look like they are running, power walkers, and race walkers. We need to respect race etiquette for all athletes and we need to remember that the marathon is an Olympic event. It is a privilege to be on the same race course as elite athletes and a privilege that we hope more and more people will be able to enjoy as we show race organizers everywhere that the increasing popularity of power walking can only benefit their events.

WoW Power Walking’s Simple Secrets for a Great Walking Workout

Yes! The WoW Power Walking instructional DVD and audio CD are available for purchase on our website now with delivery within a week! The instructional DVD offers simple and clear instruction on how to achieve lasting power walking success. The accompanying audio CD features a 30-minute and bonus 50-minute walking workout guided by WoW founder Lee Scott. You’ll be guided by Lee on your walk reviewing everything learned on the DVD and even walking a few speed intervals! If you’ve loved our courses, you’ll want to buy this for a friend or family member who can’t make it out to class. If you’ve always wanted to sign up for class but it just hasn’t been possible, you’ll want it for yourself. Order your copy today!

Speaking of classes…they are still the best way to get personal coaching at a reasonable cost. And there’s nothing like a class for making friends and staying motivated. Sure you can go to a gym and look at yourself in the mirror, but you’re not likely to have as much fun doing intervals on a treadmill as you are elbowing your buddies out on the road and sharing a laugh over coffee after class. Sign up soon!

Fun coming soon! The OTMH Classic 5k race is approaching. This is definitely at the top of our list for fun races. Held on Father’s Day, June 18, in downtown, leafy Olde Oakville, these organizers continue to support power walkers with their own division and results postings. The race is very well organized and features lots of family-friendly activities and a superb post-race breakfast.

You won’t find any more camaraderie than signing on with Team Diabetes to fund-raise for one of their featured marathons. Until June 10 they are signing people up for the Honolulu Marathon in December. Last year I had the privilege of joining them as the walking coach. It was a tough posting but, you know what they say - someone has to do it! If you have ever considered fund raising for a great cause while challenging yourself to an achievement as inspiring as walking a marathon, sign up with this group. The Canadian Diabetes Association is a fun and supportive organization and Hawaii in December is definitely a dream destination.

WoW Power Walking coaches are proud to wear New Balance shoes.

WoW Tip :: Great Beginnings

How you start a race can determine how you finish. Here are some tips for making your next race start your best.

• Finish eating and drinking 2 hours before your start time.
• Get warm and stay warm as long as possible. Consider a hot bath or shower to warm the muscles and allow for easy movement.
• When you leave for the race, wear layers of clothing that can be peeled off and put in your sweat bag.
• Deposit the sweat bag only when you are sure you can stay warm until the race begins.
• Avoid stretching. Do easy, big muscle movements that keep you comfortably warm.
• Easy walking back and forth focusing on good form works as an excellent race warm up
• Find a suitable place in the start area so that you can maintain your ideal starting pace. If you place yourself with participants who are considerably faster you will be knocked over. If you place yourself with participants who are considerably slower, you will be frustrated by too many detours and side-steps.
• Never let shins fatigue in the opening few kilometres – a sure sign you are going too fast.
• Stay focused on keeping a pace that you know is good for you; you’ll catch those hares later.

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