September 15, 2004
Summer is nearing an end and an excellent one it was for faithful power walkers. The cooler weather meant very few smog alert days and training for the fall races was able to proceed with out delay. Speaking of fall races, they are now upon us. Power walkers entering the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM) and Half Marathon are in their tapering phase. It’s tempting to go crazy now and squeeze in another long walk. Resist! Just keep up with your short fast walks, eat well, and stay hydrated. The best thing you can do now is be healthy for race day. If you are entering this event, please send us an email so that we can look out for you at the start and finish lines! Here are some other ideas to keep you busy: On Saturday September 18 there is the Waterfront Trail 8k (and 5K) race in Burlington (sign up through the Running Room or vrpro.ca). On Sunday September 19 the annual Terry Fox Run is a superb family event. 5k and 10k routes are usually offered and there are locations all over the GTA. In Oakville, the event is held at the Glen Abbey Recreation Centre. Walkers, runners, strollers, rollerblades … almost anything goes … and it is always fun and inspiring! Are we ready for Casino Niagara Half Marathon? There is an early start again this year for walkers and it has been confirmed by the race organizers that there will be toilets at every aid station! Now, if we could just have a little sunshine with that, please? The course is beautiful and it’s not that far from home. Last year WoW power walkers were transported in style by a private coach that took us to the start line and waited within 200 metres of the finish area. If we had enough takers, Doug, our fearless bus driver would be there for us again – navigating us to the start without meeting too many low bridges. And, we may be able to convince our entertaining and intrepid WoW assistant, Jason, to ensure everyone is on board before and after the race! Let us know if you are entered in this event and want to take the bus! Finally, as I write this, 4565 walkers will, hopefully, be asleep in their beds, exhausted after walking 60 km in the Toronto Weekend to End Breast Cancer. The weather gods were clearly watching out for these amazingly dedicated and generous souls who not only walked such an amazing distance but also raised at least $2,000 individually to collect more than $14,700,000 million for the Princess Margaret Hospital. If you are one of these people, we’d love to hear about your experience. Send us an email, or post a note on the Walkers Talking message board. Courses, courses, courses … starting soon! WoW Power Walking fall courses are starting VERY soon. Here is a brief review of what we offer: WoW Marathon Training: our introductory 10-week course for all ages and all fitness levels. This is for people who just want to get more fit from their walking and those people who see a marathon in their future. We start with learning good walking technique and we proceed from there to interval and hill training while covering everything you need to know to enter your first half or full marathon! WoW On Your Mark: best suited for people who have taken WoW! Marathon training and are soon to enter their first or second half or full marathon Inside Out Personal Best: new for Oakville to serve those walkers who have completed several half or full marathons and want to challenge themselves to a new level. There are two components to this program: an outside walking class and an inside strength-and-stability-for-walkers component (hence the Inside Out title). You can choose to join either or both of these components (that’s why it looks a little confusing on the website!) WoW! Just Get Outside: offered only in the summer and winter months and recommended for people who have taken another course with WoW, have received personal walking training with WoW, or have walked at least one distance event. Just a reminder: when you visit the website, choose Classes, then choose the type of class in which you are interested, then choose the location. |
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| Hankie anyone? As the cold weather approaches, I’ve been giving some thought to your noses. Yes, it’s true. While an extended summer may seem our due, I know that the cold winds and snowy days will arrive and WoW has been planning for it! Coming in a few weeks … just in time for the first of those beautiful brisk autumn days, we will be able to offer you an alternative to those shredded, soggy paper tissues - organic cotton hankies with WoW Power Walking emblazoned on one corner (just don’t blow right there!). Now, some of you may think poorly of the humble hankie, but it is an excellent choice for both your nose and the environment and it certainly would be easy to throw in the wash with your socks after your walk (we do hope you wash your socks after every walk).
Big Sur … here we come!
Seventeen people have signed up to walk the 21 mile Power Walk at
the Big Sur International Marathon next April! It might not be too
late for you to register at www.bsim.org!
Those of us who have committed are meeting on Saturday, September
18 to discuss details of travel and lodging. Feel free to come out
even if you want to think about doing it 2006 or 2007 or 2008 …
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| WoW Tip :: What to wear on race day?
While everyone is different and hopefully you learned
much about what clothing works for you during your long walks, here
are some tips that may help. Regarding water bottle holders: When an event offers water stations
every 3km I am usually fine drinking water and Gatorade at the stations.
I tuck my snack in a pocket (try the WoW Power Walking Coolmax shirt
for this – in stock now!) and go without the weight of the
water bottle holder and water bottle! If you do feel good about
this, try filling your water bottle half full so you don’t
have quite so much weight on your back. |
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Long-distance number 1-877-WOW-WALK (1-877-969-9255)! |
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They
also fit perfectly in the pocket of our most excellent 
No
matter how many races I enter, the burning question the night before
the event is always the same. What should I wear?
If you are entering the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on
September 26, you w'ill probably be asking yourself the same question
on September 25. 