Walking is hard. Really. I'm not referring to a casual stroll around the mall, or walking through the city. I'm talking about walking with a purpose. Whether powering up a hill or taking a walk break during an ultra event, the demands that walking puts on your body are drastically different than what a runner is accustomed to.
I, for one, SUCK at walking for exercise. Just last night, I was doing quarter mile hill repeats on my treadmill. I was OK at 5 and 10% inclines, but once I upped it to 15% I had to revert to a slow jogging shuffle. I even found myself slouching. Urgh. I'd like to be able to say that my walking deficiencies are due to my itty-bitty legs, but chances are it's really just a matter of technique.
So today finds me trolling the internet, running Google searches on Powerwalking, Speedwalking and Racewalking. And since I know that I've been beaten at races by people proficient in Racewalking, I've decided to concentrate my efforts on that skill set.
While I don't intend to compete, or to become proficient enough that my technique will pass muster with judges - it is my hope to learn how to more efficiently cover ultra distances without beating my body to death :)
So if you pass me on the trails or in the park and I'm walking, don't worry! There is no need to offer encouragement or to nudge me on my way. I'm not walking because I can't run. I'm walking so that I can run further. Longer. Stronger.
Racewalk.com
The Walking Site
eRacewalk.com
Umstead. 100 miles of cool.
Today is the day. I had it programmed in my calendar. Got an alert message at about 8 am. Umstead. At noon, on Active.com, registration for the Umstead 100 mile (and 50 mile) races opens up. Last year the online slots were filled in 19 minutes (if you're on a dial-up connection, I think you're screwed).
Sigh.
ALL the cool kids are doing it. ALL of them. Going to Umstead is like getting a limo with all your best friends for the senior prom.
Sadly, Umstead falls during a time of year when it's difficult for me to get out of work and leave town. Add to that the fact that from mid February to mid April I work 10-12 hour days, 7 days a week....the odds of being well trained for a 50 mile effort are slim to none (I keep trying to wean myself off of this sleep crutch, but it just isn't working!). Hmm, I could probably justify the time away from work for a 100M effort, but I can't do that until I tackle 50....
So with a heavy but joyous heart, I wish all the cool kids who comprise the in-crowd lots of luck! May your registration go through and your Umstead dreams be realized.
And make sure Meri stays AWAY from the canteloupe.
Sigh.
ALL the cool kids are doing it. ALL of them. Going to Umstead is like getting a limo with all your best friends for the senior prom.
Sadly, Umstead falls during a time of year when it's difficult for me to get out of work and leave town. Add to that the fact that from mid February to mid April I work 10-12 hour days, 7 days a week....the odds of being well trained for a 50 mile effort are slim to none (I keep trying to wean myself off of this sleep crutch, but it just isn't working!). Hmm, I could probably justify the time away from work for a 100M effort, but I can't do that until I tackle 50....
So with a heavy but joyous heart, I wish all the cool kids who comprise the in-crowd lots of luck! May your registration go through and your Umstead dreams be realized.
And make sure Meri stays AWAY from the canteloupe.
Tuesday's Tip, September 8th
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought
without accepting it." - Aristotle
And so the summer ends....
Happy Birthday. AGAIN!
Yay for being an aunt AGAIN! Yesterday, at 6:36 pm my sister-in-law gave birth to a beautiful baby girl!
I now have TWO nieces! Who, oddly enough, share the same birthday - DOWN TO THE MINUTE AND HOUR.
Now if only both niece's were here in NY (Maddy lives right around the corner). Ah well, I guess I will have to travel to LA to meet Isabelle Renee...
I now have TWO nieces! Who, oddly enough, share the same birthday - DOWN TO THE MINUTE AND HOUR.
Now if only both niece's were here in NY (Maddy lives right around the corner). Ah well, I guess I will have to travel to LA to meet Isabelle Renee...
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to my beautiful niece Madison! She recently took to her feet and started walking - I wonder when I can start taking her to kids' fun runs?
100 Reasons I Run, #87
#87
- I've been told that I have a pretty cute butt, and that's got to have something to do with moving my tush through all those miles :)
Tuesday's Tip, September 1st
"Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance." - Samuel Johnson
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