Well, who said walking was easy. Yes we walk everyday and almost everywhere, and we've been walking since we were 2....but this power walking is hard. I'm training with a bunch of other crazy girls for the Victoria marathon in October and we have the ambitious goal of completing the 42 km in 6 hours of less....yes I know a lofty goal that is!
I've run several 1/2 marathons in the past 5 years and felt that it was finally the time to jump to a full marathon, but since I run slowly anyways, I thought what about walking....and I mean power walking...the full this fall. So, I've recruited some girls from work and I've put together a 16 week- 'I just want to finish'- schedule starting June 20th.
I've been clocking 40 km's a week power walking and I tell you that this is hard. It's almost harder than running the same distance....I believe walking uses way more muscles....including arms, core and back. My legs are tired after walking 12 kms. So, yeah, I'm training so I can start the training schedule!!
I've started taking my 6 month old golden retriever, Charlie, on some of my shorter walks. It's hard to get up a head of steam when everyone wants to stop and greet the puppy. Plus, I'm not stressing his joints quite yet, since he's still growing....next year he'll be running/walking on all my outings!
I ran the 1/2 marathon in May in Vancouver and since then have had some great runs and some great walks....but I'm just a little burned out from all my running training...so I'm keeping in shape and training with the walking...plus John Staton of the Running Room has a great book out on walking and this looks like a great source of exercise and fun in the summer months.
Just to let you know the speeds I'm talking about....a 10 km route will take me 1hr 25 mins or 30 mins of walking or about 7 km/hour walking speed....I'm not talking about a leisurely stroll here people!
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