<p>What is “racewalking”…?</p>
<p>The last few posts have been very helpful to me, especially Mom60 with the “focus on what I can do…” approach. I tend to get into a negative loop if I miss a workout or eat a bad meal. I will try Mom60’s attitude.</p>
<p>Woke up at 5:30 and went to the gym for an hour. I would have enjoyed it if it weren’t for the two thirty something men trying to outdo each other with their business ventures. Don’t they know that:
a. It’s ****ing 6:00 in the morning.
b. Nobody cares.</p>
<p>Oh goodie! Somebody wants to know about racewalking!</p>
<p>Racewalking is actually a little known Olympic sport. It is far more popular in other countries. </p>
<p>There are two rules to racewalking - you must always have one foot on the ground (unlike running where there is a moment of flight) and your knee must be straight as you land your foot on the ground. To get the basics in mind - think of when you were a kid at a pool and the lifeguard told you to stop running - you would probably revert to racewalking. </p>
<p>Because of the rules, to get faster, your steps must be shorter, closer to the ground, and very quick. You use your arms more than in running, keeping the arms bent at a 90 degree angle, and with your wrists brushing your hips. </p>
<p>Here’s the best woman in the world</p>
<p>[Russians</a> finish 1-2 in women’s race walk - YouTube](<a href=“Russians finish 1-2 in women's race walk - YouTube”>Russians finish 1-2 in women's race walk - YouTube)</p>
<p>Because there is no “flight” in racewalking, there is less pounding and so it is easier on the knees and fewer injuries (although if someone is nutty enough to increase distance, intensity, and frequency in a week - she can still get an injury). I think racewalking is a better exercise for keeping your butt and thighs firm and for toning your arms and shoulders. It is a great way to maintain good posture. </p>
<p>I started to compete about 8 years ago. I do a couple of races a year, usually in Central Park or if there is a senior event somewhere. At sanctioned races, judges are stationed along the course to make sure you do not violate the rules and those who did can be eliminated. You don’t have to compete to racewalk, but it is a lot of fun watching other people and learning how to improve technique. I guess that is the thing that makes it fun - even though we are getting older, you can continue to improve by refining your technique.</p>
<p>Thumper- workinprogress2 is THE racewalking guru. It is really HARD and a great workout. It requires a lot of hip action.</p>
<p>Wow, I watched the video. She is very graceful and fluid. What is the point of all the arm/shoulder action? I would have thought that would slow the racewalker down.</p>
<p>The hip action must be very good for the lower back.</p>
<p>The racewalking arms somehow propel one forward. . .Also, (correct me if I’m wrong worknprogress2), walking as though on a line with one foot directly in front of the other seems to make one go faster and the hips to swing more.</p>
<p>OOOH, CC - you are right. You cover a lot more territory by “walking the line.” As I walk, I think of swinging a gate, getting strength from my entire leg, from my hip, rather than just your lower leg and foot. You also land on your heel and roll (and propel) yourself off your toes. </p>
<p>Because you are landing on your heel, you tend to drop your hip. When done well, racewalking looks a like someone moonwalking forward. </p>
<p>MoWC is very kind, but I am not a guru at all!! In fact, I have a hard time analyzing form. What was most beneficial to me, was watching other GOOD people, and then I was able to model what I was saw. </p>
<p>The best instructors/coaches are Jeff Salvage and Dave McGovern. I like Jeff better, both run clinics that are a lot of fun and a way to meet other nutty people who enjoy racewalking.</p>
<p>EPTR-congrats on getting up and hitting the gym this AM.
workinprogress2- Glad your back out on the road. I think my running days are over. As much as I have the desire on my walks to throw some running in I know it isn’t good for my hips. I wonder how the hips would do with racewalking. I am plagued by chronic bursitis.
The last few days I have noticed a shift in how my jeans are fitting. My weight is staying steady but my pants are definitely getting baggy. On measuring my hips and waist I find I am loosing inches faster in my hips. If it is even possible I think my butt has gotten even flatter.
One dilemma I have is once I am dressed in “real clothes” I find it more difficult to fit in exercise. I don’t enjoy morning exercise and like to exercise in the late afternoon. If I have an evening event outside home I hesitate to change to exercise wear and get sweaty knowing I will need to shower and change again. Lazy.</p>
<p>Exercise has to be convenient - it’s too easy not to do it. I try to engineer routines and systems that make it more convenient (I have access to two YMCAs, the office gym and my home weights).</p>
<p>worknprogress, I checked out the Jeff Savage link you posted a few pages back.<br>
I am almost walking a straight line but don’t have the hip motion as much. Went for a walk and tried to concentrate on the straight leg/hip motion part. I’d feel like I had the motion for a few strides and then I would lose it. Obviously takes a lot of practice! The next day my knee felt a little tweeked so maybe I went too far with it for the first time. I’ll keep experimenting but don’t want to mess up the knee (have had trouble w/ it before).
Has the racewalking made you as skinny as the Russian woman in the video?</p>
<p>I stopped running after my d was born because my knees were awful. Pregnancy seemed to really loosen things up and running just became impossible. I haven’t had any knee problems with racewalking, but I make sure to stabilize my knee as I straighten my leg and land on my heel. Keep steps short and your feet very low to the ground. </p>
<p>Wish you lived in PA - I would meet you for a demo!</p>
<p>No - I am not as skinny as the Russian, although I probably was in high school. My dear friend and convert to the sport has dropped about 30 pounds with regular walking and improving her diet and more importantly, she says she has lost more weight in her hips and thighs than ever before.</p>
<p>I’ve been finding I have the desire to MAYBE start jogging. Never have been a runner. Tried it a few times in college - hated it. But we got a dog this year and I walk him often - probably at least 45 minutes a day. I find now that it is cooler that after walking a few blocks I’d like to lightly jog - not fast, almost like a faster walking with feet slightly more off the ground. I feel kind of silly at my age (52 this week!) to start something like this, but even if I go a couple of blocks it feels good! I do worry about injury or body abuse from the more harshness of jogging vs. walking.</p>
<p>Any tips for newbies???</p>
<p>[Cool</a> Running | The Couch-to-5K ® Running Plan](<a href=“http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml]Cool”>http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml)</p>
<p>Too many people have been turned off of running simply by trying to start off too fast. Their bodies rebel, and they wind up miserable, wondering why anyone would possibly want to do this to themselves.</p>
<p>You should ease into your running program gradually. In fact, the beginners’ program we outline here is less of a running regimen than a walking and jogging program. The idea is to transform you from couch potato to runner, getting you running three miles (or 5K) on a regular basis in just two months.</p>
<p>It’s easy to get impatient, and you may feel tempted to skip ahead in the program, but hold yourself back. Don’t try to do more, even if you feel you can. If, on the other hand, you find the program too strenuous, just stretch it out. Don’t feel pressured to continue faster than you’re able. Repeat weeks if needed and move ahead only when you feel you’re ready.</p>
<p>Posting partly to bump.</p>
<p>The race walking info is getting perilously close to Weight Loss for Smarties!</p>
<p>BCEagle’s Cool Running, however, sounds perfect for this thread - step-by-step and slow but steady instructions. I’ve never been tempted to run since I have enough trouble with my feet. However, my Wii Fit lets me run/jog in place as I pretend to run around Wii island. I’ve only done a few minutes at a time in the past because I got out of breath. My stamina has improved since I started all this exercise and weight loss so am tempted to try again. Does jogging in place give the same benefits as jogging not in place? I know it gets the heart rate up, but are there any significant differences? I know realistically that I am never going to be able to do a health club so my Wii Fit is my best bet. I am managing to get in 20 minutes almost every morning before breakfast and would like to expand to 30.</p>
<p>Belated Friday report - down 1.3 pounds over the previous week even with my birthday visit to DS in California. Apparently I’ve been stuck near this weight for a long while at some time in the past since I don’t seem to have any old jeans that fit just right - must have worn them out. So I went shopping for some jeans that would fit me now and for the next couple of months - then I do have some old ones that will fit after I lose another 5-10 pounds. I had one of those 30% off coupons for Kohls and completely ignored the Women’s department - Misses only for me from now on! DH was not entirely clear why I found that so exciting! I found a nice pair of pants but no jeans; was more successful at TJ Maxx where I found an appropriate pair of jeans for $20.</p>
<p>I spent a few minutes last night trying on old clothes to see what I might wear for Rosh Hashona services and was pleased to be back into an old favorite dress. Fortunately my clothes are so non-fashionable, er, make that classic, that I can wear them still. I have one old wool suit that I loved even though it barely fit when I first bought it. I can now put it on again but can’t comfortably sit down - pulls across the stomach - I really need to start those crunches! Maybe I’ll be able to wear it for Yom Kippur since you stand for half the time at those services anyway! Oh, maybe I’ll stop by the resale shop just to see if there’s something irresistible and inexpensive. I really don’t want to invest much money in clothes that (crosses fingers) will be too large by the end of the year.</p>
<p>Marilyn - my apologies. I just get so excited about the prospect of converting someone to racewalking!! I see so many people running who labor along, hunched over, pounding their knees and I want to convert them. Yes, we racewalkers look a little odd. The first time I went to a major competition my DH stood along the path doubled over with laughter. But - I have learned to ignore the snickers, the pre-pubescent boys who follow behind me wiggling their butts, and the dogs who tilt (there’s a better word but it gets bleeped out) their heads and look at me quizzically. So - when someone asks me A QUESTION, I am beside myself with joy!</p>
<p>I will behave!</p>
<p>wnp - the race walking info was fine - I was just teasing! I’ve seen race walking over the years - it’s even an Olympic sport!</p>
<p>Not that me and Olympic sports have anything in common…</p>
<p>wnp, I enjoy the race-walking information. Does it have anything in common with chi walking/running?</p>
<p>Marilyn, it must be wonderful to have escaped the women’s department! Good for you! Enjoy your new and re-found clothes!</p>
<p>^^No. Chi is a different deal, and somewhat controversial.</p>
<p>I really like the idea of race walking. I couldn’t find any classes in my area, though. How do suggest one can started without formal instruction. Watch a youtube and try to emulate?</p>
<p>Good news! After everyone’s encouragement I got back on track this week and weighed in this morning. I can’t really know for sure because I had stopped the weigh ins for a bit but I think I’m down about two pounds from last week (I sneaked a quick one on the gym scale last weekend and it was actually four more than this morning so I’m splitting the difference).</p>
<p>I’m hoping that this isn’t due to the “Salad incident” yesterday. I went on a college tour about an hour from home, stopped at a popular chain restaurant for lunch afterward, where I ordered a salad. I had to stop at every available public bathroom on the way home. It was a lovely tour of plumbing on the east coast. Oh, well, didn’t need to count the calories from THAT salad.</p>