Fitness Walking

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

All these threads about running/jogging!
Well, I can't do that with my weak ankles and knees that I sprained so many times as a kid- way too much pain to jog.

So I walk. I walk briskly all around a route I worked out that goes round all the streets of my little town. The total loop is exactly 5 miles, with lots of varied scenery and some moderate hills too.
I try to do this walk at least twice a week, in addition to whatever biking and roller skating I do. (and snow shoeing in the winter). At age 54, I find the walking particularly helps my hip joints stay happy.
I did my 5 miles this morning.

Anyone else like to do regular brisk fitness walks?

[Blueberry]

I'm working back into it. I just left a (really bad for me) job, and am starting at square one fitness wise. So - there's walking and there's biking. Sadly, it's too hot to take my doggie on long fitness walks (he's a large golden). However, I've been doing plenty of them. Running doesn't work for me now. Once I lose weight, I'll re-evaluate.

CA

[mimitabby]

i try to do a mile a day as fast as i can walk

[redrhodie]

When I lived in NY, I'd walk from Bleeker St (like you, I was a Bleeker St girl--living on the corner of Minetta St) to 73rd St every morning, then maybe 20 blocks at night. For years, that was my only form of exercise. Even now, with as much riding as I do, I still walk at least a few miles every day.

It's not something I ever have to talk myself into. I just like it. It's a part of NY I still own.

[shootingstar]

If I addup walking segments to and from commuter train, between bus stop and work...it adds up to ..1 hr. each work day. It's reasonably brisk due to catching public transit in good time...getting past construction heavy equipment that is operating..

If I bike in part of my whole commuting segment, that reduces walking to half an hr. but more cardio work from biking.

I'm not keen motivation-wise to jog. I tried it ages ago for 1 summer and was bored.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

When I lived in NY, I'd walk from Bleeker St (like you, I was a Bleeker St girl--living on the corner of Minetta St) to 73rd St every morning, then maybe 20 blocks at night. For years, that was my only form of exercise. Even now, with as much riding as I do, I still walk at least a few miles every day.

It's not something I ever have to talk myself into. I just like it. It's a part of NY I still own.

Whoa- Bleecker St x Minetta Lane???? That was my old childhood corner!!! :eek: :eek:
The Cafe Wha?....Minetta Tavern.....Cafe Reggio.....my best friend lived at 117 MacDougal x Minetta Lane. We share the same karma!!! :D :D :eek: :D

[bmccasland]

My dog Nala makes me go for a walk every afternoon / early evening. We walk briskly for half an hour or so, with the rare stop to sniff something interesting. I know my weight problem would be worse if we didnt walk. And just getting out to fresh air and sunshine clears some of the cobwebs and clutter out of my brain.

[KSH]

My "running" sessions typically consist of 5 minutes walking and 2 minutes running. So I walk way more than I run.

When I'm working it, I walk a 12-12:30 minute mile. When I'm not working it as hard, I walk a 13-13:30 minute mile.

I will walk/run anywhere from 5-14 miles. :)

[cyclinnewbie]

I love love love to walk. I try to walk for an hour a day ... usually do about 5 miles or so. I used to jog, which I still would love to do, but with my arthritis, I can't do it so much anymore. That's where the biking comes in for my real cardio. Other than that, it's power walking for me!

[emily_in_nc]

Yes! I walk a lot, have been doing that for years. Our first Boston Terrier, Pepper, got us in the daily habit back in the early '90s, which we're now continuing with our puppy Paisley. She's up to about 2 miles now. My DH and I love fast fitness walks and take them at home and wherever we travel. We shoot for daily unless the weather is just too bad. I'll never forget doing long road rides on weekend mornings, back when I was riding a lot, and then still having to get out for a good walk with Pepper in the afternoon. That was tiring!

Emily

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm impressed by all yous guys! That's a lot of walking! :eek:

[Pinkberry]

Oh Yeah baby! Yep, I'm a Walk/Runner...in fact I just read an article on this women's running site about the benefits of walking...www.traxee.com. You should go check it out, way less impact than running or jogging. take care of your ankles!

Best Wishes,

~Pink

[BBsw]

Running/walking is what I have been doing for cardio as well. Doing the Couch to 5k in 12 weeks program but at a slower pace. I have been on week 7 for about 3 weeks now. :D

I have found though, that fitness walking is much more enjoyable for me than running. The pounding is just too much. I don't feel like I am getting any where. Whereas, fitness walking feels like am just gliding over the ground. I love it! gimme some good music, my doggie and I am gone!

[hermitclub]

Hooray for fitness walking. I've got bad knees from a car accident so my main forms of exercise are fitness walking and biking. I walk a 4 mile loop at work during my lunch hour, and then do a 6 mile loop on the weekend. Average 4 days of walking a week, plus my 100 - 150 miles on the bike.

I find that the biking is great for my cardio, but the fitness walking is what takes the weight off. Plus I see great wildlife and beautiful beaches.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I also like to fitness walk a 5 mile loop on days I'd like to exercise but when there is a possibility of rain.

If i get caught in the rain on my bike 15 miles from home it's no fun....my brakes don't work as well, I have to slow down on curves so as not to skid, my bike gets filthy, and cars splash me with wet muddy water.
Walking in the rain is no big deal however- just change my clothes when I get home.

[beccaB]

I fitness walk too, about 3 miles 3 times a week, on days I don't bike. I also do Curves 3x a week. I wish I could still run, but knees and Achiiles tendon won't cooperate.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I try to walk every day but my feet are not cooperating. Now I'm in PT and they would rather have me ice it. Sigh. Having a dog that is cooped up all day long makes you walk.

I'm supposed to run a 5K in the fall. I just can't get excited about running. It's boring. I try and try. I used to run before and gave up after running a 10K and realizing that I hated it. Thank you mtn biking because if it wasn't for it, I would need a hovercraft to get around.

[hermitclub]

Lisa-

I'm with you. Not much for biking in the rain. I actually really enjoy walking in the rain. I find it rather exhilerating.

[jesvetmed]

Well, all... I'm about to hit the walking quite heavily. I have 8 weeks to the 60-mile Breast Cancer 3-Day. I've done it two times before and have done just fine. But this year I have really concentrated on run/bike/swim stuff, so the walking has been on the back burner.

I now must get cooking! I also have another triathlon in 5 or 6 weeks, so I'll have to do some schedule juggling! The problem with walking is it just takes so much more time to get the work in. If I have to do 10 miles, I'm out there for quite a long time! But it does feel a lot better on all the parts!

Dogs are a blessing when it comes to motivation, though! Even just to get in 10-20 minutes, they are SO happy!

Got 2 miles in after my run today -- this is a good combo for me -- run out the trail, walk back same distance. Kills two birds with one stone.
I'll keep you all posted on the milage climb!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Do you like or use the same shoes for running as for walking?

[jesvetmed]

I do use the same shoes that I run in -- I try to replace them prior to getting heavy on the miles, though. And I use the superfeet insoles, and sometimes double layer socks. I'm going to try more smartwool socks this year and see what I think. I've actually had good luck with plain old Balego running socks in the past, despite trying lots of fancy "walking" socks -- they are way too thick for me.

Ok.. that was a lot more than you asked me!:D

[lph]

ok, so this doesn't really have much to do with fitness walking, but I'm too lazy to start a whole new thread just to tell this:

I used to do a lot of hiking, but the past year or two biking has sort of taken over. To the point where I will automatically use my bike everywhere, even to roll down to the store 400 yds away.

Anyway: last Monday we set off for a weeks hike in the mountains. After a few hundred yards my son was treated to me complaining "Hey - this walking thing is so BUMPY!"

I think I need to hike a bit more again :o

[nancielle]

I'm coming into this late (been without a computer for the past 30 days.
Lightning and electrical items, even those plugged into surge suppressors,
are not a good mix :( :eek: :mad:) I have problems with a knee since it was torn up in an icy fall a couple of years ago. I refuse to give in to arthritis so Chloe (fur trainer) and I are out for walks at least twice a day (more/longer on weekends.) Depending on the humidity and pain, we do anywhere from 1.5 to 5 miles (with rest breaks tossed in).


"Hey - this walking thing is so BUMPY!"
This, made me laugh.

[Crankin]

I do fitness walking or hiking on local trails about twice a week. I've been walking for years; first as an adjunct to aerobics and now on the days I don't ride.
I'm with you Lisa. I don't ride in the rain unless it starts when I'm out there, but I have been known to do an 8 mile hike in the woods in the rain. I have tried running at several times in my life, the most serious about 5 years ago. I like the idea of running, but my body just can't take it. It's painful for me both physically and mentally. Never got that runner's high! I wish I could run, but it's not gonna happen.
I find I get sore from walking in places that I don't even feel on the bike!

[cricket]

I walk about three miles in the evening when it's not too hot or rainy pretty consistently. I am contemplating doing the Team in Training half-marathon in January (walking, not running). Has anyone ever done the walk? I think this one is at Disney. I am concerned that you have to finish it in 3 1/2 hours which is about a 4 minute mile for 13.1 miles, and also of course the fund raising aspect which I have never done before.