Passion For Walking

This Saturday, I did my race walking in the Life Path 5K and ended up with the trophy you see in the above picture. Doesn’t it look like an Academy Award? I certainly felt like a star—especially when I received a $25 gift certificate!

Sitting in the awards presentation room after the race, I didn’t expect to be among the winners. First of all, I was walking, not running. Much to my surprise, I actually had beaten two runners in my age bracket. Not only that, but I had the best age-adjusted time for all age 60+ male participants! To say I was shocked is an understatement! Of course, I was happy, too!

In any case, the trophy did its magic. I posted the above photo on Facebook and got a lot of likes and comments. I went home and showed it off to my wife, Mary Ann. Now, she was far more interested in my $25 gift certificate to Recess Gastro Pub. We just had lunch there last week and loved it.

Developing A Passion For Walking

My friend Don was among the folks who congratulated me on Facebook. His comment triggered memories of when I first started walking. In fact, Don was my very first walking buddy. We would walk the little over a mile loop of Newtown Park three times, a feat we accomplished a couple of times a week.

It started out as a social event, a way to see each other and catch up. As we walked, we discussed everything under the sun—cars, sports, old jobs, family, you name it. Two guys sitting around a table would probably never talk about all the things we did, but something about walking and talking goes together like peanut butter and jelly.

As you can imagine, walking helped us get in pretty good shape. So, when the North Fulton Golden Games came along, I thought Don and I were shoe-ins. When the guy who was ten years my senior beat me by 20 yards in the half-mile walk, I was stunned. He was a short little guy in his seventies!

Come to find out, he was race walking, a more efficient technique for walking fast. Needless to say, my competitive side came out and I began researching race walking.

I convinced race walking coach and judge Jim Norvill to come over to Ocee Park a few Sundays to teach me how to race walk. It seemed complicated. It took me a while to learn. In fact, I’m still learning!

Race walking demands your full attention. You always have to check, and adjust, your walking technique. Fortunately, with time, you get better. You know your personal best and try to do better next time.

Fitness Walking Competitions

A competition is when you find out how you’re doing. Not only is it something to look forward to, but it motivates you to practice.  Competitions can be local, regional, national, or international. Fitness Walking Competitions are given by local track clubs, the USATF (USA Track & Field), Senior Games (National Senior Games), and several other organizations. Race walking is even an Olympic sport!

I’ve heard a lot of people say they don’t like to compete anymore. To them and others, I say: “Give it a shot!” Reframe your perspective. You’re really only competing with yourself (remember—personal best).  You’re a winner for just getting out there.

If you’re lucky enough to feel the thrill of competing with others, you will experience something you thought you would never feel again. It’s exhilarating. Some improve themselves to a level they thought was impossible.

Competitions also give you an opportunity to travel to the event and spend a few days in the area while you are there. Last year or two, I was in walking competitions in  Minnesota,  Albuquerque, Birmingham, and even Seattle. My friend Michael has been to walking competitions in almost 50 states!

Finally, when the competition is finished, you’ll be happy that you gave it your best and motivated to do even better next time.

That may be the biggest victory of all.