http://walking.about.com/ Get the latest headlines from the About.com Walking GuideSite. http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hh http://www.about.com/ 118 20 en-us 2009-11-04T10:11:09Z Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:11:09 +0000 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/04/in-defense-of-jaywalking.htm <table align="right" hspace="5"> <tr> <td><SCRIPT LANGUAGE= "javaScript" SRC="http://guidepolls.about.com/walking/7366441553/poll.js?linkback=<!--#echo var="SCRIPT_URI"-->"></script> </td> </tr> </table> <p>Tom Vanderbilt <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.slate.com/id/2234011/">defends jaywalking</a> in the Nov. 2 issue of <em>Slate</em> . <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/pedestrians/g/jaywalking.htm">Jaywalking</a> is crossing a street outside of a recognized crosswalk, and it may or may not be an offense in various cities and towns.<p>I try to always be a law-abiding citizen but I must admit that I jaywalk regularly. I'm an adult. I look both ways and cross when there are no cars in sight. I always do this to cross a street a half mile away in my suburban neighborhood, as I believe the light at that corner is a far more dangerous place to cross. Cars turning right think they have the right of way, even though I have the walk signal. They aren't expecting pedestrians in the crosswalk. That makes it far more dangerous than crossing down the street after ensuring no traffic is coming in either direction.</p> <p> We teach kids to obey the signals, and I am a good role model when children are present. But on my own, I trust my own eyes more than a driver determined to make a turn across the crosswalk I am occupying. I try to make eye contact with drivers and even wave at them while crossing to try to ensure my safety.</p> <p> The good news is that the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2007/02/08/fines-for-distracted-walkers.htm">40% of pedestrian deaths are people with measurable blood alcohol levels</a>, usually walking after dark. I don't walk after dark if I've had a drink. While we may be dismayed by distracted walkers who are texting or blabbing on cell phones, or oblivious with their iPods, it's really the booze that is associated with the death rate.</p> <p> Do you jaywalk? Do you think I'm a risky fool? Answer the poll and join in the Comments.</p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/04/in-defense-of-jaywalking.htm">In Defense of Jaywalking</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 16:28:07.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/04/in-defense-of-jaywalking.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/04/in-defense-of-jaywalking.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/04/in-defense-of-jaywalking.htm&zItl=In Defense of Jaywalking">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/04/in-defense-of-jaywalking.htm Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:28:07 +0000 2009-11-04T16:28:07Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/04/nordic-walking-book-and-blog.htm <p><a href="http://walking.about.com/od/publications/fr/nordicwalkingclairewalter.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/G/w/Z/2/nordicwalkingclairewalter-pg.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Nordic Walking by Claire Walter" /></a>Walking with fitness walking poles (Nordic Walking) is a great way to increase the calorie burn and muscle toning of your walking workout. As an added bonus, you feel less exertion. Claire Walter has a new book out on Nordic Walking. It's a good comprehensive book with more about the differences in the poles, what to wear, and tips for the different styles. I received a free review copy from the publisher.<br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/publications/fr/nordicwalkingclairewalter.htm">Nordic Walking Book Review</a><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://nordic-walking-usa.blogspot.com/">Nordic Walking USA Blog</a>. <br /> Photo courtesy of Pricegrabber</p> <p> I've been following Nordic Walking for many years. It is very popular in Europe but only slowly making inroads in North America. I like using my fitness walking poles when walking solo. Because I spend most of the day at the computer, the poles encourage me to open up my chest and get my shoulders back. It's good therapy for bad computer posture. Also -- burns more calories per mile!<br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/nordicwalking/ss/nordicwalking.htm">Nordic Walking Step by Step</a></p> <p>I found several Nordic Walkers on Twitter, here are the ones in English:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/nordicwalkMN">Nordic Walk This Way Minnesota</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/nordicwalker">Nordic Walker San Diego</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/BritNordicWalk">British Nordic Walking</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://twitter.com/nordicacademy">Nordic Academy Australia</a></li> </ul> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/04/nordic-walking-book-and-blog.htm">Nordic Walking Book and Blog</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 10:11:09.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/04/nordic-walking-book-and-blog.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/04/nordic-walking-book-and-blog.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/04/nordic-walking-book-and-blog.htm&zItl=Nordic Walking Book and Blog">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/04/nordic-walking-book-and-blog.htm Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:11:09 +0000 2009-11-04T10:11:09Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/03/know-any-good-walking-blogs.htm <p>Dara wrote to me to lure me to her walking-oriented blog, <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walkingdistance.weebly.com/the-blog-part.html">A Walking Blog</a>, and I found her writing style to be entertaining. I keep five walking-related blogs on my blogroll and link to several other <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/walkingblogs/Walking_Weblogs_and_Blogs.htm">walking blogs</a>. But I had to delete a few that had disappeared without a trace, and some others haven't been updated in months. Out snooping around, I found Claire Walter's <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://nordic-walking-usa.blogspot.com/">Nordic Walking USA</a> blog and updated my favorite how-to blog, <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://fixingyourfeet.com/blog/">Fixing Your Feet</a> by John Vonhof. Do you have a favorite walking blog? How about favorite walking Twitters? Tell me about it in the Comments.</p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/03/know-any-good-walking-blogs.htm">Know Any Good Walking Blogs?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 09:34:14.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/03/know-any-good-walking-blogs.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/03/know-any-good-walking-blogs.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/03/know-any-good-walking-blogs.htm&zItl=Know Any Good Walking Blogs?">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/03/know-any-good-walking-blogs.htm Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:34:14 +0000 2009-11-03T09:34:14Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/02/did-you-just-finish-a-marathon-or-half-marathon.htm <p>Congratulations to all finishers! My walking buddies and I think it's essential to share our experience after a marathon or half marathon. Nobody walks or runs the same race. Come tell us about how you trained, how you performed, and what you learned, and even share a picture. <p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/u/sty/marathons/marathonstories/form.htm">Tell Us Your Marathon Story</a><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/u/sty/marathons/halfmarathonstories/form.htm">Tell Us Your Half Marathon Story</a></p> <p>After the marathon or half marathon, you need to take care of yourself. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/marathontraining/a/marathonwalk21.-LMf.htm">Marathon and Half Marathon Recovery</a>: from the finish through the first day, week, and how to keep training for the next one. <p> Walkers' Stories:<br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/u/sty/marathons/marathonstories/The-Ryans-First-Portland-Marathon-2009.htm">The Ryans' First Portland Marathon</a><br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/u/sty/marathons/halfmarathonstories/Fox-Cities-Marathon-13-1-Mile-Walk-2009.htm">Fox Cities Half Marathon</a></p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/02/did-you-just-finish-a-marathon-or-half-marathon.htm">Did You Just Finish a Marathon or Half Marathon?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 09:41:00.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/02/did-you-just-finish-a-marathon-or-half-marathon.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/02/did-you-just-finish-a-marathon-or-half-marathon.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/02/did-you-just-finish-a-marathon-or-half-marathon.htm&zItl=Did You Just Finish a Marathon or Half Marathon?">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/11/02/did-you-just-finish-a-marathon-or-half-marathon.htm Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:41:00 +0000 2009-11-02T09:41:00Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/31/zombie-walks-and-cemetery-strolls.htm <p><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/0/0/_/2/hallow_19-180.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Halloween decorations" />Have some creepy fun this spooky time of year. The zombies have been walking all over in flash mob <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/holiday/g/zombiewalks.htm">zombie walks</a>. You can look for a zombie walk via <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&#038;zTi=1&#038;sdn=walking&#038;cdn=health&#038;tm=8&#038;f=22&#038;tt=8&#038;bt=1&#038;bts=0&#038;zu=http%3A//www.zombiewalk.com/forum/blog_home.php">Zombiewalk.com</a>, splash on some good <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://diyfashion.about.com/od/facepainting/ss/zombie_makeup.htm">zombie makeup</a>, and shuffle and moan away with others of your undead kind.</p> <p> If shuffling isn't your pace and you don't crave brains, you might want to earn the AVA's Cemetery Stroll award by walking 40 different walking events or mapped trails through 40 different cemeteries before the end of June, 2010. That much walking will definitely help keep you out of the grave! They have both year-round walks you can do any day, guided by a map, or traditional events, which are walking events with marked trails, hosted and staffed by a club for a day or a weekend. You can search for Cemetery Walks via the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.ava.org/ava_search.asp">AVA event search</a>. Choose your state and choose Cemetery Walks as the Special Program. Read more about the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.ava.org/Special%20Event%20Programs/programs.htm">Cemetery Stroll Program</a><br />Photo &#169; Wendy Bumgardner</p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/31/zombie-walks-and-cemetery-strolls.htm">Zombie Walks and Cemetery Strolls</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 09:42:54.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/31/zombie-walks-and-cemetery-strolls.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/31/zombie-walks-and-cemetery-strolls.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/31/zombie-walks-and-cemetery-strolls.htm&zItl=Zombie Walks and Cemetery Strolls">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/31/zombie-walks-and-cemetery-strolls.htm Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:42:54 +0000 2009-10-31T09:42:54Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/29/80-minutes-a-week-keeps-off-visceral-fat.htm <p>A study of women who lost weight showed that 80 minutes a week of exercise helped keep off dangerous <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://lowfatcooking.about.com/od/healthandfitness/a/bodyfat.htm">visceral body fat</a> for a year, even if they regained some of the lost weight. The study by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that both aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, and resistance strength training exercise helped keep off the visceral fat.</p> <p> The study had participants exercise twice a week for 40 minutes at a time. Those who were in the exercise group but weren't faithful to it had as bad or worse regain of fat as those who didn't exercise. It was a small study with only 57 participants.</p> <p> Visceral fat is "fat on the inside" fat often seen as abdominal fat or "beer belly." It can surround the internal organs and is associated with a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://diabetes.about.com/od/benefitsofexercise/a/bodyfat.htm">higher risk of type II diabetes</a>.<br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/fitness/a/exercise2007.htm">How Much Exercise Do You Need?</a><br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/calculators/a/bodyfat.htm">Body Fat Calculators</a></p> <p> ^{Source: Gary R. Hunter, et. al. "<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.nature.com/oby/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/oby2009316a.html">Exercise Training Prevents Regain of Visceral Fat for 1 Year Following Weight Loss</a>." <i>Obesity</i> (2009) doi:10.1038/oby.2009.316.}</p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/29/80-minutes-a-week-keeps-off-visceral-fat.htm">80 Minutes a Week Keeps off Visceral Fat</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 09:47:53.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/29/80-minutes-a-week-keeps-off-visceral-fat.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/29/80-minutes-a-week-keeps-off-visceral-fat.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/29/80-minutes-a-week-keeps-off-visceral-fat.htm&zItl=80 Minutes a Week Keeps off Visceral Fat">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/29/80-minutes-a-week-keeps-off-visceral-fat.htm Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:47:53 +0000 2009-10-29T09:47:53Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/28/national-volkssport-walking-month.htm <a href="http://walking.about.com/od/volkssportfaqs/a/firstwalk.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/0/A/L/2/fuldawendy170.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Wendy on a walk" /></a>I almost let October slip away without celebrating the walking sport that <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/volkssportfaqs/a/firstwalk.htm">turned me into a walker</a>. Twenty-five years ago, my fiance and I went on the very first <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/volkssport/a/avatutorial.htm">volkssport walk</a> held in Oregon. It was a 6.2 mile (10 kilometer) walk that happened to be held in my hometown. I didn't believe I could make it a whole six miles, but I did and got my first sports medal ever - a volkssport medal given to all finishers. I was hooked, and here I am today.<p> You can catch the volkssport bug, too. The events are completely non-competitive and most are set up to allow you to sign up within a four-hour window and start and finish with plenty of time to really enjoy the route. These are walks, not races. While you can use the routes for athletic walking training, most are meant to be enjoyed for the sights along the way.<p> I can't think of a better way to connect with my own local area as well as to explore tourist destinations. Last weekend I was in Los Angeles and we chose to stay at a hotel that hosts one of the 1700 <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/volkssportfaqs/ss/yretutorial.htm">year-round volkssport routes</a>. That meant that I had a map and directions for a great walk I could use each day, and many starting points have more than one route featured.<p> What you will discover at many volkssport walks is that the walkers tend to be over age 50. Don't let that dissuade you if you are an energetic 20-something. Those oldsters can probably walk you into the ground. Strike up a conversation and you'll discover that many of them log a half marathon a day when they are out on a walking trip. Many have walked in all 50 states and many countries around the world. They lead fun, interesting and active lives.<p> Get started now with volkssporting. It is a world-wide sport. I have a step-by-step tutorial on what to expect on a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/volkssport/a/avatutorial.htm">traditional weekend volkssport walk</a>, and another on how to enjoy one of those 1700 <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/volkssportfaqs/ss/yretutorial.htm">year-round volkssport walks</a>.<p> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/volkscal/a/volkscal.htm">Find a volkssport walk</a><br /> Photo &#169; Wendy Bumgardner<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/28/national-volkssport-walking-month.htm">National Volkssport Walking Month</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 09:04:30.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/28/national-volkssport-walking-month.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/28/national-volkssport-walking-month.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/28/national-volkssport-walking-month.htm&zItl=National Volkssport Walking Month">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/28/national-volkssport-walking-month.htm Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:04:30 +0000 2009-10-28T09:04:30Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/26/hurting-heels.htm <p><a href="http://walking.about.com/cs/heelpain/f/heelpain.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/0/m/1/pfintrinsicstretch.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Plantar stretch" /></a>Sue writes to me, "The edges off my heels have sharp pains and the bottoms feel like they are being pulled apart on the inside of my heel. I have not walked for a week and they are better but still hurt. What is your advice?" <p> Heel pain is a problem for walkers and non-walkers alike. I can't diagnose an individual's problem, but I know from years of walking that heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are two common problems that produce heel pain. Our Guide to Orthopedic Medicine has an excellent explanation of the symptoms, causes and treatment of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/generalinfo2/a/heelspur.htm">heel spurs</a>, including <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://orthopedics.about.com/od/treatments/ss/stretch_2.htm">stretches for plantar fasciitis and heel spurs</a>. <p> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/heelpain/f/heelpain.htm">More on Plantar Fasciitis</a><br />Photo &#169; Wendy Bumgardner</p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/26/hurting-heels.htm">Hurting Heels</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 16:34:33.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/26/hurting-heels.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/26/hurting-heels.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/26/hurting-heels.htm&zItl=Hurting Heels">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/26/hurting-heels.htm Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:34:33 +0000 2009-10-26T16:34:33Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/23/nothing-beats-waterproof.htm <p><a href="http://walking.about.com/cs/weather/a/rain.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/6/n/i/rainsuit.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Rain suit" /></a>The soft autumn day was beautiful, with sunlight playing off the red and golden leaves. Just mean enough to let you get a mile from home when the black clouds rolled in, the thunder banged and deluge came. That's not the usual weather for the Northwest -- we usually get a gentle, steady drip for four or five months. It's nothing you can't handle with a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/clothing/tp/rainjacket.htm">waterproof jacket</a>. Last Saturday, that gullywasher had my sweat-wicking pants wicking the rain all the way up to my waistband. There is a time and a place for <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/weather/a/rain5.htm">waterproof pants</a> and <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/weather/a/rain2.htm">waterproof shoes</a>. Or just walking at home on the treadmill or inside the mall instead.</p> <p>In fact, I thought the downpour and soaking was kind of fun and humorous. But the day wasn't cold and I was just a few minutes from home, a change to dry clothes, and hot chocolate. Not like the poor contestants on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://realitytv.about.com/od/survivor/ig/Survivor--Samoa-Contestants/">Survivor</a> this week, who had days of rain and no good shelter.<br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/weather/a/rain.htm">How to Walk in the Rain</a><br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/weather/a/indoorswalking.htm">Best Ways to Walk Indoors</a><br /><br /> Photo &#169; Wendy Bumgardner</p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/23/nothing-beats-waterproof.htm">Nothing Beats Waterproof</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 12:46:17.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/23/nothing-beats-waterproof.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/23/nothing-beats-waterproof.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/23/nothing-beats-waterproof.htm&zItl=Nothing Beats Waterproof">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/23/nothing-beats-waterproof.htm Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:46:17 +0000 2009-10-23T12:46:17Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/20/powercap-lights-the-way.htm <a href="http://walking.about.com/od/hats/gr/pantherpowercap.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/G/-/_/2/pantherpowercap.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Panther Vision PowerCap" /></a>As fall speeds onward towards winter, it's getting darker and darker out there in the early morning and late afternoon. While most of my walking workout route has streetlamps, a flashlight is a good back-up. But I can eliminate having to take along something extra by using a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/hats/gr/pantherpowercap.htm">Panther Vision LED PowerCap</a>. The new 3-LED version is a great improvement for walkers and runners. Previous versions of these hats from Panther Vision and G3 had only lights in the front of the brim, which never pointed where I needed them unless I walked with my head down. That's bad walking form. The new PowerCap has two spotlights that illuminate the ground where I need it - right in front of me. Even better, the bulbs are so inconspicuous that you can wear this hat day or night without fear of looking geeky. It looks like any other hat. A headlamp that has an adjustable angle, such as the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/lights/gr/petzltaktikkaplus.htm">Petzl TacTikka</a>, is still more precise. But I plan to take the PowerCap along for general use. Review samples were provided by the manufacturer.<br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/hats/gr/pantherpowercap.htm">Panther Vision PowerCap Review</a><br /> Photo &#169; Wendy Bumgardner<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/20/powercap-lights-the-way.htm">PowerCap Lights the Way</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 at 09:53:37.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/20/powercap-lights-the-way.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/20/powercap-lights-the-way.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/20/powercap-lights-the-way.htm&zItl=PowerCap Lights the Way">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/20/powercap-lights-the-way.htm Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:53:37 +0000 2009-10-20T09:53:37Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/19/three-die-in-detroit-marathon.htm <p>The marathon is a difficult event, but deaths during the event are rare. Three deaths in the space of a quarter hour at the Detroit Marathon, Sunday, Oct. 18, are bizarre. All three men received immediate medical attention. Twenty-six year old Jon Fenlon had just completed the half marathon. Sixty-five year old Rick Brown reportedly collapsed and hit his head between the 11 and 12 mile markers, near where thirty-six year old Daniel Langdon had collapsed 15 minutes earlier. Autopsies will determine the causes of death. All three were reportedly competing in the half marathon rather than the full marathon.</p> <p> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/medhot/a/heatillness.htm">Heat is usually the cause of illness</a> and death at distance races, but the temperatures in Detroit began around the freezing mark and were only at 41F with a light breeze at the time of the incidents. Slower runners and walkers are at risk of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/fluids/a/hyponatremia.htm">hyponatremia</a> from drinking too much fluids, but all three men were on a good running pace for the half marathon or marathon.</p> <p>Earlier this month, I attended the Race Directors College in Portland, Oregon and the panel on medical concerns noted that deaths during the marathon are very rare. The legend has it that the first marathoner, Phidippides, died after running from Marathon to Athens. But the legend usually omits the fact that this was just the last leg of an extreme ultramarathon that included over 300 miles before the fatal run.</p> <p> As a certified marathon coach, I encourage walkers and runners to get a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/beginners/a/blhowprepare_2.htm">regular physical check-up</a> before starting training, and those with underlying medical conditions should consult with their doctors specifically about the training requirements. I also encourage those finishing a marathon event to ensure they are not alone for the next several hours. At the Race Directors College I heard tales of people dying alone in their hotel rooms after the race.</p> <p> Over the course of 25 years of hosting and attending walking events, we have lost walkers during the event. I have been at events where walkers had a heart attack or stroke and died at the start/finish or along the course. It is always tragic, but most often due to an underlying condition that would have produced the fatal event anyway.</p> <p> Over 19,000 registered for the Detroit Marathon. The deaths are tragic. The autopsies may reveal clues as to whether they were preventable or a simple tragic coincidence.<br /> <br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.freep.com/article/20091019/SPORTS23/910190362/0/LIFESTYLE/Autopsies-today-for-3-runners">Detroit Free Press: Autopsies Expected Today</a><br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/marathontraining/a/marathonwalk3.htm">Why is the Marathon So Tough?</a></p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/19/three-die-in-detroit-marathon.htm">Three die in Detroit Marathon</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Monday, October 19th, 2009 at 10:03:02.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/19/three-die-in-detroit-marathon.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/19/three-die-in-detroit-marathon.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/19/three-die-in-detroit-marathon.htm&zItl=Three die in Detroit Marathon">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/19/three-die-in-detroit-marathon.htm Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:03:02 +0000 2009-10-19T10:03:02Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/17/new-balance-1063-shoe-review.htm <a href="http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/gr/newbalance1063.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/G/z/Z/2/newbalance1063-pg.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="New Balance 1063" /></a>The New Balance 1063 is a cushioned lightweight training shoe. In my search for a replacement for my favorite discontinued shoes, I first tried a shoe that lacked enough cushioning. My legs and feet felt beat up after a few miles. I needed a shoe that would be good for 10K through half marathon distance and that didn't irritate my bunion. I have been pleased with the New Balance 1063 for a month now. They are cushioned enough that I didn't mind standing around for hours while volunteering at the Portland Marathon finish line. They feel lightweight. They have changed the lasts on which they make New Balance shoes, and this PL-1 last has less volume in the toe box for a snugger fit. Yet I found it plenty roomy in size D wide, and it doesn't irritate my bunion. The drawback is that the heel is a little higher than walkers need. But I haven't found that to be a problem. I think these are keepers -- until they discontinue them as well! <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/gr/newbalance1063.htm">New Balance 1063 Shoe Review</a><br />Photo courtesy of Pricegrabber.<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/17/new-balance-1063-shoe-review.htm">New Balance 1063 Shoe Review</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Saturday, October 17th, 2009 at 22:15:10.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/17/new-balance-1063-shoe-review.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/17/new-balance-1063-shoe-review.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/17/new-balance-1063-shoe-review.htm&zItl=New Balance 1063 Shoe Review">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/17/new-balance-1063-shoe-review.htm Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:15:10 +0000 2009-10-17T22:15:10Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/13/walkable-neighborhood-means-less-diabetes.htm <p><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/0/y/Z/2/cedarmillwalkdogs-180.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Walking park path in Cedar Mill Oregon" />If you build it, they will walk and be healthier? A multi-city study found that people living in neighborhoods where it was more pleasant and easier to walk and where they had better access to fresh fruits and veggies had a 38% lower rate of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://diabetes.about.com">type 2 diabetes</a>. That finding held up after adjusting for the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://diabetes.about.com/od/symptomsdiagnosis/tp/riskfactors.htm">usual risk factors</a>. <p> The prospective study looked at neighborhood-level data in Baltimore, Forsyth County, N.C. and New York City/Bronx. They assessed over 2285 residents for blood glucose levels initially and then five years later. In that time, about 10% developed type 2 diabetes. <p> The study participants rated their neighborhoods for access to farmers markets and a larger selection of fresh fruit and vegetables in supermarkets as well as whether it was a pleasant and easy place to walk. Those factors were associated with a reduced rate of developing type 2 diabetes. <p> This study adds to findings that walkable neighborhoods can improve the health of the residents. A previous study in Salt Lake City found that <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/pedestrians/a/walkableweight.htm">walkable neighborhoods have thinner residents</a> and so did one in <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/03/06/waistline-war-walkable-neighorhoods-vs-fast-food.htm">Portland, Oregon</a>. <p> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2007/07/26/use-walk-score-to-see-if-you-live-in-a-walkable-neighborhood.htm">Is your neighborhood walkable</a>? Do you have a good source of fresh fruit and vegetables? Look around. If moving isn't an option, then get involved with local efforts to build a more walkable environment and to bring in a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://localfoods.about.com/od/farmersmarket1/Farmers_Markets.htm">farmers market</a> or fresh food co-op.<br /><br /> Photo &#169; Wendy Bumgardner 2009<p> ^{Source: Amy H. Auchincloss, PhD, MPH, et al. "<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/169/18/1698?home">Neighborhood Resources for Physical Activity and Healthy Foods and Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus</a>." <em>Archives of Internal Medicine</em>, 2009;169(18):1698-1704.} </p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/13/walkable-neighborhood-means-less-diabetes.htm">Walkable Neighborhood Means Less Diabetes?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 at 07:59:01.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/13/walkable-neighborhood-means-less-diabetes.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/13/walkable-neighborhood-means-less-diabetes.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/13/walkable-neighborhood-means-less-diabetes.htm&zItl=Walkable Neighborhood Means Less Diabetes?">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/13/walkable-neighborhood-means-less-diabetes.htm Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:59:01 +0000 2009-10-13T07:59:01Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/12/attack-of-the-halloween-candy.htm <a href="http://walking.about.com/library/cal/blhalloweencalories.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/6/b/U/2/pumpkinlit2.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Pumpkin" /></a>Nothing is scarier to me than the pounds that start coming on when the Halloween candy hits the store shelves. I strive to keep my house and office a candy-free zone. But mini-Snickers leap out at me from every direction. Tiny bags of M&#038;Ms cast me come-hither looks. What can I do?<p> I built a scary <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/library/cal/blhalloweencalories.htm">Halloween Candy Calorie Calculator</a> that tells you how far you have to walk to walk off the checkmarked treats. Can't resist the treats? Lace up the walking shoes!<br /> Photo &#169; Wendy Bumgardner<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/12/attack-of-the-halloween-candy.htm">Attack of the Halloween Candy</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Monday, October 12th, 2009 at 11:48:58.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/12/attack-of-the-halloween-candy.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/12/attack-of-the-halloween-candy.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/12/attack-of-the-halloween-candy.htm&zItl=Attack of the Halloween Candy">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/12/attack-of-the-halloween-candy.htm Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:48:58 +0000 2009-10-12T11:48:58Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/10/breast-cancer-walks-2.htm <p><a href="http://walking.about.com/od/breastcancerwalks/Breast_Cancer_Walks.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/G/1/F/avonimg07closingsurvivors.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Breast Cancer Walkers" /></a>October is <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://breastcancer.about.com/">Breast Cancer</a> Awareness Month. Walking events large and small raise money for breast cancer charities. As exercise can <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/cancerprevention/a/bcnursestudy.htm">reduce the risk of breast cancer</a> and improve survival rates, the walks have a dual benefit. <p> This is not a female-only disease or female-only cause. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://breastcancer.about.com/b/2009/09/21/cnn-camp-lejeune-mbc.htm">Men also get breast cancer</a>. Most breast cancer walks welcome men to support the cause. So long as they aren't <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://nonprofit.about.com/b/2007/09/17/is-the-blush-off-pink-ribbons.htm">allergic to pink</a>. <p> I've walked and volunteered for each of the series of multi-day breast cancer walks. These were supreme walking experiences, and I encourage others to take the challenge.<br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/breastcancerwalks/p/avonwalk.htm">Avon Walk for Breast Cancer</a><br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/breastcancerwalks/p/bc3day.htm">Breast Cancer 3-Day Walks</a><br /><br /> Photo &#169; Wendy Bumgardner</p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/10/breast-cancer-walks-2.htm">Breast Cancer Walks</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Saturday, October 10th, 2009 at 10:56:22.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/10/breast-cancer-walks-2.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/10/breast-cancer-walks-2.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/10/breast-cancer-walks-2.htm&zItl=Breast Cancer Walks">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/10/breast-cancer-walks-2.htm Sat, 10 Oct 2009 10:56:22 +0000 2009-10-10T10:56:22Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/08/black-toenails-and-blisters.htm <a href="http://walking.about.com/od/blisterfoot/a/blacktoenail.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/G/v/I/2/blacktoe2-1.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Black toenail" /></a>Few people finish a half marathon or marathon without blisters, and it is common to get a black toenail. What can you do to prevent these, and what do you do when you get them?<p> Black toenails is a bloody blister under the toenail and are caused by trauma -- usually by the foot sliding forward in the shoe and banging against the end of the toe box. Or you could get them by dropping something heavy onto your foot, but let's stick with the ones you get on a long walk. The prevention is to have <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/shoes/a/shoefit.htm">well-fit shoes</a> and <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/shoes/ss/shoelacingtofit.htm"> lacing them to prevent heel slippage</a>. It's the downhills that can really cause problems with heel slippage.<p> The bad news is that unless it is just a spot of black, you will probably lose the toenail. This is not painful, and the toenail will grow back after several months. You can even paint the area where it should be with nail polish and pretend you still have a toenail. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/blisterfoot/a/blacktoenail.htm">More on black toenail</a>. <p>Blisters happen any time friction against your shoe finally wears too much on your skin. There are many tactics to prevent blisters: wearing sweat-wicking socks, corn starch to keep the shoes dry, lubricants and cover-ups to reduce friction. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/blisterschafing/a/blistersbegone.htm">Tactics to prevent blisters</a>. <p>Once you have a blister, it can be drained and then covered up to prevent it growing bigger. Soaking the feet in an Epsom Salts bath can also help draw out the blister fluid and dry the blister. It takes about a week without further rubbing to heal a blister. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/blisterschafing/ht/htblisterfix.htm">How to treat a blister</a><br /><br /> Photo &#169; Wendy Bumgardner</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/08/black-toenails-and-blisters.htm">Black Toenails and Blisters</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Thursday, October 8th, 2009 at 10:08:46.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/08/black-toenails-and-blisters.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/08/black-toenails-and-blisters.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/08/black-toenails-and-blisters.htm&zItl=Black Toenails and Blisters">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/08/black-toenails-and-blisters.htm Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:08:46 +0000 2009-10-08T10:08:46Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/06/freebies-for-the-boldly-frugal.htm <p><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/0/s/Z/2/pdxmarshirttrash-180.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Discrarded shirts and jackets at the marathon" />How frugal are you? As I volunteered at the finish line for the Portland Marathon, I saw block after block of fencing draped with discarded shirts and jackets. The 45 degree starting temperature meant that marathoners brought along cover-up to discard. I saw some expensive fleece and high tech shirts amongst the discards. These are free for the taking if your level of frugality is high enough. The Portland Marathon collects these discards and donates them to charity.</p> <p><table align="right"> <tr> <td><SCRIPT LANGUAGE= "javaScript" SRC="http://guidepolls.about.com/walking/4837630253/poll.js?linkback=<!--#echo var="SCRIPT_URI"-->"></script></td> </tr> </table> <p>But seeing the thousands available made me wonder whether this was a good opportunity for the boldly frugal. Would you ever consider picking up one of these? I suppose I could look through them and then loudly exclaim, "Here's my shirt, I knew I left it here" when I found one I liked. I'd stick with browsing at the starting line where the shirts haven't gotten sweaty yet, vs. later on the course. Reuse, recycle, be green? Or an idea that is beyond the pale?<br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/gear/tp/moneysavingwalks.htm">Money-Saving Tips for Walkers</a><br /> Photo &#169; Wendy Bumgardner 2009<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/06/freebies-for-the-boldly-frugal.htm">Freebies for the Boldly Frugal</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at 10:03:04.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/06/freebies-for-the-boldly-frugal.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/06/freebies-for-the-boldly-frugal.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/06/freebies-for-the-boldly-frugal.htm&zItl=Freebies for the Boldly Frugal">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/06/freebies-for-the-boldly-frugal.htm Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:03:04 +0000 2009-10-06T10:03:04Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/06/the-last-marathoners.htm <p><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/0/r/Z/2/pdxmarruth-170.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Ruth Robbins Finishes the Portland Marathon" />I've finished the Portland Marathon seven times and decided to rest on those laurels. So it was an easy sell when our local walking organization was looking for volunteers to staff the finish line for those who would finish in over seven hours.<p> My first job was with the space blankets, also called heat sheets. These are mylar sheets that help keep the marathoners from cooling off too quickly. The day was cool, in the 60's, and it was very rewarding to swath each finisher in their own shining silver cape.<p> By the eight hour mark, the event organizers were ready to start rolling up the electronic timing mats. I got handed a timing machine to enter each finisher's bib number into so it would record their finish time once the chip timing mats were turned off. That was quite a responsibility, but luckily the crowd of finishers had turned into a trickle.<p> That didn't stop the enthusiastic welcome we gave each person. Cheers, clapping, a medal, space blanket, rose and tree seedling (not to mention snacks and drinks). The Portland Marathon keeps up the spirit for every walker.<p> At eight hours 47 minutes, a vision in purple appeared - my old club mate Ruth Robbins, finishing her first marathon. She trained with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training and was escorted by several of her team mates. She carried a bouquet of flowers -- she was really getting the royal treatment. I knew Ruth would make it, slow and steady. We had met up throughout this past year when spotting each other at half marathons and the Bridge Stride. I felt privileged to be there at her moment of triumph, recording her finish time.<p> Ruth chose her event well -- a big running marathon that cares just as much about the walkers. If you think you'll never be fast enough, you'll never be able to walk far enough, think again. I've felt the miracle happen in my own body year after year. Six miles feels like forever in the spring, but by July I'm finding a half marathon not much of a challenge, and by September that's an easy day. Try this yourself some year -- feel the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly, from stroller to marathoner.<br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/u/sty/marathons/marathonstories/form.htm">Tell us your marathon story</a><br /><p> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/marathontraining/a/marathonwalk1.htm">How to Walk a Marathon</a><br /><br /> Photo &#169; Wendy Bumgardner 2009</p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/06/the-last-marathoners.htm">The Last Marathoners</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at 01:04:24.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/06/the-last-marathoners.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/06/the-last-marathoners.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/06/the-last-marathoners.htm&zItl=The Last Marathoners">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/06/the-last-marathoners.htm Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:04:24 +0000 2009-10-06T01:04:24Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/02/have-you-walked-off-weight.htm Have you used walking as part of a weight loss effort with good success? Come <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/u/sty/weightloss/weightlossstories/form.htm">tell us your walking weight loss story</a>, with optional photos. You can help inspire others to get out the door or onto the treadmill while cleaning up their eating habits.<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/02/have-you-walked-off-weight.htm">Have You Walked Off Weight?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Friday, October 2nd, 2009 at 08:58:32.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/02/have-you-walked-off-weight.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/02/have-you-walked-off-weight.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/02/have-you-walked-off-weight.htm&zItl=Have You Walked Off Weight?">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/10/02/have-you-walked-off-weight.htm Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:58:32 +0000 2009-10-02T08:58:32Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/30/tell-us-your-marathon-or-half-marathon-story.htm <p>It's marathon and half marathon season. Now you can share your story with other walkers - including a photo or two. Come tell us about how you trained, how you performed, and what you learned.<br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/u/sty/marathons/marathonstories/form.htm">Tell Us Your Marathon Story</a><br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/u/sty/marathons/halfmarathonstories/form.htm">Tell Us Your Half Marathon Story</a></p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/30/tell-us-your-marathon-or-half-marathon-story.htm">Tell Us Your Marathon or Half Marathon Story</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 at 20:54:26.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/30/tell-us-your-marathon-or-half-marathon-story.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/30/tell-us-your-marathon-or-half-marathon-story.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/30/tell-us-your-marathon-or-half-marathon-story.htm&zItl=Tell Us Your Marathon or Half Marathon Story">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/30/tell-us-your-marathon-or-half-marathon-story.htm Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:54:26 +0000 2009-09-30T20:54:26Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/30/10-most-common-pedometer-problems.htm <a href="http://walking.about.com/od/measure/tp/pedometerproblems.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/6/O/G/digiwalker170170.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Pedometer" /></a>Terri wrote to me, "I just took a 30-minute walk and used a pedometer for the first time. When I was done it read 00043." Obviously, we have a problem. After 30 minutes, even very slow walkers should have over 2000 steps. I gave it some thought and came up with the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/measure/tp/pedometerproblems.htm">10 most common pedometer reading problems</a>. How you wear it, whether you got a lemon, or whether you accidentally hit the reset button can cause flaky readings.<br /> Also: <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/pedometer1/tp/pedometerprob.htm">10 Things I Hate About My Pedometer</a><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/30/10-most-common-pedometer-problems.htm">10 Most Common Pedometer Problems</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 at 10:22:30.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/30/10-most-common-pedometer-problems.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/30/10-most-common-pedometer-problems.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/30/10-most-common-pedometer-problems.htm&zItl=10 Most Common Pedometer Problems">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/30/10-most-common-pedometer-problems.htm Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:22:30 +0000 2009-09-30T10:22:30Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/28/studies-show-cancer-reduction-through-exercise-and-intensity-may-matter.htm Two new studies of men have shown the benefits of regular physical exercise for reducing prostate cancer, lung cancer and gastrointestinal cancer.<p> The first was a study conducted on 190 men undergoing prostate biopsy at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. After adjusting for many other factors, they found that men who get the equivalent of three hours of moderate-intensity walking (9 MET) per week were significantly less likely to have cancer found on biopsy. And among those men who were found to have cancer, they had a far lower risk of having a high grade disease if they got three to nine hours of moderate exercise a week, such as fitness walking.<br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://prostatecancer.about.com/od/prevention/a/lifestylechoice.htm">Preventing Prostate Cancer</a><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/beginners/a/blhowprepare.htm">How to Start Walking</a> <p> Does exercise intensity matter for preventing cancer? A study 2560 men in Finland found a difference between men who exercised at a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/fitness/a/moderate.htm">moderate intensity</a> of 3.7 MET (the equivalent of walking 3 to 3.5 mph) and those who exercised at a higher intensity of over 5 MET (brisk walking, jogging, running). Exercising at a higher intensity was associated with fewer cases of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://lungcancer.about.com/">lung cancer</a> and <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://coloncancer.about.com/">gastrointestinal cancer</a> (stomach, colon, bowel). While an easy stroll might be a great way to start, picking up the pace a few times a week has extra benefits.<br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/workouts/f/varyworkout.htm">How to Vary Your Walking Workout Intensity</a><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/fitness/a/walkingnotwork_2.htm">Adding Higher Intensity to Your Walking Workout</a><p> ^{Source:<br /> Jodi A. Antonelliae, et. al. "<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347%2809%2901757-1/abstract">Exercise and Prostate Cancer Risk in a Cohort of Veterans Undergoing Prostate Needle Biopsy</a>." <em>The Journal of Urology</em>, Received 3 March 2009 published online 16 September 2009.<br /> Jari A Laukkanen, et. al. "<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://bjsm.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/bjsm.2008.056713v1?maxtoshow=&#038;HITS=10&#038;hits=10&#038;RESULTFORMAT=&#038;fulltext=Jari+Laukkanen&#038;searchid=1&#038;FIRSTINDEX=0&#038;sortspec=relevance&#038;resourcetype=HWCIT">Intensity of leisure-time physical activity and Cancer mortality in me</a>n." <em>British Journal of Sports Medicine</em>, Published Online First: 28 July 2009. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2008.056713.} <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/28/studies-show-cancer-reduction-through-exercise-and-intensity-may-matter.htm">Studies Show Cancer Reduction Through Exercise - and Intensity May Matter</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Monday, September 28th, 2009 at 08:06:01.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/28/studies-show-cancer-reduction-through-exercise-and-intensity-may-matter.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/28/studies-show-cancer-reduction-through-exercise-and-intensity-may-matter.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/28/studies-show-cancer-reduction-through-exercise-and-intensity-may-matter.htm&zItl=Studies Show Cancer Reduction Through Exercise - and Intensity May Matter">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/28/studies-show-cancer-reduction-through-exercise-and-intensity-may-matter.htm Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:06:01 +0000 2009-09-28T08:06:01Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/24/are-you-an-annoying-health-freak.htm Do you find that all you talk about is your diet and workout? Our Exercise Guide Paige has <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://exercise.about.com/od/healthinjuries/tp/annoyingfitnessfreak.htm">10 signs that you may be an annoying health freak</a>. I find there are two ways to be annoying. The first is to be self-righteous and judgmental -- bragging about how healthy your diet is and how much exercise you put in each day. The other is to be the sad sack whiner who carps on how they haven't gotten desired results from diet and exercise.<p> What kind of health freaks aren't annoying? The ones who take a true joy in what they are doing and inspire their friends to join in their latest walking adventures and share delicious but healthy recipes. It's all about the joy.<p> "Let's walk to the park, the maple leaves are spectacular!" is a joyful invitation. "I have to put three miles on my treadmill tonight or my pants won't zip up tomorrow," is a whine. Look inside yourself -- are you feeling joy from your diet and exercise efforts and achievements? What gets you out the door? Is that what you talk about to friends, or is it all "you should" or "I can't." I learned a lot of good lessons from the Serene Journey blog's <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.serenejourney.com/2009/09/secrets-of-the-perpetually-unhappy/">Secrets of the Perpetually Unhappy</a>. If you find yourself getting snarky or judgmental, take a time out with her <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.serenejourney.com/2009/09/10-ways-to-feel-better-in-60-seconds-or-less/">10 Ways to Feel Better in 60 Seconds or Less</a>.<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/24/are-you-an-annoying-health-freak.htm">Are You an Annoying Health Freak?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Thursday, September 24th, 2009 at 07:16:09.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/24/are-you-an-annoying-health-freak.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/24/are-you-an-annoying-health-freak.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/24/are-you-an-annoying-health-freak.htm&zItl=Are You an Annoying Health Freak?">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/24/are-you-an-annoying-health-freak.htm Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:16:09 +0000 2009-09-24T07:16:09Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/22/autumns-here-whats-the-best-time-of-day-to-walk.htm <p>Autumn is officially here, with the days getting shorter and dark coming earlier. Is there a best time of day to walk? Some research shows that afternoon is the best time for exercise performance, but other studies show people stick with exercise better if they do it in the morning. Here are the pros and cons of each: <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/beginners/a/besttime.htm">What's the Best Time of Day to Walk?</a> <p> <strong>POLL: When Do You Exercise?</strong><br /><br /> 1) <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/poll.htm?linkback=http://walking.about.com/b/a/158489.htm&#038;poll_id=6697619307&#038;poll=1&#038;submit1=Submit Vote">Early Morning</a><br /><br /> 2) <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/poll.htm?linkback=http://walking.about.com/b/a/158489.htm&#038;poll_id=6697619307&#038;poll=2&#038;submit1=Submit Vote">Morning</a><br /><br /> 3) <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/poll.htm?linkback=http://walking.about.com/b/a/158489.htm&#038;poll_id=6697619307&#038;poll=3&#038;submit1=Submit Vote">Noon</a><br /><br /> 4) <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/poll.htm?linkback=http://walking.about.com/b/a/158489.htm&#038;poll_id=6697619307&#038;poll=4&#038;submit1=Submit Vote">Afternoon</a><br /><br /> 5) <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/poll.htm?linkback=http://walking.about.com/b/a/158489.htm&#038;poll_id=6697619307&#038;poll=5&#038;submit1=Submit Vote">Late Afternoon - After Work</a><br /><br /> 6) <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/poll.htm?linkback=http://walking.about.com/b/a/158489.htm&#038;poll_id=6697619307&#038;poll=6&#038;submit1=Submit Vote">Evening</a><br /><br /> 7) <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/poll.htm?linkback=http://walking.about.com/b/a/158489.htm&#038;poll_id=6697619307&#038;poll=7&#038;submit1=Submit Vote">Night</a> <p> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/poll.htm?linkback=http://walking.about.com/b/a/158489.htm&#038;poll_id=6697619307">View Poll Results</a></p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/22/autumns-here-whats-the-best-time-of-day-to-walk.htm">Autumn's Here - What's the Best Time of Day to Walk?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 at 10:18:23.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/22/autumns-here-whats-the-best-time-of-day-to-walk.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/22/autumns-here-whats-the-best-time-of-day-to-walk.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/22/autumns-here-whats-the-best-time-of-day-to-walk.htm&zItl=Autumn's Here - What's the Best Time of Day to Walk?">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/22/autumns-here-whats-the-best-time-of-day-to-walk.htm Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:18:23 +0000 2009-09-22T10:18:23Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/21/theres-a-pedometer-in-my-ipod.htm <p><a href="http://walking.about.com/od/prpedometer/fr/ipodpedometer.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/0/e/Z/2/ipodpedometerscreen-180.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="iPod nano Pedometer Screen" /></a>You can eliminate one extra gadget by buying the new 5th generation iPod nano, which includes a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prpedometer/fr/ipodpedometer.htm">pedometer function</a>. And it's a very good pedometer function -- I found it as accurate as a hip pedometer when I carried the iPod nano in my pants pocket. Plus, it stores your pedometer workouts, daily step totals, and gives you nifty graphs of each day on the iPod itself. You can also upload your steps to the Nikeplus.com web site through iTunes and share your achievements with friends on Facebook.</p> <p> Not only that, but the Stopwatch function will also be useful to those who want to time laps and viewed stored sessions. With this new iPod nano, I can actually leave my hip pedometer at home.</p> <p> What doesn't it do? It doesn't estimate distance or speed. It only counts steps and estimates calories burned. If you want speed and distance, you still have to use the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prpedometer/gr/nikeplusipodkit.htm">Nike + iPod Sport Kit</a> with a shoe sensor. But I am quite happy to do without the distance estimate for my total daily steps and most of my walking workouts. Now I have one less gadget to remember to bring along.</p> <p>Still not the killer apps you're looking for? It also has a video camera and FM radio built-in.<br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prpedometer/fr/ipodpedometer.htm">iPod nano Pedometer Review</a><br /><br /> Photo &#169; Wendy Bumgardner 2009</p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/21/theres-a-pedometer-in-my-ipod.htm">There's a Pedometer in my iPod!</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Monday, September 21st, 2009 at 09:40:50.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/21/theres-a-pedometer-in-my-ipod.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/21/theres-a-pedometer-in-my-ipod.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/21/theres-a-pedometer-in-my-ipod.htm&zItl=There's a Pedometer in my iPod!">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/21/theres-a-pedometer-in-my-ipod.htm Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:40:50 +0000 2009-09-21T09:40:50Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/16/best-fall-walking-gear.htm <p><a href="http://walking.about.com/od/weather/tp/fallwalkinggear.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/0/M/Z/2/wendyeiger-180.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Wendy in Switzerland" /></a>Autumn is coming. It's time to change up your walking clothing and gear for cooler weather and maybe a bit of rain. I walk in the rainy Northwest, so I know what to wear to get through a cool and wet walk in comfort.<br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/weather/tp/fallwalkinggear.htm">Best Fall Walking Gear</a><br /><br /> Photo &#169; Wendy Bumgardner</p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/16/best-fall-walking-gear.htm">Best Fall Walking Gear</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 at 10:22:09.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/16/best-fall-walking-gear.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/16/best-fall-walking-gear.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/16/best-fall-walking-gear.htm&zItl=Best Fall Walking Gear">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/16/best-fall-walking-gear.htm Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:22:09 +0000 2009-09-16T10:22:09Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/15/over-age-70-start-walking.htm <p>New research shows that it is truly never too late to start enjoying regular exercise. A study of people over age 70, some of whom only started exercising at that age, showed significant benefits for <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://longevity.about.com/">longevity</a>, maintaining daily living skills, socialization and avoiding poor health. The subjects were considered to be physically active if they exercised for four hours a week, including such activities as swimming, jogging, or walking for an hour a day. <p> Physically active vs sedentary participants:<br /><br /> At age 70, the 8-year mortality was 15.2% vs 27.2% <br /><br /> At age 78, the 8-year mortality was 26.1% vs 40.8% <br /><br /> At age 85, the 3-year mortality was 6.8% vs 24.4% <p> For those who had been sedentary, they reported a significant survival benefit in taking up exercise after age 70, or even after age 78. Those who were active at age 78 were more likely to be independent in performing daily activities at age 85. <p> It's never too late to start walking or enjoying other physical activity. It leads to a healthier, more independent life in old age.<br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/fitness/a/exerciseover65.htm">Exercise Guidelines for Over Age 65</a><br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/beginners/a/blhowprepare.htm">How to Start Walking</a> <p> ^{Source: Jochanan Stessman, MD; Robert Hammerman-Rozenberg, MD; Aaron Cohen, MD; Eliana Ein-Mor, MA; Jeremy M. Jacobs, MBBS. "<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/169/16/1476">Physical Activity, Function, and Longevity Among the Very Old</a>." <em>Arch Intern Med.</em> 2009;169(16):1476-1483.} </p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/15/over-age-70-start-walking.htm">Over Age 70? Start Walking!</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 at 09:04:42.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/15/over-age-70-start-walking.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/15/over-age-70-start-walking.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/15/over-age-70-start-walking.htm&zItl=Over Age 70? Start Walking!">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/15/over-age-70-start-walking.htm Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:04:42 +0000 2009-09-15T09:04:42Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/13/greener-walking-socks.htm <p><a href="http://walking.about.com/od/socks/gr/tekoecopolysocks.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/G/_/Z/2/tekopoly-pg.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Teko socks" /></a>A problem with going organic is that high-tech sweat-wicking fabrics are not grown in a field. If I were to wear organic cotton or hemp clothing, I'd end up wasting energy on blister bandages and longer drying times in the clothes dryer. But companies are finding ways to reuse polyester to produce the sweat-wicking fabrics we need, and to choose sustainably grown wool. Teko is one such company and they specialize in sports socks. <p> Teko uses recycled polyester to produce their <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/socks/gr/tekoecopolysocks.htm">tekoPOLY</a> fibers used in their polyester socks and part of the blend for their <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/socks/gr/tekoecomerinosocks.htm">organic merino wool socks</a>. I prefer to think of using recycled material for my socks rather than tying up farmland to grow fibers instead of food. <p> But for me, the proof is in the performance of the socks. I love the seamless designs, which help prevent hot spots and blisters caused by seams. Their socks are crafted to fit the anatomic shape of men's and women's feet. I feel a great fit that is perfect - it won't bunch up yet I don't feel cramped. <p> I am always in search of the perfect socks. I really liked the pair of low, light cushion tekoPOLY socks. But I'm a princess who found the wool blend to be itchy. To be fair, I have yet to find a truly itch-free wool sock, no matter how much a manufacturer claims it to be. At least the sheep this wool came from are roaming happily in organic, chemical free pastures in the Argentinian pampas, herded by gauchos on horseback and foot rather than a Jeep. At least, that's what Teko says. My review samples were provided by the manufacturer.<br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/socks/gr/tekoecopolysocks.htm">Teko tekoPOLY Socks Review</a><br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/socks/gr/tekoecomerinosocks.htm">Teko tekoMERINO Socks Review</a><br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/gear/tp/greengear.htm">Eco-Friendly Walking Gear</a><br /><br /> Photo courtesy of Pricegrabber</p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/13/greener-walking-socks.htm">Greener Walking Socks</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Sunday, September 13th, 2009 at 10:33:03.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/13/greener-walking-socks.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/13/greener-walking-socks.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/13/greener-walking-socks.htm&zItl=Greener Walking Socks">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/13/greener-walking-socks.htm Sun, 13 Sep 2009 10:33:03 +0000 2009-09-13T10:33:03Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/09/headlamps-and-headlight-hats.htm <a href="http://walking.about.com/od/lights/gr/petzltaktikkaplus.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/G/Z/Z/2/petzltactikka-pg.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Petzl TakTikka Plus Headlamp" /></a>I'm always shocked at how the days shorten so fast in September. Soon enough, it will be dark for early morning and after-work walks. A headlamp or headlight hat can help light the way if your walking takes you away from streetlights. I needed a headlamp for the Portland to Coast Relay Walk at the end of August. I own at least four headlamps, but I couldn't find the newer ones and the two older ones I found had shorts in the wiring and would only work intermittently. That's not going to cut it on a dark country road at 2 am. These were all Black Diamond models with the battery pack at the back of the head. I decided there was something basically fragile about that design.<p> I headed to my local outdoor store and bought a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/lights/gr/petzltaktikkaplus.htm">Petzl TakTikka LED headlamp</a>. Unlike the other designs, this one had the batteries up front with the light -- no wires to get wonky. I was concerned that there was just a single strap to go around the head vs. having a cross strap that also goes over the head. I worried that sweat and my fine hair might cause a single-strap design to slip. No problem -- it stayed secure even as I sweated out my night miles.<p> I chose the TakTikka because it swivels to adjust the light angle. I've discovered that you must adjust that in order to spotlight the ground exactly where you need it, without ruining your good walking head posture. I find flashlights annoying, because if you use any arm motion you get only intermittent spotlighting of the ground ahead of you.<p> My walking buddies had another tactic - they pinned the headlamp to their shirt or the strap of their backpack rather than wearing it on their heads. That also gave a steady light.<p> My buddies tease me about the headlight caps I have, provided for prior reviews. I like wearing the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/hats/gr/panthercap.htm">Panther Vision headlight cap</a> and the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/hats/gr/headlitecap.htm">Head-Lite Cap</a> just to be visible. But because you can't adjust the angle of the light, they don't light up my path sufficiently. The beams tend to hit the horizon. I see that Panther Vision has modified their caps so that a couple of the lights point downward from under the cap brim. That is a nice improvement, I'll have to test it out.<p> These LED headlamps and caps go easy on the batteries. You should only have to replace the batteries every 100 hours of use or thereabouts. That is far better than most standard flashlights, where you are lucky to get five or six hours of use. For that reason, I like to keep one of these handy in my car and home for use when the lights go out or I need to take an unexpected walk in the dark.<br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/lights/tp/reflective.htm">Lights and Reflective Gear for Night Walking</a><br /> Photo courtesy of Pricegrabber.<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/09/headlamps-and-headlight-hats.htm">Headlamps and Headlight Hats</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 at 09:28:42.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/09/headlamps-and-headlight-hats.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/09/headlamps-and-headlight-hats.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/09/headlamps-and-headlight-hats.htm&zItl=Headlamps and Headlight Hats">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/09/headlamps-and-headlight-hats.htm Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:28:42 +0000 2009-09-09T09:28:42Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/08/back-to-school-walking-and-backpack-posture.htm <img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/0/Y/Z/2/schoolbus-180.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="School bus" />The kids and teachers are headed back to school and college. A <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/measure/tp/pedometer.htm">pedometer</a> is a great back to school gift to encourage both students and teachers to stay active. Even better, parents can help form or promote a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/walkingtowork/a/schoolbus.htm">walking school bus</a> or bike train in their area to walk with the kids to and from school, or a portion of the route. That gives everyone a boost towards their daily minimum requirement of exercise. I've observed school buses picking up students from just a few blocks from the school. All of those idling engines are both a waste of money for fuel and a burden on air quality.<p> Back to school also means backpacks and can mean backaches. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/backtoschool/a/acabackpack.htm">Packing lightly</a> is one key. But wearing a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/backtoschool/tp/schoolpack.htm">good backpack</a> right makes all of the difference. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/backtoschool/ss/wearbackpack.htm">Right and wrong ways to wear a backpack</a>.<br /> Photo &#169; Wendy Bumgardner<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/08/back-to-school-walking-and-backpack-posture.htm">Back to School Walking and Backpack Posture</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 at 08:29:15.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/08/back-to-school-walking-and-backpack-posture.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/08/back-to-school-walking-and-backpack-posture.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/08/back-to-school-walking-and-backpack-posture.htm&zItl=Back to School Walking and Backpack Posture">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/08/back-to-school-walking-and-backpack-posture.htm Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:29:15 +0000 2009-09-08T08:29:15Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/06/pedz-pedometers-for-kids.htm <img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/G/V/Z/2/pedz.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Pedz Pedometer" />A kid-friendly pedometer is a great back-to-school gift and incentive for tracking those playground steps or walk-to-school steps. The <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prpedometer/fr/pedzpedometer.htm">Pedz pedometers</a> are designed for ages 5 and up, and give access to a kid-friendly MyPedz.com web site to track their walking steps and other healthy activities.</p><p> The pedometer requires no set-up to use, everything is pre-programmed. The eyes of the pink critter are the mode and reset button. Well, kid-friendly doesn't mean Wendy-friendly and I managed to hit the reset button just a third of the way into my walk. That's what I don't like about pedometers that don't shield the reset button. Still, it's a darn cute pedometer and the web site is fun. I got a free sample from the manufacturer to review.<br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prpedometer/fr/pedzpedometer.htm">Review of the Pedz Pedometer and MyPedz.com web site</a><br /> Photo &#169; Wendy Bumgardner<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/06/pedz-pedometers-for-kids.htm">Pedz Pedometers for Kids</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Sunday, September 6th, 2009 at 09:16:10.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/06/pedz-pedometers-for-kids.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/06/pedz-pedometers-for-kids.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/06/pedz-pedometers-for-kids.htm&zItl=Pedz Pedometers for Kids">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/06/pedz-pedometers-for-kids.htm Sun, 06 Sep 2009 09:16:10 +0000 2009-09-06T09:16:10Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/04/last-gasp-of-summer-walking.htm School may already be back in session in many places, but Labor Day Weekend is still the last gasp of summer fun. Grab your <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/shoechoice/bb/walkingsandals.htm">trail sandals</a> for some serious walking on the beach or along a river trail. For a rocky trail, you'll want <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/shoes/tp/trailshoes.htm">trail shoes</a> to give you traction and prevent the rocks poking through.<p> I've been seeing lots of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/clothing/tp/runningskirts.htm">running skirts</a> on walkers at big events. I think that's a style that will still be popular next year.<p> Hot weather will still linger for a few more weeks, so be sure to take along <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/chafing/tp/chafing.htm">chafing protection</a> and <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/blisterschafing/tp/blisterprep.htm">blister protection</a>. This is especially true if you are putting in your long distance days for a marathon or half marathon this fall.<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/04/last-gasp-of-summer-walking.htm">Last Gasp of Summer Walking</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Friday, September 4th, 2009 at 19:49:15.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/04/last-gasp-of-summer-walking.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/04/last-gasp-of-summer-walking.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/04/last-gasp-of-summer-walking.htm&zItl=Last Gasp of Summer Walking">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/04/last-gasp-of-summer-walking.htm Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:49:15 +0000 2009-09-04T19:49:15Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/03/is-your-marathon-or-half-marathon-only-a-month-away.htm <p><a href="http://walking.about.com/od/marathontraining/f/marathonlastmo.htm"><img src="http://walkingadmin.about.com/acme/image/tn/K/G/marathonshirt2001.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Marathon finisher awards" /></a>For seven years, September was focused on final long days of walking and a final shakedown of my gear and snacks for the Portland Marathon. Labor Day Weekend had to include an 18-20 mile day. I had to wear the exact same shoes, socks and clothing as I'd be using on the marathon, to ensure they would work. There is barely enough time to get a new pair of shoes and put some mileage on them if you've worn out your training shoes or decided they won't work.<br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/marathontraining/f/marathonlastmo.htm">Training the Month Before Your Marathon or Half Marathon</a></p> <p>Now is the time to check the marathon or half marathon web site and find out what exact brand of sports drink and energy gel will be provided on the course. You want to train with that now. If you discover you don't tolerate it, you will want to carry your own. I usually carried a small bag of my favorite powdered sports drink to add to water if they provided something different.<p> My friend Ruth is walking her first marathon, training with the Leukemia Society Team in Training. I will be there at the finish line to give her the medal -- I'm volunteering to staff it for the walkers. I expect to be crying a lot to celebrate everyone's achievements.<p> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/marathontraining/a/marathonwalktips.htm">Tell us your marathon training tips</a><br /> Photo &#169; Wendy Bumgardner<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/03/is-your-marathon-or-half-marathon-only-a-month-away.htm">Is Your Marathon or Half Marathon Only a Month Away?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Thursday, September 3rd, 2009 at 09:57:38.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/03/is-your-marathon-or-half-marathon-only-a-month-away.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/03/is-your-marathon-or-half-marathon-only-a-month-away.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/03/is-your-marathon-or-half-marathon-only-a-month-away.htm&zItl=Is Your Marathon or Half Marathon Only a Month Away?">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/09/03/is-your-marathon-or-half-marathon-only-a-month-away.htm Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:57:38 +0000 2009-09-03T09:57:38Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/08/31/skechers-shape-ups-shoes.htm <p><a href="http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/shapeupsskechers.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/G/U/Z/2/shapeups-pg.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Skechers Shape-ups walking shoes" /></a>Is it a new miracle shoe that will tone your buns, burn off more calories, and make you look taller? Actually, I think Skechers Shape-ups are capable of all of the above. But I have some strong reservations about using them. <p>Rocker sole shoes enforce more extension and so you will feel more usage of your leg muscles and may see a toning effect. They are heavier than most athletic shoes, so you will burn a teensy tiny more calories per mile -- unless you walk less distance because it is no fun walking in heavy shoes. Or the heavy shoes contribute to knee and ankle pain. Either way, you may end up burning fewer overall calories by walking less. <p>Skechers uses a soft kinetic wedge sole that is slightly unstable, helping to activate your core and balance muscles. You may see improved posture, and the extra couple of inches of the sole of the shoe will make you taller while wearing them.<P><br /> The bottom line for me is that these shoes are just too heavy for me to attempt to wear for fitness walking. They are super comfortable and wide in the toe box. If I had a job that involved lots of standing, I think they would be great. But I would use them sparingly for fitness walking until you build up a tolerance to their weight.<br /><br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/shapeupsskechers.htm">Review of Skechers Shape-ups Walking Shoes</a><br /><br /> Photo &#169; Pricegrabber</p</p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/08/31/skechers-shape-ups-shoes.htm">Skechers Shape-ups Shoes</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Monday, August 31st, 2009 at 10:40:00.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/08/31/skechers-shape-ups-shoes.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/08/31/skechers-shape-ups-shoes.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/08/31/skechers-shape-ups-shoes.htm&zItl=Skechers Shape-ups Shoes">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/08/31/skechers-shape-ups-shoes.htm Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:40:00 +0000 2009-08-31T10:40:00Z http://walking.about.com/b/2009/08/27/buffet-behavior-and-body-mass-index.htm My walking buddies and I love Chinese all-you-can-eat buffets. But it's easy to find yourself walking 10K and eating like you just walked a marathon. A new study looked at behaviors of people at a Chinese buffet, correlated to their <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/calories/l/blbmicalc.htm">body mass index</a>. The observers were trained to judge body mass index, and unobtrusively observed the diners' behavior. Their "real world" findings confirmed what lab studies and casual observation do as well.<p> Overweight diners had the following behaviors: <ul> <li>Used larger plates. It's a great diet tactic to use a smaller plate. At a buffet, a small plate makes you have to think twice before making a return trip to load up another plate.</li> <li>Used a fork instead of chopsticks. I like chopsticks because they slow down your eating, you have more time to savor your food and feel full before loading up another plate.</li> <li>Loaded up at the buffet before browsing it fully to choose which foods to put on the plate. I always survey the buffet first, as I don't want to be full and then discover something I would have preferred to eat.</li> <li>Didn't put a napkin in their lap.</li> </ul> Leaner diners were observed to leave more food on their plates and to chew their food longer. <p>All of these observations match up with diet tips I've heard through the years. Select the foods you will enjoy the most and spend more time savoring each bite. Use smaller plates to trick your mind into thinking you are eating a larger meal. Slow down your eating so you feel full before going back for seconds. Buffets don't have to kill your diet, but you need to cultivate good tactics to deal with the temptations.<br /> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/howtoloseweight/a/walkoffweight.htm">How to Walk Off Weight</a> <p>^{Source: Brian Wansink and Collin R. Payne. "<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.nature.com/oby/journal/v16/n8/pdf/oby2008286a.pdf">Eating Behavior and Obesity at Chinese Buffets</a>," Obesity (2008) 16, 1957–1960. doi:10.1038/oby.2008.286.}</p> <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border: 1px solid #d5d0bf;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/08/27/buffet-behavior-and-body-mass-index.htm">Buffet Behavior and Body Mass Index</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Thursday, August 27th, 2009 at 09:14:07.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/08/27/buffet-behavior-and-body-mass-index.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/08/27/buffet-behavior-and-body-mass-index.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2009/08/27/buffet-behavior-and-body-mass-index.htm&zItl=Buffet Behavior and Body Mass Index">Email this</a></p> http://walking.about.com/b/2009/08/27/buffet-behavior-and-body-mass-index.htm Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:14:07 +0000 2009-08-27T09:14:07Z