Walking can be an Athletic Challenge
The last three days I have been so excited about starting the walking marathon training. At 5:30 I entered the Field House to sign in and gathered with new people. There were runners, walkers and pacers gathering together and giving each other pep talks. I was having a super great time. I had purchase a new hat, new cool max material tops, checked my shoes and socks, had my gloves on (The weather was 34 degrees) and my excitement kept building.
Finally, it was time for our group to start walking. When we got outside one of the leaders said “We can do this – Let’s go”. Everyone cheered, including me, and the group took off like they were flying with the wind! I had worked and planned for this moment. At the quarter mile marker, I was at the back of the pack, along with one of the pacers who was appointed to bring in the back end. I asked him “are they walking the 15 minute mile or are they going faster than that?” He told me they were walking the right pace and speed to accomplishment the goal. I was shocked. I could not keep up with them! We got so far behind I told him I learned so much tonight and I have to spend this week working on SPEED! I did not have the speed to keep up with them.
This week I have to work every day on Interval and Power walking to build my speed. We were to walk 3 miles last night and I had done that many, many times. It is obvious I had not walked my path with any type of speed or I would have been more prepared. The thing I like about walking is there are always athletic challenges and I am in one right now. I will do this!
Thanks for the update on your training. I was wondering how that was going. Keep up the good work.