In this month's quest, I finally disclosed a beginning of a new fitness journey, one that will hopefully lead me to start loving to walk again.
WALKING: It’s simple but surprisingly complex!
So I’ve been mulling over some plans of mine, not quite sure where to take these. It started with me finally getting off the IC, having kept up my fitness with a lot of indoor rowing. But once getting stuck into the C25k journey again, I realized my backaches from my pre-run days had made a comeback. I had thought those days were gone, as I had firmed up my core through yoga and rowing.
Ex-runner hubby and I had a chat during that time. Walking, we agreed, was something so basic; if one cannot do that, it has the potential to make life much less enjoyable. And although my backache only appears when walking, never when running, I realized that my future fitness journey had to include something to address that pain in my backside!
So I wanted my pain-free walking back.
And on top of that, and inspired by some great walkers on these forums, I wanted to love walking again! Maybe not as much as running or rowing, but I’d be happy with “liking” to walk.
So I did some research:
I used Libby and BorrowBox app to borrow some walking-related special issues of various magazines and books from my library. There was
1) Women’s Health Big Book of Walking Workouts (Jan 2019, South African version, for some reason). Now, this magazine book has four different training plans and various walking-focussed workouts. And although I thought some of the plans were not quite thought through (I’ll not be doing some bear-walking on hands and feet in the middle of my walk), this book gave me the idea that there is a way to train yourself to become a better walker.
2) Health and Fitness Walk Slim Magazine Book from 2012 (Dennis Publishing UK) with Lucy Wyndham-Read. It still looks fresh, and it has ideas on turning normal walks into full workouts! It also has a 6-week walking plan that looks very attractive. I’ve made a note of that one, maybe for later. It also has a section about different ways of walking, from treadmills, walking groups, and Nordic Walking to walking challenges.
3) And then I got inspired by a new book from Annabelle Streets, published by Bloomsbury this year, with the title “52 ways to walk: The surprising science of walking for wellness and joy, one week at a time”. It has 52 chapters, one for each week of the year, exploring one different way to get out there and walk. Each chapter is a mini-essay that includes some science and facts and then has a sub-chapter for tips on applying these in one’s walking. A chapter might be about night walks or walking backward, or treadmills, or walking with others. And I love the quote on the book jacket: “Walking had become, once again the great adventure of my life. But this time, science could explain the how and why.”
And, of course, online, I got additional inspiration. Here are some key videos about walking with poles:
1) First, I learned what Nordic Walking looked like (10 sec)
But before all that, there were the inspiring walking stories from our own HU communities, where I followed the walking explorations of some of our experts who’ve made walking an art form, an adventure, or a sport!
And after four weeks of thinking and reading, and learning, I signed up for a Nordic Walking course, the first part of which happened today.
Thus my journey into loving walking again has begun.
More posts will hopefully follow as I navigate my path out there in the walking world, but they will mostly be posted on our walking forum, called Active 10 at healthunlocked.com/active10
So if you’re not a member of that forum yet, and if you have managed to read to this point of my meandering blather, then maybe it would interest you to join that forum, and together we might just discover some wonderful worlds of walking.
Written by
CBDB
Graduate10
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This is fabulous! Thank you so much for this and for all the links...!
So, so interesting and something I shall be following up. Not just for me... because I am thinking of moving back towards ( oxymoron), an idea I had a few years ago, for more serious trail running..., but for Mr. OF also. Because the medication for his type 2 diabetes affects his balance, our choice of location and type of walking has become more restricted...I am seeing a chance maybe of changing this!
So good that you have found this and that your back will cease to be a pain!
Yes, pole walking and particularly pole running are a revelation to me. I didn’t know at all that there was a thing as trail-running with poles. My bucket list has suddenly shifted!
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to CBDB
Mine too ! I started a new list last night!! I had no idea that trail runners used them... and it looks fun too?
But just to forwarn you that the price tags of the “correct poles” and also the Leki poles that ginger uses in her video are not quite as fun! 😂💸. Decathlon has some beginner versions for 20 quid, and I've ordered some. But the course instructor suggested to expect to spend 90 GBP for a pair 😳)
But that pole-walking world we are stepping into looks mightily adventurous!
🏃🏼🌳🏃♀️🏔🏃♂️🏞🏃🏼🛤🏃♀️🥾🏃🏽♀️
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to CBDB
Ha ha... I just took a quick look at prices... ( GULP) !!! Maybe an early treat for us both for our 49th Wedding anniversary ( August). OK... clutching at straws here!
We have a walking pole each already, but I don't think they will suffice!
I am feeling quite excited about the possibilities AND have found a registered qualified instructor really close to us !!!
I shall of course be blaming you for any expenses resulting form your post
Thank you for such an informative post CBDB ... it's just inspired me to sign up for a Nordic Walking taster session near me!! I have heard about pole walking but not pole running. Running on trails with the poles looks amazing!!
well well, I never knew walking could sound so complicated! 😂
I love walking: short slow strolls with my binoculars for bird spotting, hour long brisk sprints just to keep fit, and lovely long full day walks with the Ramblers for beautiful scenery and good company (not to mention the cafe or pub at the end of it).
I learned Nordic Walking technique about eight years ago but no NW groups in my area to go out with. There is one now but it tends to clash with my walking group day. It is something I should pursue since running isn't working too well for me at the moment. I am still trying to bounce back
😀 yes, your walks with the Ramblers sound great! Sorry to hear running is not going so well. But its good to have a good ability to walk or other enjoyable physical activities in your back pocket!
That way it’s never “bouncing back”, it’s always reaching into a different direction and always forward?
As a complement to all of this, you (or others) might want to check out the 1000 miles challenge (walk1000miles.co.uk/) if you've not heard of it, run by Country Walking magazine but available to anyone. Basically walk 1000 miles in 12 months, average of ~2.8 miles/day. It's great motivation for getting you out on the days when you otherwise can't be bothered! Even though I liked hiking previously, getting out every day built up my fitness, and eventually led to me being able to do c25k. I still keep track of my miles, and this year I'm aiming for 1500 miles, combining walking and running.
Hope you enjoy your new project . Walking has less stress on your joints. My backache still gets sore but could be to do with the osteoporosis. There is a book called Joanna hall walkactive. A lot of people have enrolled with her classes , it tells you posture how to lift your hips when you walk, various other things. It’s meant to help backache as well, diagrams and she is on YouTube. It explains what shoes to wear. Hope your Nordic walking goes well. Not much Nordic walking around here. I see as well it meant to help your back.n Good luck. See you in Active10 😊
Thank you. Good pointer, I’ll look her up! Lifting hips … yes, there are definitely walking techniques that I’ve not yet consciously applied. Lots to explore!
When I did the trail marathon almost everybody else had trail poles. They'd have been very handy, especially on the downhills when my left knee was unhappy.
It's essential to learn how to use them properly, though, at least on technical and steeper slopes, as otherwise they'd get in the way and you'd just fall over them.
Still haven't invested - and on terrain where I'd really need them there's not much point in going cheap and cheerful - but there again I've only been messing around for months.
They're definitely two different sports. Poles can be used in trail running, particularly on more demanding terrain and longer distances (marathons, ultras) but certainly aren't obligatory or needed all the time. They're essential in Nordic running, which has its own, very specific technique.
Brilliant post and very timely for me, as I am mulling over some walking ideas too. Of course while I mull, you research, discover Nordic walking, several books, and write a post about it all! So you might have saved me a little research work there😂My fitness took a dive lately as post covid has played havoc, all sorts of aches and pains and twinges as I try to get active. Walking is definitely on the agenda for me. I need to write a post about it! Good luck, it will be interesting to see how you get on🍀
Thank you, will definitely look out for your posts. Hope you post-Covid aches soon disappear.
Mine did, although when rowing, I can still see I’m not where I was before Covid.
It’s definitely a long recovery process, so do take it easy and slow.
See you out there walking!
Nordic Running? I have always been interested in Nordic Walking (but my mom doesn't want to be seen with me when I do that, so I never did it, haha). But Nordic Running actually looks dangerous! Knowing me and my clumsiness, I see myself getting speared on a Nordic Walking pole when running!
Oh and welcome to the walking club! I don't know if I can be counted in it with my walks of 3 to 7 km. But well, I walk 😜
Definitely! You are one of my inspirations for getting me to explore how I might fall in love with walking again!
Dangerous Nordic Running: I guess it takes practice. I am still waiting for my first set of poles to arrive, but so looking forward to taking them out for a walk!
Do let us know how you fare with them, I am curious how it feels to walk with them.
I have a negative experience with Nordic walking poles, but not in the way you might think. Was sat on a horse and around the corner came 2 people walking with Nordic walking poles through dead leaves. Made such a weird noise that my horse spooked and jumped in front of a driving car. Nothing happened, the car could stop just in time before hitting the horse, but it scared the hell out of me. So 1 tip: try to avoid walking through dead leaves when a horse approaches 😜
Will do. 🐎🙁 yeah, I can imagine that it’s a un-known and threatening sound.
From the training session I did, it really feels like I am propelled to walk faster. But I have a feeling it will be a strain on the arms more than we runners are used to. So I’m hoping my rowing and Yoga has given me a head start with toning my arm muscles.
Yes, I can imagine that especially also the shoulders get some strain. I guess it will need to be build up like anything new. Maybe take some kind of backpack or so where you can strap the poles on and then use them for example for 10 minutes during a walk and build up that way?
Over on Active10: Walking #2: what if I could learn to love to walk? And Stride!
Posted on our walking forum my second post of my walking explorations. I’ve not yet received my Nordic Walking Poles yet, but an app keeps me walking! 😃 healthunlocked.com/active10...
I'd also like to say a huge thank you for all the info and links. It's very kind of you to share your research with others who may not be so tech savvy . . . Ludit ,my hubby calls me 🙈🤣 also my spelling is a bit dodgy so not even sure if that's correct 😉
Thank you. I'm going to take a leaf out of your book and see if there are any groups for Nordic Walking in my area or courses. Once I've completed C25K and done a couple of consolidation runs and or park runs I'm seriously considering adding to that with walking which I already love ❤ the benefits sound amazing 👏
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