Winter Walking

[Duddles]

I have not been on for a while, but still follow all the trials, tribulations and successes on here. They are a great inspiration.

Since October I have spent some of the winter competing in a monthly 10k Winter Walking League. At each race you get points based on your improvement against handicap.

I am amazed (and slightly proud) to say that after the last walk, in the end of season presentations - at the slightly mature age of 72 - I finished Second overall, my first ever athletics trophy. I got my 10k time down to 1.07.40, a minute or so slower than my peak a few years ago.

I was not the quickest (except for my age group) but the incentive of trying to improve your times each month is a real spur to improvement.

In other news, for Christmas, my daughter bought me an entry into the Chester Half Marathon in May, so I am using a mixture of Ju-Ju's plan and a Runners World chart to try to keep running for 13 miles plus. I am up to five miles, but it is hard.

If all else fails, I know I can walk it, but something inside me says that I have to beat my forty years younger daughter and her husband. Damn that competitive gene.

Attached another gratuitous shot of a man in tights.....

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Yes you can do it Duddles, you can beat your daughter and her husband in the Chester Half Marathon in May. Good time that 1.7.40 for the 10K. You say walk but that time suggests a run unless it's speed walking. I was a spectator at a 5K run recently, a man speed walked it in 33 minutes.

[Duddles Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

The races I am in, there are lithe young athletes doing the 10k in 45 minutes or so. I am a real plodder compared to some.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Duddles]

It always amazes me athletes at the opposite ends of the age spectrum, you get some 9 year olds running a sub 25 minute 5K or younger kids running around 3 minute 15 seconds for a 1K.

I was spectating at a half marathon trail race last October and there was this man of around 65 running it around 22 minute 5K pace, not sure if he kept that pace up throughout the race as I saw him running at around 3 kilometers from where the race started, so as you say it's not at all uncommon to see young teen aged or older +60 year old athletes running around 45 minutes for a 10K.

[Duddles Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

That 45 minute for 10k is walking - as was my time. For the plodder walkers, the ambition is to break 60 minutes for the 10k while walking. You need a lot of wiggle to get below that.

[Goforitmama Graduate]

Speed walking a HM at that pace would be pretty fantastic, as fast as many runners. I believe you will get yourself over that finish line one way or another. You are an inspiration! Good luck.