Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Big Sur in Spring!

Here's the good news! WALK! Magazine will be at the Big Sur International Marathon in the Spring! Can you imagine a more beautiful place to be in April after a chilly, gray Ohio winter than on the coast of California? (I know you don't all live in Ohio, but winters are not pretty here.)

There are several race choices: Full Marathon, a 21-Miler (used to be called the PowerWalk), a 10.6 Mile event, a 9-Mile event, a Relay and a 5K. This series of events attracts a lot of walkers and should be a blast!

I'm really excited about doing the 21-mile race! So, let's all go to Big Sur!!!

Specifics
For the Full Marathon, participants must maintain a 15-min per mile pace to finish. For the 21-mile event, there is a 6.5 hour time limit, which I think works out to about 18 mins per mile. BTW: There is a Walking Division. (Though I couldn't find the info. today.)

Now for the bad news. The 21-mile race is already 68% full! The marathon is about 30% full. The shorter races will not fill up as quickly. I've asked the race staff to hold a few places in the 21-mile race for us, and they are willing to do that. I don't know yet how long they will hold the spaces for us, though. We had planned to have everything for the 2008 Walking Team ready for a January 1 kick off.

So, if you want to go to Big Sur with WALK! Magazine in April 2008, it is better if we know quickly.

For more information about the various races, go to www.bsim.org. For more information about the WALK! Magazine Walking Team, send me an e-mail.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

New Advertising Sales Rep

I am proud to announce that Holly Loberg has joined WALK! Magazine as Advertising Sales Representative. Because of Holly's wide ranging experience in all areas of the publishing industry, you will see her name in bylines and eventually layout and design.

To place an advertisement in WALK! Magazine, on our web site or in our e-mail newsletter, please contact Holly at 614/940-6623, or via e-mail at holly@walk-magazine.com.

Please join me in welcoming Holly!

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Growing Fast

I don't know how many of you I have told this, but we are really starting to grow fast! Last year at this time, we were receiving around 30 subscriptions a month - that includes new subscriptions and renewals.

At the beginning of this year, we were receiving about 80 subscriptions a month. Now, at the height of fall marathon season, we are receiving about 100 subscriptions a month!

All I can say is WOW! No wonder the staff who share data entry (with other duties) seem a little bit overwhelmed.

I'd also like to say a special thanks to all of you subscribers who encourage your walking buddies to subscribe. If we keep growing like this, we'll be able to add pages and add issues soon! Thanks!

PS: Go Bucks!

Got Mine

I received my sample copy of WALK! Magazine in the mail today. That's a lot longer than it usually takes. But, as I tell everyone who asks, when magazines are mailed bulk rate, they can sit in any post office for up to three days. The more post offices between the mailing facility and the subscriber, the longer it can take to receive.

So, those of you in Ohio or Michigan who have not yet received your fall magazine should get it any day.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Walking and Talking

I must confess, I have not been walking enough. Today was beautiful and I decided that I needed to get out no matter what.

As soon as I got home, I changed, grabbed my phone and other stuff and left. The phone rang the moment I walked out the door! Argh! My calls do not usually last long, so I decided to start walking while taking the call.

I did my short little route around the neighborhood, and we were still talking. I even added two cul-de-sacs, and we were still talking! I finally got home and started fixing dinner.

Though it was really nice to catch up with my friend, I didn't expect we would talk for so long. I'm glad I didn't wait until our conversation was over to walk, or I probably would not have gone.

Items for Gift Giving Guide

We are still taking suggestions for the Gift Giving Guide. If you have a product you would like to recommend, send an e-mail to me. Please include a web site where we can find additional information.

Funny

I recently found out that most of the Canadian subscribers have received their magazines, however, I have just heard from two U.S. subscribers that they haven't received theirs yet! Who would have thought that the Canadians would be receiving theirs first?

Because the magazines sent in the U.S. are mailed bulk rate, each one can sit in any post office for up to three days. So, depending upon the number of post offices between the mailing house and you will determine how long it will take you to receive your issue.

BTW: I have not received my "test" copy yet, either.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Fall Issue


The Fall issue has been mailed and most of you should have received your copy by now. This issue was especially fun for me because WALK! Magazine's friend Joyce Prohaska is on the cover. Joyce is such an accomplished athlete, and a huge supporter of the magazine, it was really rewarding to be able to put her on the cover.

Other topics in this issue include: How to Recover from Your Next Long-Distance Event, How to Take NSAIDS Safely, and a feature about a Walking Tour Through Blankenberge, Belgium.

If you are not yet a subscriber, and would like to change that, go to our online store at store.walk-magazine.com/index.html.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Choosing Events for 2008

We are actively trying to decide which events WALK! Magazine will attend in 2008. Several current Walking Team members are very excited and want to start planning now.

I would like to have at least one Spring event and one Fall event. We also will support whichever event wins the Walker Friendly Event Award. Though we can go to more than just three events in a year (I usually go to more than that to have a booth at expos), but for the Walking Team, I don't want to spread us too thin.

We are looking at a wide variety of events from the Big Sur Marathon in the Spring (Or the Big Sur Half Marathon in November) to Detroit in the Fall and Little Rock in the Spring.... My buddy Chris provided a list of events that have both Walking Divisions and a half or shorter options.

What we probably need is a marketing study to determine whether we will have more members go to an event if it is a "destination" event. Or if it is a local, easy to get to event. Then again, "local" for me is quite a bit different than for those who live in Arkansas or Monterey, CA.

BTW: The Big Sur spring event attracts over 3,900 walkers. That could be a great group of walkers to reach.

Anyway, we are taking suggestions. If you know of an event you would like to see the Walking Team attend, let us know!

Thursday, October 18, 2007

International Mail News

I happened to mention to one of my local postal employees that most of our Canadian subscribers didn't seem to receive the Summer issue of the magazine. Her first reaction was that the printer probably does not include the country on the mailing labels. If Canada is not on the label, it will not be delivered! I have been talking to printers, mailing houses, and others for advice. The printer and the mailing house have been conducting their own unsuccessful investigations. Yet an off-the-cuff comment to a postal employee may have solved our problem!

Regardless, I will continue to have the international subscriptions mailed by hand until we have a guaranteed solution.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Perspective

Sometimes we need a little bit of perspective. There are times I get so caught up in the stresses of everyday life, meeting deadlines, getting household chores done, paying bills, driving car pool, fitting in exercise...it can be overwhelming.

I was out running errands this evening. (When I say evening, I don't mean 6 or 7 p.m., it was 9:00 tonight.) At first I was feeling sorry for myself, thinking about everything else I have yet to do tonight and wondering when I am going to get it all done. While I was out, I ran into an acquaintance who has had it rough - really rough. Between employment problems, family health issues, and more, it's going to be a while before this family sees the light of day.

I walked away feeling a variety of emotions, especially deep sympathy. But once I got to my car, it dawned on me how lucky I have it. Yes, I am pretty much perpetually stressed and I have not met a deadline in a very long time. But I have a great family and I am living the American dream (and MY dream!). I'm publishing my own magazine, it's growing (adding to the stress), I think I found an ad rep, I'm making some great contacts, I've entered some fantastic races and I've met some pretty amazing people! OK, so I never sleep - the rest of the stuff I can deal with.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Walking for the Environment

Today is "Blogger Action Day," and as a participant, I agreed to post an environmentally friendly message. Lucky for me, walking is environmentally friendly!

Instead of just using walking as a form of exercise, look for ways you can walk for transportation instead of driving. In many American cities this is tough because we are so spread out and need to drive.

I'm fortunate that the post office, a couple of grocery stores and the library are all within walking distance. My family is getting used to my reqesting we walk somewhere, but the neighbors still ask me if my car is broken.

Studies show that people who live in big cities with great mass transit are more fit than people who live in cities where they mostly drive. We can turn that around by walking a little more. The next time you feel like driving to get ice cream, check your mail or to pick up something light weight from the store, see if it is something you can do by walking first.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Canadian Update

The Fall issue of WALK! Magazine was mailed last week. OK, the magazines sent to the U.S. subscribers were mailed from the printer in Texas last week. In order to try get magazines to our Canadian subscribers more quickly, we are experimenting with mailing them first class from our Columbus, OH offices.

We received our bulk shipment of magazines Friday and the entire Canadian mailing list has been stuffed in envelopes and they are at the post office right now waiting for tomorrow's mail. Let me know when they arrive.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Electronic Magazine Available Soon

About 50% of the people who responded to the poll question on our web site said they would like to receive WALK! Magazine electronically! Of those, the majority said they would like to receive the magazine via e-mail.

We have a few logistical issues to work out. Look for more information on this new distribution method and how to sign up by the end of October.

(We'll have a new poll question posted soon!)

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

You Can Tell It's Fall

I walked to the park by the library tonight and did a lap before heading back home. The typical signs of fall were everywhere! Not only are the leaves starting to turn, but the parking lots were packed, tons of people were out walking and the sports fields were full of kids playing soccer.

When you walk in local parks year-round, you start to learn the seasons based on useage as much as by weather. Spring and Fall seem to bring out the most people. Spring attracts the people who are excited the weather is finally warm. Fall brings out the people who are excited it has finally cooled off or are hoping to get outside a few more times before the upcoming winter. On the bike trails (where I don't walk anymore) you see a lot of people training for the Columbus Marathon this time of year.

Whatever the reason, I really enjoy being out and seeing the change of season.

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Does this Count?

Football season is in full swing. The team my son plays for does not have stands and it is difficult to watch a game when sitting in a chair. Most parents tend to walk the sidelines. Let's see, a 2-hour football game, 7 touchdowns scored, 100 yards here, 75 yards there... I give up. Next week I'll just wear a pedometer.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Congrats Renee!

Congratulations, Renee Soles!

Renee, a member of the WALK! Magazine Walking Team, took second place in her age group at the Appleton PowerWalk half marathon. She just received her plaque in the mail this week.

Though the running awards that weekend are presented as the runners cross the finish line, they mail the walking awards to be sure that walkers actually walked.

Laptops and Nuts

I recently bought a laptop computer so that I'm not chained to my desk constantly. I am one of those people who, if given the option of being outside or inside, will choose outside 90% of the time. (You probably do not want to know how I feel about air conditioning. It's a constant battle at my house.) Even now I am on my deck while writing this. It's amazing how freeing wifi can be, too!

Earlier this week, I ate lunch at a beautiful park under huge old oak trees! I had my trusty laptop with me so I could edit some things. The breeze was light, but ocassionally I would hear noises from the trees. I assumed the squirrels were running around having a great time. Suddenly something heavy fell from the tree and crashed beside the picnic table, scaring me half to death. Yes, I jumped. It was a small bunch of the biggest acorns I have ever seen and they were still attached to a good portion of branch! I started looking around a little more, and noticed that the whole area was being pelted with huge acorns!

First, I'm surprised I didn't notice earlier. Second, I'm pretty lucky I didn't get nailed.

Thursday, October 04, 2007

I Need a Half Marathon!

My legs are getting antsy! I'm feeling a need to walk and I really want another half marathon before it is too cold.

There is a solution - the Columbus Marathon has a half marathon option on October 21. I was thinking about entering, but there are a few things stopping me: 1) I used to be the Walking Director and quit because the race is less walker friendly than it used to be. 2) Prevention Magazine is bring their group of walkers. I've read Prevention, and it is a waste of money! 90% of the articles they publish I could write doing absolutely no research, with the knowledge I have. (I'm not that bright -the magazine is that weak.) 3) This late it is $70 to enter. I'm thinking that $70 for a half marathon just a couple of miles from my house that will require me to start at 7 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. with the runners might be too much money. Besides, I hate getting up extra early for a race.

I can't decide what the most important issue is. It might be that my legs are antsy and I REALLY want a half marathon! Besides, if all of those walkers are willing to read Prevention, imagine how excited they will feel when they discover WALK Magazine!

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Renewal Information

Those of you whose subscriptions expire with the Summer 2007 issue will have already received an e-mail, or will receive a renewal postcard, or both. If you responded to the e-mail, then just ignore the postcard.

If your subscription expires with the Fall 2007 issue, you will soon be receiving a postcard. I realized after I stuck them in the mail that they probably mailed about a week too early. Don't panic! You will still be receiving the Fall issue.

We are still trying to figure out how to put your subscription expiration date on the mailing labels. I'm hoping to have it figured out by the Winter issue.

I hope you all like the magazine and renew!