Wednesday, October 29, 2008

New Shoes


It's taken a little while, but I finally found a pair of black flats that will look OK with dress slacks. I liked a different pair a little better, but the only color they had left was brown.

After I brought them home I thought they might be a little young for me, but what the heck! They are black, they are cute, they are comfortable and they are flat. What more could I ask for! (A 3-inch heel would be great, but that might defeat the purpose. Repeat after me: flat shoes = healthy feet, flat shoes = healthy feet... )

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Online Store Repaired

I discovered the other day that there were problems with our online store: http://store.walk-magazine.com/index.html. Apparently, once customers got to checkout, the order didn't go through noting that a shipping method was not selected.

I have no idea how the store was affected, but it has been corrected.

Thank you for your patience!

Saturday, October 25, 2008

I Slept In

True confessions here: I am not a morning person. I am more of a morning person now than I was years ago, but that isn't saying much. The thing I hate most about training for a long-distance race and actually entering races is that they all happen so early in the morning!

The walking club I belong to meets at 8 a.m. every Saturday. When we are doing long-mileage days, we frequently meet at 7 or 7:30! (Ouch!)

At the Detroit Marathon last week, my two roomies were up by 4:30! (OK, the good thing is they were ready by the time I rolled out of bed so we didn't have to fight for the bathroom. Also, because they are alert and happy morning people, I never have to rely on my alarm clock when I travel with them. Did I mention they are pleasant in the morning? How great is that!)

For about 13 weeks now, I have been up bright and early every Saturday morning to walk. The Detroit Half Marathon is over -- today I slept in. (It felt great!)

I'll be back walking with my walking club at 8 a.m. next week.

Columbus Marathon Offers Women's Shirts

In case you don't read the posts by other blog readers, I want everyone to know that the Columbus Marathon does offer women's shirts!

I can be pretty harsh on race directors, so I want to be fair and let people know when they do something right, too.

Thank you Columbus!

Any others out there?

Thursday, October 23, 2008

When Will Races Give us Clothes that fit Women?

I've been walking in races for over 8 years. In that time, I've seen the number of women in races grow tremendously! In fact, one race I entered last month had 75% female participants and the Detroit Marathon just had about 55% female participants.

When there are more women than men in these races, when will we get race clothes that fit!

It has been a couple years since I entered any of the Columbus Marathon races. But that year women received women's shirts. I still wear that shirt -- it is one of my favorites.

The funny thing is, when all races gave out cotton T-shirts, they fit! Now that races are giving great technical shirts and fleece jackets, things I really want to wear, they are huge!

For a marathoner, I'm an average-sized woman. I wear either a woman's medium or small. In cotton T-shirts, a man's small fits just fine. In technical fabrics, I'm not even sure a man's XS will fit.

I know from talking to other marathoners that at the other end of the spectrum people end up with shirts that don't fit either -- they are always too small.

OK, I don't know what the solution is. There will always be people whose race shirt does not fit. But is it too much to ask that when a race has more women than men that we have the option to order a woman's shirt?

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Watch Detroit Race Finishers

How cool is this! I got to watch myself finish the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon at this website: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200881020020.

The clocks were a little off. I finished in 3:21:33, but I found myself on the section from 3:25-3:35.

Typical of me -- my first thought was that this was a very cool thing! When do we ever get to see ourselves in a race?

My second thought was that I don't look like I'm racewalking. My arms are wrong, my feet aren't rolling...

Regardless, it is pretty cool to see myself finishing the race with my friends!

"I am a walker!"

We are starting a new feature in WALK! Magazine called "I am a walker." It will be a one-page "highlights" style story that will feature one walker per issue.

I hope to feature all types of walkers from casual neighborhood walkers and hikers to marathoners and Olympic-style racewalkers.

If you would like to nominate someone to be featured, please send an e-mail to me.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Detroit was ...


fantastic! The weather was beautiful, the people were very friendly, the course was great! The friends I traveled with were so much fun. I am amazed at how beautiful Detroit has become. And the Expo was very good for us!

There were only two minor glitches: 1) I stood so much during the Expo, my feet were killing me and made it difficult to walk any faster during the event. 2) In order to meet as a group before the race, we didn't go to the start line in the most efficient manner, and ended up stuck behind some intense fencing. It was pretty tough to get to the walkers' start corral.

I don't think I could have planned a more perfect weekend. (OK, if there was a way I could work a booth at the Expo without exhausting my feet and legs and still be able to walk fast during the half, and if I had won a million dollars at the casino, then that would have been perfect.)

Thanks to the members of the WALK! Magazine Walking Team for making the weekend so much fun! NOTE: Tom's wife Peggy took several pictures of us before the start, but we were in two groups. I'll post the other photo as soon as I receive it. From left to right: Tom, Chris, Me and Deb.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Good Luck Larry!

Good luck to Larry Smith as he walks the Columbus Marathon this weekend! (And attempts to break the 5-hour barrier.) We've been enjoying following your training exploits this year. I can't believe it is here already.

We'll be thinking about you!

Detroit - Here we Come!

The members of the WALK! Magazine Walking Team will be heading to the Detroit FreePress Half Marathon this Sunday. A group of us are going to meet tomorrow night for dinner.

I'm having a little trouble getting internet access on my laptop right now, but if I can keep you up to date, I will! Maybe I'll even try to figure out how to Twitter from my phone... OK, I'm dreaming with that one.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Procrastination

Yes, I am frequently guilty of procrastination. That is why I was at the post office tonight at 10. I had a couple of things that absolutely had to be postmarked with today's date. Luckily, a friend of mine recently told me about a post office near the airport that is open until 11 p.m. during the week. It is also open on Sundays!

I couldn't figure out why this particular post office smelled like the airport. (How does an airport smell?)

I wasn't alone tonight -- there were A LOT of people in line with me! Hmm. Maybe that is why there is a local post office open until 11 p.m.?

In a situation like this, most people tend to take it in stride. We all know it is our own fault that we are there. I could tell many were on the same deadline I was.

The good news is, I made the deadline and I know I will sleep a little better tonight.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Ike, Obama & McCain

Sometimes the printing/mailing gods are working against you. I feel that way right now.

It all started when Hurricane Ike hit the United States. For the first time ever, a hurricane that hit Texas also took out the power in Central Ohio -- in many places for over a week. The printer I use was fine, I was fine, the mailing house was without power for 4-5 days.

Unfortunately, at this same time, all of the local mailing houses have been inundated with political mailings! It seems that Obama and McCain got in line before me. The mailing house was going to be swamped even if there was power -- then add 5 days of the stuff piling up. Ouch!

My printer is nagging the mailing facility daily on my behalf. It is out of my hands!

So, over the next couple days when you are digging through all of the political postcards filling your mailbox, realize that if it weren't for them you would have your Fall issue! I think I'll write my congressman.
_______________

Any subscriber who would like to receive the electronic version of WALK! Magazine while we are waiting for the mail, please send me an e-mail and I'll give you the access code. (I'm in Detroit this weekend, so I don't know how quick it will be.)

Monday, October 13, 2008

Speedo Man Update

I saw Speedo Man today! As I was leaving the park where I eat lunch, I spotted him climbing out of his car. It took all my self control to keep from waving like a maniac.

So today answered a couple questions:
1) He parks his car at the end of the park and runs from one end to the other.
2) He has started running a half hour later than he used to.
3) He now wears a purple Speedo.

It's really nice to know that he is OK.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

High Heels and Walking


For years I wore high heels and loved them! I had dress heels for business and high heeled boots for my jeans. I could wear heels anywhere for any length of time, and I was fine. I wore a pair of high-heeled boots while sight seeing and walking over 6 miles in Las Vegas with no pain!

Earlier this year I started having pain in my feet right where they bend when I racewalk. Then my big toes started aching and eventually the entire front of each foot (where the toes meet the ball of the foot) began aching, even when wearing flats!

To give my feet a chance to heal, I wore flats every day since June, even when it looked ridiculous. The pain went away and I even learned how to racewalk for real! I was under the impression my problem was over. Yea!

I'm only 5' 5", so wearing heels makes me feel tall. And I hate the look of dress pants and jeans with flat shoes! So I gave in and started wearing heels again.

First, the pain in my toes came back, but only while wearing heels. Next, I started having some new and different pains when I racewalk. And finally, I have lost my tolerance for wearing heels! I wore my favorite pair of high-heeled boots today, and my feet are killing me. (Aren't they cute? They are perfect with jeans.)

Sometimes it takes me a while, but I am finally taking the hint. I just am not meant to wear high heels.

I'll go out shopping this weekend to find a great pair of low-heeled boots to wear with my new jeans. Oh, and I'll start shortening my pants.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Detroit is Coming Soon!


The Detroit FreePress Marathon (Half) is less than 2 weeks away and I'm getting pretty excited! It actually makes me laugh. If you had told me 10 years ago that I'd be excited about a trip to Detroit, I would not have believed you.

But when I look at the course and think about crossing the bridge into Canada and entering back into the U.S. through the tunnel, I'm excited. Walking along the river on the Canadian side looks pretty cool.

I've been to Detroit only 2 times before this. Once over 12 years ago (unpleasant), and again about 3 years ago. I was VERY impressed with how much cleaner and attractive it was on my second trip. The public art reminded me of Indianapolis (a city I really enjoy). There's also a bus into Canada if we want to visit Windsor after the race! (Can you say casinos?) If we don't want to bother crossing the border again, Detroit has a couple casinos of its own.

Anyway, when the Walking Team members first suggested we go to Detroit, I was a little leery. But the closer we get to the race, the more excited I am! I'm glad we chose it!

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Electronic Edition of WALK! is Out


The electronic edition of WALK! Magazine was delivered to subscribers yesterday. If you subscribed and have not received the links and password for the Fall 2008 issue, please let me know.

PS: Two e-mails bounced. They were re-sent about 5 min ago.

The Walk That Almost Didn't Happen

A miscommunication caused Deb and I to almost miss each other tonight. Though on Saturday we agreed to walk tonight, I didn't confirm yesterday. I did take my gym bag with me today, but I got caught up in preparing a report, and lost a little track of time.

About 5 p.m. Deb called to see where I was. Oh no! I rushed to my car, changed from my dress pants to my walking shorts while I drove. (Not safe and somewhat tricky.) I was able to throw an athletic shirt on over my work tank top, put on my shoes and I was ready to go.

Because I was late, we walked for only 30 min instead of doing our scheduled speed workout. It was probably the best decision -- my muscles were very tight and I had a hard time picking up any speed.

It felt great to get out today and I'm glad Deb waited!

Sunday, October 05, 2008

10K Race - No Limits


I entered a local race today that was different from anything I've ever entered -- it included climbing a huge staircase up the Alum Creek Dam! It was Run Wild Racing's No Limits 10K. I've avoided this race in the past because of the stairs, but because of positive comments from friends who have done it before, I decided to try it.

This was one of the prettiest local courses I've ever seen. You actually take a short hill up to the top of the dam, walk along the top, then you are back on roads. The view from the dam was beautiful! The lake on one side had a few fisherman and the water was as smooth as glass. As the athletes ahead of us crossed the dam, they were silhouetted against the early fog.

When we were on the main road we were surprised at how early traffic was allowed to resume. There were no sidewalks and the berm was pretty small. One car zoomed by us so fast, I was surprised we weren't hit!

Shortly after mile 4 we had to climb the stairs back to the top of the dam. Though imposing looking it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! About 2/3 of the way up, I started to really feel the stairs. (There were two women on the stairs running up and down them for training! The one said she usually climbs the dam 20 times per training session. Wow!) What was funny was our legs felt worse at the top, and it was pretty hard to get moving with any speed.

Deb and I were the last to finish. It was OK though because we weren't that slow, and all of the Buckeye Striders who entered the race waited for us and cheered us on. I finished in 1:33 and averaged a 15-min mile -- not fast, but not slow. (Deb was 1 second behind me. She let me win.)

It was really fun, and it was great to see a beautiful local park I've never been to before.

Part of what makes local races so fun is the fact that the members of the Buckeye Striders support so many of them! In fact, all but two of the walkers were members of our club. For those of you who lose motivation to walk, joining an active walking club really helps!