It must be walking pole season. I received review copies of Boomyah Tone 'n Trek Poles and the book Nordic Walking for Total Fitness. I liked both of those items and happily poled around my neighborhood. The Boomyah poles can be used either for Nordic walking or as trekking poles. I found them to be a little heavier than some of the other Nordic walking poles I've been using, due to their padded handles. Meanwhile, I thought the book was the best one I've read to date for using the Nordic walking technique as part of a fitness program. I have more Nordic walking gear and such in the pipeline for review, so stay tuned.

Nordic Walking for Total Fitness

Boomyah Tone 'n Trek Poles

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

Boomyah Poles and Nordic Walking for Fitness Book Review originally appeared on About.com Walking on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 10:20:37.

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I don't think it's a trend, but a reader pointed out that she couldn't participate in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure because they required that she have health insurance. I checked their entry form and web site. Indeed, all walkers must have health insurance while participating in the event.

I can see the rationale because I have participated in the 3-Day Walk as both a walker and a crew member. These walks are held in several cities in the US. Walkers walk 15-22 miles a day for three days, which is a challenging distance, and heat has been a problem at several of the events over the years. Unfortunately, at each event I attended, dozens to hundreds of walkers were transported by ambulance to local hospitals for dehydration, hyponatremia, heat sickness or injury. Even as a fully-prepared walker, I had heat sickness by mile 10 of my first event due to the change in climate. Luckily, my problems resolved with rest, shade and sports drink. Step by step on a 3-Day Walk

The Komen site says, "You must also provide proof of medical insurance on the medical form in order to participate. Though the 3-Day for the Cure provides emergency medical services without charge, personal health insurance is needed to cover the cost of any medical care received away from the event. For example: if emergency room or ambulance transport is necessary, insurance coverage may apply. Check with your insurance company for the terms of your individual policy. If you do not currently have insurance, we suggest you obtain temporary insurance." In addition, all walkers fill out a medical form, and the event may require a physician's written consent for participation if the walker is pregnant or has certain medical conditions.

Is this a reasonable requirement for participating in a walking event where you must also raise a minimum of $2300 to participate? What do you think? Would this keep you from participating?

No Uninsured Walkers Allowed originally appeared on About.com Walking on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 07:18:25.

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Personally, I've been taking my own medicine on this. First off, I'm signed up for four half marathons in the next nine months. That has forced me to train since January and will keep me moving until winter. I have walking poles to try out and review, which gives me an incentive to get out an walk. And I have a walking buddy who is eager to get out and walk each weekend.

What's your tip to motivate yourself to walk?

Top 10 Motivators originally appeared on About.com Walking on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 21:22:12.

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Itchy Legs? originally appeared on About.com Walking on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 10:01:25.

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The worst day walking is better than the best day working. But today I let both you and me vent about the annoyances we encounter.

• 10 Things I Hate About My Treadmill and your treadmill peeves.
• 10 Things I Hate About My Pedometer
• Worst Walking Partner You Ever Had
• 10 Things You Don't Want to See on Your Walk

10 Things I Hate originally appeared on About.com Walking on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 09:51:49.

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Need motivation to keep going till Spring starts? Join in our March walking challenges. First, become a member of our Walking Forum -- it's free. You can then post messages on the Forum to join in the challenges.


March Walking Challenge: Post each time you walk, as we count up to a group total of walks.

Count Your March Minutes: Post your walking minutes.
Count Your March Miles: Post your walking miles.

Join in our March Walking Challenges originally appeared on About.com Walking on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 10:17:01.

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Mistake 1: Discounting the importance of the weekly long distance walk or run. From my experience, you simply can't skimp on getting this long day done each week. Chapman says it increases the glycogen storage capacity of your muscles and gradually strengthens your muscles, bones and tendons to take the miles of pounding. It also prepares you psychologically for the race distance. I also think the biggest value is that it toughens your foot skin to help prevent blisters. Why you need long, slow distance training.

Mistake #2: Selecting a race without considering the weather or lifestyle considerations for training.. If you decide to train for the Disney World Marathon or the Arizona Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and 1/2 Marathon in sunny Florida or Phoenix in January -- have you really considered you'll be doing the long distance training over the holidays and in the winter weather of your home location? I actually gave up on Portland Marathon training after finishing it each of seven years when I realized my whole summer was spent doing long distance training in the heat for the early October race. I've switched to the half marathon distance because I can tolerate the training better. Before You Register for a Marathon

Mistake #3: Failing to "practice" the race day routine. You need to train with the exact clothing, shoes, socks, sports drink, energy gel and snacks, and blister preparations that you will be using during the race. Wear the same pack or stuff your pockets in the same way you will do at the race. The cardinal rule is "nothing new on race day," meaning that you will have worn or used all of these items on your long training days. You also need a race day checklist that includes the logistics of getting to the start, where to park, what shuttles to take, and knowing the course.

Mistake #4: Starting the race too fast. The excitement of race day and being in a pack of faster walkers and runners can result in you putting in high speed early in the race rather than saving your stamina for the end. Runners usually have pace groups to run with at marathons and half marathons, while walkers rarely do. You will need to use your own timing devices to hold yourself to a good stable race pace early in the event so you can finish strong. Practice your pacing on your training walks so you know what feels right. Pacing Your Marathon Walk

Those were Chapman's four top marathon training mistakes, I have my own list of the 10 Worst Marathon Walking Mistakes, some of which are similar. What was your worst marathon or half marathon mistake?

Top Training Mistakes for the Half Marathon and Marathon originally appeared on About.com Walking on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 10:18:10.

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Have You Walked Off Weight? originally appeared on About.com Walking on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 09:46:05.

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Muscle Cramps originally appeared on About.com Walking on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 at 10:16:23.

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This should not have been a complete surprise, as embedded in the info about the events is the call to become a "heavy medal groupie." After two of these events, I admit to being hooked. The Competitor Group puts on very well-organized events that lived up to their hype and were walker-friendly. I'm planning at least one for 2010. But if I were to go on the road, here's what I could earn, doing the required numbers of their events in a calendar year:

• 26.2 Medal: Two half marathons.
• 39.3 Medal: One half marathon and one full marathon.
• Silver Note: Two full marathons
• Gold Note: Two full marathons in five weeks - this would have to be the Arizona and Mardi Gras events.
• Triple Crown: Any three events, half marathons or marathons.
• Grand Slam: Any four events.
• Rock For-Titude: Four full marathons.
• Rock Star: Any five events.
• Super Six: Any six events.
• Rock Legend: Any seven or more events.

Heavy Medal Surprise for the Rock 'n' Roll Marathons originally appeared on About.com Walking on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at 01:27:33.

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