Walk Like The Wind

Hi everyone. Well, the first week of training for the Quarantine 5K For Truth is complete. I’m hoping it went well for you and I’m sure that you’re wondering what Michele and I do on our off days. Honestly, if you’ve been wondering that you’re in bad shape. Hit me up and I can recommend some decent Netflix stuff or even a book or two. So even though you haven’t been wondering I’m going to tell you anyway. In an effort to keep moving and not end up with the dreaded “Quarantine 15” we have come up with the following regimen. We run on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. We have decided to power walk on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and we take a nice 1.5-2 mile stroll pretty much every evening. This active time is sort of taking the place of our commute and is helping to signal our pre-work versus post work transitions.

I’ve found that power walking is my thing. Looking at me it’s obvious that I’m a multi-discipline athlete, but I think power walking is probably my strongest event. I thought I would share some of my pro tips and tricks for power walking.

First, and most importantly, is staring down the strangers who will mock you with their words and their eyes. When they begin to laugh at your fluid hip action and vigorous arm pumping I recommend just locking eyes with them. Don’t be the first to break eye contact and continue to power walk. There’s something profoundly unsettling when a person just stares at you while swiveling down the street in stretch pants. It feels unnatural and the naysayers will quickly look away. Be assured they won’t make the same mistake again.

Second, stretchy pants (yoga if ya got em).

Third, pay attention to your form. Keep your back straight, your hips fluid, your arms bent at around 90 degrees and pumping like crazy, head up, eyes straight ahead (unless you need to stare someone down) and medium length strides. See below:

Make good form the norm (see what I did there?)

I’ve posted a video below of myself in full P-Stride (that’s what I call it when I’m power walking and really feelin’ it. I suspect I’m the only one who uses that term but you are all welcome to use it as well). Feel free to watch this repeatedly for pointers and don’t be intimidated by my speed, I’ve been doing this for a while.