What is it about racewalking that suggests that it was not intended for humans? The hula-hoop swing of the hips? The arms flailing like a non-swimmer’s first exposure to the deep end? Whatever it is, it’s time to get over it, according to this sensible piece in the Washington Post by Lenny Bernstein. That would be the other Lenny Bernstein. Bernstein reports on the lengthy pro-racewalking treatise put forth by Brent Bohlen in his new book “BoomerWalk: Why Baby Boomers Should Replace Running and Jogging With Racewalking.” Bernstein’s conclusion? “There’s a time for us,
Some day a time for us.”
Sorry, wrong Bernstein. According to the Post’s Bernstein, racewalking is the perfect sport for boomers, because it is essentially low impact jogging. Bernstein tells us that racewalkers on average suffer only a single injury for every 6.4 years, and that runners and joggers can expect to get hurt about three times as often. And for those wondering what exactly makes racewalking racewalking, the sport is, Bernstein says, defined by two simple rules. First, you must maintain
contact with the ground at all times. Second, the forward, or
advancing, leg must be straight — that is, locked at the knee — from
the time it touches the ground in front of you until it passes the
vertical position beneath you.
Read more in the Washington Post.
Looking stupid > more injuries.
A lady race-walked by me on the trail the other day, and I increased my pace (I was running) to catch up with her. She was doing 7:30 miles!