Running News

Energizer Reality Check - Daily Steps Estimates Way Off
<a href="http://walking.about.com/od/measure/f/10000steps.htm"><img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/walking/1/6/B/Q/2/digiwalker200-07.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Digiwalker Pedometer" /></a>How may steps do you take in a day? Unless you are wearing a pedometer and verifying it, you may be overestimating it by two miles worth of steps. That's what the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2010/energizer_denise_austin_00615/index.html">Energizer Reality Check Survey</a> found. Of the 473 participants, 42% took fewer steps than they estimated and over a third of them were off by 4000 steps. For most of us, that's a half hour or more of brisk walking -- and the difference between gaining weight or maintaining or losing weight. Wearing a pedometer continues to be the best reality check for estimating your daily activity level. One of the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/pedometer1/tp/pedometerprob.htm">10 things I hate about my pedometer</a> is that is won't tell me a white lie that I've taken more steps than I actually have. So, if you've <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/measure/tp/pedometerproblems.htm">checked out your pedometer</a> to be sure it's working right, you're just going to have to believe it when it tells you that you are a slug. The Energizer study also surveyed 1000 people about their attitudes towards exercise. They found that 90% want to exercise more, and 60% of them want to take more walks to increase their activity level, including walking rather than driving. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/pedometers/a/2000steps_2.htm">Ways to add 2000 more steps to your day</a>. I've joined in a local program to track my walks through August to average <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/measure/f/10000steps.htm">10,000 steps per day</a>. Yes, even the walking guru needs an incentive and a group effort to work more walking into her day. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/mindandspirit/tp/motivation.htm">10 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Walk</a> Photo © Wendy Bumgardner<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/28/energizer-reality-check-daily-steps-estimates-way-off.htm">Energizer Reality Check - Daily Steps Estimates Way Off</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 at 08:33:47.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/28/energizer-reality-check-daily-steps-estimates-way-off.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/28/energizer-reality-check-daily-steps-estimates-way-off.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/28/energizer-reality-check-daily-steps-estimates-way-off.htm&zItl=Energizer Reality Check - Daily Steps Estimates Way Off">Email this</a>

Toning Shoes on the Trail?
<a href="http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/skechers-shapeups-at.htm"><img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/walking/1/G/Z/c/2/skechersat-pg.jpg" border="0" alt="Skechers Shape-Ups All Terrain" hspace="5" align="right" /></a>The <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/skechers-shapeups-at.htm">Skechers Shape-Ups All Terrain</a> toning shoes just seem like a bad idea from the start. Toning shoes are designed to be unstable, that's what forces your muscles into a greater range of motion and therefore, toning. Trails already do that with unstable surfaces and hills. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/shoechoice/f/needtrailshoes.htm">Trail shoes</a> are typically designed for extra support and extra stability. An unstable trail shoe is an oxymoron. I received a pair of Skechers Shape-Ups All Terrain from the manufacturer as part of their publicity push towards a Skechers-Leki nordic walking program coming this fall. I think the program is a great idea -- I love nordic walking with fitness poles. But these All Terrain shoes are not what I would recommend for trail use. My biggest beef with them is that they caused me to overpronate from the first step. That can lead to knee pain and <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/heelpain/a/plantarfas.htm">plantar fasciitis</a>, both things that can stop a walker cold. The rocker motion in these shoes is not as pronounced as in the original Shape-Ups walking shoes or some of the more aggressive toning shoes such as <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/chungshishoes.htm">Chung Shi</a> or <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/gr/mbtswissmasai.htm">MBT</a>. But it's still there, and for me, that's a trail accident just waiting to happen. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/shoechoice/f/needtrailshoes.htm">Why You Need Trail Shoes</a> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/tp/trailshoes.htm">Top Picks for Trail Shoes</a> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://erclk.about.com/?zi=21/328h">Compare Prices</a> on Skechers Shape-Ups All Terrain Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.about.com/gi/pages/ethics.htm">Ethics Policy.</a> Photo courtesy of Pricegrabber.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/27/toning-shoes-on-the-trail.htm">Toning Shoes on the Trail?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 at 09:33:25.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/27/toning-shoes-on-the-trail.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/27/toning-shoes-on-the-trail.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/27/toning-shoes-on-the-trail.htm&zItl=Toning Shoes on the Trail?">Email this</a>

Balance Walking Teams Poles and Toning Shoes
<a href="http://walking.about.com/od/nordicwalking/p/balancewalkingprogram.htm"><img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/walking/1/G/t/_/2/balancewalkingpoles.jpg" border="0" alt="Balance Walking Poles" hspace="5" align="right" /></a>Balance Walking is a fitness program that combines fitness walking poles, toning shoes, and good nutrition. This seems to be a growing trend, as Skechers is teaming up with Leki poles and the Nordic Walking North America to launch a similar program this fall. The Balance Walking program is available through their web site and <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.footsolutions.com">Foot Solutions</a> stores in the US. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/nordicwalking/p/balancewalkingprogram.htm">About the Balance Walking Program</a> The stores have their own brand of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/polereviews/gr/balancewalkingpoles.htm">Balance Walking poles</a>. I've been using them on workouts and they work well as <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/nordicwalking/ss/nordicwalking.htm">nordic walking</a> poles. The stores also have developed their own line of toning shoes, the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/chungshishoes.htm">Chung Shi</a> shoes. I found the shoes to be well made and I really did feel like they were exercising a wider range of muscles. But I just couldn't get past wearing them for 10 minutes without feeling the urge to change back into regular shoes. I am not a fan of heavier shoes, and these are as heavy as my hiking shoes. The rocker motion is pronounced in the Chung Shi shoes. Take care on stairs until you get used to them! <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/chungshishoes.htm">Review of the Chung Shi shoes</a> The Balance Walking program also has training and certification for Walk Leaders and for Coaches. I wish this program and the upcoming Skechers-Leki program much success, mostly because I think <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/nordicwalking/ss/nordicwalking.htm">nordic walking</a> is an awesome fitness activity. I've been waiting for 11 years for it to catch on in North America as it has in Europe. What it takes is having live instruction and walking groups so people can learn to do it properly and do with with less self-consciousness. While I'm a skeptic about toning shoes and have yet to find any I like, I can highly recommend using fitness walking poles. When used correctly, you improve your posture, open up your chest, loosen your shoulders, <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/poles/a/polestudy00.htm">burn more calories per mile</a> and achieve a higher heart rate at the same speed. What's not to love about that? Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.about.com/gi/pages/ethics.htm">Ethics Policy</a>. Photo © Wendy Bumgardner<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/26/balance-walking-teams-poles-and-toning-shoes.htm">Balance Walking Teams Poles and Toning Shoes</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Monday, July 26th, 2010 at 09:35:12.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/26/balance-walking-teams-poles-and-toning-shoes.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/26/balance-walking-teams-poles-and-toning-shoes.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/26/balance-walking-teams-poles-and-toning-shoes.htm&zItl=Balance Walking Teams Poles and Toning Shoes">Email this</a>

Toning Shoes Fail the Test
<img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/walking/1/G/W/c/2/chungshi-400.jpg" border="0" alt="Chung Shi toning shoes" hspace="5" align="right" />All toning shoe brands (<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/shapeupsskechers.htm">Skecher Shape-Ups</a>, <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/u/reviews/prshoe/reebokruntonereviews/">Reebok EasyTone</a>, <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/gr/mbtswissmasai.htm">MBT</a>, etc.) say they have studies that prove that their shoes tone more muscles and help burn more calories. But now the American Council on Exercise sponsored a completely independent study to test these claims. And the results are: no difference from a good pair a regular New Balance running shoes. The research team included John Porcari, John Greany, Ph.D., StephanieTepper, M.S., Brian Edmonson, B.S., and Carl Foster, Ph.D. They made two studies. One focused on calorie burning while walking three to 3.5 miles per hour on a treadmill, with and without incline, and one on muscle activation for all of the muscles the toning shoes say they tone (hamstrings, glutes, abs, quads, etc.) There was no statistical difference between calorie burning or muscle activation with the New Balance regular running shoes, Skechers Shape-Ups, Reebok EasyTone, and MBT shoes. The conclusion reported in their <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.acefitness.org/getfit/studies/toningshoes072010.pdf">online report</a>: "Across the board, none of the toning shoes showed statistically significant increases in either exercise response or muscle activation during any of the treadmill trials. There is simply no evidence to support the claims that these shoes will help wearers exercise more intensely, burn more calories or improve muscle strength and tone." The researchers did grant that buying a pair of toning shoes can be the incentive that gets somebody to walk. They are the toy that motivates a person to put miles into their investment in the shoes. That is a positive outcome. But it is unlikely that they will produce results beyond what the walker would get with any good pair of running/walking shoes. What do you think? <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/u/reviews/prshoe/Toning-Shoe-Reviews-From-Walkerg/">Review your toning shoes</a>. <ul> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/u/reviews/prshoe/userskechersreviews/">Reader Reviews of Skechers Shape-Ups</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/u/reviews/prshoe/reebokruntonereviews/">Reader Reviews of Reebok RunTone and EasyTone Shoes</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/gr/mbtswissmasai.htm">Review of the MBT Sport Walker</a></li> </ul> Photo © Wendy Bumgardner<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/23/toning-shoes-fail-the-test.htm">Toning Shoes Fail the Test</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Friday, July 23rd, 2010 at 10:19:40.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/23/toning-shoes-fail-the-test.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/23/toning-shoes-fail-the-test.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/23/toning-shoes-fail-the-test.htm&zItl=Toning Shoes Fail the Test">Email this</a>

Funky Tasting Water?
Carrying along water is essential for hot weather walks. But what if you find your water tasting funky when using your reusable water bottle or hydration pack? Keeping your water bottle clean is the key to preventing bad taste. Bacteria and fungus can grow in wet bottles, and they especially love and leftover drinks that contain sugar or juice. If you use your water bottle for sports drink, you must wash it immediately after use with warm water and soap, and allow it to dry out completely before replacing the cap. This is still the best policy if you just use it for water. Handwash with liquid dish soap and warm water, and allow it to air dry. If you have been lazy and discover it days later with a growing colony of mold and a vile swill of cloudy bacteria-laden fluid, then you will likely need to use bleach or a denture-cleaning tablet to get it clean again. Use a cap-ful of bleach and fill the bottle with water and allow this to sit for at least an hour, or overnight. Then rinse and scrub with hot water and dish soap. The drawback here is that the bleach taste can take awhile to get rid of, so it is best to avoid letting your bottle get into that condition in the first place. For fewer problems, use any of the methods I have in <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/hydration/tp/camelbackclean.htm">Ways to Clean and Deodorize Your Hydration Pack</a>.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/21/funky-tasting-water.htm">Funky Tasting Water?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 at 10:16:06.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/21/funky-tasting-water.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/21/funky-tasting-water.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/21/funky-tasting-water.htm&zItl=Funky Tasting Water?">Email this</a>

Walking Your Dog in Hot Weather
<img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/walking/1/0/t/W/2/dogs170.jpg" border="0" alt="Dogs" hspace="5" align="right" />Dogs need to go walkies every day of the year, which makes them great <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/weightloss/a/weightdogwalk.htm">fitness companions</a>. But in hot weather you need to take extra care for your canine companion as well as for yourself. Choose to walk in the cooler times of the day and in the shade. It is also best to adopt a slower pace, as your dog can't shed heat as effectively as you can. Humans can sweat all over, while dogs can only pant and sweat a small amount from their foot pads and nose. Our Phoenix Guide also points out that dogs can <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://phoenix.about.com/od/animvet/a/dogsheat_2.htm">burn their paws on hot pavement</a>. If the sidewalk is too hot for you barefoot, it's too hot for your dog. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/u/ua/dogwalking/Hot-Weather-Dog-Walking.htm">Add a hot weather dog walking tip</a> Be sure to carry along water for your dog. You can carry a collapsible water bowl to fill from your water bottle. My buddy Nona carries a device like the Handi-Drink water bottle for her pomeranians (<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://erclk.about.com/?zi=21/321V">Compare Prices</a>). The biggest danger for you dog may be the hot car if you like to drive to the dog park or cooler shaded area. Be aware of the signs of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://dogs.about.com/od/dogandpuppyhealth/qt/heatstroke.htm">dog heat stroke</a> and know <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://dogs.about.com/od/veterinarycare/qt/whentocallvet.htm">when to call your veterinarian</a>. More: <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://dogs.about.com/od/caringfordogsandpuppies/tp/warmweathersafety.htm">Hot Weather Safety for Dogs</a> What are your <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/u/ua/dogwalking/Hot-Weather-Dog-Walking.htm">tips for walking your dog in hot weather</a>? Come tell us! Photo © Wendy Bumgardner<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/20/walking-your-dog-in-hot-weather.htm">Walking Your Dog in Hot Weather</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 at 09:25:18.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/20/walking-your-dog-in-hot-weather.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/20/walking-your-dog-in-hot-weather.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/20/walking-your-dog-in-hot-weather.htm&zItl=Walking Your Dog in Hot Weather">Email this</a>

Keeping Your Water Cool - Camelbak Podium Ice Bottle
<a href="http://walking.about.com/od/prpack/fr/camelbakpodiumice.htm"><img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/walking/1/G/Y/c/2/camelbakpodiumice-pg.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Camelbak Podium Ice Bottle" /></a>How do you keep your water cool when you go out for a walk? I generally start off with ice cubes and/or crushed ice along with my water, filled from my refrigerator door ice maker. But you need an insulated bottle to keep it cool longer, especially if you carry it in your hand (which I don't recommend doing). Camelbak has a lightweight insulated bike bottle that keeps things cool four times longer. The outer surface is lined with aerogel, and the bottle itself is <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/hydration/f/bpafree.htm">BPA-free plastic</a>. I like just about everything about the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prpack/fr/camelbakpodiumice.htm">Camelbak Podium Ice</a> bottle. First, it doesn't weigh any more than a non-insulated bottle and it is the same size as most, with a 21-ounce capacity. It fits into bottle holder on a bike, in a waistpack, or your car cup holder. But best of all, I like the drinking valve. It self-seals when you aren't drinking and is pretty darn leakproof. But if you really want to ensure it doesn't leak, it also has a positive-closure dial. It is squeezable so you can assist your slurping. Great bottle. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://erclk.about.com/?zi=21/31xX">(Compare Prices</a>). And read my full review of the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prpack/fr/camelbakpodiumice.htm">Camelbak Podium Ice Bottle</a> Photo courtesy of Pricegrabber. Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.about.com/gi/pages/ethics.htm">Ethics Policy</a><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/16/keeping-your-water-cool-camelbak-podium-ice-bottle.htm">Keeping Your Water Cool - Camelbak Podium Ice Bottle</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Friday, July 16th, 2010 at 12:53:44.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/16/keeping-your-water-cool-camelbak-podium-ice-bottle.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/16/keeping-your-water-cool-camelbak-podium-ice-bottle.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/16/keeping-your-water-cool-camelbak-podium-ice-bottle.htm&zItl=Keeping Your Water Cool - Camelbak Podium Ice Bottle">Email this</a>

Just Say No to Walking Weights
I recently saw a video of a fitness trainer encouraging walkers to use dumbbells or ankle weights while walking to increase their exertion. This was just a day after meeting with Gary Johnson of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.nordicwalkingna.com">Nordic Walking North America</a> where we both shared our disapproval of such items. They are tops on my list of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/safety/a/notrecommended.htm">walking products I don't recommend</a>. I have consulted with numerous sports medicine physicians and physical therapists over the years, and all of them say ankle weights, weighted shoes, arm weights, and using dumbbells while walking do not give enough benefits to overcome the extra risk of injury. Rarely, I will be contacted by an expert who is allied with a product and wishes to defend it. But I trust the unaffiliated experts' overwhelming consensus much more than those. I love dumbbells and weights, but having worked with a personal trainer for years, I know how extremely important it is to have the right posture and form when doing weighted exercises. If you don't have the right alignment, you get much less benefit, while perhaps putting strain on your joints in the wrong way. It is very hard to use the right form while walking. You will get many more benefits by doing the weights for 5-10 minutes while standing still before or after walking. The same is true for the ankle weights. They are great for leg exercises, but best done while standing or sitting still, with good form to fully engage the right muscles. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://weighttraining.about.com/od/topdumbbellexercises/tp/dumbbell_arms.htm">Dumbbell Arm Workout</a> So - leave the dumbbells and ankle weights behind when you walk. Use them properly before or after your walk and get the benefit of a strength workout. If you really think you need to pump up your walking exertion, the best ways are: <ul> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwalking.about.com%2Fcs%2Fpowerwalking%2Fa%2Fblhowfast.htm&ei=pQ0_TLKtA5O-sQOe38n2CA&usg=AFQjCNGqIwAzl4sMhmHn6jagbQ-_TjfZGg">Learn to walk faster</a> or add <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/fitness/a/startrunning.htm">running intervals</a> to your walking workout.</li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/howtowal1/a/uphill.htm">Add hills</a> or stairs to your walking route or <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/treadmillworkouts/a/treadmillincl.htm">incline variations</a> to your treadmill routine.</li> <li>Use <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/poles/a/nordicwalking.htm">fitness walking poles</a> -- these increase exertion while actually reducing stress on your joints.</li> </ul> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/gear/bb/weights.htm">Before You Buy Walking Weights</a><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/15/just-say-no-to-walking-weights.htm">Just Say No to Walking Weights</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Thursday, July 15th, 2010 at 09:37:25.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/15/just-say-no-to-walking-weights.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/15/just-say-no-to-walking-weights.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/15/just-say-no-to-walking-weights.htm&zItl=Just Say No to Walking Weights">Email this</a>

Sandal Love: FitFlop Roma Toning Sandals
<a href="http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/fitflopromasandal.htm"><img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/walking/1/G/X/c/2/fitfloproma-pg.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="FitFlop Roma Sandals" /></a>I'm highly <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2008/06/01/i-hate-flip-flops.htm">critical of flip flops</a> because you can't achieve a true walking stride in them with a heel plant, roll through, and toe off. You are actually shuffling in them, not walking. So I wasn't cheering when FitFlops debuted with what they touted as a toning flip flop. Same old, same old, maybe with a better sole. But when I saw their Roma design that has a heel strap and ankle strap, I popped for a pair. And now I'm in love with the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/fitflopromasandal.htm">FitFlop Roma</a>. The straps are extremely comfortable, both smooth and non-slipping, so I haven't gotten the usual hot spot or blister from wearing them. The heel and toe have good cushioning and support. The area under the midfoot uses a less-dense foam in the sole, so it is slightly unstable and your feet end up feeling like they are being gently massaged. This also engages more muscles when you walk or stand, for a slight toning effect. I've worn these for shopping, for a day at the office, and as comfort shoes after a long training walk. I had to stop myself from wearing them too long at first -- because they are so darn comfortable. But as with any toning shoe, you should build up your wearing time gradually until you are sure they aren't producing any new aches and pains. But what puts them far above the crowd for me is that they provide good support for walking, and I can take off at a faster pace in them without worrying about them slipping around on my feet. OK, enough gushing. You can read my full review of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/fitflopromasandal.htm">FitFlop Roma</a> Sandals and <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://erclk.about.com/?zi=21/31u3">Compare Prices</a>.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/13/sandal-love-fitflop-roma-toning-sandals.htm">Sandal Love: FitFlop Roma Toning Sandals</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 at 10:04:42.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/13/sandal-love-fitflop-roma-toning-sandals.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/13/sandal-love-fitflop-roma-toning-sandals.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/13/sandal-love-fitflop-roma-toning-sandals.htm&zItl=Sandal Love: FitFlop Roma Toning Sandals">Email this</a>

How to Increase Your Treadmill Workout Intensity?
Francine asks what she should do for better interval workouts when using her treadmill that has only minimal 1% incline -- and she has to adjust that manually. A low-end treadmill can still give you an indoor workout, although you will probably have to be a bit more creative on increasing intensity by speed rather than incline. There are a few ways to increase the intensity of your treadmill workout. Incline is one way, and better-quality treadmills can adjust the incline throughout various programmed workouts, and through a wider range of incline. Speed: Interval workouts based on speed are a great way to add intensity. Trainer Lorra Garrick describes <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/treadmillworkouts/a/treadmillhiit.htm">high-intensity intervals</a> you should be able to do with any treadmill that has adjustable speed. If you are on a manual rather than motorized treadmill, you will have to use your own internal speed gauge to up the pace. Strength: Another way to add intensity is with her <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/treadmillworkouts/a/treadmilldumb.htm">treadmill-dumbbell workout</a>, which uses intervals of getting off the treadmill and lifting 5 or 10 pound dumbbells.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/12/how-to-increase-your-treadmill-workout-intensity.htm">How to Increase Your Treadmill Workout Intensity?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Monday, July 12th, 2010 at 10:12:58.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/12/how-to-increase-your-treadmill-workout-intensity.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/12/how-to-increase-your-treadmill-workout-intensity.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/12/how-to-increase-your-treadmill-workout-intensity.htm&zItl=How to Increase Your Treadmill Workout Intensity?">Email this</a>

Clif Adds Two More Healthy Snack Bars
<a href="http://walking.about.com/od/snacks/fr/clifcbar.htm"><img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/walking/1/G/U/c/2/clifcbar-pg.jpg" border="0" alt="Clif C Bar" hspace="5" align="right" /></a>My favorite walking snack is the Clif Bar, it has an easy-to-chew consistency and can be cut into bite sized chunks for convenience during a marathon or half marathon. I especially appreciate their packaging as mini-bars, just the right size for a snack on a longer training walk. They also are made with natural ingredients, mostly organic, and an easy-to-understand ingredient list. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://erclk.about.com/?zi=21/31%5DP">Compare Prices</a> Now Clif has two more varieties they sent me to review. The <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/snacks/fr/clifcbar.htm">Clif C Bar</a> is a double-layered fruit and nut bar. It also has a great consistency for packing along for a walking snack, and at 130 calories is about the right amount of energy to keep you going on a longer walk. Only one problem (for me only) -- all of the flavors include macadamia nuts, and I am one of the strange people who have a stomach allergy to macadamia nuts. But my assistant reviewers assure me these are very tasty. They don't crumble or break up if you have them in a pocket or pack. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://erclk.about.com/?zi=21/31p5">Compare Prices</a> The <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/snacks/fr/clifcrunchgranolabar.htm">Clif Crunch granola bars</a>, however, crumble as much as you expect a granola bar to crumble. On the plus side, they are very tasty. Like the C Bar, they are 70% organic and include organic whole grains. I would use these as an after-workout snack. With five grams of protein, they can provide the mix of carbs and protein your muscles need to recover. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://erclk.about.com/?zi=21/31pe">Compare Prices</a> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/snacks/tp/energybars.htm">Top Picks for Energy Bars</a> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/snacks/bb/bybenergysnacks.htm">Before You Buy Walking Snacks</a> Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.about.com/gi/pages/ethics.htm">Ethics Policy</a>. Photo courtesy of Pricegrabber<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/08/clif-adds-two-more-healthy-snack-bars.htm">Clif Adds Two More Healthy Snack Bars</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Thursday, July 8th, 2010 at 09:58:37.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/08/clif-adds-two-more-healthy-snack-bars.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/08/clif-adds-two-more-healthy-snack-bars.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/08/clif-adds-two-more-healthy-snack-bars.htm&zItl=Clif Adds Two More Healthy Snack Bars">Email this</a>

Hot, Hot, Hot - Be Careful
<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/medhot/a/heatillness.htm">Heat illness</a> can strike any walker. We are getting our first heat wave and I'm supposed to walk a tough, hilly half marathon on Sunday. I plan to take it slow and stay aware of the signs of heat exhaustion. The best medicine is to get to a cool area and drink salt-replacing sports drink such as Gatorade or Powerade at the first signs of dizziness, light-headedness, headache or nausea. But if your symptoms continue, get to a hospital as heat stroke can develop and it can be fatal. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/firstaid/Heat-emergencies.htm">How to Treat Heat Emergencies</a> I don't think any workout or race is worth a trip to the emergency room, and I would rather face the embarrassment of dropping out rather the embarrassment of an ambulance ride. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/medhot/bb/bbhot.htm">Before You Walk in Hot Weather</a><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/07/hot-hot-hot-be-careful.htm">Hot, Hot, Hot - Be Careful</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 at 10:22:23.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/07/hot-hot-hot-be-careful.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/07/hot-hot-hot-be-careful.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/07/hot-hot-hot-be-careful.htm&zItl=Hot, Hot, Hot - Be Careful">Email this</a>

Is Barefoot Better?
I've been watching the Discovery Channel series <a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/dual-survival/">Dual Survival</a>, which features primitive skills expert Cody Lundin, who hasn't worn shoes for 20 years. He is paired with Army-trained survival expert Dave Canterbury (who wears modern footwear). On each episode they mention research that says that humans who didn't wear footwear had fewer foot problems than our modern shoe-wearing societies. There aren't a lot of studies, but there are a few significant ones. One studied the feet of 180 modern skeletons and compared them to 2000 year-old skeletons of a barefoot society. The results were, "The pathological lesions found in the metatarsals of the three recent human groups generally appeared to be more severe than those found in the pre-pastoral group. This result may support the hypothesis that pathological variation in the metatarsus was affected by habitual behaviour including the wearing of footwear and exposure to modern substrates." In other words, wearing shoes and walking on modern floors, streets and sidewalks is associated with more foot problems seen in skeletons. Source: B. Zipfela, L.R. Bergerab, "Shod versus unshod: The emergence of forefoot pathology in modern humans?" The Foot. Volume 17, Issue 4, Pages 205-213 (December 2007) On a recent episode, Cody gave in and fashioned "Jerusalem Cruisers" out of a tire and a seatbelt strap to help him get across a sharp volcanic rockfield. Can't fault him for that. Another study found that going barefoot decreased the stress on knee and hip joints for patients with osteoarthritis. I wonder whether that was primarily due to gait changes or due to just not having an extra half pound to a pound of weight on each foot. I will continue to encourage everyone to wear lighter-weight shoes and not attach ankle weights. Source: Shakoor N, Block JA (2006). "<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/112775868/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0">Walking barefoot decreases loading on the lower extremity joints in knee osteoarthritis</a>". Arthritis Rheum. 54 (9): 2923-7. doi:10.1002/art.2212 I've always gone barefoot or in stocking feet around the house. But. except for on a sandy beach, I otherwise wear shoes outside the house. And I have a review from a friend who tried the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/vibramfivefingers.htm">Vibram FiveFingers shoes</a> that take nearly-barefoot to a whole new level. <a href="http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/runningworkouts/a/Barefoot-Running.htm"></a> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/runningworkouts/a/Barefoot-Running.htm">Barefoot Running Pros and Cons</a> from our Sports Medicine Guide explores issues that probably also apply to walking barefoot. Do you enjoy walking barefoot? For how far? <SCRIPT LANGUAGE= "javaScript" SRC="http://guidepolls.about.com/walking/8379579252/poll.js?linkback="></script> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/05/is-barefoot-better.htm">Is Barefoot Better?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Monday, July 5th, 2010 at 21:20:22.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/05/is-barefoot-better.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/05/is-barefoot-better.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/05/is-barefoot-better.htm&zItl=Is Barefoot Better?">Email this</a>

Great Treadmill Watch: Tour de France
<img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/walking/1/0/n/S/2/lancearmstrong200.jpg" border="0" alt="Lance Armstrong" hspace="5" align="right" />If you want great scenery and <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/treadmillworkouts/a/treadboredom.htm">inspiration while you do your treadmill workout</a>, set your DVR or catch the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.versus.com/blogs/2010-cycling-events/tour-de-france-tv-schedule/">broadcasts and rebroadcasts</a> of cycling's Tour de France. It started today, July 1, with a prologue time trial in Rotterdam, Netherlands. It ends July 25, with only two rest days. Even on those days you can catch a review of the action. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.letour.fr/us/index.html">Tour de France web site</a> For viewers in Canada and the US who don't have the right cable channels, you can subscribe on Versus to get the video both live and on demand in HD online: <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=https://tracker.versus.com/login">Versus Tour Tracker</a> Few things on TV are more scenic than the Tour de France. The French countryside is filled with castles and charming towns. Then they climb the Alps, cycle along the Mediterranean, and up the Pyrenees. Last year, my HD TV suddenly quit working and I made a trip that very day to replace it. As you log your treadmill miles, you will watch some of the fittest athletes in the world sweat, strain up the hills, and sometimes crash. And if you like soap operas, the Tour de France has those in spades. This year it is Armstrong cycling for (he says, again...) his last Tour, vs. Contador, the young champion who won it last year. But beyond the big guns who might win the whole thing based on overall time, each day has a stage winner, a points jersey winner, a king of the mountains winner, and a young rider winner. You find yourself cheering for folks whose names you can't even begin to spell or pronounce. I'm not much for spectator sports, but the Tour de France makes for a great summer spectacle and a wonderful watch from the treadmill, or the exercise bike! <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/treadmillworkouts/a/treadboredom.htm">How to Beat Treadmill Boredom</a> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://french.about.com/od/vocabulary/a/cycling.htm">French Cycling Terms</a> Out Mountain Bike Guide is in Belgium and will be <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://mountainbike.about.com/b/2010/07/03/my-biking-honeymoon.htm">seeing the Tour live tomorrow</a>. Photo © Wendy Bumgardner<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/03/great-treadmill-watch-tour-de-france.htm">Great Treadmill Watch: Tour de France</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Saturday, July 3rd, 2010 at 20:25:51.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/03/great-treadmill-watch-tour-de-france.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/03/great-treadmill-watch-tour-de-france.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/03/great-treadmill-watch-tour-de-france.htm&zItl=Great Treadmill Watch: Tour de France">Email this</a>

Tasty But Healthy Recipes for the July 4th Weekend
If you're going to be grilling this weekend or bringing a dish to the picnic, here are a couple of healthy but very tasty ideas. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/dinnerrecipes/r/garlicchicken.htm">Garlic Grilled Chicken Skewers</a> - made with skinless thighs, these pack great flavor, look great and have far less fat than fried chicken. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/sidedishrecipes/r/potatosaladaloo.htm">Aloo Chat Potato Salad</a> - this potato salad is non-fat and doesn't have any mayo or ingredients that are likely to go bad if your refrigeration is less than perfect. As a plus, it tastes great. Our BBQ Guide asks, <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://bbq.about.com/b/2010/06/30/what-do-you-cook-for-the-big-cookout-2.htm">what do you cook for the big cookout</a>? Do you try to keep it healthy or just walk more to work it off?<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/01/tasty-but-healthy-recipes-for-the-july-4th-weekend.htm">Tasty But Healthy Recipes for the July 4th Weekend</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Thursday, July 1st, 2010 at 10:23:13.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/01/tasty-but-healthy-recipes-for-the-july-4th-weekend.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/01/tasty-but-healthy-recipes-for-the-july-4th-weekend.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/07/01/tasty-but-healthy-recipes-for-the-july-4th-weekend.htm&zItl=Tasty But Healthy Recipes for the July 4th Weekend">Email this</a>

Should You Wear Toning Shoes When Training for a Half Marathon?
A reader asks whether she could use toning shoes such as <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/reebokruntone.htm">Reebok RunTone</a> shoes or <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/shapeupsskechers.htm">Skechers Shape-Ups</a> for one workout a week during her three months of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/marathontraining/l/blhalfmarathon.htm">training for a half marathon</a>, either for doing her toning workout or for a four mile walking workout. My short answer is that if you wear them for one workout a week and follow all of the product recommendations about first slowly building up the minutes that you wear the shoes, they should be fine to incorporate into your workout routine. The longer answer is that you need to back off using these shoes if you encounter any back, hip, knee or foot pain other than the minor muscle ache you expect the day after a good workout. The bottom line is that I definitely caution against wearing these shoes for distance training or actually walking the half marathon. They are meant for much shorter workouts or for intermittent lifestyle walking, they are not designed to give the proper dynamics for long distance walking or running. Toning shoes are made to provide an unstable walking/standing surface and to force you to go through a wider range of motion with each step. Both of these actions will stress your muscles and joints more. In moderation, that can be a good thing. But if you have any underlying joint problems, you may end up with pain and possible worsening of your condition. When you <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/marathontraining/a/marathonwalk1.htm">walk a marathon or half marathon</a>, you stress your usual walking muscles to the limit and you end up using muscles you don't normally use just to get you to the finish line. For that reason, it would be good to incorporate a variety of toning and crosstraining activities into your regular workout week. Used in moderation for shorter walks, these toning shoes are not a bad idea to provide a little bit of that activity. Toning shoes can also provide a slightly unstable surface for doing strength training, much like standing on a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/exercises/gr/fitdisc.htm">fitness disk</a> or sitting on a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://exercise.about.com/cs/exerciseworkouts/l/blbosu.htm">BOSU</a> or exercise ball when you do your arm exercises. But as with those items, you must pay close attention to posture and body alignment to get the most out of your exercise without giving yourself back pain. Have a friend or trainer observe you and give you cues to achieve the right posture and lifting form. I am training for a half marathon and due to knee pain I backed off wearing a pair of toning shoes I have been sent to review. I don't want to risk making the knee pain worse before my big event in two weeks.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/29/should-you-wear-toning-shoes-when-training-for-a-half-marathon.htm">Should You Wear Toning Shoes When Training for a Half Marathon?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 at 09:03:19.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/29/should-you-wear-toning-shoes-when-training-for-a-half-marathon.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/29/should-you-wear-toning-shoes-when-training-for-a-half-marathon.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/29/should-you-wear-toning-shoes-when-training-for-a-half-marathon.htm&zItl=Should You Wear Toning Shoes When Training for a Half Marathon?">Email this</a>

Flip Flops Bad Idea
<a href="http://walking.about.com/od/trailusawest/ig/Multnomah-Falls-Hike/"><img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/walking/1/6/u/b/2/gorgemf06-multnomahfallsbridge-500.jpg" border="0" alt="Multnomah Falls" hspace="5" align="right" /></a>On the steep uphill <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/trailusawest/ig/Multnomah-Falls-Hike/">walk to the top of Multnomah Falls</a>, a youth group passed us going down. One teen girl shuffled by calling out, "Flip flops bad idea! Flip flops bad idea!" I can only imagine how the toe post felt on the steep downhill, and she still had most of a mile of downhill walking to do! And I can only imagine how she kept slipping out of them on the one mile initial climb to the top of the falls. Proper footwear is critical for walks of any distance. Flip flops may feel great around the house, but footwear that doesn't have a heel strap or heel cup doesn't allow you to strike with the heel and roll through a step in a natural walking motion. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2008/06/01/i-hate-flip-flops.htm">Why I hate flip flops</a> Further up the trail, the pavement ends at the top of the falls. Those who continue on for a loop hike now are on unforgiving basalt rock trail, with a surface like dragon's teeth. Even athletic shoes are a bad idea here, since their soles are too soft and you feel the pointy rocks through them. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/tp/trailshoes.htm">Trail shoes and hiking boots</a> have a rock plate in the sole to protect the foot. Trail footwear is also built for extra stability and grip on the trail. I gave my <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/vasquemantragtx.htm">Vasque Mantra GTX boots</a> a real workout and they performed wonderfully. My feet didn't end up feeling bruised and I had only rare moments of slipping or twisting. I ended a long two days of hiking on very rough, wet trail without spraining my ankle or falling. I also used my <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/poles/tp/polepairs.htm">Leki trekking poles</a> for extra stability. I observed that far more hikers were using trekking poles than used to, about half of the people I saw on the trail. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/clothing/a/hikegear.htm">Essential Gear for Hiking</a> Photo © Wendy Bumgardner<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/28/flip-flops-bad-idea.htm">Flip Flops Bad Idea</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Monday, June 28th, 2010 at 09:42:29.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/28/flip-flops-bad-idea.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/28/flip-flops-bad-idea.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/28/flip-flops-bad-idea.htm&zItl=Flip Flops Bad Idea">Email this</a>

Summer Chafing
Wherever skin meets skin meets sweat, you are liable to chafe. The salt crystals in your sweat form a sandpaper coating that rips the skin when it rubs against itself. Most of us experience this at the underarms, thighs, crotch, nipples, and under-breast areas. What can you do? Thankfully, there are lubricants that can prevent the problem if you put them on before you head out the door. Plain old petroleum jelly (Vaseline) works, but it is hard to wash out of clothing. I prefer SportShield/BlisterShield roll-on silicone lubricant. It works great and washes out easily without staining or gumming up your clothing permanently. Also, it is odorless, unlike some scented lubricant products. BodyGlide stick also works well. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/chafing/tp/chafing.htm">Top Picks for Anti-Chafing Products</a> A reader asked if you can use these if you are using antiperspirant. Yes, you can. Apply your antiperspirant first and wait for it to dry. I putter around brushing my teeth, braiding my ponytail, etc. Then I apply the SportShield or BodyGlide right before I put on my shirt. No problem.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/25/summer-chafing.htm">Summer Chafing</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Friday, June 25th, 2010 at 09:41:18.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/25/summer-chafing.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/25/summer-chafing.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/25/summer-chafing.htm&zItl=Summer Chafing">Email this</a>

Review: An Organic Gluten-Free Energy Snack Bar
<a href="http://walking.about.com/od/snacks/gr/wingsofnaturebars.htm"><img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/walking/1/G/N/c/2/wingsofnaturebars-200.jpg" border="0" alt="Wings of Nature" hspace="5" align="right" /></a>Wings of Nature produces three kinds of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/snacks/gr/wingsofnaturebars.htm">organic gluten-free energy snack bars</a>. I take along an energy bar on my walks of over an hour. They usually are a better alternative to stopping for a donut. I liked the Wings of Nature bars. They had lots of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit but were moist and not crumbly. However, I did wonder at the wisdom of eating all that roughage while still walking. I suppose I would save them for my after-walk snack. Meanwhile, I spied my favorite Clif bars now available in a mini size at REI. I was happy to buy a box of them, because the mini size is just right for a trail snack (<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu= http://erclk.about.com/?zi=21/31%5DP">Compare Prices</a>). I don't need a full big bar, just something to help recharge my energy level a little and keep away the hunger pangs. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/snacks/tp/energybars.htm">Top Picks for Energy Bars</a> Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.about.com/gi/pages/ethics.htm">Ethics Policy</a>. Photo © 2010<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/23/review-an-organic-gluten-free-energy-snack-bar.htm">Review: An Organic Gluten-Free Energy Snack Bar</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 at 21:00:07.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/23/review-an-organic-gluten-free-energy-snack-bar.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/23/review-an-organic-gluten-free-energy-snack-bar.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/23/review-an-organic-gluten-free-energy-snack-bar.htm&zItl=Review: An Organic Gluten-Free Energy Snack Bar">Email this</a>

Weird Things You've Picked Up on a Walk?
I'm going to a walk this weekend that visits an art show. That is dangerous (to my walking companions) because last year I bought a painting and my buddy Will had to carry it a half mile back to the car. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/u/ua/gearvarious/inconvenientbuys.htm">What's the most inconvenient thing you've picked up on a walk</a>? We also play a game of ground scores -- finding things abandoned along our walk that we actually want to pick up and keep. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/u/ua/beginners/groundscores.htm">What's the best ground score you've ever made</a>? Ted Carlin just completed a 438 mile walk across Oregon in 30 days and he reports that he found: "70 gloves, 5 license plates, 1 hammer, l wrench and 1 good pair of sunglasses." And then there are those bizarre things you see when walking. On Saturday, I was strolling through a hilly town when a car pulled up alongside me on the curb and bumped into the end of the curb, grinding to a halt. I looked inside -- and nobody was driving! They just hadn't set the emergency brake while parking on the hill. I was lucky that it headed straight instead of visiting me on the sidewalk! And now it was "parked" in a handicapped-designated space, without a handicap permit.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/22/weird-things-youve-picked-up-on-a-walk.htm">Weird Things You've Picked Up on a Walk?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 at 10:19:43.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/22/weird-things-youve-picked-up-on-a-walk.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/22/weird-things-youve-picked-up-on-a-walk.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/22/weird-things-youve-picked-up-on-a-walk.htm&zItl=Weird Things You've Picked Up on a Walk?">Email this</a>

What's Your Summer Walking Goal?
<a href="http://walking.about.com/od/trailusawest/ig/Horsetail-Falls-Hike/"><img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/walking/1/6/X/b/2/gorgeht8-horsetailfalls-500.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Horsetail Falls" /></a>Welcome to summer. It still looks cold and rainy here in my neck of the woods, but I'm sure it will come eventually. What is your walking goal for this summer? Are you training for a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/marathon/Marathons_Half_Marathons_Ultramarathons_Long_Distance_Walking.htm">half marathon or marathon</a>? Are you getting conditioned for a hiking or <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/tours/a/walkingvacation.htm">walking vacation</a>? Are you just interested in losing weight and feeling more fit? Tell me about it in the comments. I'm training for a hilly half marathon in three weeks, plus a walking vacation in Alaska that will have a lot of trail hiking. I got in plenty of hills and trails this weekend with two tough hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. Take the easy road and follow along via photos on this <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/trailusawest/ig/Horsetail-Falls-Hike/">Horsetail-Ponytail-Triple Falls Hike</a>. Photo © Wendy Bumgardner 2010<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/21/whats-your-summer-walking-goal.htm">What's Your Summer Walking Goal?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Monday, June 21st, 2010 at 09:44:38.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/21/whats-your-summer-walking-goal.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/21/whats-your-summer-walking-goal.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/21/whats-your-summer-walking-goal.htm&zItl=What's Your Summer Walking Goal?">Email this</a>

Strides Made: National Bicycling and Walking Study 15-Year Status Report
The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) released its <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://drusilla.hsrc.unc.edu/cms/downloads/15-year_report.pdf">15-year Status Report on the National Bicycling and Walking Study</a> in May, 2010. The results are generally good news. In 1994, the USDOT adopted a policy of increasing bicycling and walking as transportation and to increase pedestrian safety. In 1994, fewer than 7.9 percent of trips were on foot or on bike. But pedestrians and bike riders were 15% of the traffic fatalities. They aimed to double the trips and halve the deaths. In 2009, 10.9 percent of all trips were on foot and one percent on bike, for a total of 11.9%. While that is short of the 15.8% goal, it is still a large increase. It interests me that there is such a wide number between walkers and bikers, when in my city the bikers are the ones with the noisy political lobby and demands. Are we walkers just along for the ride, benefiting from their engagement? As for safety, the USDOT policy and enactments of funding for sidewalks, paths and bike lanes resulted in a decrease of pedestrian deaths by 22.3% and bicyclist deaths by 12% But in some years, the bicyclist deaths were actually up. Injuries decreased 17.8% for walkers and 14.7% for bikers. These are in actual numbers of people killed or injured rather than a percentage of the population or of trips taken. What changed to cause this positive change? Funding for pedestrian and bicycle improvements was only $6 million in 1990, rose to over $200 million per year in 1995-99 with the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.enhancements.org/">Transportation Enhancements Activities</a>, to over $400 million per year 2002-2006 with the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. In 2005, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users boosted the funding yet again to over $500 million per year. And then in 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act added an additional boost so $1.2 billion were spent on pedestrian and bicycle projects. What is the legacy of this? My local cities have greenway paths that connect many neighborhoods to schools, shopping, and downtown areas and create a pleasant walking or biking environment off the streets. Most major streets have bike lanes and far more have sidewalks than in in the past. In these past 15 years, cities have been able to use federal dollars to complete improvements that make their cities safer and more livable for those who want to venture out on foot and on bike. And when they built it, the people came. I have listened to many a radio pundit deride the money spent on greenway paths, but I actually use them and I can report that they are in constant use by people of every age. On a morning stroll on the greenway near my house, I see many seniors, families with children, joggers and dog walkers of every age and ability. I see bicyclists as well, one of them being my husband. We are free to walk safely out of the way of traffic and enjoy the trees, birds, and waterways. And the stats bear out that more people are using the safer streets and paths, and fewer are dying or being injured while doing so. Those are results you can bank on.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/17/strides-made-national-bicycling-and-walking-study-15-year-status-report.htm">Strides Made: National Bicycling and Walking Study 15-Year Status Report</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Thursday, June 17th, 2010 at 08:58:11.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/17/strides-made-national-bicycling-and-walking-study-15-year-status-report.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/17/strides-made-national-bicycling-and-walking-study-15-year-status-report.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/17/strides-made-national-bicycling-and-walking-study-15-year-status-report.htm&zItl=Strides Made: National Bicycling and Walking Study 15-Year Status Report">Email this</a>

Too Serious? Brooks Wants You to Run Happy
<a href="http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/tp/shoemotion.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/6/y/T/2/brooksbeast-pg.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Brooks Beast" /></a>The <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://talk.brooksrunning.com/2010/06/10/brooks-run-happy%C2%AE-cavalcade-hits-the-west-coast/">Brooks Run Happy Cavalcade of Curiosities</a> is coming to my town this week, on its way to the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/marathonsusawest/ig/Seattle-Rock--n--Roll-Marathon/">Seattle Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and Half Marathon</a>. This double-decker tour bus features the world's largest shoe, carnival acts and a ringmaster, all aimed to lighten up the idea of getting great fitting athletic footwear. Brooks running shoes are among those I recommend for walkers, especially the<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/tp/shoemotion.htm"> Brooks Beast and Brooks Ariel motion control shoes</a>. This serious running shoe company is a partner with the<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/marathonsusawest/p/rnrmarathons.htm"> Rock 'n' Roll series of marathons and half marathons</a>, and the bus will be making stops between those events throughout the year at serious running shoe stores. The <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/business/media/11adco.html?src=busln">New York Times reports</a> on the Brooks Run Happy theme, as an antidote to ad campaigns such as the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.wearenotjoggers.com/">Pearl Izumi "we are not joggers"</a> that dismiss anybody who is not a gritty competitor. Instead, Brooks recognizes the big market of runners, joggers and walkers who enjoy their miles and love to enter fun runs and fun marathons and half marathons like the Rock 'n' Roll series. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/shoes/a/shoestores.htm">Serious running shoe stores</a> also want to broaden their appeal to those less-serious joggers and walkers. These stores have personnel that give everyone a basic foot and gait analysis and get them into the right shoes, hoping to make lifetime customers. I give a cheer for the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.runhappy.com/">Brooks Run Happy</a> theme. Too many athletic shoe ads are insulting to those of us who don't want sweat and pain in our workouts. We want happy feet while we enjoy a stroll, powerwalk, or jog. We want happy, fun events to attend where everyone is a winner. Photo: Brooks Beast, courtesy of Pricegrabber<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/15/too-serious-brooks-wants-you-to-run-happy.htm">Too Serious? Brooks Wants You to Run Happy</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 at 10:10:32.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/15/too-serious-brooks-wants-you-to-run-happy.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/15/too-serious-brooks-wants-you-to-run-happy.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/15/too-serious-brooks-wants-you-to-run-happy.htm&zItl=Too Serious? Brooks Wants You to Run Happy">Email this</a>

How Long Should Your Walking Shoes Last?
<a href="http://walking.about.com/od/shoechoice/f/replaceshoes.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/6/q/T/2/shoewearsole.jpg" border="0" alt="Walking shoe with worn sole" hspace="5" align="right" /></a>How long do you expect your walking shoes to last? A <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/gr/newbalance1063.htm">reader wrote a negative review for the New Balance 1063</a> because it showed wear after about 300 miles and five months of use. I also wore out a pair of New Balance 1063 in the same time period, but I'm not at all dissatisfied. Athletic shoes are built to last 300-500 miles before <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/shoechoice/ig/Worn-Out-Walking-Shoes/">losing their cushioning or having the sole wear out</a>. Often you will feel the difference in the cushioning long before you see wear on the sole or tears in the upper. This means you must expect to <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/shoechoice/f/replaceshoes.htm">replace your shoes every three to six months</a>, depending on your mileage. If you are a heavier person, you can expect greater wear on your shoes and a shorter shoe lifespan. The 1063 is a lightweight training shoe, which generally means it will have a shorter lifespan for its cushioning. After I bought the first pair and determined it was going to work well for me, I bought three more pair to have handy. I rotate in a second pair of the shoes so I can feel the difference in cushioning and more easily detect that the main pair is going dead. I didn't see any wear on the soles of my 1063s, but strangely enough the insole was worn through. I've never had that happen before. But I decided that was my cue to switch to the second pair after six months and turn the first pair into gardening or beach shoes or recycle them. <ul> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/shoechoice/f/replaceshoes.htm">When to Replace Your Walking Shoes</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/shoechoice/ig/Worn-Out-Walking-Shoes/">What Shoe Wear Patterns Tell You</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/u/ua/shoecare/makeshoeslast.htm">How to Make Your Shoes Last Longer</a></li> </ul> Photo © Wendy Bumgardner<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/14/how-long-should-your-walking-shoes-last.htm">How Long Should Your Walking Shoes Last?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Monday, June 14th, 2010 at 08:39:46.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/14/how-long-should-your-walking-shoes-last.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/14/how-long-should-your-walking-shoes-last.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/14/how-long-should-your-walking-shoes-last.htm&zItl=How Long Should Your Walking Shoes Last?">Email this</a>

Warning Signs of a Heart Attack or Stroke
Over the years, I've lost walking friends due to heart attacks, some of them even while they were walking. While walking and other moderate intensity exercise can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke, it is only a reduction, not an elimination of risk. It is critically important for walkers of every age to know the<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/beginners/a/blhowwarning.htm"> warning signs of a heart attack or stroke</a> and get immediate medical attention. The biggest challenge is to overcome your embarrassment. Nobody wants to be labeled a hypochondriac. Men seem especially loathe to get check-ups and work-ups for heart disease. At the very least, if you know the symptoms and <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://firstaid.about.com/od/cpr/f/09_CPR_Training.htm">how to perform CPR</a> and <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://firstaid.about.com/od/cpr/qt/defib.htm">use an AED</a>, you may be able to get a friend or loved one to seek medical care before it is too late.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/12/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack-or-stroke.htm">Warning Signs of a Heart Attack or Stroke</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Saturday, June 12th, 2010 at 20:31:08.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/12/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack-or-stroke.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/12/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack-or-stroke.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/12/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack-or-stroke.htm&zItl=Warning Signs of a Heart Attack or Stroke">Email this</a>

Summer Treadmill Tips and Deals
<img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/G/Q/k/treadmillbuddy160.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Treadmill buddies" />As the weather gets hot, it's great to be able to exercise indoors. It is also a great time of year to buy a treadmill. You can browse online ads or visit local rummage sales for people getting rid of the treadmill they never really used, at a steal of a deal vs. new. Although fewer people are moving this year, summer is still the high season for moving and you are more likely to be able to find bulky items like a treadmill at a moving sale. And in this economic climate, you may be able to pick up commercial-grade equipment from gyms that have gone out of business or are downsizing. The caveat is that some of these require a high voltage outlet, so check before purchasing. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/treadmilling/a/treadmillcost.htm">Finding Free or Cheap Treadmills</a> What can you do to make treadmilling more enjoyable during summer? Here are some ideas, then please <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/u/ua/treadmillworkouts/treadboredom.htm">add your own tips to beat treadmill boredom</a>: <ul> <li>Birds and Flowers: Position treadmill by window where you have a bird feeder and flowers to see them enjoying the summer weather.</li> <li>Keep it Cool: Be sure your treadmill is in a place in your house where you get good air circulation to keep you cool during your workout.</li> <li><a href="http://www.letour.fr/us/homepage_courseCDD.html">Tour de France</a>: While professional cycling has lots of drama, nothing beats the stunning scenery you can enjoy each day of this race throughout most of the month of July. And now it is broadcast in HD. Seek it out to spice up your treadmill time.</li> <li>Safety: Keep children and pets out of the room where you are treadmilling. The moving belt is a hazard, and you don't want any little fingers or paws getting amputated. Save the funny <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.google.com/search?q=pets+on+a+treadmill+videos&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=byi&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=v&source=univ&tbs=vid:1&tbo=u&ei=bfAQTLyxKeHtnQfc68zqBw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCgQqwQwAw">pet treadmill videos</a> for watching only.</li> </ul> Photo © Krista Van Veen<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/10/summer-treadmill-tips-and-deals.htm">Summer Treadmill Tips and Deals</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Thursday, June 10th, 2010 at 10:06:41.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/10/summer-treadmill-tips-and-deals.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/10/summer-treadmill-tips-and-deals.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/10/summer-treadmill-tips-and-deals.htm&zItl=Summer Treadmill Tips and Deals">Email this</a>

Gifts for Walking Dads and Wandering Grads
Wondering what to get the roamers in your life who have those special days coming up? I've updated my gift suggestions. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/holiday/tp/fathers.htm">Gifts for Walking Dads</a> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/holiday/tp/grads.htm">Gifts for Wandering Grads</a> Do you have any suggestions?<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/08/gifts-for-walking-dads-and-wandering-grads.htm">Gifts for Walking Dads and Wandering Grads</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 at 09:56:39.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/08/gifts-for-walking-dads-and-wandering-grads.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/08/gifts-for-walking-dads-and-wandering-grads.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/08/gifts-for-walking-dads-and-wandering-grads.htm&zItl=Gifts for Walking Dads and Wandering Grads">Email this</a>

Reebok RunTone Toning Shoes - Good Design
<a href="http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/reebokruntone.htm"><img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/walking/1/G/S/b/2/reebokruntone-pg.jpg" border="0" alt="Reebok RunTone Shoes" hspace="5" align="right" /></a>Most of the toning shoes out on the market have several design problems that make them not suitable for fitness walking. They are heavy, high, and inflexible. Good fitness walking shoes are exactly the opposite - lightweight, flat, and flexible. I was pleased to try on the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/reebokruntone.htm">Reebok RunTone toning shoes</a> and discover that they meet all of my criteria for a fitness walking shoe. They also have moving air pods in the sole and heel, as do Reebok EasyTone shoes. These create a bit of instability in each step. When your body compensates for that, it uses more muscles and you may get a toning effect beyond what you would get with non-toning shoes. I have plenty of reports from <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/u/reviews/prshoe/userskechersreviews/">Skecher Shape-Ups users</a> about problems and injuries, as does our Exercise Guide in user reviews of the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://exercise.about.com/u/reviews/athleticshoes/reebokeasytoneshoereviews/">Reebok EasyTone shoes</a>. I think many of the problems for each come from those shoes being high, heavy and inflexible. Plus, walkers simply have to go very slow with any toning shoes and build up their time wearing the shoes s-l-o-w-l-y. Start with 10-15 minutes of wearing and add only five more minutes each day. If you have any pain other than mild muscle soreness you might feel with any new shoe, stop wearing the shoes. Review: <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/reebokruntone.htm">Reebok RunTone Shoes</a> Your reviews: If you have worn <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/u/reviews/prshoe/reebokruntonereviews/form.htm">RunTone or EasyTone shoes, give us your review</a>. Photo courtesy of Pricegrabber<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/07/reebok-runtone-toning-shoes-good-design.htm">Reebok RunTone Toning Shoes - Good Design</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Monday, June 7th, 2010 at 09:49:39.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/07/reebok-runtone-toning-shoes-good-design.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/07/reebok-runtone-toning-shoes-good-design.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/07/reebok-runtone-toning-shoes-good-design.htm&zItl=Reebok RunTone Toning Shoes - Good Design">Email this</a>

Waterproof Trail Shoe: Vasque Mantra GTX
<a href="http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/vasquemantragtx.htm"><img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/walking/1/G/R/b/2/vasquemantragtx-pg.jpg" border="0" alt="Vasque Manra GTX Hiking Shoes" hspace="5" align="right" /></a>I got about as wet as I've ever gotten on a walk today, which was a good test of my new pair of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/vasquemantragtx.htm">Vasque Mantra GTX waterproof trail shoes</a>. The rain just kept coming, but I splashed through puddles and rivulets boldly with my waterproof shoes. I actually had fun time in walking for over an hour, because my feet were dry. It wasn't until the rain soaked through my capris and began running a stream down my leg into the tops of my socks that my feet finally got wet -- but that wasn't the shoe's fault. What I like about the Vasque Mantra is that they are lightweight for a trail hiking shoe, with a flexible sole that allows you to get a proper walking motion of rolling through a step. But they also have the stability and traction needed for walking on natural trails, dirt, gravel, etc. I look forward to some great trail hikes with these shoes. But I will also laugh at the rainy days and head on out boldly. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/fr/vasquemantragtx.htm">Review: Vasque Mantra GTX</a> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://erclk.about.com/?zi=21/315s">Compare Prices</a> Photo courtesy of Pricegrabber<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/06/waterproof-trail-shoe-vasque-mantra-gtx.htm">Waterproof Trail Shoe: Vasque Mantra GTX</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Sunday, June 6th, 2010 at 14:28:33.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/06/waterproof-trail-shoe-vasque-mantra-gtx.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/06/waterproof-trail-shoe-vasque-mantra-gtx.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/06/waterproof-trail-shoe-vasque-mantra-gtx.htm&zItl=Waterproof Trail Shoe: Vasque Mantra GTX">Email this</a>

Walking in Nature is Energizing - Researchers Say
<img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/6/O/Z/2/wendyswisslake.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Wendy in the Alps" />Confirming what we walkers already know, a series of studies published this month conclude that being outside in nature just 20 minutes a day can significantly boost the feelings of being energized and having more vitality. A 20-minute walk through a nearby garden or park could make you more productive at work or re-energize you at home. The studies were published in the June 2010 issue of the Journal of Environmental Psychology. This Saturday, June 5, is <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/howtowal1/a/hikingntd.htm">National Trails Day</a> -- encouraging you to find a trail in a nearby park or natural area to enjoy and support. There will be special events at many parks throughout the USA. Our European walking friends call it walking through "the nature." Americans tend to separate the idea of walking from the idea of hiking. Walking might be on a treadmill or around an indoors mall or just around your neighborhood. Hiking tends to involve a long drive to a trailhead with sturdy boots, daypack and a hiking pole. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/howtowal1/a/howtohike.htm">How to Hike</a> But a lot of us walkers blur those lines regularly. I love walking on a natural-surface trail through a park that might be within the city limits. I have a full wardrobe of different kinds of shoes to match the conditions. Running shoes for walking on pavement, light trail running shoes for natural surfaces, and light hiking boots for rocky and rooted trails. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/prshoe/tp/trailshoes.htm">Top Picks for Trail Shoes</a> When I am going to be on a trail that has hills or stream crossings, I always take along a pair of trekking poles. You can use just one pole if you prefer, but I like the added stability and ease of use to use a pair of poles. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/poles/tp/polepairs.htm">Top Picks for Trekking Poles</a> Photo © Wendy Bumgardner<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/04/walking-in-nature-is-energizing-researchers-say.htm">Walking in Nature is Energizing - Researchers Say</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Friday, June 4th, 2010 at 10:12:09.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/04/walking-in-nature-is-energizing-researchers-say.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/04/walking-in-nature-is-energizing-researchers-say.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/04/walking-in-nature-is-energizing-researchers-say.htm&zItl=Walking in Nature is Energizing - Researchers Say">Email this</a>

When to Call a Podiatrist
<a href="http://walking.about.com/od/medfoot/a/whentocallapodiatrist.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/walking/1/G/m/1/pfintrinsicstretch.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Foot pain" /></a>It doesn't always pay to pinch pennies when you are in pain. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/medfoot/a/whentocallapodiatrist.htm">Consulting a podiatrist</a> for foot pain might seem like an expensive proposition, especially if they prescribe a custom orthotic. But if that solves your pain problem, you probably save money in the long run. I know many walkers who put off consulting a doctor or a podiatrist while enduring foot pain. They try to self-treat with insole after insole, shoe after shoe. They go through weeks, then months, and sometimes years of pain. They can't exercise in the way they wish (running, walking, other sports on your feet) and they may gain weight as a result. But I'm also one of those people who hate to call a doctor for something that can be simply and effectively self-treated with over-the-counter products or, in this case, a visit to a pedorthist shop where they could do <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/medfoot/a/footanalysis.htm">foot analysis</a> and recommend the best insoles or shoe modifications short of prescription orthotics. I asked three podiatrists to give us the short list of conditions that are best taken to a podiatrist.<a href="http://walking.about.com/od/medfoot/a/whentocallapodiatrist.htm"> When to Call a Podiatrist</a> Photo © Wendy Bumgardner<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/03/when-to-call-a-podiatrist.htm">When to Call a Podiatrist</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Thursday, June 3rd, 2010 at 10:15:01.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/03/when-to-call-a-podiatrist.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/03/when-to-call-a-podiatrist.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/03/when-to-call-a-podiatrist.htm&zItl=When to Call a Podiatrist">Email this</a>

It's 10K Day
The date is 6.2, which is the number of miles in 10 kilometers (10K). That is a popular distance for <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/volkssport/g/defvolksmarch.htm">volkssport walks</a> and for fun runs. I guess that's why it's <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://running.about.com/b/2010/05/30/celebrate-national-running-day.htm">National Running Day</a>. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/library/cal/ucmileskm.htm">Convert Miles to Kilometers</a> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/library/cal/uckmmiles.htm">Convert Kilometers to Miles</a> A 10K walk takes most people 90 minutes to two hours at a steady pace. I love 10K walks as a great way to log over 12,000 steps and enjoy the outdoors. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/beginners/a/10ktraining.htm">How to Train for a 10K Walk</a> This is also <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://chemistry.about.com/b/2010/06/02/happy-mole-day.htm">Mole Day</a>, for those who remember their chemistry courses, which relates to Avogadro's number.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/02/its-10k-day.htm">It's 10K Day</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 at 13:26:12.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/02/its-10k-day.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/02/its-10k-day.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/02/its-10k-day.htm&zItl=It's 10K Day">Email this</a>

Getting a Dr. Scholl's Footmapping
<img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/walking/1/G/O/b/2/drschollskiosk.jpg" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" alt="Dr. Scholl's Footmapping Kiosk" />If you use shoe inserts to provide arch support and cushioning, you may want to try the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/insoles/a/drschollsfootmappingreview.htm">Dr. Scholl's Footmapping</a> kiosk. They are available to use at many major retailers, such as Wal-Mart. I took a walk to my local Wal-Mart and used the kiosk. It gave me an accurate static foot analysis (based on my experience with pedorthists and shoe fitting experts). It also recommends one of the 14 different Dr. Scholl's "Custom Fit Orthotic" insoles available on a rack on the footmapping kiosk.I interviewed <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/insoles/a/drschollsfootmappingreview.htm">podiatrists about Dr. Scholl's footmapping</a>. They take issue with the term custom fit orthotic for these insoles, as in their profession that relates to a prescription product produced after professional analysis and casting of the foot. But Dr. Scholl's was able to trademark it, so it stands. Have you tried the footmapping kiosk and bought a Dr. Scholl's Custom Fit Orthotic? <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/u/reviews/insoles/drschollsorthoticsu/form.htm">Come give us your review</a>. Photo © Wendy Bumgardner<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/02/getting-a-dr-scholls-footmapping.htm">Getting a Dr. Scholl's Footmapping</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 at 09:57:18.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/02/getting-a-dr-scholls-footmapping.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/02/getting-a-dr-scholls-footmapping.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/02/getting-a-dr-scholls-footmapping.htm&zItl=Getting a Dr. Scholl's Footmapping">Email this</a>

Woman Sues Google Maps Over Walking Directions
Lauren Rosenberg is suing Google because the walking directions she got via her Blackberry and Google Maps put her onto a busy road where she got hit by a car. While I wish Ms. Rosenberg a speedy recovery, I hope this suit gets tossed out as having no merit. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_15199273">Salt Lake Tribune: Woman Sues Google After Park City Accident</a> Update: <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://searchengineland.com/woman-follows-google-maps-walking-directions-gets-hit-sues-43212">This story was initially posted by Danny Sullivan of Search Engine Land</a>, who has excellent maps and photos of the intersection and Google Maps screen shots. <table border="0" align="right"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <script src="http://guidepolls.about.com/walking/5398282185/poll.js?linkback=<!--#echo var=">// <![CDATA[ "> // ]]></script> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> When you use <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://maps.google.com/">Google Maps</a> for directions, you get the driving directions by default. But you can also click to see Public Transit, Walking, or Biking directions. When you view this on a computer, it has a Beta warning, "Walking directions are in beta. Use caution - This route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths." But that warning is missing if you look them up on a Blackberry, according the lawsuit. If I use Google Maps to find a walking route from my home to my day job, it gives me three options. The shortest route is along a busy street. I know it has sidewalks, but I would also be crossing many busy intersections. A second route is slightly longer but along a street a little less busy. The third route they suggest gets onto even quieter streets. Google offers you photos of each intersection, so you can see whether there is a sidewalk, crosswalk, lights, etc. They don't have photos of the intersections within my neighborhood because it is too new. Does the lack of a warning constitute negligence on the part of Google? A court will decide that, but it just doesn't pass the sniff test with me. As a walker, I've used guidebooks, street maps, GPS maps, and now online maps for decades. The only reliable thing about any of them is that you still need to use your own judgment and caution. I've been misdirected more than once with driving instructions. Using a printed Thomas Brothers map I once drove up somebody's driveway into their sportscourt because on the map it was a public road. I've often seen streets in reality that don't exist on maps, and streets that exist on maps but dead end in wetlands in reality. And that is just in my own city! You need to use common sense when any map leads you astray, and willing to abandon Plan A for Plan B. I used my iPhone maps app last weekend to explore a new route to get to a shopping center and back three miles away. I loved having the immediate access to a map, but I also drove the course first before walking it -- to ensure the streets would be safe and pleasant to walk on, and that the neighborhood wasn't too rough. I would hate to see these services get driven out of existence by lawsuits. A walker must always look to their own safety, even on a course that has been checked out for walkability. Conditions can change. You need to be sure you are visible to traffic and that you are constantly aware of it. Our soft little bodies are no match to speedier tons of steel. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/trails/a/14routepoints.htm">14 Points to Planning a Good Walking Route</a> If this lawsuit is successful, expect a lot more <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://humor.about.com/od/reallife/a/dumbwarnings.htm">dumb warning labels </a>on maps, shoes, socks, walking poles, etc. Already, the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.ava.org/">AVA</a> group of walking clubs does not allow online publishing of route maps for their organized walks and their self-guided walks. They want the walker to sign a liability waiver before they get the map and directions or begin to follow a marked course. If I am volunteering at an event and a walker asks what the liability waiver means, I tell them "Walking is really, really dangerous and you are vowing not to sue us if you are injured or killed." In actuality, I think living is dangerous, as it always results in death. Walking can help postpone the inevitable and <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/healthbenefits/a/miraclecure.htm">give you better health</a> along the way.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/01/woman-sues-google-maps-over-walking-directions.htm">Woman Sues Google Maps Over Walking Directions</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 at 09:03:51.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/01/woman-sues-google-maps-over-walking-directions.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/01/woman-sues-google-maps-over-walking-directions.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/06/01/woman-sues-google-maps-over-walking-directions.htm&zItl=Woman Sues Google Maps Over Walking Directions">Email this</a>

This Training Thing Really Works...
My walking buddy Nancy started walking in February with a small group of women from her Weight Watchers program, with the goal of training for a half marathon in October. While Nancy has finished half marathons and marathons, these gals were boggled at the thought of making it even four miles. Nancy started them off with three miles, and now (three months later) they are doing nine miles at a time with relative ease. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/od/marathontraining/f/marathonlsd.htm">Slowly building up your distance</a>, adding a mile every week or two miles every two weeks, really works. But it is also essential to get in walking almost every day, for 30 to 60 minutes. That not only is the recommended minimum, but it can help keep off weight or assist in weight loss with a reduced-calorie diet. Then plan a great longer walk for your weekend or other day off each week. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/cs/marathontraining/l/blhalfmarathon.htm">Half Marathon Walk Training Schedule</a> <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/c/ec/6.htm">Half Marathon Training Email Course</a> Are you training for a marathon or half marathon walk? How is it going?<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/05/31/this-training-thing-really-works.htm">This Training Thing Really Works...</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/">About.com Walking</a> on Monday, May 31st, 2010 at 12:00:00.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/05/31/this-training-thing-really-works.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/05/31/this-training-thing-really-works.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://walking.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://walking.about.com/b/2010/05/31/this-training-thing-really-works.htm&zItl=This Training Thing Really Works...">Email this</a>