Walk
Write

By Judy Heller

Judy Heller, founder of
Wonders of Walking LLC,
advocates walking for well being and pleasure. Wonders of Walking promotes Walking Events for Walkers by Walkers. Judy Heller is founder and owner of EroFit & Associates, LLC, celebrating Fitness for a Lifetime. Heller offers personalized fitness training and coaching for individuals and groups.
Contact: Judy Heller
at 503-282-1677:
email judy@erofit.com
jheller@wondersofwalking.com

Also visit: www.erofit.com
www.wondersofwalking.com

I only went out
for a walk and
concluded to stay out until sundown,
For going out,
I found
Was really going in.

— John Muir

RELAY Walking: Preparation

Team Walk About at the finish. Sponsored by Walk About magazine this team has placed second in its division for the past two years.

This is the fourth and final article on long distance walk relays. The previous three articles focused on what is and why walk a relay; how to build a team; and relay walk training …everything else that contributes to a spectacular experience comes under preparedness both as a participant and as a team.Links to the last three articles.

Part One, Part Two, Part Three

Participating on a relay team is fun. For many of us who have never had the opportunity of being on a team, this concept of being organized and functioning together to achieve shared goals is a remarkable experience.

Individually there is a link between mind, body, and performance in any athletic activity. To optimize performance and enjoyment, walkers need to prepare mentally, physically, and emotionally. The goal is to keep the internal dialog positive by focusing on goals and desired outcomes, have a positive attitude, and look within for the reward.

Participating in a relay is a team endeavor whether as a competitive team or not. Team work is about being positive with yourself and your team members.

Mentally refers to attitude. Being positive with your team mates is supporting, encouraging, and believing in them regardless of the outcome. Being positive with yourself is believing in yourself, knowing how you are going to accomplish your part, and being gentle if things don’t go as expected. All of life is a journey. A relay is a part of the journey rather than a destination. As with any journey there may be setbacks. What is important is what you do with them…they provide opportunities for learning, for growing, for becoming stronger as an individual and as a team.

Emotionally we can get sidetracked by expectation. It is best to have abundant expectancy for each day, knowing there is tomorrow and another opportunity. Having an action plan is part of being prepared for what may come your way. Sometimes we may find ourselves facing obstacles with health, relationships or work that are challenging. Emotional challenges often lead to transitions and change. How do you prepare to cope for these? One way is to be in control of those areas that you can be in control. Is it walking, connecting with nature, visiting with friends…hearing supporting words for teammates, taking a time out to review, re-center?

Physically you want to plan your path, define your target(s). This relates to not only your training as discussed in the last issue, but how you take care of your body: proper fuel (food) and hydration begins today, as well as during and after each walk and the event. It is about being prepared for what the season brings. As relays occur in the summer, be better prepared by training in the heat. The same can be said of training during the times of day you will be walking. Train or walk at paces that support what you want to accomplish as well as what the team wants to accomplish. Is it to walk a specific pace, or go a certain distance, or both? There is a simple rule that can help during the relay, the rule of “nothing new” no new clothing, shoes, snacks, etc.

What About the Team?
The lucky captain usually coordinates and/or delegates preparations for the team. Consider this as a check list:

Registration Form. The first thing to do is submit the registration form, including the entry fee. A single form may be submitted with the remainder forms following prior to deadline.

Team Size. Team size will vary anywhere from 8 to 12 members. The number of participants on a team determines the number of sections or legs (and miles) each member walks.

Recruiting Team Members. Team members are selected based on having something in common, shared goals, division of choice, and personal chemistry. Most relays offer a team matching service to help teams find members or an individual to find a team.

Choosing a Division. Walk team categories are divided into age, gender, team size, pace, and competitive status specific to each relay.

Choosing a Team Name. What’s in a name? It is the team’s identity for 26 to 36 hours. The names may be whimsical, descriptive, or represent a company. Your imagination is the only limit. How about Flyin’ Feet, Gasping Goddess, Vintage Whine Walkers, or Big Daddy and the Street Walkers? Have fun naming your team. Teams decorate their vans symbolizing their name, becoming eligible for an award as the best dressed or decorated van.

Volunteers. The volunteers are the relay’s backbone by providing assistance at the start, along the routes and at the finish. Most relays have volunteer requirements, usually three per team. Choose carefully as they represent your team.

Budget and Sponsors to Avoid Surprises. There are expenses in addition to the entry fees. Just as with any trip, these may include: van rentals (unless one is lucky to have a van owner on the team); gas, food, motels (to enjoy the finish and drive home rested); airfare for out-of-town participants. Do you want extra T-shirts and/or medals? Let team members know their portion of the cost before they sign up. If possible, secure a sponsor to help defray costs.

Assigning Legs. Each team member has strengths and weaknesses. Relay courses are challenging with up hills and down, varying distances, and time of day considerations. If you can assign the legs based on strengths everyone is happy.

Accommodations. Consider booking rooms near the finish line to celebrate your accomplishment. Enjoy the camaraderie at the finish to share stories, food, memories, fun, and relaxation. Renting rooms at the finish allows team finishers to shower and sleep before the festivities begin.

Van Arrangements. Teams may require one or two vans for transporting the team. Size restrictions exist. A teammate may consider letting a fun group of sweaty walkers use it to cruise around the back roads of Oregon in the middle of the night or you may need to rent vans. Consider having a designated driver. This takes the stress off the walkers and is a great help.

Meetings. Most relay events have mandatory captain’s meeting, packet pick-up, and volunteer training sessions. These meetings offer updates on the course as well as important information and suggestions on what to bring for each team member, the vans, and the volunteers.

Regardless of the planning by event organizers and teams, there is always the unexpected. Each individual and team may face challenges whether before the start of the race or during the event. The more you take control of preparations before the event, the better able you are to cope with the unexpected and your memories will be good ones.