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FOOTPATHS
Leading the Pack in Lane County
By Jeannine Heidenreich
With so much to see and do in Lane County, there’s no reason to stay cooped up in a vehicle. Whether you consider yourself a dedicated strider or someone who prefers a casual stroll, walking tours are a good way to explore some of the cities and towns in this part of the Willamette Valley.
Both of Lane County’s largest cities, Eugene and Springfield, are counted among the most pedestrian-friendly communities in the nation. The availability of self-guided walking tours highlight some of the best places for shopping, dining, entertainment, and visiting historic points of interest.
If your idea of an invigorating outing conjures visions of high-intensity, low-impact walking on easy-on-the-feet terrain, think a happy marriage between Eugene’s easy-access paths and Nordic walking. Instructors Barbara and Dan Gleason long to see this up-and-coming sport draw other like-minded walkers to Eugene for a training event.
“We would love to coordinate this kind of event with some of our other walking meets or summer festivals. There are not too many areas that can boast 12.5 miles of paved trails along a beautiful river,” explains Dan Gleason.
The air service into Eugene also lends itself to hosting a gathering of this type. Daily, non-stop service to and from most major cities is available, check with your airline of choice.
The Gleasons take full advantage of the local riverfront paths by pairing their love of walking with their appreciation for the region’s rich avian habitat.
I first met with them last January. They loaned me a set of poles, then spent a few instructive hours critiquing my developing form. We met six months later at the starting line for Eugene’s Butte to Butte race.
The walkers started off, while the runners sped up the hill and on to more ambitious heights. I appreciated the inspiration that this small group of Nordic walkers provided by encouraging me to participate in this annual event — it was fun to be part of a “first-ever” formalized Nordic walking group.
The Gleasons credit Suzanne Nottingham as a primary force behind the growing Nordic walking movement. Her goal is to increase participation in Nordic walking because it is a fun and healthy form of exercise. She is also tied in with inline skating and ski pros, too, having been both herself. Walking serves as a great cross-training regimen for a variety of other sports, she says.
It is easy to get started in Nordic walking. “It’s a good idea wherever you are to find a trainer who can help you discover the finer points of the sport. We’re seeing a number of sporting-goods catalogues where models are showing good equipment but demonstrating incorrect technique,” Gleason says.
For those who prefer hiking, check out the Obsidians. This is the oldest and largest outdoor organization in Lane County, and year-round hiking opportunities top the group’s activities. Monthly potlucks are held in a historic lodge, and like-minded individuals often carpool to nearby trails. The Obsidians have ensured that visitors to this summer’s 2008 Olympic Team Trials, Track and Field, which take place from June 27 to July 6, will have numerous trekking choices. The Obsidians have organized at least one hike each day during the event, giving everyone a chance to get to know the area from the ground up.
For walkers who would like to compete on a higher level, the Eugene Marathon and Half Marathon, scheduled for May 4, offers an open course for eight hours. This event has been named one of the best new marathons in the country. The mostly flat route passes through a dozen parks, with the last 17 miles following the river on a paved bike trail. It’s a beautiful course. Walkers are welcome for the marathon, half marathon, and the 5k.
Eugene author, trainer, and sports psychologist Kay Porter has a training schedule and blog for those planning to participate in the Spirited Walkers for the Eugene Half Marathon.
Jeannine Heidenreich loves living the life of a local in Lane County, which means walking the talk, walking to work, and ambling all over Eugene at every opportunity.
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