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News and Reviews
BoomerWalk 
On the cover of the book it states, “Why baby boomers should replace running and jogging with racewalking,” but after reading Brent Bohlen’s book I know that racewalking can benefit anyone, regardless of age.
Bohlen explains racewalking in simple terms. “You will burn calories and get wonderful cardiovascular exercise but the joints in your body won’t be abused like they are from running and jogging.” To anyone suffering from injury due to running, racewalking seems the perfect compromise. At its best, racewalking is a vigorous aerobic exercise with all of the benefits but hardly any of the risks of a high impact sport. This compact yet highly informative book will teach you how to begin the sport of racewalking, including necessary techniques, equipment you may need, where to racewalk, how to improve your time, and competing.
Racewalking began long ago. From the late 16th and early 17th century, upper class Englishmen would employ “footmen” to walk alongside their carriages. Their primary purpose was to notify the estates and inns of the aristocrat’s arrival beforehand, so staff could prepare for their stay properly. During the late 18th century, walking races became popular, and thus the world of racewalking as a competitive sport began.
Read testimonials from racewalkers themselves, such as Jean Brunnenkant from Kansas, who began racewalking at age 75, and who still competes today at more than 90 years old. You will be inspired to begin a sport that will put you in fantastic shape, increase your energy, and add years to your life.
BoomerWalk is available from www.amazon.com for $15.95, ISBN: 978-0-9655328-4-6. |
The SPIbelt
Everyone remembers the dreadful fanny pack trend of the ‘80s. Well, strap yourself into the 21st century with SPIbelt, a new and improved waist pack. Featured on the Today Show, The Rachel Ray Show, and the Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, SPIbelt is the brainchild of personal trainer Kim Overton.
The SPIbelt, which stands for Small Personal Items (SPI), is an expandable pack that efficiently holds your possessions when training and racing. Sleek in its design, the SPIbelts’ stretchy spandex fabric expands to hold larger items like a camera for scenic hikes, but shrinks when all you have are keys and your I.D. Remarkably, the pack can hold five energy gels, a phone (or two), an iPod or any combo of small items, including a passport. SPIbelt can also double as a race belt when you purchase the race hooks.
What we love about SPIbelt is that it does exactly what Overton designed it to do. When Walk About tested SPIbelt on the more intense activities like hiking, and even a full day of snowshoeing, the elastic band fit comfortably snug around the waist — the SPIbelt didn’t bounce, ride up, or shift.
The SPIbelt retails for $19.95 and comes in two sizes: small/medium for a 20-32 inch waist and medium/large for a 31-45+ inch waist. New to the collection this year are SPIbands that fit around the upper arm, and the safety reflective SPIbelt. With 15 different color combos for men, women, and children, you’re sure to find a color that compliments your fashion sense.
SPIbelt is available at specialty running and walking retail stores nationwide, and at www.spibelt.com. |
Sixth Annual Ten Toe Express
Walking for short trips is a great transportation option that benefits your health, too. Walking is the perfect solution for getting more exercise, running errands, and discovering great Portland neighborhoods.
The City of Portland Transportation Options Ten Toe Express walking campaign kicks off its sixth year with some great walks planned in North and Northwest Portland. The goal of the Ten Toe Express is to promote the transportation and health benefits of a more active lifestyle. This year the walks feature the parks, trails, and history of North and Northwest Portland. Walks are free and are offered Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, May through September 2009. Walks are typically four miles and take about two hours to complete.
A grant by Kaiser Permanente reinforces the campaign message of leading a more active lifestyle. The grant helps fund the new NW Walk/Bike Map, and the Ten Toe Express Walking Kit. The kit includes a digital pedometer to count your steps, the Northwest or North Portland walk/bike maps, a full schedule of guided walks, and the Short Tripper coupon book for local businesses with more than $500 in savings. This year, 5,500 walking kits will be delivered to residents throughout the SmartTrips North and Northwest target area.
This year the city has teamed up with renowned local author Laura Foster, who will lead two of the walks featured in her new book, Portland City Walks. Come and hear Laura’s fascinating historic descriptions of the Pearl, Nob Hill, and Slabtown neighborhoods of Northwest Portland.
For a schedule of this year’s walks in Northwest and North Portland visit www.gettingaroundportland.org and click on the button SmartTrips N-NW |
Portland Marathon Provides Charities
and Groups with Fundraising Avenue
The 38th Portland Marathon, scheduled for October 4th, is gearing up with a record number of walkers and runners already registered. Of the walkers, more than 75% are women; of the runners, 58% are female.
Named last fall by Runner’s World as one of the “Top Green Road Runs” of all distances, this year’s event will again hand out its traditional tree seedling to all finishers. The event is also planning to have even more on course entertainment. Last year, 72 groups played at 50 plus locations. Asentertainment director Dennis Bromka notes, “We will clearly out rock the Rock & Roll events.”
Last year nearly 2,000 walkers finished the Portland Marathon, which has long had the reputation as the “Most Walker Friendly Marathon in the U.S.” The course is gentle and forgiving with great aid stations and lots of food and drink at a true celebration finish.
Charities used the event last year to raise more than $2.5 million. The event recognized 17 official charities and has revamped this year to accommodate even more charities. Also, charities, nonprofits, service clubs, sport teams, and school groups are able to raise money for their causes by volunteering to help at the marathon. “It is a fun way to support your team or cause,” said Helen Smith, who heads the marathon’s volunteer committee.
To volunteer or learn more about the event and expo, contact the Portland Marathon at www.portlandmarathon.org or call 503-226-1111. |
PDX Senior Strolls
Get ready to get healthy, meet other great seniors, and discover some of Portland’s wonderful North and Northwest neighborhoods. Transportation Options invites you to join them for the fifth season of Senior Strolls from May 13 to October 7. These escorted strolls are easy, fun, and free.
Lack of physical activity is an important contributor to many chronic diseases in older adults, including heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, and high blood pressure. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (U.S. HHS), only 31% of individuals aged 65 to 74 report participating in 20 minutes of moderate physical activity three or more days per week; 16% report 30 minutes of moderate activity five or more days per week.
The good news is, when it comes to physical activity and aging, it is never too late to become physically active. And even a small amount of activity can result in better health. Spending at least 30 minutes in moderate activity on all or most days of the week has remarkable health benefits for older adults, according to the U.S. HHS.
That’s where Senior Strolls comes in. Strolls will be held weekly from May 13 through October 7 on Wednesdays at 10 am (with one exception). Strolls range in length from around one mile to two plus miles by the end of the strolling season. Come build your endurance, make new friends, and discover neighborhood treasures in North and Northwest Portland. The strolls will take you to some great parks, colorful neighborhoods, and lively commercial areas. All of the starting/ending points are conveniently located along a TriMet bus route.
To learn more about the strolls, or to get a schedule, please contact Donna Green at 503-823-6114 or donna.green@pdxtrans.org. |
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