I'd like to encourage everyone to say hello on here each day, or if possible every few days. No topic needed, just hello, I've been here, or share in anything at all.

I'm finding it hard to keep my interest up as not a lot of people post, though we can see from the stats that people read but don't say anything.

Let's try and encourage each other. Even if just to say, I've not walked today ...?!!

Please join in.

Who is contemplating doing the Rotovegas Half Marathon at the end of August 2011? This is one I am training to achieve.

Cheers
Suzanne

1. Promise myself I ONLY have to do 15 minutes. Sometimes once I get my walking gear on, the enthusiasm hits again and I just keep going. But even if it doesn't, 15 minutes is better than nothing, and then I head home again as promised.

2. Walk to an errand instead of driving. I'm lucky enough to live a 3km from my library, and half that from a major shopping mall. So unless I'm planning to do a carload full of shopping to do, I can usually walk there and back and call it my day's workout... Read the full text of this blog entry.

If you post on the WW forums, you'll know me there as Starfire. If you don't, I've been a Wonder Walkers member since... wow… 2009.

In that time, Wonder Walkers has been invaluable as I've – let's be honest – gone a little bit walking-crazy. I've walked 10ks and half-marathons… I even did the Oxfam Trailwalker 100km earlier this year. And now I'm training for another Trailwalker. Like I said: crazy!

OK, but what's this blog all about?
The great thing about walking is that you don't have to go crazy. Most people don't. And whether you're training for a big event, or just trying to get a little more activity into your week, there are some things about walking it can be really helpful to know. Things like:

• How to find the time
• What to wear
• How to stay motivated
• What to eat and drink
• How to avoid injuries

And there's probably lots more. It's all stuff I had to figure out for myself as I trained, and that's where the idea for this blog came from... [[/default,4059,guest-blog-from-wonderwalker-tanja.sm|Read the full text...

The answer to all these questions seems to be "**it depends!**" It depends on things like how often you walk, how far, and what kind of surfaces you walk on. It can also depend on previous injuries you've had, and on the shape of your foot and how it moves.

That said, the key requirement for a good walking shoe is always that it's comfortable for you – something that feels good on and doesn't rub or pinch anywhere on your foot. If you're only walking for short distances, you probably don't need anything fancy – whatever's comfy will work... Read the full text of this blog entry.

The route meanders from the Alpine Village of Mt Lyford with its snow covered peaks towards the centre of activities in Waiau, crossing several rivers, having a few uphill parts but mainly a slight downhill course.

The race is organised by the Waiau Citizens Association as a community fundraiser. A very successfull first year event in 2010 has prompted the organisers to offer this great opportunity again for runners and walkers of all abilities to have a great day in the beautiful North Canterbury country side. At the finish line the Waiau Citizens association will have other events organised to keep everyone entertained.

22 October 2011

Register here after 1 April 2011 Read the full text of this news item.

Where: Riverside Amphitheatre, High Street, – 09 443 7136
Booking fees may apply
Click here for more details
Read the full text of this news item.

•Choosing the right clothing and equipment (it doesn't have to be expensive!)
•Introducing kids to tramping – so it's fun for them as well as for you!
•Safe river crossing techniques
•Use of maps and compass and survival skills etc.

Click here for more info.

Read the full text of this news item.

Enter today atwww.roundthebridges.co.nz
www.roundthebridges.co.nz as an individual or with your walking group!

Read the full text of this news item.

FEETBEAT starts on 12th September this year and will continue for 8 weeks. It is fun, free and very easy.
More than 200 teams participated last year and everyone is dusting off their shoes to get ready to start walking again.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
FEETBEAT is an 8-week walking programme encouraging teams of 4 to 8 people to 'journey' their way to a New Zealand and island destinations by going for regular walks over 8 weeks. Teams choose a name and set themselves a challenge, then grab their shoes and head out the door to pound the pavements. Their progress is recorded on a provided map, allowing members to see the distance they are walking over time and how far that could have taken them in real terms.

Entry to the programme is free.

REWARDS and BENEFITS?
We do emphasise that it is a fun event rather than a competitive event. There will be prizes for:
• Best team name
• Best team photo
• Best team story that will be featured in the weekly newsletters
• First team to return evaluation... Read the full text of this news item.

About the Course
Walk on the Wild Side is a challenging 17km adventure walk, based at Bethells Beach on the West Coast of Auckland. The route traverses beautiful private farmland, bush and wetland and follows a spectacular coastline with a few wild surprises along the way!

Teams are invited to dress in their corporate colours or "wild" costumes and have fun at this unique event as they help Cure Kids make a difference in the lives of children with life threatening illnesses. Family and friends are invited to join competitors at the finish line to celebrate, join in the fun and experience some real local hospitality.

The course offers the following participation options:

 17km walk for those wanting a fitness challenge
 17km run for those in a hurry... [[/default,4054,cure-kids-walk-on-the-wild-side.sm|Read the...

ALL THIS INCLUDED:
• 5 nights accommodation at Centrepoint Apartments Caloundra www.centreresort.com
• Foreshore 10km walk entry and T-Shirt.
• 10km start and finish transfers.
• Post walk breakfast/brunch.
• Sunshine Coast and Hinterland sightseeing excursion.
• Pumicestone Passage cruise and lunch.
• Welcome drink.

COSTS:
1 bedroom apartment: $780 single or $520pp twin share
2 bedroom apartment: $645pp twin share, $516pp three people, or $453pp four people
3 bedroom apartment: $575pp three people, $496pp four people, $449pp five people, or $418pp six people.

Costs are based on 10 or more group members. All costs are per person – AUD

REQUIREMENTS:
• Register prior to 30 November 2011.
• $150.00 deposit per person.
• Final payment, shirt size and rooming lists 30 days prior to arrival.

CONTACT:
Murray East – Ph +61 7 54920100 or 0800441356 (from NZ), Email: cpoinjt@calkoundr2a.netj
[[/default,4055,caloundra-australia-10km-walk-13-june-2012.sm|Read the full text of this...

It's a low-key, fun event offering up to 7km WALK or RUN or 15km or 25km CYCLE. The run or walk is along Petone Foreshore; the cycle is along the Hutt River Trail.

Great spot prizes – a cycle, gym memberships, an Interislander trip and lots of 'pamper' and health packages.

Start Me Up is being held from 12.30pm onwards on Sunday 2 October, at Hikoikoi Reserve, Petone. See startmeup.org.nz for entry and more information. So come on, get friends, family, work mates together and get started! Read the full text of this news item.

The Otunui Paddleboat will also be at the lakefront reserve for trips on the lake and the Mangakino Stream. Also in the future for walkers that only wish to walk the trail one way, the Otunui Paddleboat can run a shuttle service down Lake Maraetai to either the Mangakino Stream (to the suspension bridge), along the Waikato River Gorge, or up to the Whakamaru Dam. (6, 8,or 10km).

More details are on the Waikato River Trails site here
Read the full text of this news item.

In a comment on my last post, one reader, Arda, said her motivation was the amazing endorphins she feels when she goes out for her daily walks.

And yes, I absolutely know what she means.

There've been oh-so-very-many times where I've got home from work in a foul mood – and the very last thing I've wanted was to head out again. But y'know, if I can just make myself lace up my sneakers and take that massive, daunting psychological step over my front door threshold? Something magical happens.

Almost the moment I get moving, my blood starts flowing and my endorphins start kicking in. I start noticing the world around me: the sights, the scents, the sounds and the sensations. Whatever stressed me out at work fades into the background. And by the time I'm back home again, I'm wondering why it was so damn hard to go out in the first place... Read the full text of this blog entry.

Sometimes, pure, simple routine will do the trick. If I just roll out of bed when the alarm goes off, stumble into my walking gear and stagger out the door – all before I'm awake enough to consider other options? That makes walking easy.

Other times, I make deals with myself: if I just get 6k in now, I can stop into Starbucks for a peppermint mocha. Or I reframe: it's not "walking", it's a chance to listen to some of the awesome podcasts I've just downloaded. Or I remind myself how this walk, today, contributes to my greater long-term goals.

Some days, though, nothing's enough. Take last Friday. The weather was shocking – intermittent rain and hail all day. I was sniffling and fighting off a cold. My brain yelled "DO. NOT. WANT!" emphatically every time I so much as thought about heading out the door.

So you know what I did? I listened... Read the full text of this blog entry.

Several Wonder Walkers have discussed walking races over on the forums. And where there's an organised race (regardless of the distance), there are usually race etiquette guidelines.

Keeping to those guidelines can help you avoid being "that" person – the one who irritates the race marshals, annoys other competitors, and sometimes, even ends up disqualified.

Here are the top three I often see people breaking.

Know the race rules before you start (then stick to them)
Different races have different rules, so considerate walkers actually read the rules for each race before they get there. Common points of difference include:
* Whether walkers are permitted to run any part of the race
* Whether you're allowed to wear MP3 players
* Whether the roads are closed to traffic
* Where and how to wear your race bib

Don't get in the way of faster competitors... Read the full text of this blog entry.

Well, at least until the Onehunga half-marathon anyway. Everything was going fine… until the last 2km when the heavens opened, and I got drenched. I think at that point, it was a given I was going to succumb :-(.

So what should you do walking-wise when you're sick? Once upon a time when I ran an online PT business, I wrote an article training when you're sick|. I've long since closed down the PT business, but the principles of the article still remain. They are:

• If you train with other people (e.g. a walking group) and you have something contagious like a cold, be considerate and stay away until you stop being infectious... Read the full text of this blog entry.

Still in my Pj's this morning I made my way to the scales for the dreaded first weigh in. I spoke to My Rock and she wished me all the best and had text me earlier to say " R u all Set?

I bent down and with cloth in hand dusted off the excess dirt and cobwebs. Looking down at this beautiful white square piece of digital machinery I quietly prayed that I would not break it... right foot, left foot ...... nothing happened ... no reading ... as the panic surged through my veins I suddenly realised that it needed a new battery .... phew... would buy that today ..... off the scales and...

Basically I would like to know what others do in between competing in 1/2 marathons – so I can keep up my fitness. There of course will be smaller or larger gaps in between each one I enter – so just a basic idea of how much exercise I should be doing not just wanting to do – if that makes any sense!! I am hoping it does make a bit of sense :-)

Look forward to your replies

Cheers
Suzanne

I've been talking to my Wednesday nite walking partner, who's been keen to give Trailwalker a go next year; and the lass I did Sunday's Xterra with said she'd love to get involved as well. That plus a friend who was enthusiastic enough about walking the 100kms next year to be part of my support crew this year... and holy gods, I actually look like I have a team organised before registrations even open... organised Starfire is organised!

Of course, people wanting to do it now four months before real training starts, and still wanting to do it once summer weekends start needing to being sacrificed are two different things, but I'm hopeful...

Also (coming back down to earth for a moment), with the best will in the world, things with Dad may end up keeping me from doing enough training, or from taking part in the event on the day – so I'm being very open about letting people know that I may need to pull out close to the time. But even if I can't end up doing it, I can still go along on training walks...

Read more here.
Read the full text of this blog entry.