tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3142338142243803605.post1177101690781636404..comments2018-06-01T00:31:48.482+02:00Comments on Douglas Promenade or Bust: Confessions of a Parish Novice: Mercury risingparishnovicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08290800975085247477noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3142338142243803605.post-17498845188590895522013-01-30T20:42:27.414+01:002013-01-30T20:42:27.414+01:00James - thanks for the info and advice. Chris at U...James - thanks for the info and advice. Chris at Up and Running also mentioned that driving with your arms can be a big help.<br /><br />Michael - I'm sure there must be some racewalkers in a city this size, but I can't recall seeing any out and about. It is to my shame that I'm still basically hopeless at the Czech language, which does constrain me a bit in finding/joining local interest groups.<br /><br />My question regarding pace was really more out of curiosity than anything. At a first timer, my goal is to get as far as I can; I'd be ecstatically happy with a finish at any pace.parishnovicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08290800975085247477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3142338142243803605.post-36383273366657553742013-01-29T23:40:52.144+01:002013-01-29T23:40:52.144+01:00Would agree with James in the main and to be hones...Would agree with James in the main and to be honest it is only a few right up at the top who are really using racewalking in such a long race. <br /><br />I put out a message on 'Racewalkers all over the world' the facebook group to see if there was anyone near you but haven't heard back as yet.<br /> <br />Walking with racewalkers would get you fitter and faster, hopefully without picking up too many bad habits.<br /><br />Remember none of the current top five fastest PW walkers had any background in athletics (unless you count me as school xc champion 34 years ago or Vinny in an 80s Marathon) so anything is possible. Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12364690572314815754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3142338142243803605.post-7205400127692281412013-01-29T10:57:51.484+01:002013-01-29T10:57:51.484+01:00For me, pace came in fits and starts over a long p...For me, pace came in fits and starts over a long period. I would be walking at 4mph for a while and then suddenly I was doing 4.25. That stuck for a few months then I was doing 4.4 etc. Now I can maintain 5.5mph for extended periods and I am certainly NOT a race-walker. Presumably it is quite a lot harder in snow and ice but try to bend your arms as you walk. They are a pendulum and, if you leave them hanging down and loose, they will slow you down. But don't worry too much for now. Fitness and miles in the legs are far more important in Jan/Feb than pace.James Bassetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08503877269454217620noreply@blogger.com