It was a typical morning for the New Albany Walking Club. Vince and Barbara, a mid-40s husband and wife from Worthington, decided to join us for our Sunday walk, with the intent of possibly making this a weekly routine. I indicated we would walk anywhere from 3 to 7 miles, and they could walk at any pace they desired. I also informed them they would be accompanied by one of our regulars so they didn’t wander onto foreign paths and end up in Cleveland.

From Typical to Atypical
Vince and Barbara are much like so many of the individuals I have coached and advised throughout the 30-plus years I have been running or walking in races, which range from 3 miles to marathons (26.2 miles). Like so many others in the New Albany Walking Club, they joined more than 60 walkers on this particular Sunday morning because their family physician recommended they embrace an exercise program.

Based upon their health history and the fact they were walking about 2 miles two to three times per week, I recommended they try 3 miles that Sunday morning. They did so, but both maintained a belief that any distance longer was unthinkable. I said if they put their mind to it, trained religiously and remained healthy, they would be ready to compete in a half marathon (13.1 miles).

Having worked with many people like Vince and Barbara, I anticipated their textbook response: “There’s no way we would ever be able to do a half marathon, not in our wildest dreams. We’ll finish last if we were ever able to do this.”

I responded, “Not only could you do it, but I promise you will not finish in last place. After all, only one person can finish last, and it’s not going to be you. And, if by the most remote chance you were to finish last, you could proudly brag about accomplishing what only a very small percentage of the population ever could. You could say you competed in and finished a half marathon.”

You’re an Athlete
I worked with Vince and Barbara to help them to gradually increase their mileage and, before they knew it, their Sunday morning walks increased from that somewhat-of-a-struggle 3-miler to a very comfortable 6 to 7 miles. Each Sunday, they would arrive with anticipation of how far they would walk. As the weeks passed, I often reminded them of how far they had progressed, and that the effort expended to walk 3 miles was now a thing of the past.

Within less than six months of joining our walking group, Vince and Barbara improved to the point where they walked between 10 to 11 miles at a comfortable pace. At this point, I told them they were well prepared to complete a half marathon; they no longer needed to increase their mileage. (Contrary to what many people believe, they need not cover the actual training mileage equal to the distance they will cover in their designated race.) Vince and Barbara proceeded to register for the Columbus Marathon and ½ Marathon.

The Big Day
Once race day finally arrived, Vince and Barbara lined up at the start, ready to go. There was something so very special about this scenario. They participated in the same event as 10,500 other athletes. They shared the same route, wore a bib number, heard boisterous cheers from the thousands of spectators lined along the course, donned their goody bag-issued technical wicking shirts and participated in the same event with elite runners and walkers who traveled to Columbus from around the world.

Three and a half hours after the starter’s pistol was fired, Vince and Barbara crossed the finish line.

As they received their medals, they hugged each other tightly. Tears flowed down their cherry-red cheeks, flush with fatigue, as they celebrated a very special and unique accomplishment. They proved they were every bit the athlete as anyone else participating in the event. Not only did they not finish in last place, but they were in the top half of all the walkers who finished.

For the thousands of Vinces and Barbaras in Central Ohio, an abundance of opportunities are available for you. You can participate in events such as walks, runs, triathlons, cycling, swimming and more. Get moving! Discover the athlete in you.

Dr. Philip Heit is Professor Emeritus of Physical Activity and Educational Services at The Ohio State University. He is the founder of the New Albany Walking Club and the New Albany Walking Classic.

Central Ohio Resources for Walking & Running Events
New Albany Walking Classic 2009
www.newalbanywalkingclassic.com  
New Albany Walking Club
www.newalbanywalkingclub.com  
Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon
www.columbusmarathon.com  
Various Walking and Running Races
www.runwildracing.com  
www.premierraces.com  
www.fatrabbitracing.com

www.ultrafit-usa.com