Had a great time interviewing Tammy Stevenson, a msters race walker.

Episode 14 Podcast – Tammy Stevenson Race Walker & How to Start a Walking Club

This episode of the WALK Magazine Podcast has two segments.

It was fun to interview Tammy Steven, an accomplished masters race walker. She read a walking magazine called walk magazine to learn to speed walk.
From left to right: Deb and me with Tammy Stevenson in Utah.

The first segment features Tammy Stevenson, a race walker from Utah. I first “met” Tammy when she wrote an article for WALK! Magazine about losing more than 100 lbs through Weight Watchers and race walking. Since then, she has become a very competitive masters race walker. I am thrilled I finally got to meet Tammy in person in October.

The second segment is about how to start a walking club. Liz Plott and Larry Smith both started walking clubs/teams. The Gahanna Get Moving Team was started by Liz more than 10 years ago. Larry started the German Village Walking Club earlier this year. I tried to give input about the Buckeye Striders Walking and Race Walking Club. I’m a member, but I wasn’t involved in the start of it.

Highlights of this Episode

  • Tammy’s successful weight loss
  • How she became interested in race walking
  • Why judged race walks
  • Her coach
  • Fatigue issues
  • How she fuels
  • How she juggles training and a family
  • How to get started race walking
  • Tammy’s walking goals

The book Tammy refers to is Walking: A Complete Guide to the Complete Exercise by Casey Meyers.

Walking Clubs

  • Why each club was started
  • Where and when they walk — which day of the week
  • Extra events — Wednesdays
  • Communicating with members
  • Keeping track of participants each walk
  • Financing — dues, sponsorships
  • Members on paper vs. those who show up
  • The recording stopped suddenly, so this segment ends oddly.

Links

Larry’s Lessons Learned List

  • Walkers are not going to just show up because you established a Club.
  • Don’t start an outdoor walking club in February (the coldest February on record).
  • Don’t rush things.  Keep expectations realistic.
  • It is OK to get frustrated, but don’t give up.  Accept “rejection”.  It is not everyone’s “cup of tea”.
  • Talk about the Club to everyone, everywhere.
  • Tell people to just come out once to check it out.
  • And, let people know why they want to be a member.  Have your elevator speech ready at all times.

Hear more from Larry Smith in the Summer Hydration with Larry Smith episode of the WALK Podcast.

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Comments

Maggie O Hara
February 18, 2016 at 12:57 pm

Hi Cindii,I would love to take up walking to get fit and lose weight.What kind of walking trainers do I get and how long should I walk for to start with.Sometimes my lower back hurts but I think that is because I have to lose weight.I would love your input pls.



    Cindi
    March 7, 2016 at 7:30 pm

    Hi Maggie, I recommend you go to a good running shoe store and get fitted by a professional. Tell them you are planning to walk. I typically wear light trainers because they are more flexible and will bend when you roll your feet. If you are heavy, you might need more support — especially if your back hurts. Start slowly. Not knowing your fitness level, I’d recommend starting out walking maybe 15 min a day, 3-5 days a week. The next week add 5 min to a couple of your walks. The next week make them all 20 min… Eventually you will increase your speed and your distance.



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