Episode 14 Podcast – Tammy Stevenson Race Walker & How to Start a Walking Club
This episode of the WALK Magazine Podcast has two segments.
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
- Gahanna Get Moving Team
- German Village Walking Club
- Buckeye Striders Walking and Race Walking Club
- and on Facebook
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
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.
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.