Walking isn't prominent on the agendas of most endurance athletes. But it should be. Not the fast walking variety, otherwise known as a speed-marching or power-walking. Rather, a slow to brisk walk, preferably in flat shoes or barefoot.
Whenever I think back to my times of intense work combined with travel, chasing sporting goals or overcoming poor health walking is one thing that stands out. The simple act of walking has been, both consciously and sub-consciously, part of my life and sporting regimen for as long as I can remember. Rewind to my student days in the mid-nineties, walking fairly long distances was an integral part of getting to and from class, and, unknowingly, an essential complement to a low running mileage made up almost exclusively of fartlek. Many years later, and recovering from a trauma injury, I walked an hour each way to and from the office as part of my self-driven rehabilitation. Then there were a couple of stints in Europe, working in the intense and unstable environment that is professional cycling. Walking was one of a few simple activities that kept an element of balance and refreshment, two factors that are fairly at odds with that sort of working environment.
I really do believe that deliberate walking is the missing link in many a training program. The physical benefits aside, walking offers great inspiration and release, and is a great "thinking" exercise. While I'm not one to meditate in the conventional sense, I feel that walking is a great alternative.
The Italians have a term "la passeggiata", which roughly translates into a evening walk. It's said to be a social occasion, one where the stroll acts as wind down as the dusk gradually turns to darkness. I had long known about this tradition through various literature over the years, but living on the Continent and actually seeing "la passeggiata" in practice really resounded with me; the nightly stroll was indeed part of the culture and everyday life, and not merely an old wives tale romanticised in order to sell cycling autobiographies.
And while us mortals should not compare ourselves to elite athletes, it is perhaps worth noting some examples of prominent athletes who literally walk the walk, particularly cyclists. Svein Tuft, who you can read about elsewhere on this blog, walked extensively during his long career as a professional cyclist. When away at races and especially Grand Tours, Svein would get up an hour or two before his colleagues and the start the day with a sunrise barefoot walk. Adam Hansen, better known for his consecutive Grand Tour streak, is another avid walker. At home after a bad crash and with no bike, Adam just walked daily and surprised his team a few weeks later with an outstanding racing performance in Germany. Much of his off-season is spent hiking around the rural surrounds of his home in the Czech Republic. Then there is Michael Valgren, the outstanding Danish rider who took the peloton by storm a few seasons ago with victory in both Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the Amstel Gold Race. He reportedly walked long the day before both races, and continues to supplement his training with regular stints on foot.
How then should one approach walking? Any special considerations? Well, just go for walk, if only for a quarter of an hour. Take note of how you feel before and after, as well as the thought process during. Thought process? Well, yes - walking is a great medium of creativity and an avid cure for writer's block. Trust me! But for a real guide on the "dos and don'ts", I encourage you to view Lawrence van Lingen's excellent video on the subject.
