Tidewater Striders is here to support your walking interests be they for your health, fitness walking, competitive walking, or race walking. Whatever the reason, walking is our sport!

Even those of us who consider ourselves experienced in the sport started out simply walking-no particular form, technique, or style-just walking from start to finish. Many of us didn't consider entering our first event until we were mature adults (aka over 40).

Why walk? Perhaps you see walking as an easy, accessible, low cost means of exercise. Maybe your doctor has recommended it as you are embracing a healthier lifestyle. You've begun walking with some friends regularly and one of them has suggested entering a one-mile fun run/walk or a 5K.just for fun or to see how well you can do.

For some, walking is the alternative to running. Your doctor has said your running days are over due to some injury or condition, but you're not about to give up. You're not sure that walking will provide the same rush or enjoyment that running did, but you're going to give it a chance. Are you in for a surprise!

Walkers come in all ages, sizes, and abilities-just like runners. Our sport has gained momentum as more and more baby boomers have reached the age where their bodies are looking for a "kinder" form of exercise. It's not just the "boomers" who are walking though.

Walking lends itself to being a social outlet. Whether you and your friends actually walk the same pace or just agree to walk it, you'll discover that you can walk and talk away three or four miles faster than you ever thought possible. If you join an existing walk group/club/team, you're almost guaranteed to pair off with someone (or two or more) who walk your pace. Better than that, with all the time you spend together training, you get to know each other extremely well, and chances are you'll make some great friends.

OK.all well and good. But what about that surprise? Well, runners haven't cornered the market on finding accomplishment, feeling a rush, or being competitive. None of that is limited to the young either. I remember completing my first event. It was a marathon.talk about a rush! I recall praying that I'd finish at all.mile after mile. When that medal was put around my neck, my first thought was "I wonder how much faster I can do my next marathon?" Had it been a 5K, I would have felt exactly the same way. I was ready to compete with myself. I've continued competing with my own personal best for over six years now.

It was a few years later when I'd begun doing some 5Ks that I actually finished in the top three of a race. Wow! I realized that I now had an achievable goal-try to win a 5K in the walk division. The mind is a wonderful tool. I combined that determination with dedicated training and a win was mine in no time. I cherish that first win as much as every win since. I laugh at myself when I realize how I am sparked on during a race by the competition. Nothing makes me move faster than knowing another walker is on my heels. For me, at this time in my life, this IS fun!

So, there are the social, health, and competitive aspects of walking. How about the "I do it because I can" aspect? It's so easy to say "I'll try it some day." I reflect on all the years I was extremely overweight and in poor health-years that I let so many opportunities pass to enjoy what I now look forward to as I walk with friends, coach others, and compete. Why not celebrate your life and your ability and give walking a try?