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| ABOUT
THIS COURSE |
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What
is racewalking? How do I learn to do it? The simple answer is, of course, to take lessons from a racewalking
instructor or coach, attend clinics or camps, get private instruction, imitate
local racewalkers, and/or learn from books and videos available on the
market.
But, what if there are no coaches, instructors, clinics, camps, or racewalkers
in your area? What if you want to learn a bit about racewalking before
you shell out hard earned money? The answer to the question then gets
more complicated.
The Racewalking 101 Web site's design addresses these issues with
the following goals in mind:
1. to provide basic information about racewalking in
a readily accessable format;
2. to help people take their first steps (literally)
in learning to racewalk based on techniques and styles generally taught by
racewalking instructors;
3. to provide, through slow-motion animation and simple
stick figures, another useful tool for helping new (and even intermediate)
racewalkers better understand the complicated interaction of body-part movements
that define good racewalking technique and style.
After 20 years of running, persistent knee pain forced me to find another way to exercise. I could not run more than a quarter mile without taking a walking break. Then, after only six weeks of racewalking lessons (and no running), I racewalked a half marathon without knee pain - and fell in love with fast walking. Now in my mid 60's, I get more exercise because I have no down time. While I used to run marathons in 4½ hours taking many walking breaks, I now walk marathons in 5½ hours - and might even take a few short running breaks. The trick lies in learning how to walk fast properly, and I learned by watching some of the very best racewalkers in the world. This Web site is based on my being a "visual learner" who can more easily acquire a new skill by imitating what I see than by reading a book. Creating and watching Icabod has clearly helped me become a better walker. |
Icabod, my
demonstration assistant, is based on measurements taken from photographs
and videos. At my request, he can imitate the best and worst racewalkers
in the world -- and everyone in between. He is fun to work with, a tireless
worker and a WHOLE LOT thinner than his boss. I thank him for joining
my team.
I hope you find this site useful as you pursue the great sport/exercise called
racewalking.
Phil Howell
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Icabod |
| P.S. Be
forewarned. "Knowing what it takes to be a good racewalker" and "being a
good racewalker" are two very different animals. Like being a good
golfer, being a good racewalker is an elusive goal -- but, then, that's what
makes racewalking so interesting. |
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The Icabod animation can not be used without written permission from Phil Howell.
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(On printed copies, cut along the dotted line above and discard the menu section below.)
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