Hello, class!  Today's lecture is a fairly simple one.  We're just going to touch on a few ideas to keep your walking routine from becoming B-O-R-I-N-G.  In the neighborhoods, this can be as simple as changing your route, your pace, your walking companion or the music in your ipod.  But, for some truly "odd" but fun walking drills, I suggest you utilize the track at Bulldog Stadium.  Not only is the recycled rubber a great shock absorber and easier on your joints, but you don't have to worry about traffic or uneven cracks in the sidewalk.  And . . . you won't feel so conspicuous since everyone there is "doing their own thing."

Walk in different lanes.  The inside lane has a smaller radius, which requires more medial-lateral challenges to the joints.  Walk in different directions.  Because the track has a downward slope from lane 7 to 1, changing directions keeps you from always having the same leg on the "low" side.  Walk backwards with long strides . . . especially if you begin to notice shin splints.  These will usually disappear after 15 or 20 big backward strides.   Walk low . . . in a semi-crouch . . . to work the quads.  Walk in very short, choppy steps to give legs a "new" kind of workout.  Skip - if you remember how!!  And, finally, just have fun and forget about what you look like.  Keep moving!!  (And please join the fun next Saturday, 8:00 a.m. at Laing Lake.  Come to walk in honor/memory of a friend or family member who can no longer move with ease.)

Yours in health,

Karen