Why DO You Walk So Slowly?

Hi folks,

Walking shadow, from themactep's photostream, showing a long stride, which often accompanies a slow cadence and thoughtful experiences.

People sometimes ask me, “You run marathons, do Ironman races, and yet you walk so slowly. Why?” This always strikes me as odd, but then I watch such companions a little more closely, and I realize that they aren’t actually walking, they are hurrying. Then I fall in line, almost always having to shorten my stride and increase my cadence [exercise tip for faster running, cycling and maybe swimming, too]. This works every time, but it is not relaxing, it is hurrying. Hurrying to where? These people seem to be in a perpetual hurry, but they don’t achieve more than others, as far as I can tell. I like to walk slowly, and meditatively, as walking is as a much a dwelling experience to me, as it is a transport device.

One thing I have learned about being in a hurry. The best way to catch up, if life is overwhelming, is to slow down, move more deliberately and calmly. Don’t obsess about what you have to do, just do it. One thing at a time. A recent article suggested that slower walkers have higher IQs, though this is a matter for debate. I don’t trust the IQ test as it examines a set values considered to be important to the designers of the test, who may not be so clever as they think. We are all highly intelligent in our own way, if we are still alive on this challenging planet. My recommendation is to slow down in order to get more done.

Peace really does lie in every step!

-k @FitOldDog

Today’s workouts:

Workout PLAN Coach: Chris Hauth

Weights

Duration: 01:30:00

Description: This is the final and most important phase. Following the same format as the previous Phase, perform 3 sets of 10, then 8, then 6 reps on each exercise with the exception of leg press (1×15, 2×12), sit-ups(3×25) and leg ext. / leg curl (still 2×15). Again, increase your weight significantly so that you may need a spotter to help you complete the last 2 reps of the 2nd and 3rd set – but you see we also reduce the number of repeats to help facilitate this. Ideally, you should only be able to complete 6-8 reps on your last set by yourself. Rest 60-75 seconds between each set.10′ jump ropeCore exercises: 2′ hold of position or 2′ of continuous repeats (1x through only): Plank – Side Plank – Lunge – PushUps – Supermans – Back Extension – Abdominal Scissors1. Bench Press (chest) 2. Incline dumbbell flyes or Machine Pec Dec 3. Squats (glutes & quads) 4. Calf Raises 5. Lat – pull downs (lats) 6. Dumbbell Pullover 7. Low Row (or bent over dumbbell rows) 8. Upright Rows (shoulders) 9. Alternating Dumbbell Curls (biceps) 10. Dumbbell Kickbacks (triceps) 11. Leg Press 12. Leg Extensions 13. Leg Curls 14. Incline Situps or your choice of preferred ab work