Q Walking anyone can do it – right?
A Yes. Anyone can do any event in track and field, so, yes.
QWhat kind of personalities make the best walkers?
A The best race walkers are very good endurance athletes, so you need to be motivated to do a lot of training. They also need to persevere, particularly when the technical knock backs happen.
Q How do you pick the right race walking event for you?
A For young athletes the challenge is similar to one to that which the throwers face. For throwers the implements get bigger with age and in race walking the events get longer and this presents different challenges From a 16-year-old racing 5000m at the National Championships, to the 10km as a junior before moving up to maybe 50km as a senior, if you are a man. Some basic advice I would give, though, is don’t just think because you are slow at 20km don’t think you necessarily make more impact at 50km because all the top 50km athletes are also very quick over the 20km distance.
Q What's the hardest form of race walking?
AYou might think it was the 50km because more athletes can reach a state of distress over such a long distance race. However, that occurs only if the athlete is not well prepared. As long as you are prepared properly, it’s difficult to say which event is hardest.
Q How much will cost to buy the kit?
AIt won’t cost much at because you don’t need to buy the implements like in the throws, for example. Specialist race walk shoes are very similar to marathon running shoes. I would be wary of buying a big, fat pair of chunky running trainers, you don’t need all that cushioning, it just makes them cumbersome. A basic pair of racing flats for between £50-£60 are fine.
Q What walking club should I join?
A Find an athletics club that can offer race walking coaching. Find a decent licensed coach. It is also possible to work with a good endurance running coach as they can help put together a good endurance programme.
Q How much can you learn from watching the top walkers perform?
AIt is good to focus on the athletic qualities of top walkers such as their balance, co-ordination and level of conditioning.
Q How hard it is to pick up the technique?
AThe technique is a pretty simple thing. It is basically a case of extending you movement beyond your normal walking stride. You need to keep your feet on the floor moving your legs at the same cadence as a 1500m runner, but you obviously don’t move as quickly (as a runner) because you are not flying through the air. Learning the basics is not the challenge. It is repeating that fairly basic technique for many, many step when you are in a state of fatigue.
Q What kind of diet should I have for race walking?
A A good one! If you are going to be a good race walker you should have a similar dietary regime to that of a 10,000m runner or marathoner. Carbo-loading and fluid replacement are very important to consider.
Q Can I do any training away from the track or the road?
AYes. It is easily neglected but lots of strength and conditioning. It is important to have core stability by using a wobble board, Swiss ball etc. In a mature athlete I would also suggest a bit of weightlifting.
Q What’s the best piece of race walking advice you have ever been given?
AYou are probably going to take a few knocks along the way in terms of the technique. It is an occupational hazard in race walking, so I would simply say keep your chin up and persevere.