"Nordic Nanas" Nail Half Marathon

21 kilometres is quite a long way.   It is the distance from Auckland's Queen Street, to the Airport.  For those of you who have never walked or run this distance, it poses quite a challenge.  Imagine that you are nearly 70 years old, and decide to set the goal of completing the Cathay Pacific half-marathon.

A challenge that perhaps would never have been considered, except for the endurance fitness built up over a period of months by a group of six women, who had discovered the benefits of training with Nordic Walking poles.

These benefits are fast becoming well known.  The poles enable the muscles of the upper body to be used during the walking movement, which has a very positive affect on posture, stability and strength.  Two thirds of the body's weight is carried in the torso, which usually contributes little to the walking action.  Therefore, the torso can really be regarded as merely a "passenger" when moving.  Add the poles and the muscles have a way to activate by interacting with the ground.  Take a second to push your arm down against a table - you will see what I mean - the muscles contract. It is like a weights workout!

"If someone had said to me that I would ever do a half marathon, I would have thought it was impossible," says Jenny Wills, one of the successful 'Nanas.'  "As I got into Nordic Walking, I found that I was able to walk further and longer.  My recovery from the long training walks was also quicker.  I enjoy the fact that I use my arms, shoulders and back muscles.   I think I would be quite happy to Nordic Walk all day!"

Another of the women, Judy West, reflects much of Jenny's comments.  Judy had previously walked three half marathons, but this was the first time with poles. 

"The course was much harder than the previous three, as it was much hillier.  By using Nordic walking poles, I was able to keep my posture upright, rather than bending forward as I tend to do as I become tired. The poles reduced the impact on my joints and my back, and gave me leverage when walking, especially uphill."

Judy said "I managed to take 20 minutes of my personal best time and can attribute this to several factors:

• I had specific training on the correct technique for Nordic walking. This is necessary. Although it may look very simple, using the correct technique gives you the full benefit of using the poles.
• I had been given instruction on the correct nutrition for doing an endurance event. This included how to replace the glucose and fluids required by the muscles during the event, and the appropriate sustenance, immediately following the event.
• I had also learnt the correct stretching to do prior and post the event."
  

"At the end of the half marathon I found that I was not exhausted, my muscles were not sore and I could probably have gone a bit further," she adds.

Jenny is quick to point out that just because they are older it does not mean that they are using the poles "like an old person's walking stick."  Quite the opposite.   Nordic walking was designed to allow the Finnish Olympic Cross-Country skiers to continue sport specific training during the summer months. 

Jenny says, "It is terrific that you can use most of the muscles with this activity.  Nordic Walking has improved everything about my movement and has rolled back the years for me.  You don't have to be a Nana to benefit!"