" Walker," Biker to Olympics
07-06-04, 01:52 PM
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The last couple of months there has been a "walker" training on our bike paths. He actually drives a bit to get here from Aurora as our paths are perfect for training on the "walk."
I talked with him today. His name is Kevin Eastler, and he is going to the Olympics. The trials are next week in Sacramento, but he is one of the top in the nation, and is extremely likely to win one of the three berths in the team. Since the link below, he has moved nearer our trail to Aurora. Guess what his other most-liked activity is? You guessed correctly - Bicycling!
https://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/Eastler_Kevin.asp
I talked with him today. His name is Kevin Eastler, and he is going to the Olympics. The trials are next week in Sacramento, but he is one of the top in the nation, and is extremely likely to win one of the three berths in the team. Since the link below, he has moved nearer our trail to Aurora. Guess what his other most-liked activity is? You guessed correctly - Bicycling!
https://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/Eastler_Kevin.asp
Last edited by DnvrFox; 07-06-04 at 02:14 PM.
07-06-04, 02:30 PM
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Wow, thanks for the info. I did not even know walking was an event. There is hope for me yet....if curling or darts don't pan out. 
07-06-04, 03:50 PM
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If you have never seen a "walk" as a competitive event it is most challenging and unusual. One foot must remain on the ground at all times, leading to a cross pattern type of walking. It is fun to watch and most graceful when well done.
07-06-04, 04:15 PM
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I have never even heard of walking as a competitive event. Sounds kind of interesting, walking is televised(sp?) since its in the Olympics right?
07-07-04, 08:14 AM
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Race walking is not exactly common around here, but it does exist. Most of the 5K and 10K road races that I run in make some kind of accomodation for race walkers.
Most of the participants are older folks. My guess is that these folks "graduate" from mall walking. Mall walking is another peculiar activity where people dress up in track suits and pace around shopping malls early in the morning before the mall is open for business. Most of the shopping malls locally have a group of folks that do this. Mall walking is more or less a social activity with a little exercise thrown in for good measure. The more competitive mall walkers probably get involved in road racing.
While I wouldn't choose it for myself. I think any sport that you can participate in; instead of just watching (like most of the *ball sports) is a good thing and should be promoted.
I was reading today in Wired about the World Championship of "wife-carrying". I would love to watch an Olympic caliber "wife-carrying" tournament.
Most of the participants are older folks. My guess is that these folks "graduate" from mall walking. Mall walking is another peculiar activity where people dress up in track suits and pace around shopping malls early in the morning before the mall is open for business. Most of the shopping malls locally have a group of folks that do this. Mall walking is more or less a social activity with a little exercise thrown in for good measure. The more competitive mall walkers probably get involved in road racing.
While I wouldn't choose it for myself. I think any sport that you can participate in; instead of just watching (like most of the *ball sports) is a good thing and should be promoted.
I was reading today in Wired about the World Championship of "wife-carrying". I would love to watch an Olympic caliber "wife-carrying" tournament.
Originally Posted by Wired.com
Me Tarzan, You Jane
02:00 AM Jul. 06, 2004 PT An Estonian couple clinched Finland's seventh wife-carrying world championship against 17 other pairs, winning the "wife's" weight in beer and a sauna. Using the "Estonian carry," where the woman clamps her thighs to the sides of the man's face while hanging upside down on his back, Madis Uusorg toted Inga Klauso (not his wife) 830 feet through a pool and over hurdles in just over a minute. The race in the remote village of Sonkajarvi, near the Arctic Circle, has roots in local legend: Apparently, stealing women from neighboring villages was common practice in the 19th century. "I just tried to run and not think about anything," Uusorg said.
-- Beverly Hanly
02:00 AM Jul. 06, 2004 PT An Estonian couple clinched Finland's seventh wife-carrying world championship against 17 other pairs, winning the "wife's" weight in beer and a sauna. Using the "Estonian carry," where the woman clamps her thighs to the sides of the man's face while hanging upside down on his back, Madis Uusorg toted Inga Klauso (not his wife) 830 feet through a pool and over hurdles in just over a minute. The race in the remote village of Sonkajarvi, near the Arctic Circle, has roots in local legend: Apparently, stealing women from neighboring villages was common practice in the 19th century. "I just tried to run and not think about anything," Uusorg said.
-- Beverly Hanly
07-07-04, 10:31 AM
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One of the most memorable moments of the 2000 Sydney Olympics was an Australian female walker being disqualified as she entered the Olympic Arena at the conclusion of the 20km walk. I believe it's a 'three strikes and you're out' thing on them having to have at least one foot in contact with the ground at all times. Of course the athlete was devastated.
