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Walking Marathon: Half | Race Walking | Running | Weight Loss Marathons
By
Patricia | August 3, 2010
Walking is considered to be a low impact form of exercise as it is a lot more leisurely and gentle on the body. It strengthens both the upper and lower parts of the body. Walking helps to tone your muscles and toughen up your ligaments, especially the ones in your lower body. Walking has gained popularity in recent years as a fitness regimen and it has also been given a sporting platform in walking marathons that derive from the traditional running marathon.
Walking has its distinctive benefits - it can help you cut down your cholesterol levels and help to keep your weight in check, lower your blood pressure, cut down drastically on your calories and tone your body. Most people start out with a slow 20 minute walk, and by increasing your pace to a brisk walk or a semi jog you can increase your energy levels and the calories burnt. Walking marathons have become popular in the recent times. The motivating factor for these walking marathons may be for the health benefits of weight loss from marathons, or can be for a social cause, or can be to increase exercise of this nature simply out of an interest to stay healthy. The usual distance of a marathon is 26 miles and this distance is fine for running marathons, but walking this distance can become very tiring. Walking marathons usually require a particular kind of training and this should be started after consulting a health expert or your gym instructor. Walking long distances can be very exhausting and demanding, which is why marathon training usually commences by walking short distances and then you slowly increase the distance. This will be easy on your body and help you to build your stamina. Walking half marathons is also a good idea for beginners or older people. Half marathons are normally 13 miles and can be entered into, to see if your body is ready to take on a marathon. Race walking marathons are also very effective, but these require professional training and high levels of fitness and stamina. If you are a runner you could even try your hand at running marathons. Running marathons require training to build up your stamina, your speed and to correct your technique and get you into the proper form. While running or walking marathons, always remember to be comfortably dressed with the right kind of clothes and shoes, so that you are comfortable while you run or walk. Moreover, it is essential to have the right kind of nutrition as you start your training for the marathon, so that your body is well nourished and hydrated so as to create the energy required for the activity.