So, you want to learn how to racewalk?

Building Steam (a program where we help beginning walkers and runners build up to be able to finish the 4 mile Steamboat race) ended two days ago. Much to my horror (ok, that is an exaggeration) a couple of the newbies wanted me to teach them how to racewalk.

Oh boy; my own technique is a disaster and they want me to help them?

So, this page is designed to be a reference to help people find more competent help. It is not all inclusive as there is lots of stuff out there; this is mainly where I recommend starting.

• Somewhat nearby clubs

There is no substitute for working with a club or with others. The two closest ones to Peoria, Illinois that I know of are:

Saint Louis; see: http://www.usatf.org/assoc/ozark/clubs.html
scroll down to find the racewalking club. Note that Ginger Mulanax is one of the nation's top racewalking judges; for example she judged the United States Olympic trials 50K race in 2004.

Chicago; see: http://www.chicagowalkers.org/

There is no getting around it: the best way to learn is to get realtime face to face help from competent walkers.

• Online Resources

Again, there are lots of sites out there. Here are four of the best places to start.

Jeff Salvage's site: http://www.racewalk.com

This site has it all: technique tips, training tips, where to find clubs, books and dvds. It also has cool photo stories of some of the top races.

Dave McGovern's site: http://www.racewalking.org

Lots of good articles here.

North American Racewalking: http://www.philsport.com/narf/

The walking site: http://www.thewalkingsite.com/

This site includes more than just racewalking and has some good stuff.

• Books and DVD's.
  

Again, there are lots of books out there as well. I'll stick with what I know:

Walking Fast by Therese Iknoian
This book is good for beginners and has good photographs.

Dave McGovern's Complete Guide to Racewalking Book
The book I recommend is the top one on the very top of this page. You can also get this from Amazon.com or Barns and Noble, among other places. If you want to racewalk for competition (whatever level), this book is for you.

Jeff Salvage's Walk Like a Champion DVD.
This DVD plays well in one's computer and shows you the techniques in action. It is a companion to Jeff's book with the same name, though I don't have that book as yet.
I can recommend the DVD without reservation, though it might not play well in some of the cheaper DVD players. My computer plays it without any problems.

• Clinics

A Jeff Salvage has clinics from time to time, and Dave McGovern has them more often. I can't vouch for Jeff's (though excellent walkers that I know have given glowing testimonials) but I can say that Dave's are worthwhile. But, one should be in good enough shape to handle, say, a 5K race in routine fashion to be able to handle one of Dave's clinics. I am not saying that one should be able to walk a 5K fast; after all, my wife takes 52-54 minutes to finish hers. Yet she was able to get something out of Dave's latest clinic without injuring herself.

Note to the reader: if you know of any clinics that are regularly offered, please let me know.