Racewalk to fitness : the sensible alternative to jogging and running

280 Pages·1980·19.244 MB·English

by  Howard Jacobson

RACEWALK
TO
FITNESS
The
sensible alternative
tojogging and running
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by Howard Jacobson
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RACEWALK
TO
FITNESS
What racewalking?
is
It's a track and field event—and a
champion walker does a 1-mile race injust
over6 minutes. Thereare two walking events
in the Olympics, 20,000 meters (about 12
miles) and 50,000 meters (about 30 miles),
and the best competitors in these events
average an incredible 7 minutes per mile for
the former andjust under8 minutes per mile
for the latter.
More than that, it's a superb con-
ditioner—for the average person, superior
to running for safely building your en-
durance, improving your health and physical
—
appearance and reducing tension and
you'll enjoyyourself doing it.
In Racewalk to Fitness Howard Jacobson,
,
the outstanding coach of walkers in the
country, shows how any average person,
regardless of age or sex, can achieve a
healthier and more beautiful body by taking
up racewalking. The craze forjogging and
running has produced an alarming number
ofinjuriesand is nota natural form ofexercise
for most people. Walking, building up to
racewalking, is the perfect answer. It is safe, it
works effectively on more parts of the body
than running does, and it can truly be en-
joyed in company with others. It burns calo-
ries, develops cardiovascular fitness, trims the
thighs, buttocks and hips, firms the upper
torso and arms, and is virtually injury-free. It's
inexpensive and can be done anywhere.
Jacobson demonstrates the techniques of
racewalking and includes programs for ev-
eryone from the beginner to the truly am-
(continued on back flap)
e eoe

Walking is man's best medicine.
—HIPPOCRATES
The
Sensible Alternative
Jogging and Running
to
HOWARD JACOBSON
SIMON AND SCHUSTER
NEWYORK
Copyright g) 1980by HowardJacobson
All rights reserved
includingthe right ofreproduction
in whole orin part in any form
Published by Simon and Schuster
A DivisionofGulf& Western Corporation
Simon & Schuster Building
RockefellerCenter
1230 Avenueofthe Americas
New York, New York 10020
SIMON AND SCHUSTERandcolophon
idemarlu ofSimon & Schuster
Designed by Stanley S. Drate
Manufactured m the United States ofAmerica
123456789
10
I ibrary ofCongress Cataloging in Publication Data
ion, Howard, date.
Racewalk to fitness.
1 Walking(SpOftt) 2. Phvsical fitness.
l ntle
OV1071.J3 6.5'1 80-10258
ISBN &671 249
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Rachel Carr and Ed Kimball for their guidance and
many hours of assistance. Also to Mary Cunnane, my walking pro-
tege, who "coached" me through much ofthis book.
Deep appreciation to my editor, Peter Schwed, who had confi-
dence in me and my book.
I will always cherish my associations with the many people who
helped and encouraged me through the years: Joe Yancey, Emil Von
Elling, Joe Healy, Larry Ellis, Roy Chernock, Gordon McKenzie,
Bruce MacDonald, Ron Daniel.
Thanks to Steve Hayden, Gary Westerfield, Larry Newman, and
John Markon, for the unique coach-athlete-teammate relationship at
the Long Island Athletic Club. To Olympians Shaul Ladany, Dave
Romansky, and Todd Scully, for the opportunity to work with them.
Thanks to Judy Litchfield for the long hours of typing to meet my
deadlines.
Sincere thanks to Stuart Pollack, the Struhls, the Barkins, the
Ebers, and the Surreys for understanding me. And to Vin Salamone
for easing my occasional aches and pains.
Special thanks to my friend, teammate, assistant director of the
—
racewalking clinics my son, Alan.
Finally, many thanks to my mother, Ruth, and to my ex-wife, Ora,
for leaving dinner warming on the stove for so many years while I
was out training.
PHOTOGRAPHIC CREDITS
Cover: Chloe Foote
Instructional: Rachel Carr and Ed Kimball, and
Chloe Foote
Racing Photos: Elliott Denman and the Asbury
Park Press
Others: Blue Cross and Blue Shield ofAmerica;
Wide World Photos; United Press International;
Editorial Photo Archives; Eli Attar; Andy Novick;
David Jacobson; Gus Krug.
Modelsforpages 69-99: Grazia Dei and Howard
Jacobson