I am a physiotherapist who 5 years ago incorporated Urban Poling (Nordic Walking) into my personal health & fitness routine. I’ve also incorporated the poles into the treatment regimens of many of my clients living with a range of orthopaedic and neurological conditions.
Now in my mid-50s, I’ve been a recreational fitness runner since my teens. I love the freedom of running and how it makes me feel. For years I have run roughly 25 km/week and fortunately never suffered a lingering injury.
I believe that Urban Poling as a supplement, not alternative, to running, will enable me to continue running healthy for decades to come. Using Urban Poling as a cross training activity:
- On my running days I work my lower body and engage in a high cardiovascular effort, and
- On my poling days I work my upper body giving my lower body a reduced impact workout and slightly lower cardiovascular effort.
- I also do other cross training activities such as play singles tennis, ski, yoga and Pilates.
On Ottawa Race Weekend I cheer on and watch runners with a mix of admiration and distress: admiration for their passion and commitment to their running goals, but distress at poor running postures and biomechanics that will invariably lead to injury that may prevent future running enjoyment. I notice many runners (and fast walkers without poles), with a forward bending spine resulting in a forward head posture, and with altered gait patterns likely due to lower extremity injuries that are either not yet felt symptomatically, or are chronic and heroically pushed through.
My wish for all runners is they would discover how using the poles for cross training on non-run days would improve their posture, strengthen the upper body (triceps, lats, and core muscles) and reduce impact on the lower body. Additionally, the Nordic walk will burn more calories and give a more effective cardiovascular workout than regular walking. All the while providing the runner an outdoor, social if wanted, enjoyable aerobic activity that will likely extend their running career.
Learn how to Nordic walk; performed correctly the benefits will serve you for years to come.