Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure^® would like to thank New Balance, the official training partner of the 3-Day for the Cure, for sponsoring the Virtual Personal Trainer.

Your 16-Week Training Schedule for This Week

		New Balance Training Corner To walk properly, you just have to put the right foot in front of the left, right? Well, it’s not quite that simple. There is a bit of skill involved (as those of you who are repeat 3-Dayers know!).
When walking, your weight rolls from the heel through the ball and continues to the toe in one foot after the other. This rocking chair-like motion requires your feet to absorb the shock of 1-2x your body weight with each step. During walking, there are points where both feet are firmly on the ground, distributing the weight evenly across the feet. Firmly grounded together, New Balance and Susan G. Komen for the Cure® are making excellent happen. The right shoes will help you to maximize your 3-Day experience - from logging the miles during training to walking each step of the 60 mile journey. With every step, New Balance and Komen for the Cure are making excellent happen.

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Training Tip of the Week: Walking Technique
I know what you’re thinking. How hard can this be? Everyone knows how to walk. But, when you are walking 60 miles, technique can be the key to preventing injury and increasing your walking speed.

Four common walking errors:

Staring at the ground: Keeping your head down and shoulders slouched can lead to tightness and fatigue in the upper back, neck and shoulders. Focus your gaze off at the horizon and not down at your feet or the ground just in front of you. This will tend to pull your whole body more upright. Pull your shoulders back and chest forward.

Taking an extra long stride: This can lead to sore shins, tightness in the back of the thighs (hamstrings) and a jarring thud with every step. Try rolling, not bouncing, from one stride to the next. Try to put your foot down as fast as you can. Don’t reach for the longest possible stride. Feel your body glide along the ground and try not to let your heels slam into the ground on each step.

Chicken wings: Elbows flailing out to the sides with each arm swing can cause neck, shoulder and upper back pain. Feel your thumb rub the waistband of your pants as your hand swings back and then stop it there. Don’t let it swing any further back. Imagine trying to elbow the walker directly behind you. Don’t let your hips have an exaggerated side-to-side sway.

Hyperextending your back: Excessive arch in the low back can cause tightness in the lower back and upper gluteal (buttock) muscles. Keep your rear end tucked underneath you by gently pulling your navel into your spine and flattening your stomach.

Your Fundraising Step of the Week: Teams and Power Teams