How I Would Redesign "Fat March"
Use Real Walking Coaches: I would cast actual walking coaches as the trainers, and listen to them. Dave McGovern was actually approached to try out, and he would be an excellent choice. I also enjoy Judy Heller, who not only coaches racewalkers but also has had a hand in creating long distance walking routes for the Willamette Valley Relay.
Gear them Up: The first stop for the Marchers should be to a technical running shoe store to be fit by experts for the best shoes. Lack of proper footwear can lead to some of the problems we saw in the first episodes - plantar fasciitis, back pain, and blisters. How to Choose Walking Shoes. They also needed proper walking clothing - we see them wearing cotton, bulky jackets, and other items that probably caused them to overheat and then catch chill after sweating. Plus-Size activewear with good layering could have kept them comfortable.
Start with a Walking Boot Camp: Fat March began with sending the Marchers on a 5-mile walk, which they were told would be a full 26.2 mile marathon. This was cruel - the 5 miles were more than most of them had ever walked. They were not coached on proper walking form and posture before just sent out on this challenge. I would start them with a 2-week walking boot camp where they would learn walking posture and stride. They would build up from walking 15 minutes at a time to walking for 30 and 60 minutes. This boot camp would allow their bodies to adjust to walking. If anybody had medical issues, they would come to light in boot camp rather than out on the road. This Walking Boot Camp would also be educational for the viewing public, showing the appropriate way to start an exercise program - gradually. It would also showcase our Walking Coaches doing what they do best - showing people how to turn walking into a fitness activity.
Take Heat Sickness Seriously: Fat March sent the walkers out on extreme distance walks in 90-100F temperatures. This is dangerous. They never showed the coaches encouraging drinking electrolyte replacement sports drinks in addition to water. Again, dangerous for the Marchers and a failure to educate the viewers in proper endurance hydration. Even with proper fluid replacement, extreme temperatures can cause heat sickness. It is best to simply avoid walking in temperatures above 90F by starting before dawn, choosing shaded routes, and encouraging cool-down stops. Instead, the Marchers were often given challenging time limits so they couldn't take any long cool-down stops. As edited, the show left the impression that you should just power-through the heat. That is dangerous. Know When to Stop Walking
Don't Encourage People to Walk Through Injuries: Wendy's plantar fasciitis and Matt and Jami Lyn's knee pain are just going to made worse by further overexertion. They really needed to be stopped, given appropriate medical attention, and not allowed to walk on those injuries. It sends a bad message to the public to ridicule Marchers who quit because of these injuries. The first step of treatment of sports injuries is REST. Stop using the affected limb.
I agree with everything you say. I FOUND long distant walking when I was 59. Made me feel strong, sexy, and powerful. Started with all the proper training. Did three 1/2 marathons, two 15K, several 10K and to many 5K to remember them all. I did fine for 2 years and then thought I knew it all (NOT) and started taking short cuts in my training. BAD MOVE. Got a very mild case pantar fasciitis in Dec. Tried to walk thru it. (VERY VERY BAD IDEA) Had to stop walking in March. AT times could not even go grocery shopping. Dr. said to give it up and recovery could take up to a year. As you can emagine, not a happy camper. The heel takes a long time to heal….. This is September and I’m finally able to start training again but had to start over taking it slow and easy, lesson learned. Hope to be shape to start doing 5K sometime in January 2008 and may never be able to do 1/2 marathons again. Wish there was a walkers boot camp in Northeast FL.
I only caught part of one show, and was turned off by the unprofessionalism of those in charge. Your “rants” were right on and well deserved. I used to be part of a coached racewalking group, and I know for a fact it feels so much better to do things the right way!
I think you should approach ABC or any other willing station to try a program from your perspective. The first episode could maybe include clips from the “bootcamp” and then launch into the first leg of the planned “march.” I think it is so important to counter the bad information that people are left with when their only source is a contrived and ill-thought out production such as the “Fat March” appears to have been! What a life-changing service: showing people how to walk in a way that is actually good for their health and wellbeing! I hope you’ll take on this challenge!
Thanks for your newsletter–it keeps me inspired even when hip problems have me temporarily sidelined!