May,1997
Many thanks to you who responded to the Net Walkers Poll the last couple of weeks. I had 34 total responses. Your responses will help me add items of interest to YOU to the weekly Net Finds and to the ever-growing Resource Libraries.
Types of Walkers
- 39% Fitness Walkers
- 30% Volkswalkers
- 15% Weight-Management Walkers
- 13% Racewalkers
- 3% Hikers
- Some were combinations of the above.
Sex
- 65% Women
- 35% Men
Age
- Average: 45
- 9% 20 - 29
- 18% 30 - 39
- 44% 40 - 49
- 15% 50 - 59
- 15% 60 and over
Location:
New Zealand, Australia, Ontario Canada
USA: Michigan, South Carolina, California, New York, Alaska, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Wisconsin, Maryland, Washington, Texas, Vermont, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Connecticut, Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia.
Shoes:
Nike (34%), Asics Gel Savali II, Asics, Asics racing flats, Rockport, Ecco, Danner boots, Brooks Radius, Reebok, Colorado Hiking Boots, Saucony Twister, Hi Tec, Avia, New Balance (6%), SAS, LL Bean's Gore Tex lightweight high top hiking/walking boots
Magazines
- 44% Walking Magazine
- 24% The American Wanderer
- 12% A club newsletter
- 9% Fitness
- 6% Walking New Zealand
- 6% Prevention
- One response each for: Shape, Australian Fun Runner, Living Fit, Weight Watchers, Walking Off Weight, Prevention Walking Club, Running Research, ADA Journal
How they found the Mining Company Walking Page
- 29% Were surfing or searching
- 26% Walklist mailgroup
- 15% Volksmarch and Walking Index link
- 9% Racewalk mailgroup
- 9% Saw it in print newsletter
- 3% Hiking and Walking Homepage
What do you want to see?
I wish to make this YOUR walking resource, and have taken action on several of the suggestions below.
Techniques:
Your responses:
- More articles about workouts, stretching and warmup exercises.
- An article describing the different kinds of walkers.
- Technique, calories burned.
- Stages of walking to improve health and weight loss. An example might be. If you are a beginner begin at 2.5 miles an hour and walk for about 20 minutes. How do you know when you are ready to progress to the next level for weight loss and still get a good aerobic workout by increasing speed, distance or time.
- Training articles for the fitness walker. Technique, training programs, a Q&A area, chat with the experts, common problems and how to overcome them.
Visit my All About Walking Resource Index for articles that may satisfy these requests:
Marathons:
Your responses:
- Walking a marathon - how to do it; how to train; what to expect; personal stories.
- Help on preparing for a walk marathon. If not that, I would like some information on preparing for a marathon.
- Long distance hiking, marathons
There were several responses about marathons, so I have added a Marathon Resource Index
Clubs and Events:
Your responses:
- Groups in my area, local event listings, etc.
- Walking buddies list. If there are any walking clubs in my area.
- When and where hikes are. I will retire next year and plan on spending a year doing nothing but walking
Visit the Club Resource Index and the Calendar Resource Index.
Travel:
Your responses:
- Articles that evaluate adventure travel companies that offer walking/hiking tours. Hearing of other peoples' personal experiences would be great. Have searched various travel usenet groups and there is very little discussion of this.
Great idea, I am soliciting responses. Send your evaluation of walking tour companies to me at walking.guide@about.com for a future article.
Racewalking:
Your responses:
- Racewalking! everything from choosing the right shoes to keeping those knees straight.
- Race results
I added a new Racewalking Resource Index.
People profiles:
Your responses:
- Personal achievement stories of walkers who have trained and walked marathons and ultra distances
- Inspirational, motivational stories
I will keep adding to the Notable Walkers Resource Index.
Gear and Shoes:
Your responses:
- new products
- shoes and walking training.
- Interested a equipment reviews (shoes, bags, misc. gear, etc.).
I will keep adding to the Gear Resource Index and to the Shoe Resource Index.
Where to Walk:
Your responses:
- Nutshell descriptions of hikes in the Southern Appalachians - especially loops of 6.2 miles or longer.
- Articles describing walks around the country of great interest
- Things to notice on the trail
- Great (tried and true)recommended walks in the US.
- Places to walk - scenery. Stories about walkers. Marathon possibilities for walkers.
- Walk reviews
- Articles for recreational walker, weight management .
- I am interested and participate to some extent in hiking, remote area walking/hiking and urban hiking/walking, etc.
Injury prevention and treatment:
Your responses:
- Injuries
- How to relieve stress and/or depression through walking
- Recovering from minor injuries caused by walking
- How much walking is good for you.
Visit the Healthy Walking Resource Index.
Thanks for your responses. I shall update this as more people respond to the poll.
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