Sportline Steps Across America Event:
Kam Flynn is one of 12 walkers will walk across the USA, beginning April 18, 2006 in New York City and ending 14 weeks later in Paramount, California. They will take turns walking in this 3100 mile cross-country relay walk. The walk is sponsored by Sportline pedometers, presented by TRACFONE prepaid wireless, and features health rallies at Wal-Mart stores along the way.Sportline Steps Across America
Kam Flynn:
Age: 46. Home: Herndon, VA. Kam was a Secret Service agent assigned to protect Presidents Reagan, Clinton, and Bush. But after years of running—including two marathons and numerous triathlons, Kam discovered that walking was a fun low-impact alternative. When not walking, Kam is Executive Director of the U.S. Secret Service Employee Recreation Association and director of the National Police Challenge, a 50-kilometer relay race.Kam Flynn Bio
Why Did You Start Walking?:
To put it simply, 15 years of running and the birth of two children led me to walking. After so many years of running, I didn't think walking would provide enough of a workout, but I find I can easily maintain a pace that keeps my heartrate between 65-75% on my routine neighborhood walks. Hiking the hills of West Virginia, I can get my heartrate much higher.How might your running background help or hurt you on this long walk?:
I think the long distance events will be a tremendous help in understanding what to expect, both physically and mentally. I'm sure there will be days that are especially challenging either due to hills or weather. On those days, when you're just not sure you can make it, it helps to be able to think back to previous events when you've felt the same way and were able to get through to the finish.How have you been training for the Sportline Steps Across America?:
I have continued to walk an hour a day 5 days a week with my walking partners, and am adding increasingly longer walks on Saturdays. I'm up to five hours at about a 3.5 mile pace - or approximately 17-18 miles. Sundays I rest.How far will you walk each day? :
We will each walk 20 miles one day, then be off the next two days. On the days we are off, we will talk with folks in the local community about the benefits of walking as part of a healthy lifestyle. We will be staying at hotels.What gear will you wear and carry?:
I plan to wear either a bottle-carrier around my waist or a hydration backpack with a water/gatorade mix. Because our tour bus will be following us, we won't need to carry much. There will be extra water, fruit, blister kits, etc on the bus. I plan to change shoes and possibly socks half way through each walk.What will be your biggest challenge during the Sportline Steps Across America?:
I think the biggest challenge will be mental. There will be days when we are walking through the desert in July, hot, exhausted and too far from Los Angeles to see the "light at the end of the tunnel". I imagine it will be somewhat like "the wall" so many people hit in marathons. I'm sure our team of walkers will work together to pull each other through the tough days.What are you most looking forward to about this adventure?:
I am most looking forward to the opportunity to do so much walking, to get in great shape and to be a part of a team that crosses the United States on foot. I also love the idea of talking with folks all across the country about walking and how great it can make you feel.Source: Interview 4/6/06
