13 Jun 16

The Third Age

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The Third Age

Possibilities for Self-Fulfillment

Wattle Downs Esplanade I

It is with great pride that I bring you this newsletter, containing stories of Nordic Walkers who have completed notable challenges.  These achievements are remarkable as they are attributed to people who are in "The Third Age". Defined as the "time-span between retirement and the beginning of age-imposed limitations", these people are simply hurdling the limitations barrier.

It is increasingly obvious that the typical expectations of decrepitude with aging are being delayed by physical, mental and social activities. Third-agers have more time to follow interests that were put on hold during their career-building and family-rearing middle years.  Returning to study, travelling, new relationships and physical activitites, are keenly pursued, as the possibilities for self-fulfillment, in those areas, become achievable due to increased time availability.

You may be interested to read the following article on "The Golden Years of Adulthood" by Dr. Stephen Barnes, San Diego State University.

http://calbooming.sdsu.edu/documents/TheThirdAge.pdf

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” (Sophia Loren)


Best wishes,

June



"The Way" - Her Way

Camino de Santiago de Compostela

PHOTO - Simone 1_opt

Simone Robert is a personable, enthusisatic and intrepid adventurer.  She is also a septuagenarian (I am being polite to Simone ... go look this word up!)

The Camino de Santiago also known as the Way of St. James, is the name of the pilgrimage routes to the shrine of the apostle St. James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, in northwestern Spain. Legend holds that St. James's remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem, where he was buried on what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela.

The Way can take one of dozens of pilgrimage routes. Traditionally, as with most pilgrimages, the Way of St. James began at one's home and ended at the pilgrimage site.  Today, the route attracts a growing number of modern-day pilgrims from around the globe.

Simone is one such pilgrim.  In 2013, she cycled the  most popular route, which is the 'Camino Frances' (800km) starting from St Jean-Pied-de-Port in France.                                

Then in 2015, she cycled the 'Camino Portugues' from Lisbon to Santiago (580km).  Simone  wasn't ready to go home, so started walking on 18 May 2015 from Roncevalles, on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela, arriving on 19 July, including visits to each of the following cities: San Sebastián, Bilbao, Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, Astorga, Seville, Granada, Córdoba, Madrid and Leon.

Simone's personal account of her walk is very intersting and can be found by clicking here

Photo: Simone Robert


New Achievers

Building Fitness & Friendships

PHOTO - Lost Children_opt (2)These "Health-Active" Nordic Walkers have been walking together for nearly one year.  As they have built their fitness and friendships, they are now relishing the opportunity to challenge themselves by entering into events.  They are pictured here, after completeing either the 5km or 10km distance at the Bombay Settlers event. Previously, they have completed the "Nordic Kiwi" 7km distance and part of the "5 Volcanoes" walk.

Some of the group do suffer from health and mobility issues, but through regular Nordic Walking, they are now testament to the benefits of regular exercise.  By the way, the average age of the group is ... 70!

L-R:John Preston, Mary Taylor, Moira Ware, Val Jackson, Colleen Preston, Pam Stone, Christine Harmsworth, Helen Place
Photo: Helen Place/Gordon Attwood


Nordic Marathoners

Journey of 1000 kms

Marathon Start_opt

"A journey of one thousand miles begins with a single step."  This well known proverb is attributed to the Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu.  It indicates that great things are achieved from humble beginnings - that even the longest and most difficult ventures have a starting point.

Many people don't enjoy physical exercise ... until they do a little.  The thought of doing any endurance exercise automatically stops their consideration. Yet, when the body becomes accustomed to the training response, magical achievements occur.

Recently, a team of dedicated Nordic Walkers were successful in completing the 2016 Rotorua marathon.  The marathon distance is 42.2kms and to achieve this goal, the squad followed a four month training programme.                                                                                                                     

In the beginning, some of the first-timers weren't sure how they would cope.  However, as the training progressed, their confidence and fitness improved.  While each individual's journey was their own, the squad bonded together towards the collective goal.Marathon finishers_opt (1)

Obviously, the training had to focus on long distance walking. It also included a mixture of speed, technique and hill strength sessions. During some weeks, cummulative sessions were planned, designed to train the body when fatigued and to accommodate the limited training time available to squad members.  Focus was also directed to implementing different nutritional guidelines.

All of the squad completed the marathon, posting times much quicker than expected.  As one squad member commented "I vowed never to do a marathon, but here I am!"

Their average age: 62years ... and their journey took 1105 kilometers to achieve. 

Marathoners:  Christina Chan, Sue Wightman, Jane Bollard, Gordon Attwood, Paul Stevenson, Georgia Jensen-Procter, Jenny McKenzie, June Stevenson, Alison Cameron (absent)


Pole Strapping

Correct Hand Postioning

Adjust2Adjust1For those of you using EXEL or MtoS (Mountain to Sea) Nordic Walking poles, this is a reminder to check that your are correctly placing your hands into the straps.

The entire hand and fingers must go through the strap, with the webbing under your palm.

It is incorrect to have part of the webbing between your thumb and index finger.

As seen from the photos, the hand, thumb and fingers are placed through the straps. 


Newsletter Archives

16 Nov 21: Lockdown Lethargy
13 May 20: Exercise as Medicine
01 May 20: "In Your Bubble" Challenge
14 Apr 20: C-19 Lock-down Health and Fitness
23 Jan 19: The Smarter Way to Exercise
26 Oct 16: "The Whole Body Walks"
13 Jun 16: The Third Age
11 Feb 16: Summer/Autumn Events 2016
11 Feb 16: Summer/Autumn Events 2016
20 Dec 15: Christmas Edition
22 Jul 15: Every Mile is Two in Winter
07 Jan 15: Nordic Walking Newsletter - Self Supporting Behaviour
09 May 14: Nordic Walking Day Topics - Weight, Weather & Walking
24 Apr 14: Weight Control & Nordic Walking
26 Mar 14: Newsletter - Autumn 2014
10 Feb 14: Nordic Walking Newsletter - Welcome to 2014
17 Dec 13: Nordic Walking Newsletter - 7 Christmas 2013
08 Nov 13: Nordic Walking Newsletter - Summer 2013
19 Aug 13: Nordic Walking Newsletter - Spring 2013
06 Jun 13: Nordic Walking Newsletter - Winter 2013
10 May 13: World Nordic Walking Day 2013 Newsletter
28 Mar 13: Nordic Walking Newsletter - Autumn 2013
14 Dec 12: Newsletter Summer 2012:
25 Oct 12: Here's our new newsletter for Spring 2012:

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