On October 3, 2009, the spectacular Walkway Over The Hudson will open.  Through the work of many over the last decade, the former Poughkeepsie Highland Railroad Bridge has been converted to a delightful venue for walkers, cyclist, and bladers.  It’s opening just in time for the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the founding by Dutch explorer, Henry Hudson.  The walkway, about 1.25 miles long, connects with twenty-seven miles of miles of rail trails and riverfront parks already built or planned in Ulster and Dutchess Counties.

The bridge currently is owned by a not-for-profit organization, Walkway Over the Hudson. The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (New York State Parks) is "Lead Agency" under the State Environmental Quality Review Act. The Dyson Foundation funded a significant portion of the design and inspection. Consulting services are being provided by the Bergmann Associates team.
From the book Bridging The Hudson: "The Poughkeepsie railroad bridge was the first bridge to be built over the Hudson River from the ocean all the way up to Albany. It was a technological wonder. Opened in 1889 soon after the Brooklyn Bridge opened, it is not only higher above the water than the Brooklyn Bridge, and founded deeper in the water, but also longer. When it opened, its promoters claimed it was the longest bridge in the world."

The Walkway Over The Hudson is an exciting place to visit.  Louis Rossi, author of Cycling Along The Canals of New York State, recently toured the facility.  His email back to the bridge contact person said: “WOW!!!  The bridge is Awesome! Staggering! Incredible!   My COMPLIMENTS to you-all!  Incredible job!!”

 

 

This is the longest pedestrian bridge in the world. The top of the bridge deck is 212 feet above the water and the width expands from 24 feet over land, to 35 feet over the Hudson River.  Come visit this great facility -- bring your bike or your walking shoes, and your camera.

 bridge image from Walkway website   photos by Louis Rossi

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Unable to run after appendicitis surgery, I’ve been doing a lot of walking with the Vizsla in the woods.  The recent chilly mornings have gotten me thinking about cross-country skiing -- and all the dryland training I’ve done over the years -- and so I got down some old poles from the garage and joined the ranks of nordic walkers.  I love it.

For decades, skiers have used ski poles in the summer/fall to stride up hills, run trails, and to roller ski and skate blade.  I’ve gotten my share of “Where’s the snow?” comments -- and in some snowless years in the 1980’s, spent a great amount of time training with poles.

So nordic walking, one of the latest fitness fads in the U.S., is pretty old hat to XC skiers.  Folks in Finland have been doing it for many years.  There’s new gear, technique, and instructional DVD’s to support this new fitness effort.  I’ll cover them in a subsequent post.

I use old ski poles, sometimes with the baskets still on, but keep them shorter than those I ski with. Today, I took the baskets off some collapsible snowshoe poles, and wearing some cotton work gloves, took a long hike with Penny.  There’s a good feeling to pushing off with the arms and I find myself not only striding faster than when I just walk, also getting my heart rate up more. It’s said that you get a 40% increase in effort since more muscles are used.  All I know is that it’s a better workout.

Hills, of which we have many, are especially good for workouts.  I often use a regular diagonal stride up the hill -- planting the pole opposite the lead foot -- but I also will “double pole.”  This works best on steep climbs where you plant both poles ahead, take three strides as you use the poles to help, and then plant them again.  Try it, it’s a neat way to add some variety to hill climbs.

So, whether you ski or not, I suggest that you look at this sport called nordic walking.  It’s inexpensive (you may have poles already), easy on the joints, a good cardiovascular workout, and requires no specific skills.  Don’t worry about looking like a dork -- striding with poles on dry roads and paths -- as more and more folks take it up the coolness factor will climb.  Plus, who cares?  You’re getting some fresh air, a full-body workout, and burning enough calories to justify that small maple Creemie on the way home.

Walk On!

top photo by FaceMePLS    lower photo by yuko_ppp2501

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When I ran marathons, I looked at walking as a "failure,", something I resorted to in the last five miles when fatigue and leg cramps hit.  I recall being passed by runners who then walked, and then ran.  I plodded along but too often, these folks crept away from me even though they were walking some each mile.  NY Times fitness writer Tara Parker-Pope, who is training for the New York marathon, has a great article on incorporating walking into marathon running.  She starts this way:

"I am more couch potato than runner. But not long ago, I decided to get myself into shape to run in the New York City Marathon, on Nov. 1, To train for my first marathon, I’m using the “run-walk” method, popularized by the distance coach Jeff Galloway, a member of the 1972 Olympic team. When I mentioned this to a colleague who runs, she snickered — a common reaction among purists.

But after interviewing several people who have used the method, I’m convinced that those of us run-walking the marathon will have the last laugh...."  (read the whole article)

photo by pink chick

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A Vizsla is part of my exercise routine -- I run, ski, snowshoe, and cycle with her.  But I’ve never considered our early morning walks part of that routine -- until this morning when I thought, why not?  The outings, 20 to 30 minutes long, are at a hiking pace for me -- of course she’s either stalking or racing -- and are a good mental and physical fitness start to my day.

Every morning, rain or shine, dark or light, Penny and I go for a walk in the woods.  After a couple of cups of good coffee (Capitol Grounds House Blend) and some yogurt, I head downstairs to meet my ready-to-go canine companion.  She jumps and barks as I struggle to tie up boot laces and then she’s out the door on a search mission just in case there’s an early rising red squirrel.

These spring mornings in northern Vermont are special.  While the temperature just after daybreak was about 33 and the grass and dandelions were soaked (not a problem with my all-weather boots -- Zappos), the woods were full of calling birds.  Wood thrushes, robins, chickadees, and a white-throated sparrow were those I identified.  Need to get out the CD again to sort out the warblers.

You may have to dodge strollers, novice cyclists, or "take the whole trail" tourists, but the recreation trail in Monterey is one of the prettiest routes I've ever run. It's a perfect place to observe nature, people, and historic places while getting some good exercise.  When our son and his family lived in Monterey, I tried to get out on this route several times each visit.

This run is about 5.8 miles long and can be lengthened or shortened easily. I like to park in the municipal lot just off the state beach and head toward Pacific Grove. You'll head up past kayak rental outfits, the marina and into the heart of the old historic town.  The tile-roofed Custom House (1827) and  Fisherman's Wharf are spots you'll likely want to visit later.

As you head northward on the paved path, you will pass the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio and probably see some runners from the school out getting their workouts in.  Another attraction along the way is Cannery Row and its plethora of shops and food venues.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a wonder and worthy of a visit or two at another time.  The foot traffic should calm down once you're beyond it.

The coastline is marvelous as you approach the turnaround.  Between the rock formations, the wind-battered cypress trees, and the old Victorian houses, there's lots to look at as you run.  This is, as you can tell, not a route to set personal records on -- it's a route to relax, cruise, and enjoy the surroundings.

The return is a chance to see some of the sights you missed on the way up -- to stop for a drink at one of the public water fountains, and perhaps take a detour and cool down walking up Fisherman's Wharf and gawk at the commercial and recreational fishermen.  

This route is also great for walking.  You can rent bicycles at several spots and if you paddle, find a number of great kayaking spots.  This recreation path is truly a run to remember.

top photo by Steve Longus    Cannery Row photo by gailf548      bottom photo by MGShelton

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