RECREATION
Walking for health
By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer
James Honke will freely admit it.
Deborah booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
He's a walker.
James Honke, at right in tank top, leads a group of walkers from the Central O'ahu Jogging Clinic. The group has transformed into a walking group, because "We all got old," Honke said.
Sure, he completed his 15th marathon this year in just under five hours. But the 61-year-old Wahiawa resident gets up early on Sundays to walk with the Central O'ahu Jogging Clinic — once a weekly workshop for marathoners and triathletes — now a walking club.
"We all got old," he said with a laugh.
But with years of experience in both training and competition, Honke and the other clinic members can still offer advice and help prepare the aspiring athlete.
"We can still teach them how to run the marathon," he said. "That's why it got started. The idea was to get people to learn how to (to run) and to have fun. We have experienced it, all the aches and pains."
Walking is one of the easiest and cheapest way to stay in shape.
Aside from shoes, you don't need special equipment or a gym membership. You can walk anywhere, anytime, alone or with a group, on a trail or around the block.
• Central Oahu Jogging Clinic: Meet 6 a.m. Sundays at Wahiawa District Park odd months, Mililani Uka School even months. Instruction in walking and running. For more information, call 622-1494. •Menehune Marchers: Meet monthly for walks. Sponsored walks are free. For those who want to join the club, fee is $5 and includes event and distance books. For more information, contact John Oszajca at 263-8288.
"Walking is excellent," said Dr. Michael Reyes, an orthopedic surgeon who works in Straub's Bone and Joint Center. "In general, walking is safer than running, especially brisk walking. It's easier on the joints."
•
Walking groups
Walking requires one foot to be on the ground at all times. For a split second, both feet are off the ground when running. "That's (at least) two and a half times your body weight on your hips and knees," Reyes said. "That's a lot of stress."
But very good exercise, if done 45 minutes, three times a week.
Walking can also be a way for people to socialize while burning calories.
Marsha Okada enjoys the fellowship of walking in a group. Part of the Menehune Marchers, a local volksmarch walking group, the 61-year-old retired teacher from Hawai'i Kai walks more than 12 miles a week.
"I've done charity walks, but everybody is just rushing to finish," she said. "I don't really enjoy that, going at a faster pace for walking and talking. I want to enjoy the sights."
Menehune Marchers organizes at least three volksmarches, or non-competitive 6.2-mile walks. (Its name originated in Germany.) The group kicked off the new year with three walks in Waikiki on Sunday, from the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel to Diamond Head, through Waikiki or into Kahala.
They provide maps for walkers and even walk with newcomers, showing them the sights along the way.
Throughout the year the club organizes walks through downtown, Manoa and Kailua.
The benefits of walking go beyond health, walkers say. Sometimes it's just nice to be outdoors.
"I started walking because I needed a more regimented exercise," Okada said. "And I enjoyed it. I love being outdoors."
