You'll want to get the most out of your experience in this Walk, whether as a walker or crew member. Training is essential for all participants in order to avoid the possibility of injury.

For the walkers, a large part of the training is learning what works for you.

For the crew members, you will need to train for the particular duties of the team you requested or the team you are assigned to.

Walkers

Training for the October 2, 2010 Walk across Southeastern Connecticut has a multitude of benefits. Not only is walking great exercise, but you will have the opportunity to meet wonderful people who, like yourself, are taking action in the fight against breast cancer! Walking to memorialize, support or honor family, friends and patients will be a life-changing experience.

To help you with your training and to add some fun and fitness into the process, there are volunteer-led training walks in Middletown, Mystic, New London, Niantic, and Old Saybrook. We are also investigating the possibility of adding training walks in the Norwich area.

Participating in these Training Walks is a great way to help you build momentum, endurance and strength - a perfect combination to successfully participate in the marathon walks (full, half and quarter) between Old Saybrook to Waterford.

Registered walkers will receive an email schedule of upcoming Training Walks on a weekly basis.

Here's a look at the recommended 15-week training schedule:

• Dates in the "Week" column are Mondays. Note: Weekly training schedules will be sent via email beginning Monday, June 21. Each walker should try to attend one weekday and one weekend scheduled walks. Start times will vary as the mileage increases.
  • Monday evening walks will take place in New London, and walkers will meet in the parking lot across the street from Fred’s Shanty at 272 Pequot Avenue.
  • Wednesday evening walks will take place in Mystic, and walkers will meet at the Mystic River Park on Cottrell Street.
  • Saturday morning walks will take place in Mystic and Niantic.
  • Sunday morning walks will take place in Middletown and Old Saybrook.
  • Walkers must reserve a walk time.
• Cross training is important. It stretches you out and helps you stay injury free. However, increasing walking mileage is the most important part of our training. If you cannot fit one of the weekend walks into your schedule, try dividing the mileage into two walks.

Directions to Training Locations

Middletown Training Walks:

Mercy High School, 1740 Randolph Road - Pull in school entrance and park in the area to the right of the Blessed Mother statue.

• Route 9: North or South- Take exit 11 Randolph Road, turn left off exit at light. Stay on Randolph Road about 3 miles to Mercy High School. Mercy High School will be on the right.
• From Main Street, Middletown. Stay on Main Street to South Main Street which is also Route 17 south and turn right at light at Randolph Road (about a half mile after Denny’s and Jackson Chevrolet). Mercy High School is about another half mile on the right.
• From Middlefield, Durham and points south- Take Route 17 North to Randolph Road, turn left and Mercy High School will be about a half mile on the right.
• From Meriden and west. Take I-691/ Route 66 East (becomes Washington Street) to West Street (West Street will be a right turn at the light just after CVS pharmacy on the right.) Stay straight until the end of road, turn left on Wadsworth Street. Turn right at first stop sign (Long Lane), then right at the next stop sign (Long Hill Road), turn right at the next stop sign (Randolph Road). Mercy High School is about 0.3 mile on the right.

Mystic Training Walks:
Mystic River Park

• I-95 North - Take Exit 89 (Allyn Street). At the end of the exit ramp take a RIGHT onto Allyn Street. Follow Allyn Street to the end. Turn LEFT onto US-1. Continue to follow US-1 to downtown Mystic. After you cross the Mystic River drawbridge, take the next RIGHT onto Cottrell Street. Mystic River Park is on the right side of Cottrell Street.
• I-95 South - Take Exit 90 (Route 27). At the end of the exit ramp take a LEFT toward Downtown (27 south). Follow Route 27 South to the end. Turn RIGHT onto US-1. Continue to follow US-1. Turn LEFT onto Cottrell Street (Whaler Inn on the left). Mystic River Park is on the right side of Cottrell Street.

New London Training Walks:
Parking Lot across the street from Fred's Shanty at 272 Pequot Avenue.

• I-95 North - Take Exit 83 toward NORWICH / CT-32 / DOWNTOWN / NEW LONDON. Stay STRAIGHT to go onto Huntington Street. Turn RIGHT onto Jay Street. Jay Street becomes Truman Street. Turn LEFT onto Shaw Street. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto Pequot Avenue
• I-95 South -Take Exit 84S-N-E- toward DOWNTOWN NEW LONDON / NORWICH. Take the CT-32 N Exit- Exit 84N-E- toward NORWICH / STATE PIER / HODGES SQ. Take Exit 84E toward STATE PIER / HODGES SQ. Stay STRAIGHT to go onto Williams Street. Turn LEFT onto Huntington Street. Turn RIGHT onto Jay Street. Jay Street becomes Truman Street. Turn LEFT onto Shaw Street. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto Pequot Avenue

Niantic Training Walks:
Hole in the Wall entrance to Niantic Boardwalk

• I-95 North - Take Exit 72, which is the Rocky Neck Connector. Turn RIGHT onto the Rocky Neck Connector. Follow until intersection with Route 156/West Main Street. Turn LEFT onto West Main Street. Continue on West Main Street. West Main Street becomes Main Street. Turn RIGHT onto Baptist Lane.
• I-95 South - Take Exit 74. Turn LEFT onto Route 161/Flanders Road, which turns into Pennsylvania Avenue. Follow to end where it meets Main Street. Turn RIGHT onto Main Street, then a left onto Baptist Lane.

Old Saybrook Training Walks:
Old Saybrook Point

• I-95 North - Take Exit 67 (Route 154). At the end of the exit ramp, bear RIGHT onto Route 154 South. Go to 3rd traffic light and bear LEFT onto Main Street (Route 154). Saybrook Country Barn is on the left. Continue straight for 2 miles on Main Street to the water. At STOP sign go straight through it and turn LEFT into the parking lot - directly across from Saybrook Point Inn.
• I-95 South - Take Exit 67 (Elm Street). At the end of the exit ramp, turn LEFT and go .8 miles to 1st traffic light (Route 1). There's a Dunkin Donuts at that corner. Continue straight through light to a STOP sign. North Cove Outfitters is on your right and Liberty Bank is across the street on the left corner. Turn RIGHT onto Main Street (Route 154). Continue straight for 1.8 miles on Main Street to the water. At STOP sign go straight through it and turn LEFT into the parking lot - directly across from Saybrook Point Inn.

Walking web links:

Before you begin, take some time to read about endurance walking. Following are links to in-depth information on Walking Shoes, Socks, Gear & Clothing, and Tips for Walking and Stretching.

• http://www.mapmywalk.com MapMyWalk.com is a site where you can easily plot maps of your walks without a GPS, search for walks or routes globally, keep track of your routes including distances, and even calculate how many calories you've burned on one route versus another!
• http://www.marathonwalking.com The purpose of this site is to encourage you and provide information to help you along the way.
• http://walking.about.com Home page for a web site filled with walker information.
• http://walking.about.com/od/marathontraining Endurance walkers can learn how to train for, select, and walk a marathon, half-marathon, ultra marathon or long-distance walk. We have training schedules and tips as well as reviews and listings of walker-friendly marathons.

Books available on Amazon.com:

• The Complete Guide to Marathon Walking (Paperback) by Dave McGovern
• Walking Fast (Paperback) by Therese Iknoian
• Walking Magazine: The Complete Guide To Walking: for Health, Fitness, and Weight Loss (Paperback) by Mark Fenton
• Prevention's Complete Book of Walking: Everything You Need to Know to Walk Your Way to Better Health (Paperback) by Maggie Spilner, Elaine Ward

The TBBCF Foundation Leaders are looking forward to encouraging you along the way. Please feel free to contact us at tbbcf@sbcglobal.net