Walking is definitely not running for office

If you've read this blog over the last few months you know I'm an avid runner. Monday through Friday, rain or shine I typically do about 5-7 miles a day. It's a great time to get out of the house (I work from home), breathe some fresh(?) air, do a lot of campaign strategizing, and most of all stay in shape to burn off all that milk and ice cream my wife worries about me eating. The interesting, and painful lesson I've learned over the last few weeks is that running and walking door to door are two completely different things. I can run all day with nary a twinge or aching joint. A few hours of walking is a completely different story! Stamina is not the issue. I'm never short of breath when a voter answers the door. There's just something about the physiology of walking that brutalizes my legs. I was trained to run. I was a fairly successful sprinter in high school and had the good fortune to train under some of the best coaches in the metro. I was taught how to jog, run, sprint and everything in between to maximize performance and minimize body stress. You wouldn't think something like jogging needs to be taught, but if you don't do it the right way you can do some serious damage to yourself. Sad part is, either I wasn't paying attention or we never got around to the whole "walking" thing. Maybe I should ditch the shirt and tie, put on my shorts and running shoes, and really "run" for office? Or maybe not...