Skippers Make Better Runners

Here’s another email from a relatively new skipper…

I am a recently out-of-the-closet skipper. I’m a distance runner, slow but steady, and a coach I worked with this past fall suggested skipping as a way to be a faster runner. In the process, I re-learned how wonderful skipping feels, the joy of moving through the air like I did when I was a kid. Who knew? (YOU did!!)

It is true that skipping can make you a better runner! When I first started skipping I HATED running! Hated it! Hated it! Hated it! But skipping helped me start experimenting with it a bit more. Now I will walk a block, run a block, walk a block, skip a block, etc. It really spices up my workout and keeps it from getting boring!

I dare you to skip for an entire block the next time you are out for a walk or a run!

What Kinds of Shoes? For How Long?

Q: This 76 year old kid skips now and then in his driveway. Question(s): regular running shoes ok for skipping? Do they wear out fast because of skipping (in running, it was the heels of course that worn down). any ideas on how far “your people”–skippers tend to go (distance) for a decent workout? thanks. skippy

A: Dear Skippy, Yes, I’ve found regular running shoes work best for skipping..I try to find extra thick soles though…The balls of your feet will wear out faster than normal if you skip a lot….That is, of course, until we convince a shoe company to support the skipping cause by designing us our own shoes.

As far as how long you need to skip to get a good workout…it really varies. Some people primarly walk and then incorporate skipping bursts for variety and to get their heart rate up…Others walk a block, skip a block, run a block, walk a block…..Skipping on the treadmill at the gym is also fun…I ususally set the pace at a brisk walking speed (4.2 or so) and ease into skipping a mile or two. Sometimes I skip a minute, walk a minute, skip a minute walk a minute.

Then there are the hard core skippers of the world! Ashirta Furman is training to set a Guiness World Record for skipping the fastest marathon. He skips for 15-20 miles at a time when he is training. He even had to create a plastic toe piece to go over his shoes because he was skipping so much and going through them so fast!

What if People Look at You Funny?

Q: I tried some of that skipping.. A couple of guys looked at me funny so I had to stop. Do you have some kind of signs people can put on their backs to explain why we are skipping….AR

A: AR…I think you might be onto something. Perhaps we should design t-shirts with an explanation on the back. The only question is what would your tshirt say? I skip to celebrate freedom!? I skip for joy!? I skip to make the world a happier place!? Skipping is great exercise! Skipping is fun!?

The fact that there are people out there who might look at me funny for joyfully skipping down the street is a big part of the reason I do it. I believe our world needs as much positive energy as it can get these days…and in my opinion, people who might look at me sideways for skipping are part of the problem and not part of the solution.

Given the state of our world today….which is crazier? Expressing your joy by skipping down the street….or doing something that would inhibit that expression of joy by someone else? I don’t know about you, but I am tried of letting negativity and the fear of judgement from others rule my life.

Why not try skipping on despite a funny look here and there? You won’t believe how energizing and liberating doing so can be. Skip on!

Prevention Magazine says, “Skipping is cool.”

An article in the September 2001 issue of Prevention Magazine reported that skipping (the kind without a rope) burns twice as many calories as walking. Here’s what their expert had to say, “Skipping is cool. Football players do it. It really works your legs, provides a good cardio workout, and is fun for variety.” They recommend that walkers start adding some skipping to their program.

Atlanta Enthusiast Skips 100 Miles

In April of 2001, a skipper in Atlanta, Georgia named Susan Reineck skipped 100-miles across Atlanta to raise awareness and money for a wild life sanctuary where she volunteered.

Here are some excerpts from the article a reporter named Randy Southerland the Atlanta Journal-Constitution did at the time about her efforts…

“It’s late afternoon and the sweating joggers and the walkers with kids in tow are out in full force along a greeways path in Alpharetta. Although normally intent on their routines, even the most serious fitness buffs slow and smile when they see Susan Reineck skipping by.

While running, power walking, and spinning may be more in vogue, this energetic speech pathologist has joined a small but growing band of enthusiasts who prefer this classic means of childhood locomotion.

Reineck is, in fact, Atlanta’s head skipper. That means she’s in charge of spreading the wrod about skipping to a public that may find this jaunty movement maybe just a little silly.

“It’s incredible,” Reineck enthuses after a three-mile skip. “I  used to run in high school and college, but running just stopped doing it for me. so I said I’ll just walk, but that wasn’t enough. So with skipping I get the aerobic benefit that I would from running, but at the same time it’s a lot easier on my knees.”

While skipping might look deceptively easy and childlike, Reineck is in the midst of a serious training program for the biggest skip of her life. Beginning Sunday, Earth Day, at 1 pm, she plans to set off on a one-woman skip from Alpharetta’s North Point Community Church down to Buckhead and then all the way up to Ellijay – more than 100 circuitous miles. Her goals for this event she calls, “Bound for the Wild” is to raise money and public awareness for the Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary.

“In Atlanta, people are so uptight,” says Reineck. “They’ve got so much on their minds. They’re always thinking about work, and I just see so many unhappy people. I think this is a good place to get more people skipping.”

While skipping may never be quite as popular as jogging, more and more people are coming to recognize its benefits. She believes that skipping actually does elevate your mood, and she feels, yes, like a kid again. It’s downright hard to be out of sorts when you’re skipping. And the reaction she gets from people on the skipping trail is positive as well.

“The cynic in me says people are going to look at me like I’m nuts or they’re going to cal me a freak,” says Reineck. “Instead people just smile and say hi.”

And secretly wish that they were skipping, too.

Stealth Skipping Skip Tip

This SKIP TIP is from a skipper named Attrice. It originated on her Exceptionally Fat blog that used to be about body acceptance but is now about fitness, health and yes, weight loss. Skip on over and check her out:

If you’re worried about what other people think of a grown person skipping, you can do what I do and play the game of stealth skipping. This game is super awesome both for sheer silliness and because everyone else is playing with you, only they don’t know it. My gym has a track where the two curved ends are behind a wall. I make it a game to start skipping when I am safely behind the wall and then i don’t stop until I am spotted at which point I slow down to a respectable walk which totally fools everyone. “Hey is that woman skipp….No, she’s just walking.”

Skip on, Attrice!

Real Men Skip

I recently received this question via email:

Recently I started doing skipping. But few of my friends told me that it’s not good for gents. It’s only for ladies. Kindly let me know.

And here’s my reply…

Your friends are wrong. Skipping is for everyone.

It is true that most men have a harder time breaking through unspoken cultural rules to skip. But the brave ones who feel inspired to skip do it anyway. And they do it well. A man named Ashrita Furman recent sent a Guinness World Record for skipping the fastest 5K.

So don’t let your friends stop you! Skip loud and skip proud!

Skipping Happily Ever After

Here’s a fun idea for you skippers who are planning on tying the knot…

At a wedding in San Francisco in 2000, the Reverend Michelle Squyer offered the following prayer, “As you skip along the road of life, may your journey be filled with love, serenity, and magic this day and always. Amen.” Then the happy newlyweds skipped down the aisle at the end of the ceremony!! What a wonderful way to start a life together.  Yay Mark and Nancy!!!!