I competed in the Auckland road race-walking championship yesterday at Ngataringa Bay in Devonport and won the masters section (40 years and over). Nevertheless, it was still a sorry display of race walking on my part.
I committed the cardinal sin for race-walkers - going out too fast in the early stages. By the 2km point in this 10 km event I was quietly blowing up. For the final 7 km, I simply suffered and hung on.
Of course, I should know better. All my best performances have involved what is called negative splits. This is simply were you complete the second half of the race faster than the first half.
A number of things happen when you go out too fast. Firstly, you suffer all the way. Secondly, you invariably end up with much sorer muscles the next day. Thirdly, you perform well below you ability.
It was a properly judged event. Four judges were around the course looking for the two problems that bring about disqualification: 1. Bending of the knee and 2. Lifting. At the midpoint of a stride when the body is directly above the leg, the leg must be straight. Indeed, with many race walkers the knee is in fact more than straight. It is hyper-extended.
The test of the straight leg is that the muscles in the upper thigh look completely relaxed as the picture shows. Here is an article those who wish to read further.
Whereas in the picture below, the knee is clearly bent and the upper thigh is not relaxed.
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