i
1

bat, we walk to The Shul, which is
about three miles from our home,
or to Ohel Moed, which is about
one mile. During the week, I don't
allow any electronics either because
I don't want anything interfering
with the spiritual nature of being
outdoors?'
Daniil Rapoport of West Bloom-
field considers himself a regular
runner, but walks at least once a
week with his family. "We walk to
the playground, we walk in parks
and at the Detroit Zoo," he says.
Rapoport, who recently joined the
running club at Ford Motor Compa-
ny, thinks of walking as the absolute
minimum for those who want to
stay in condition.

WALKING FOR CHARITY

Fundraising walks are scheduled
throughout the warmer weather.
(See sidebar for a list of several with
contact information.)
Katie Spielmann of Huntington
Woods has participated in the Walk
of Ages for Jewish Senior Life since
its inception 12 years ago.
"My mother, Hannah Moss, was
former chair and co-chair of the event
and remains very active," Spielmann
says. "It's a great event and our kids
love it. I love to walk and consider it
a good form of exercise. I sometimes
walk outdoors in the winter as long as
it's not icy. During the warm weather,
I walk daily. I love to power walk from
Huntington Woods to downtown
Royal Oak. Walking just gives me a
great feeling, whether I'm walking by
myself or with friends?'
Larry Frommer of West Bloomfield
participates in the American Cancer
Society's Relay for Life.
"I'm on the planning committee
and the logistics chairperson for the
relay and will do my share of walk-
ing," says Frommer, who does more
running than walking. "The event
goes on for 24 continuous hours and
is a huge fundraiser?'
Elise Kantor of Novi walks in the
three-day Susan Komen Race for the
Cure.
"A few years ago, I walked in this
race with my mom and two sisters,"
Kantor says. "It's a great fundraiser
for breast cancer research, and I
enjoy walking it with friends and
family. Walking with someone makes
the time go by faster.

www.redthreadmagazine.com

he adds. "Know what type arch
you have and ask the salesper-
son which shoe brand works
better with your arch type?'
Kaczander urges his patients
to replace their walking shoes
every four to six months or after
300-500 miles of usage.
"Keep in mind when purchas-
ing your walking shoe that your
feet become longer and wider as
you age. Don't expect the same
size you wore last year to fit you
this year. I also let my patients
know that it's important to start
out with realistic goals such as
a 10-minute walk three or four
times a week?'
A walking shoe that's com-
fortable and supports your feet
is good for preventing injuries,
blisters or calluses. To get the
best fit, he recommends pur-
Dana Rubin, Cookie Markowitz, Alise Kantor and Min-
dy Markowitz at the Susan Komen Race for the Cure
chasing the shoes when you've
been on your feet all day and
"During the week, I usually walk
your feet are swollen.
with two or three neighbors for two
"Sobering new studies show that
to four miles," she adds. "We put the
regular walking is one of the best
kids on the school bus and meet for
predictors of longevity," Franklin
a morning walk. I use my running
says. "For instance, only 35 percent
shoes to walk, and I use the mobile
of the slowest-walking women 75
app Endomono on my phone to
years of age lived for 10 more years
track how far I've walked."
compared to the fastest 75-year-old
walking females, 91 percent of who
KEEP YOUR FEET HAPPY
lived beyond 85f
There is no one walking shoe that
It seems our bodies select a walk-
fits everyone comfortably.
ing speed that is best for us based on
Dr. Bruce Kaczander, chief of podi- the health of all our body systems be-
atric surgery at Beaumont Hospital,
cause walking requires body support,
timing and power, and
advises his patients to
wear running shoes for
places demands on the
their walking.
brain, spinal cord, muscles
"Most running shoes
and joints, and heart and
have the features you'll
lungs.
need for walking such as
"The human body and
a firm heel counter for
our cardiovascular system
stability," says Kaczan-
are designed for move-
ment," Franklin says. "Un-
der, who lives in South-
field. "I also recommend
fortunately, over the years
finding a shoe with a
our bodies have adapted to
Bruce Kaczand er
flexible midsole that
a sedentary lifestyle. Steel-
bends at the ball of your
case and others are now
foot so that your shoe
producing what are called
works with the natural
walking desks, treadmill
rolling motion from heel
workstations and treadmill
to toe when walking.
desks so that the user can
walk very slowly (.7 mph)
"Good running shoes
while performing office
also accommodate your
arch type — whether
tasks. Integrating exercise
high, low or flat-footed
into the work day is always
— with a neutral arch,"
a good idea." RT

Walks for Charities

STAMPEDE SCLERODERMA

Sunday, June 8

The 5K and 10K race and walk/stroll
around the Detroit Zoo are part of
the Family Adventure Day hosted
by the Scleroderma Foundation
Michigan Chapter. Teams compete in
a friendly scavenger hunt and entry
to the zoo is free. Registration fees.
Information: (248) 595-8526.
JCC OAK PARK FAMILY
FUN RUN/WALK

Sunday, June 8

Starts 8 a.m. at the Oak Park JCC.
Features 3-mile, 1-mile and half-mile
events. Activities include giant in-
flatables and climbing wall. Informa-
tion: (248) 967-4030.
SUMMER STROLL FOR EPILEPSY

Saturday, June 28

Starts 7:30 a.m. at the Detroit Zoo,
Royal Oak. A morning walk to raise
funds for the Epilepsy Foundation
of Michigan while increasing com-
munity awareness. Registration fees.
Information: (248) 351- 7979.
SUSAN KOMEN 3-DAY WALK
FOR BREAST CANCER

Aug. 15-17

Information: (248) 304- 2080.
WALK OF AGES

Sunday, Aug. 17

Starts 9 a.m. in front of the Fleish-
mann residence at the Jewish Com-
munity Center in West Bloomfield.
This annual walk benefits older
adults throughout the community
— sponsored by Auxiliary for Jewish
Senior Life. Information: (248) 661-
2969.
WALK4FREINDSHIP

Sunday, Aug. 31

The 5K walk starts at 12:30 p.m. at
the Meer Family Friendship Center
on Maple Road and ends at the
JCC on Maple Road. Also includes a
1-mile walk for families and activi-
ties for children. Information: (248)
788-7878.
LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK

Saturday, Oct. 11

Starts at 5 p.m. at the Troy Place
Office Plaza 3155 W. Big Beaver. Fun-
draising campaign of the Leukemia
& Lymphoma Society to find cures
and provide access to treatments for
blood cancer patients. Information:
(248) 581-3900.

Barry Franklin

RED IIIREAD I June 2014 35