The Zen of Wogging

Podwogging.com now has an active Zen of Wogging section. It will contain material taken on from this blog: tips on tweaking your wog, rolling your own, using the right shoes and equipment, the proper way to wog, Path Dharma, etc. We start with the Zen of Beats Per Minute (8/2/08) and will include the following:

The Way of the Path

Running, jogging, and even walking are not easy on the body. Unlike swimming, gravity works against you. Coming down on hard surfaces like concrete exacts a toll on feet, knees, hips, and other joints. Stretching before and after workouts helps the body stay limber, but the surface you exercise on can also make a huge difference between feeling tired, creaky and sore, or vibrant and refreshed, after a workout.

If at all possible, choose a wogging path that has give to it. To my mind, the best possible path is a forest trail with at least two inches of pine needles under my feet; running on such a trail almost feels like flying. Unfortunately, unless you live near such a forest, such opportunities come few and far between.

But you can still seek to cushion the impact. Concrete is perhaps the hardest surface, which is unfortunate, since nearly all sidewalks are made of it. Asphalt is more forgiving, especially when hot weather has softened it. Of course streets can be dangerous, so if you wog in the street, make sure there’s not much traffic, and pay careful attention to cars. Jogging paths in parks are often asphalt, though if a dirt trail runs parallel to it I often like to use that instead.

Grass is softer still. The only problem with grass is that hidden holes and divots can play havoc with your ankles—gophers are a grass wogger’s bane. Gyms with springy floors are also pretty good, and many indoor tracks have a forgiving spongy surface. Whatever your path, look for a way to make your gravity your friend. You’ll be wogging for a lot longer time if you do.