CFCA news
Simple training regimen prepares Hentzen for walk
January 4, 2010
Bob's simple training will prepare him for the 8,000 mile walk
from Guatemala to Chile.
How does one train to walk 8,000 miles? Interval workouts? Altitude training? Squats, lunges and sprints?
None of the above for CFCA President Bob Hentzen, who plans to walk 20-25 miles a day for 16 months.
Consistency and perseverance are more important than sudden high-intensity, high-repetition workouts.
“My style and training is to calmly and tranquilly be prepared,” Hentzen said. “It’s kind of like in school. You can’t just cram for a test. You’ve got to be studying all along.”
For years, Hentzen has risen early every day to jog or walk, do Tai Chi and stretch. His weight training consists of exercising with the same weight he will carry on the road – about 10 to 15 pounds.
Hentzen is familiar with the physical demands he will face. He walked 4,000 miles from Kansas City to Guatemala in 1996. That was 13 years ago, when he was 60. Though this walk is twice the distance, Hentzen isn’t daunted.
“I feel very good, very energized by the solidarity of the staff and CFCA families,” he said.
