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ING Georgia Marathon Winner Alena Vinitskaya Says She Would Not Have Been Able To Compete Without Help from an International Foot Care Firm
Alena Vinitskaya, a 34 year old single mother, says she owes her ING Georgia record breaking win and indeed her running success in Marathons throughout the country to a Marietta based foot care health and wellness company called Foot Solutions.
“During the Austin Marathon last year I ran into trouble with my hamstrings,” said Vinitskaya. “By the end of it, I was barely able to walk. My coach brought me to the Windy Hill Foot Solutions They put me in orthotics, which helped to counterbalance my unusually high arch and the fact that I supinate which places stress on my tendons, calf muscles and hamstrings.”
“They also introduced me to a very beneficial recovery exercise that was perfect for my tired body and helped me continue my training Vinitskaya said. The exercise, called Balance Walking has helped me continue to train and build core strength in a non-stressful way.
Balance Walking, sometimes referred to as Nordic Pole Walking and described as cross-country skiing without the skis, exercises the entire body encouraging an upright posture and balance without placing unnecessary stress on the muscles, ligaments and tendons. Participants use their arms to push off from their poles, engaging the entire range of upper-body muscles. The poles relieve lower body strain and tone the shoulders, arms, and back. The sport, which got its start 10 years ago in Europe, is enjoyed by more than 4 million people worldwide. It is just recently gaining popularity in the U.S.
Vinitskaya further enhances her Pole workout by wearing Chung Shi shoes during her workouts. The shoes, exclusively available at Foot Solutions, have a uniquely patented angled sole that allows the body to stand and walk in a more aligned position. The combination of the Nordic Poles and the Chung Shi shoes increase calorie burning 50 percent over walking or jogging alone.
The overall result is a more effective workout with less stress and wear and tear on the body,” said Foot Solutions Elite Running Team Coach Margaret Sue Bozgoz.
Bozgoz, a U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) and an ALL Army Marathoner and Track Runner who has coached more than 10,000 walkers and runners and who herself has completed 51 marathons, said Chung Shi Nordic Pole Walking is a great recovery activity because you are engaging core muscles and creating a stronger more stable body. “Posture, circulation and respiration are all enhanced.
The activity, which is gaining popularity among runners at all fitness levels, is also great for novices because it is low impact, easy to do and it allows for social interaction,” said Atlanta Foot Solutions owner Aadu Allpere.
The poles used for the exercise do vary from traditional skis used for the slopes. They are lighter and contain straps that enclose the palm of the hand, similar to fingerless gloves. And they have removable rubber tips.
Foot Solutions Windy Hill Manager Hania Whitfield said there is a specific technique used to gain maximum benefits from the exercise. Poles, complimentary instruction and walking classes are now being offered at more than 240 Foot Solutions franchises worldwide, including eleven in the Atlanta area. For more information or store locations visit www.footsolutions.com or call 1-888-FIT-FOOT.
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