Walking Article in North County Outlook

Jeanne Butler is a walker. Residents of Marysville’s Parkview Estates neighborhood are accustomed to the sight of Butler, headphones delivering the current audio book, covering her regular route of four to six miles. These days, the Marysville mom is tackling longer walks in preparation for the Seattle Marathon at the end of November.

The 26.2-mile marathon, set for November 28 this year, draws thousands of participants from around the world, most of them runners who finish the course in under four hours. But the organizers also promote a non-competitive walking option, and Butler, who has participated in several half marathons, is determined to walk the complete course with a goal of finishing in eight hours.

“My first experience was the Portland Marathon in 2001,” said Butler, a homemaker with two grown children. “Since then, I’ve done the Seattle Half Marathon three times, and last June I walked in the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon.”

A half marathon course is 13.1 miles long.

The local woman took up walking several years ago when she and several friends decided to walk around Marysville to look at Christmas light displays. Along with walking partners Tracy Harper and Sue Hansen, Butler found a new way to socialize while getting some healthy aerobic exercise.

The health component is important to Butler. Her father died from a heart attack and her mother had congestive heart failure. Her two brothers have both had heart attacks, and only one survived the condition. Her sister also passed away at a relatively young age.

“Walking is the best exercise for me, because it’s low-stress, inexpensive and fun,” said Butler. “And because of work and family commitments, our Wednesday night walks are almost the only time I can see my friends.”

She didn’t jump right into marathon-length endurance walks, though. To get started, Butler joined a 5K class through the Marysville Parks and Recreation office, and regularly made the Jennings Park 3.8-mile loop. When she tired of passing the same trees and homes, she expanded her route to take her up 64th Street NE to Highway 9 and back down Grove Street.

“I adore walking the Centennial Trail too,” said Butler. “I just wish there was a safe walking or bike path to get to the trailhead.”

Last year Butler and her walking buddies joined North County Outlook’s “Be a Loser” weight loss contest. Their team was named the Marysville Streetwalkers, and together they dropped 40 pounds during the contest.

To train for the Seattle Marathon, Butler took advantage of the mounds of information available online, particularly some helpful tips from the walking community on About.com.

“My goal is to finish in eight hours,” said Butler, “and I’m sure I can do it. The marathon organization only provides support for seven hours, so I’ll be on my own for that last hour. But I won’t be alone-I’m sure there will be a group of several dozen walkers that will finish about the same time. I’m definitely looking forward to NOT being the last person to cross the line.”

Butler’s husband Mark will be on hand, offering encouragement and needed refreshments to help her complete the course. Her daughters, Alyssa and Sarah, live and work in the Los Angeles area, so they won’t be able to cheer for their mother at the marathon finish line.

“I know they’ll be with me in spirit,” said Butler. “My kids and husband are proud of me, but I think this is something anybody could do. The mental preparation is as important as the physical training. You just have to want to do it, and then just do it.”

Hmmm. Sounds like a great slogan for walking shoes.