Whether they're walking, running, skating, biking, socializing or exercising, Seattleites are spending plenty of time at Green Lake Park this summer.
For those who wish to maintain their exercise routine, Green Lake is an optimal place to go.
The Seattle Parks and Recreation website says, "The newly reconstructed, 2.8-mile path around the lake provides a perfect recreational spot for runners, bikers, skaters and walkers, and the adjacent 3.2-mile trail is ideal for joggers."
On a sunny day the path is full of people walking their dogs, enjoying the view or socializing with friends. People also can be seen canoeing on the lake, fishing or swimming at the beaches along the lake.
Alec Mills, a 20-year-old University of Washington student, said she goes to Green Lake for a variety of reasons.
"It's convenient, easy to get to, and it's pretty for walking or running. It has a nice view," Mills said. "I run and walk. You can also Rollerblade or walk your dog, and there's beaches there, so I take the kids I nanny to the beach to hang out."
A healthful habit
On a warm day, it appears that a lot of people are choosing to walk around Green Lake for exercise instead of running.
Anita Behrbaum, who has a master's degree in physical education from Pacific Lutheran University and is a P.E. instructor at Green River Community College, said walking has a lot of health benefits.
"What's nice about walking is it doesn't require a lot of equipment - just a good pair of shoes," Behrbaum said. "It has the same benefits of any other type of aerobics."
Behrbaum also said that for those people who aren't comfortable running, walking is advantageous because it has a lower impact on the body. She explained that for those who usually walk for exercise, it only works if they get their heart rate up. According to Behrbaum, for the general population, the optimum heartbeat would be between 110 to 160 beats per minute, which is more challenging at Green Lake because of its flat surface.
"If it's flat, it's harder to get your heartbeat up to 110, so you have to walk faster," she said.
Behrbaum also noted that walking is ideal for people who live or work around Green Lake. She suggested that people who work in the area could walk 10 minutes before work, 10 minutes during lunch, and 10 minutes after work.
"Research supports the fact that three 10-minute bouts are fairly comparable to one 30-minute bout," Behrbaum said.
Some people also time themselves while walking around Green Lake. One walker, Larry Beaulieu, said that it took him about 49 minutes to walk around the lake. He also used a small machine that counted his steps while he walked, which by the end of his lap was around 6,000 steps.
"I normally run it; I don't walk. I'm timing myself for the first time," Beaulieu said.
Although Beaulieu said he walked around the lake in 49 minutes, it can take longer depending on how fast someone walks.
A good place to socialize
Although Green Lake is a great place for exercising, it has other benefits as well. According to another walking enthusiast, Jannice Gladden, Green Lake is a place to socialize. Gladden enjoys Green Lake so much that she drives to the lake from Kirkland.
"I have friends who live over [here] so it's worth the ride for me to go in and walk around Green Lake," she said, adding that she enjoys Green Lake more than parks near her Eastside home.
"I like it just because it has more of a variety of people...than the Eastside. You just like to have a change of pace," Gladden said. "It's quiet because it is all within the park."
Gladden and Mills both enjoy the fact that they can meet with friends to walk around the lake and also get refreshments nearby.
"We walk around and just talk, and then we've gone to Starbucks afterwards. It's just a place that you can eat, relax and work out," Mills said.
Gladden added that she and her friends often take a break from walking to get a coffee or ice cream.
"There's a place that sells coffee and ice cream, and I know that kind of defeats the whole purpose, but it is a social outing as well," Gladden said.
For more about Green Lake Park, go to www.cityofseattle.net/parks/.
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