» Photo gallery: Walk Your Block

Christine Telthorst has met most of her neighbors in Hoosier Acres.

She and her daughters walk door-to-door, ringing the bells of homes nestled in the neighborhood on Bloomington’s southeast side.

But instead of bringing a homemade pie or basket of warm baked goods, the Telthorsts are there to talk fitness.

Telthorst is recruiting people to join her for evening walks around the area twice a week.

She started Walk Your Block as a way to combine cardio and camaraderie.

The group’s kick-off walk was on a warm Sunday evening last month. Start time: 7 p.m.

Telthorst, her husband, George, and their three daughters and a friend walked down to the corner of Brighton Avenue and Field Crest Court. Christine Telthorst’s friend, Jana Wilson, her 12-year-old son, Chris, and friendly Collie, Winnie, also came along for the inaugural walk.

See a photo gallery of the inaugural walk.

“It’s a perfect neighborhood for a walking club,” Telthorst said of the streets with little traffic and lots of trees.

The group stretched along the sidewalk, using the concrete curbing for resistance.

Jennifer Price joined the waiting walkers. Price is president of Hoosier Acres Neighborhood Association.

After talking for a few minutes, Telthorst, with clipboard in hand, signaled that it was time to get moving. The group — one dog, five children and four adults — worked its way east, snaking around the quiet neighborhood. They set out for 30 minutes.

Telthorst walked hand-in-hand with her youngest daughter, Julia, 11.

While the plan is to meet at 7 p.m. every Sunday and Thursday, Telthorst wants to expand Walk Your Block. She’d like to see a morning group or day group, perhaps a better fit for young mothers or retirees.

Different routes could also be introduced as the group grows. “Smith (Pike) is really aerobic,” she said of the nearby hilly road with a laugh.

“I have a lot of ideas,” Telthorst said.

One is to bring music to the outdoor walks. Telthorst thinks it would be fun to carry an ipod with her and some small speakers in a backpack. She’d also like to incorporate stops along the way for strength training.

Walk Your Block isn’t just for Hoosier Acres.

Telthorst attends different events to spread the word about her walking program.

“My vision is to have a Walk Your Block chapter in every neighborhood,” Telthorst said, sitting in her living room before that first Sunday walk.

So the walking welcome wagon continues.

Telthorst, who is a health coach and Jazzercise instructor, discovered the Walk Your Block concept from a colleague on the east coast.

She is creating a Web site to serve as the main resource with maps and contact information. She’d like to see a little “friendly competition” among the chapters, especially when it comes to charitable walks. There is no fee to join or start your own neighborhood chapter, just the will to walk.

START YOUR OWN WALK YOUR BLOCK

What: A neighborhood walking club

How much: Free

Who: Christine Telthorst is the founder.

phone: 812-336-3582

e-mail: chris@walkyourblock.com

Walk your block Web site