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10/22/12 8:45 P

Wow, some very interesting thoughts. I have 3 co-workers that ran halves this past weekend and they ran the whole way. They all had great times, I think. (Suddenly I realize that I am comparing myself to them and that is not acceptable)
I have got to learn that this about me and my race. I do feel that my running is "my own" not anyone else's, but I feel like I have to earn the run. Walking, I think would really bring me down.
I think that I have to work on this before I actually sign up for a half.
Why can't I get past this? I should be happy that I am even doing this stuff.

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10/16/12 8:37 P

Wow, Trillium22, that's a really impressive time for a run-walk approach. Your overall speed just goes to show that using a run-walk method can result in very fast race times. I'd love to able to do an HM in under 2:10.

I use the run-walk method. I started off just walking, but I discovered that just walking or just running was really hard on my back and joints. Because running and walking engage slightly different combinations of muscles and joints, a run-walk approach seems less hard on my body.

I did my first HM about a year ago with a run/walk interval of 2/4 and finished in 2:57 (including a 5 minute potty break). This year, I'm hoping to do the same race again with a 3/1 run/walk interval. I expect I'll always including walking breaks in my longer races - my goal would be to get to about a 4:30/:30 interval and use it for a marathon.

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10/16/12 11:18 A

When I first started the HM distance I walked the entire 13.1 race and finished. I have now completed 10 HMs in 12 months. I actually started 11 HMs in that time but had one DNF due to heat exhaustion issues that were starting to tip towards heat stroke (did the right thing to stop but man it still hurt to have the DNF). I have progressed to the point where I do a walk/run combo. I consider every one of my finishes a success. I have made the time limits on all the races. I am a very slow runner but I still get to the same finish line as everyone else. I wear my Garmin in races and keep an eye on the clock and switch back and forth between running/walking based on my trained for plan and add a little more walking if I need based on my body's response to hills, heat, or just having one of those days =). I agree with GodsDove that no one ever asked me whether I ran or walked the whole way - they all get stuck at the idea of 13.1 miles and that they could never do it - to which I promptly let them know it just takes a single step. I am not sure if I will ever fully run a race - but that is ok - I am happy with my waddling, slow, walk/run combo'ing at the back of the pack - and I considered myself a success =)

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10/15/12 12:31 P

While I typically do run most of my half marathons, I don't always. There is nothing wrong with adding some walking in as well. In fact, that is how I started out. I did my full marathon with the walk/run method. At this point in time, although I can run a half, there is NO way I could have run an entire marathon. And you know what? It didn't matter one bit that I walked some. No one asks me if I ran the whole thing. And what it comes down to is that I completed 26.2 miles whether I ran it or crawled it. :)

There are many people that walk or run/walk a half marathon. Use something like a Gym Boss interval timer to help you out so you don't have to keep watching the clock. And I agree with the comment about being aware of your surroundings and not just stopping or slowing down suddenly. I've had people accidentally trip me when they do that, or I've run right into them because I couldn't stop and didn't know they were suddenly going to start walking. I don't mind them doing that....but appreciate the awareness. When I do intervals I try to stay to the right of the road and check behind me before I slow down. :)

Good luck!

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10/15/12 12:26 P

I used to have this same mentality. Then I started running with people who did intervals and *gasp* my pace increased significantly! So yeah, I'm a fan of the run/walk. :)

At my half last weekend I did 4/2 intervals for most if it as I was pacing with someone and I felt GREAT! Then this past Friday I did 5/2 intervals and PRd my 4 mile pace! Woo! So I'd say it's working. :)

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10/15/12 10:21 A

I've done my four halfs with run/walk/run and am planning my first full for run/walk/run. Many people do it. You can hear the beeps of the timers around you letting you know that there are interval persons around you. One tip: Just be aware of your surroundings when changing pace so not to block people behind you.

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10/15/12 6:28 A

There is some kind of stigma about a runner needs to ONLY run. I don't really know where that came from.

Using run-walk-run enables many people to complete half marathons and marathons. It also promotes quicker recovery. There are many, many benefits to using consistent walk breaks throughout longer races.

There is a Jeff Galloway team here on spark that is all about how to effectively use run-walk-run the Galloway way.

The team has many strong, faster runners and some slower runners, like me.


Here is a link that describes the benefits....

www.active.com/running/Articles/Run-Walk-R
un_to_Faster_Times__Faster_Recovery.htm

Edited by: SEABREEZE63 at: 10/15/2012 (06:31)

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10/15/12 5:30 A

Thanks CHANGINGHORSES for asking this question. I too have the same mentality that if I haven't run the whole thing somehow I have fail. I have my 1st HM on 11/11 and this past weekend ran my first 12 miler....but I had to walk a couple of minutes. So I was wondering how people felt about the whole walking part thing. This just confirms to me that just by getting out there and finishing I really have still accomplished something. Good luck CHANGINGHORSES.....may we both finish strong regardless if we are running, walking or crawling! :-)

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10/14/12 10:30 P

I am definitely a run/walker! I use Jeff Galloway's apps for training and have created my own mp3 file of my favorite songs with a bell special effect to signal the changes. If I get especially winded (say on hills), I walk a little longer and get back in as soon as possible. I must admit to still training for a full HM, as I did not complete what would have been my first today due to a recent illness. I managed 8.5 miles but could not finish due to time restrictions.

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10/14/12 9:33 P

I always run walk. My favorite is to run the first 5k and the last 5k, doing a 1 mile/1 minute run walk cycle. I use RunKeeper to to tell me when to change pace ... yeah, I am plugged in all the way, so sue me.

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10/14/12 9:21 P

I walk more than through water breaks. I use a timer and for a marathon where I want to recover relatively fast I use 40 sec run/20 sec walk. I used 1:15 run/ 30 sec walk for my fastest half 2:08

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10/14/12 9:11 P

I have had the same mentality of I have to run the whole thing. However, going into my first half marathon I had lost almost two weeks of training with a move and vacation. I tried hard to get to the point of running the whole 13.1 miles before the race. The week before I ran with scheduled walk breaks and felt good about it. The actual half I walked through the water stations, as planned. I finished and cross the finish running. It was a success. It is a success to anyone who trains and completes that distance walking, walking/running, or running.

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10/14/12 8:36 P

I don't remember ever reading ANY training plan that didn't suggest not walking if and when you felt it was necessary. And of course many training plans are built on the premise of running/walking. I always walk through water stations when I use them and have no problem walking at other times if I feel the need.

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10/14/12 8:18 P

I do my marathons and half marathons run/walk. Why should the only choices be to run or walk?

Edited by: TRILLIUM22 at: 10/14/2012 (20:24)

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10/14/12 8:11 P

Ummm, no, I walked a half so I did not feel that way. I walked my half in just over 3 hours, so not a bad time, I think. Hey, if you want to do a half, do it, however you choose to do it. Don't think it matters how fast you go, especially for your first Half. You have to do it the first time before you can go for improving on it.

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10/14/12 8:04 P

I'm curious as to how many of you run/walk a half? I would like to do a half but I seem to have a mental block that says "I have to run the whole thing". I have hiked well over 13 miles. I have run up to 7 or so miles. I seem to be a little apprehensive about a half if I can't run it all.
Do any of you feel this way? "I have to run or I did not succeed."
BTW - You are all an ispiration to me! Thank you!

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