One minute walk breaks ? (Read 1760 times)

The other problem if you are running the race by yourself, which I usually am, it's difficult to consciously tell yourself to start using the walk breaks while everyone else around you is running. I ran a 1/2 marathon at Warner Robins AFB a couple years ago and some guy actually patted me on my back when I started my walk breaks in the first mile and said "Don't worry guy, you can make it". Make a long story short I passed him shortly thereafter and finished in 1:47. In that race I did cut out the walk breaks at mile 11 and ran the race the rest of the way.

Come to the dark side...

Ok, I tried this today on my last 20 miler before my marathon. On my previous 20 miler, I completed it in 3:30 and it was miserable. Today, I ran five minutes and walked one minute and completed it in 3:15. I dont feel to bad, I just feel like I cheated. Now I am left with a dilemma, which way should I run during the marathon? I have to ask myself, What would Pre do?

Anya - I have been hurt so many times, that I can definitely understand how you feel. I'm not an expert int he IT Band area tho and recommend you open up another string asking about it-- I'll bet you'll get some good advice. As far as the 11 -- GOOD JOB -- your making progress and that's a good thing. My guess is that you ought to slowly increase your base mileage (even as little as 2 miles per week per month or something like that) so that your body has more time to adjust to the increased miles. It takes me longer to adjust to new mileage and came to the realization that I still cant run 40 MPW cause I've been too tired, sore and sluggish the last few weeks, so I'm going back to 30 MPW and build more slowly from there ---- I'm sure you can get your mileage up there and run longer distances ---- but it can be a longer and slower process for some people (I'm definitely included in that group)... Open another string in the health section (forgot what its called) and see what you get for advice on the IT Band....... I still think you can do it...

You've got a lot to think about, and your number one priority should be running injury-free. Oddly enough, that's how I found Galloway's method. I had a number of false starts due to the ever-popular "too much too soon" syndrome, then tripped across a "run injury-free" banner ad that brought me to one of his sites. Completing a half marathon was a huge milestone for me, and I have to believe the same holds true for most. I think you've already registered? If that is the case, I don't see any reason to make the go/no go call yet. Maybe try to train for it with the goal of staying healthy and getting to the starting line in one piece, and bail out at any point that injury becomes a major concern? In your case, I think less might be more. Galloway's "to finish" HM plan, like his marathon plan has you running beyond the race distance. But he also has a 12.5 miler four weeks before the race. So if we use the 12.5 run as your actual race, you could be on schedule by actually backing off your weekly mileage and healing up. Note this plan does NOT run long every week, it's every other. And the long run IS the plan for all intents and purposes, whether it is his minimal "to finish" or a time goal plan. Also worthy of note is the day OFF after your long run, the recovery run can wait a day. I'm not as much of a slave to the schedule these days, but when I was in your position I followed it exactly. This is just an idea for a workaround, If you really think it's not a good idea to run the race then don't. But wouldn't it be nice to have your first half behind you, having achieved the goals of finishing, staying injury-free, and enjoying the company of other runners on a nice easy-paced long run?

And wouldn't ya know, when I tried to do an slow, easy, 2 mile recovery run yesterday, my IT band is gone totally. I can't beleive it. It's been years since I've had this problem. it happens whenever I try to add mileage. I am sick to my stomach and and realize now, I will never be able to do any real long distances.