Did you ever have to stop or start walking half way through your race? I ran my first 5K 2 weeks ago without any training and I started to cramp up, but I kept a slow jog. I was just wondering if anyone ever stops or quits or walks?

There's nothing wrong with walking during a race, or quitting a race. You never have to explain such decisions to anyone. Never buy into the "don't ever quit" propaganda. Like never quitting a race makes you some kind of higher level of human being, when sometimes it just makes you stupid. I speak from experience. Some of our greatest runners have dropped out of races because they felt they should.

"Don't ever stop!"---bull noobnoobs.

Stop if and when you need and want to. Walk if you want to. Just thought I'd put this out there in case you thought there was something wrong with walking or quitting---sometimes it's the best thing you can do for yourself, your health, and your future as a runner.

 

Why would you do such a thing?  I dropped out of a 50k because my nutrition went to shit for various reasons and it got quite warm and due to me puking my guts out I could not stay hydrated enough to feel safe about continuing on.  I went from top ten at mile 12 to dropping after 22 miles.  I didn't feel bad about it, although I did feel pretty bad.  I learned my lesson in regards to nutrition and moved on.  Sure I could have sat around at an aid station moping and trying to keep down liquid and recover but my race was shot and I knew it.

 

In regards to cramping, your neuromuscular system was basically shutting down your muscles because you were attempting to make them do something they were completely unaccustomed to doing.  Your nervous system put a stop to it out of self preservation.  Learn your lesson and don't attempt things you have not trained to do.  Happy running.

I was in Tennessee for something and signed up to run a 5K a few weeks before it. I figured it's only 3.1 miles so I shouldn't have have a problem finishing it. I've ran before, just never consistently. Ever since that race though, now i'm running every day and I love it. I'm going to run a 10K, then half marathon, and full marathon in a couple of months before the end of the year. If I keep running more and more my time should decrease right?

 

Why would you do such a thing?

For fun? To see what all the fuss is about? To get some exercise? It's just a 5k. It's really okay to run one of those without training for it. The majority of people who finish most 5k's do so without training for them.

robertaajr, you had to walk because you went out too fast for your current fitness. If you had gone out a little shower you would have had no trouble. The more you run the faster and better at knowing your current fitness you will get. Keep on keepin' on.

I live in a fairly hilly area.  All the local long races (HM and full marathon) are quite hilly.  On every one I've run, when people in the middle of the pack (not the front runners) reach the bigger hills, a lot of people walk.  It's good to try to power through the hills, but sometimes the fitness just isn't there.  On my first HM, I went out too fast and wore myself out.  The last three miles I did a lot of walking. For my first marathon I walked the water stops every two miles, then walked for a minute or so at each mile marker for the last six miles.  But at least I finished.

Sure, I've walked in a race before.  I don't recall ever DNF but there is a first time for everything.  I have definitely cut short training runs if things weren't going well.

There are so many things that can lead you to need to walk or quit in a race, just like in training.  You can be undertrained, go out too fast, have an issue with weather, nutrition, hydration.  You might have a cold or have eaten something weird the day before.  Or you can get injured during the race.  Those are all good reasons to change your plan and not finish at your pace or not finish at all.

When it is a race, and even in training runs, it is tempting to feel guilty for not finishing. Races are usually goals and it is disappointing not to meet your goals. But only you know if you did it because you were "wimpy" or because it was the smarter thing to do.  It never feels good to quit but you don't want to cause your body more damage by finishing when it's not the day to do so.

Thanks everyone for all the great feedback. I just ran a 3 mile run today and I shaved off about 3 minutes from when I did it 2 weeks ago. I love this new found passion in running. It felt great to feel like I was flying today. I guess we only get faster and stronger the more we train.

My 3rd half, I had to stop and stretch out my right calf. It knotted/cramped up like a bastard! Luckily I was at mile 12 so I ran/ power walked the last mile or so. Never had that happen prior and haven't had it happen again *knocks on wood*

At some point we all stop or walk for one reason or another.