Never say never. Even as an oldster, I made the mistake of uttering “I could never do a back-to-back endurance race.” Those Goofy and then Dopey folks that started the craze were my idols, but not my running role models; NOT for me. Then came the Dumbo Double Dare. And then the Glass Slipper Challenge. And the Rebel Challenge, Pixie Dust Challenge, Infinity Gauntlet Challenge… you get the idea. How much resistance can one runDisney fan mount? I’m only human! So I finally bit at the inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend.
I figured maybe, just maybe, the training plan that had become this ole’ gal’s lifeline would sustain me once again. After four years of injury-free running (thanks to my fellow Baby Boomer and hero) I thought maybe, just maybe, Jeff Galloway would pull me through once again. Two challenge races later, I’m hooked. Surprise! Other than not loving the early calls and modified diet for two days in a row, I just love it. Instead of feeling like a second-class runner on runDisney race weekends, I feel like a big girl, a member of the club, too. If not for Run Walk Run, I know this would not be possible. By reducing repetitive forces, and preventing fatigue via strategic resting walk breaks, I was able to not only feel great the day after but PR and chalk up my first sub-three hour half marathon!! Maybe that dream of a full marathon at 60 might just be attainable…
Run/walk? Yes! For Quick Recovery, Faster Times
How can runners, even Boston Qualifiers, run faster by taking walk breaks? I know, it’s counter-intuitive but in numerous surveys I’ve found that former non-walk-break runners improve an average of more than 13 minutes when they walk early and often.
How does it work? Those who have a strategy almost always do better than those who just get out there and see what happens. A muscle, etc., that is used constantly will fatigue and break down more quickly. By taking scheduled walk breaks, the muscles stay strong and resilient to the finish. The principle behind walk breaks is “Conservation of energy”.
How can you run a faster marathon with walk breaks? Almost everyone who runs continuously experiences a slowdown during the last 3-6 miles. Runners who use strategic walk breaks from the beginning tend to either speed up at the end or at least avoid slowing down.
Can you actually set a PR with the run/walk method? I hear from thousands every year who set Personal Records by using the method.
How does the run/walk method protect you against injury? Each runner has certain “weak links” that ache more and are common injury sites. Continuous use of the muscle will first cause the muscle to fatigue early, reducing muscle performance. Continuing to run under increasing fatigue will cause muscle, tendon and joint damage. Walk breaks stop the abuse of a weak link, allowing the tissue to adapt, significantly reducing aches, injuries and recovery time.
How does the run/walk method affect your day-to-day recovery? Because there is less damage to repair after a run, the legs, knees, etc., feel better, sooner. Many report that by using my run-walk-run method they can run the next day after a marathon. Some injured runners have been able to train for and run marathons while the injury gradually healed. Walk breaks can keep one below the threshold of further irritation.
Did you and your blog followers miss out on the fun of the 2015 Jeff Galloway 13.1 weekend? It is not too late to join in! Register for the Virtual Race (5K and/or Half marathon) and receive:
- Awesome Race Shirt
- Official Race Medal
Deadline extended. Register now!
Interested in hosting a Jeff Galloway 13.1 virtual race in your area for 2016? Contact us at kelley@jeffgalloway.com!
Running Through Beverly Hills and Other Inspiration From Jeff Galloway
You are such an inspiration!! Thanks so much for this great information, I can't wait to put it to good use.
As are you, my friend!!!