I had the privilege of meeting and then running with Jeff Galloway during the Meet Up, Eat Up event on September 30th, 2011. To be honest, I had some trepidation as I set off very early that morning. Would little ‘ole me be able to keep pace with a member of the 1972 US Olympic track team? How would I fit into the pack of 25, and would I be good enough. I think perhaps Jeff had read my mind, because he could not have been more down-to-earth or gracious to me and the entire group that morning.
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| HE approached ME, asking if I would want a picture- what a guy! |
He listened with sincere interest as I recanted tales of my work with professional athletes and weekend warriors, and how frustrating it can be to rehab runners who think they only have two gears: fast and all-out! The Galloway Run-Walk-Run Method has literally validated my treatment approach, and enabled me to start running at the seasoned age of 52. We even joked that his no-injury approach could take its toll on my business. For the sake of the sport, I’d gladly take conditioning and maintenance programs over acute or chronic rehabilitation any day! Jeff has spent 33 years tweaking his injury-free marathon training program, and has veritably placed running a distance event within the reach of just about anyone who wants it. Like me! Is it any wonder that Disney choose Jeff Galloway as their Official runDisney Training Consultant?
Whether you are kicking around the idea of trying a runDisney event, or are a veteran marathoner, you will take something away from Jeff’s philosophies:
- It seems even non-runners know about the pre-race ritual of carb loading the evening before a morning race, but evening races do present unique nutirtional challenges. Presently, runDisney offers two nighttime races- the Expedition Everest Challenge and the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend– so this was critical information! In this video, Jeff addresses how one should eat, what, and when.
- Jeff uses the Run-Walk-Run method himself. For our 2 mile run, we used a 30 second run to 30 second walk ratio (or about a 14 minute mile pace). It felt great! We were able to converse throughout the run to assure there was no huffing and puffing. (As I try to preach to my patients, once you start using those accessory muscles in your upper body and neck you are wasting energy, and depleting exactly what you will need to finish your endurance contest.)
- I also full in love with his Run-Walk-Run Interval Timer, and though I have a Garmin and a Baby-G, this is what I now take on my thrice weekly runs. It is SO easy to program, easy to read (after a certain age, you don’t want to have to bring reading glasses on your runs) and you can choose vibrate and/or beep as an alert to change pace. As I ran the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Relay the next day, I was surrounded by “beeps”. Subliminally, I feel as though I am running with Jeff every time I hear that tone!
- As a physical therapist, I am often guilty of “do as I say, not as I do”. Jeff, I noticed, uses all of the techniques he purports in his training videos. His running style conserves energy, which is especially critical at the end of an endurance run. He uses a small stride, and minimizes any upward movement or spring, staying low to the ground. Around mile 8 the next night, I found myself wishing I had perfected this efficient running form. If you’ve ever experienced that lovely burning in your hips at the end of a race, you’ll understand why this makes so much sense! By making these adjustments in my own running style, I’m hoping to push back my “wall” during my training for my next race, the Tinker Bell Half Marathon in January.
- Stretching. A great debate. I’ve seen more athletes injure themselves in the name of “warming up” their muscles than I’ve collectively treated for “pulls” while they run. It is simply too easy to over-stress tendons and muscles with static stretching. I was thrilled to see that Jeff is in my camp, and our warm up consisted of walking before we ran. ( I’m a fan of some easy high-stepping before running as well; I feel it “oils” my less-than-young knees nicely.) Galloway’s Book on Running is a tremendous resource if you need additional information on stretching.
Very cool experience! I've been using his method since I started doing distance.. and though I usually stretch it to 1 mile: 1 minute, it's seriously helped me. After I finished my 2nd half, I was in no pain (1st half totally under trained due to injury) and felt great that day and later.
Jenn, That's so great to hear! I swear the Run-Walk-Run is nothing less than magic!!!!!! Hope to see you at a race in the near future 😀
New Follower from Tiggerific Tuesday. Hoping you will follow back! =0)
My Crazy Life
That sounded like an awesome experience. I dont if I could do it but you guys sure are inspirational..
Welcome Corabeth!!
Diane- That's the beauty of runDisney. If I can do it- you could too!!!!!
that's awesome! I really need to check this out since I want to get back into running. I did the WDW full in 03 with shin splints in 1 leg and stress fractures in the other- finished, but not pretty! I did the WDW half in 08 and pulled my IT band at mile 8, struggled to the end. was in therapy after! I loved it, but have been too scared to get back in… plus I had a baby in 09 which really threw me off! ha!
Beth, I'm living proof that ANYONE can run a Disney race! (I'm no spring chicken, and I have a partial ACL tear.) As a Disney fan and PT, I SWEAR by the RUN-WALK-RUN Method. If you need more info on it, let me know. It's changed my life!!
What a wonderful experience! You've inspired me to get serious about getting back into shape! I'll never be able to gain back the fitness I've lost and certainly starting at this age(I have 9 years on you;)I can only dream about doing a marathon but I'll feel better and well a girl can dream at any age…
I BET you could do a 5K! (Heck, you could even walk the entire course if you had to- my 65yo cuz does the 5K every year at WDW.) If you set that goal, it will propel you forward!! 😀
Great recap! Your link has been added to my post! 🙂
Thanks so much! I'm headed your way!!