It's Good To Walk - General running

Tom Jones

19/08/2002 at 16:45

I have just read the above article by Amby Burfoot, and had to say that my 5 year old son agrees!

I am a beginner runner, and sometimes take him out for a warm-up or warm-down lap of the block, figuring he would enjoy it (he does), and it would be good for him. The only problem was that he would sprint off, trying to beat me, and then walk for a while. One annoyed Daddy!

.. but according to this article, he was right all along... I shall be taking more training advice from him in the future!

Tom.

Caroline Wilkinson

19/08/2002 at 20:41

Excellent. There's no shame in walking. I've just returned to running after having a baby. Running with a baby in a babyjogger is an art in itself. I am pushing another 17kg, and so I need to walk! Having never been a particularly fast runner, it's nice to watch my baby look at her surroundings and when running at the side of her, I can see her looking at me (goodness knows what she's thinking!)

Anne Opute

01/09/2002 at 11:12

I cannot believe that this article has come at a much needed time! I am preparing for the New York marathon(only my second marathon) and I find it very hard on my long runs. This has greatly encouraged me and I can not wait to get out there and try the 9/1 regime!

daisy dog

01/09/2002 at 12:55

Totally agree. It's been so helpful to my training (and on bad days to even just geting out there!) to know that to walk during runs is an accepted and beneficial training method.

When I'm feeling nervous of a particular run I just promise myself that if it feels horrible I will walk for a bit. And very often, I find I don't have to. And when I do quite often it's through boredom rather than physical meltdown, so then I tell myself to start running again.

Thanks RW (Maybe we should start a Ramblers thread, oh dear.....)

Rob McLennan

19/09/2002 at 22:34

Having stopped running for about 5 years , I started again 3 years ago and after several false starts due to various running injuries, I adopted a run/walk approach. Now my training is exclusively run/walk and on this I ran a 1:26 in the recent Glasgow 1/2 marathon. I believe it is the only way to train and look forward to introducing some of the variations mentioned in the article.

daisy dog

21/09/2002 at 12:55

Way to go Rob ! That's some time for a half marathon.
I'm sure I'm going to be doing some walking in my first half on Sunday week - but at least now I won't feel ashamed while doing so !

Velociraptor

21/09/2002 at 15:27

Pah, pah, pah!

I love walking. I would rather walk than run most of the time. I can walk until I run out of ground to walk on. Walking isn't exercise, it's transport.

So, rather than going for a short recovery run when I fancied moving some muscles on my rest day yesterday, I went for a walk. Didn't bother changing my (frumpishly sensible) working shoes for trainers - they'd have looked silly with a skirt and black tights.

It was lovely. Five or six miles, a spot of window-shopping, and all ready for work again.

Woke up this morning with a distinctly shin-splintish feeling in my left leg. Race tomorrow. Bah! Walking schwalking. Next time I'll just run :-(

Having said that, I think run/walk in appropriate footwear is the best thing since hamstrings were invented!

Beth 30

22/09/2002 at 06:34

For the first time since I took up running it was just about cool enough, here in Dubai, to run outdoors at 6.30 this morning. It was about 30 degrees C, but I decided to have a go anyway. Bored of the treadmill.

Running on the treadmill doesn't present me with any problem for continuous running, but running outside does.

The ouside elements affect me, especially in the heat and humidity of this country.

I'm glad I saw this thread today because it reminded me that there is nothing wrong with run/walk/run/walk, which is what I had to do today on a 35 minute run.

I ran for 18 minutes in total before taking 30 second breaks every so often to bring my HR down when it got too high.

Any tips for running in hot weather would be much appreciated.

Roll on the winter when it'll be cooler in the mornings.

neyo

24/09/2002 at 12:18

I would have never tried the walk/run method until I took some children out during a sponsored race/walk. Using the run/walk, one of the children (intersted in running but absolute novice!) ran the circuit 4 times. Each cirucit is about 2.5 kilometres. With my encouragement, he did in 90m minutes.

I have now decided to adopt similar pattern in my runs as I am hoping to run in the forthcoming London Marathon (if I get a place).

Xerxes

24/09/2002 at 12:30

Although one wishes to run all of the way, there is no shame in walking - I walked on and off in my first Marathon - and it was that which kept me going so I could continue running latter. (Let's face it, it is much easier drinking when walking!!).

Ditto on training run - if you feel completely out of breat, stop, walk for a bit, and then carry on as/when/if you feel like it.
It is my philosophy for a Marathon - I know I can walk it, so I *will* finish (injuries permitting).

Ratbag

pirate

24/09/2002 at 12:56

Hey Beth,

I didn't know you lived in Dubai.

What do you do out there? We have an office at jebel Ali and I occasionally get out to Dubai. Gitex is on shortly but I won't be going this year. I just got off the phone with one of my colleagues who tells me he is going to a Toploader concert at the weekend and that Deep Purple were there last week. Seems you gat all the good gigs!!!

All the best.

RB

donutto

25/09/2002 at 16:23

...But don't call yourself runner. It's one thing being forced to walk at the end of a marathon, or as a beginner, but experienced individuals, planning to do this run/walk thing during races?? What a bunch of wimps!

Buney

16/10/2002 at 23:37

how encouraging!

Sassie

17/10/2002 at 08:23

Gosh thanks Daniel, I'm really glad you dropped by. Anything else utterly demoralising that you'd like to share with us?

Caroline Wilkinson

17/10/2002 at 09:04

Cheers Daniel. What on earth are you doing posting a totally de-motivating reply on this thread? Remember when you were a beginner? Bet you walked then....

Buney

17/10/2002 at 12:59

obviously a super elite runner who never has to walk and does sub 2.30 marathons every week - think I'll slob back to my couch...

Dangly Spice

17/10/2002 at 14:21

Dear Daniel,
Many i wish the fleas of a thousand camels to take up residence in your running shorts?

To everyone else: there's no shame in walking. We all started that way and as some of us on this Forum have shown, it's the only way to go.
I'm impressed - under 1.30 for a 1/2M with run/walk? Would you like to come and give instruction to my beginners group??? Show them what can be done.
Well done everyone.

Penny Newson

17/10/2002 at 14:22

I agree - You are a runner as soon as you start - read Claire Kowalchik book Running for Women - We are all running - whether we are aiming for world records or just to get out there - but we are all looking after ourselves. Also just remember Daniel that pride comes before a fall - you may end up eating your words! What will you do if you are injured? Stop altogether or run/walk, and anyway what is the difference between being 'forced' to walk at the end of the marathon, than having 'chosen' to wlak ealrier on and you being in control rather than it controlling you?
I am proud that I run. Full stop.

donutto

17/10/2002 at 14:57

Well, I am glad my intentionally provocative comment finally attracted a response weeks after I posted it - I was just trying to get a debate going on a thread which had become something of a self-congratulatory love-in amongst run/walk devotees!

But, seriously, I don't have a problem with beginners walking: but their focus should be on quickly building endurance so that they no longer find it necessary.

This planned run/walk strategy for racing (in marathons in particular) is something which started in the USA and which has contributed to a general erosion in running standards over there. The median finishing time in many US marathons is now hovering around 4:30 (or slower) and a significant proportion of participants are finishing in well over 6 hours. OK - they may get around the course, but like I said, don't call them runners.

For me, running is about health, fitness, enjoyment, socialising, competition and - crucially - trying to realise one's potential. You will never do that if you set out on a run, planning to walk when you feel like it. I didn't see Paula R walk a single step in Chicago!

Happy running!

Billyboy

17/10/2002 at 15:14

Daniel does have a valid point. May as well call the mag. Runners / Walkers World.