Prior to 2003, my marathon training was minimal. In fact, my longest run before ever doing a full marathon was 13.1 miles. This allowed me lots of free
time but also limited my marathon times to ~4:00. Then I decided to train hard to see if I could break the world record for the fastest joggling marathon (3:20 at the time). I trained hard and cut my time to 3:25. Working even harder, I got to 3:22. Then eventually 3:21 which is where my marathon PR remains.
Different Program Same Result
I’ve never really followed a specific training program. Usually, I follow a version of this training program published in Runner’s World. My best result was 3:22. Then last year I tried a version of the FIRST training program. Best result with this program was 3:39. When I set my PR, I didn’t follow a formal training program. I just ran whatever I felt like doing, just everything a bit faster.
With all these different training programs giving roughly the same results, I’m left to wonder…
How do I get faster?
I’d love to run a Boston Qualifier & even better, break the 3 hour mark. But it seems the training I do right now just won’t cut it. I need something else.
Walk your way to marathon speed
I saw this running article in Reuters and was reminded of a different way to train for a marathon. Walking.
The article talks about the Jeff Galloway method. In this training program, you take a series of walking breaks even when you don’t feel like it.
The theory is that a brief rest period helps your tendons & muscles recover / regenerate. This will allow you to cover the distance faster than if you had run the whole time.
Benefits of Walking
Some of the benefits touted by this method are…
1. Prevent injury - The walk break allows your muscles to regenerate and lessens the chance of repetitive stress injury.
2. Prevent fatigue – When you walk, you relieve some of the exhaustion that builds up. Walking when you’re not tired helps keep your muscles fresh.
3. Improve endurance - Less tire muscles = muscles that work for longer.
4. Increase speed – If you are fresh for the last few miles of the marathon, you won’t slow down and you’ll have a better finishing time.
5. Mental benefits - When you think in terms of a series of 10 minute runs, it’s easier on your mind than thinking of a 26 mile run.
Downside of walking
But it seems to me that there are some downsides of this kind of training.
1. Real running? - Perhaps this is the words of a running snob, but if you don’t run the whole race, somehow it doesn’t feel like you’ve really “run the race”.
2. None of the pros do it – No running professional uses this method, so perhaps it’s not the best way. Although, you and I are not professional runners so this might not matter.
3. Harder to joggle - As a joggler, you’ll find switching to walking while juggling a bit tougher than running while juggling. The timing is significantly different. If you try this training method, you’ll have to practice walking while juggling.
4. Lose the racing mindset – When I have walked during races I found it much tougher to re-start myself. However, these were always unexpected stops. Perhaps if they are planned for it would be different.
5. Audience jeers - When other runners or even the racing spectators see someone walking, they will automatically yell out words of encouragement. They won’t know that you are walking on purpose. This could get a bit distressing.
Should you try it?
I never thought this was for serious runners but the article’s author did a 3:16 marathon and Galloway himself used this method to do a 2:16 marathon! This might be worth trying for my next marathon. I’ve got to do something to get the Boston Qualifier.
Do you use the Galloway run/walk method? Is it any good? Leave a comment and let the rest of the JYAJ community know.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I am a big fan of run/walk! I also believe in doing whatever it takes to go 26.2 miles. Don’t care what others think…
I mix in a lot of walks during my training runs. I think it keeps my legs fresh and helps me to run a lot more than I would otherwise. However, I don’t walk during races. But I’m only doing 5K races, not marathons.
I know that ultramathoners doing a lot of walking, but 100 miles in mountain trails is probably a lot different than 26.2 miles on smooth streets.
When I did the 50 miler, I didn’t walk either. I was so afraid that if I started walking, I just wouldn’t start running again.
I think if you are going to do the walking strategy, you have to train that way too. When I do the 100 miler, I suspect there will be a bit of walking involved.
Yeah, for a 100 miler walking might become a needed strategy. Have you ever juggled and walked much? I would have to practice that some before doing it in a 100 miler. Someone needs to joggle a 100 miler! Perry, is that going to be you?
I’ll probably do it later in my 30′s or 40′s, not sure about now. It’s not a priority in my life right now. I know I could do it, but will just wait until I feel like I want to do it. There’s a lot things that everybody could “do,” but it comes down to asking yourself do you want to devote that much time in your life just to show that you can do something. The right motivation has to be there for me.
@Joe – that’s the appealing thing about the 100 miler to me. I think I can do it, but I’m not certain. There has never been a race where I didn’t “know” I could do it. Even the 50 miler was one which I was certain I could do it. But joggling a 100 miler? Just not sure.
But I’m going to do it next year. I’ve been searching for just the right 100 miler. I’ve just got to commit to one of the races.
Has anyone ever joggled a 100 miler yet? Or even a 100K?
Glad to hear it, Perry. That’s going to be exciting.
I don’t think anybody’s every joggled a 100 miler or 100k Zataod. Probably not ever in the history of humankind, to my knowledge.
@Zataod – If anyone has, they didn’t tell anyone about it.
That would be quite a secret to keep
Not telling anyone you just ran for 100 miles while juggling 3 objects.