To walk or not to walk?

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2009-08-02 10:13 AM

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Subject: To walk or not to walk?

I have another question where I need some help from people who have experience with this.

My first HIM is next Sunday and for the past week I have been thinking about the run a lot.

All my long run over 75min in training I did with 9min run/1min walk intervals. Mostly due to the fact that I have been fighting with hip bursitis the whole last year and I did not want to take any chances as it took me quite a long time to built up running fitness again without being in pain. Last Sunday I did my last long run before the HIM and ran 21K (needed to do this for the mental aspect). The last 4K I ran without walking breaks as I felt very good and was even able to pick up the pace and ran K 17-20 in sub 7 and the last K in 6:15 (avg pace before that was 7:20-7:30) .

The plan for the HIM was to do the same thing. Walking breaks every 9min (of course more if needed) but now I wonder if I should maybe start without walking breaks (if I feel good) and see how it goes.

I am just terrified that this will come back to me later during the run because the I believe the philosophy of walking breaks is to start taking them right away and not start once you get tired...

I am also always very conservative in all my run races because I have this fear of tireing out and not being able to keep going anymore so I usually end up running much slower than I can and it bothers me afterwards.

Has anyone experience with this and has used regular walking breaks during training but not during the race?

Any advise would be appreciated Thanks

 

 

2009-08-02 10:16 AM
in reply to: #2322171

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Expert
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Subject: RE: To walk or not to walk?
What is wrong with walk breaks? Nothing! I find I can run faster and longer with my walk breaks. That is how you have trained AND you have an injury you are trying to nurse. Walk when you need too, but do it from the beginning as you have trained!

2009-08-02 10:42 AM
in reply to: #2322175

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Master
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Subject: RE: To walk or not to walk?
Take the walk breaks - that's how you've trained and what your body is used to. Then closer to the finish line - kick it if it feels good!
2009-08-02 10:44 AM
in reply to: #2322171

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Subject: RE: To walk or not to walk?
Now you have to ask yourself who are you doing this for?  Take your walk breaks.
2009-08-02 1:59 PM
in reply to: #2322171

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Champion
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Subject: RE: To walk or not to walk?
Take the walk breaks as that is how you have trained. Your course is tough and hilly. You may want to time them for the up hill portions if you can.

If you feel good skip them last 3 miles not before.
2009-08-02 2:04 PM
in reply to: #2322171

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Master
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Subject: RE: To walk or not to walk?
I also vote for race how you trained. If you trained that way to avoid injury why would you want to risk injury during the race?

2009-08-02 3:27 PM
in reply to: #2322171

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Subject: RE: To walk or not to walk?
x however many on taking the walk breaks. If that's how you've trained, you'll probably finish faster than if you try to push too hard/far and run out of gas.
2009-08-02 3:48 PM
in reply to: #2322171

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Master
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Subject: RE: To walk or not to walk?

Just listen to your body, and your legs especially, and do what feels right.  Nothing wrong with walking at intervals.

 

2009-08-02 5:28 PM
in reply to: #2322171

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Champion
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Subject: RE: To walk or not to walk?
Train how you race. Race how you train.

Take the walk breaks. Kick it in the last 2-3 miles if you are feeling peppy. My guess is that you will be very happy you took those walk breaks, like you did in training.


2009-08-02 6:13 PM
in reply to: #2322171

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Subject: RE: To walk or not to walk?

Thanks everyone

My husband agrees with you as well so I will take the walking breaks and try to time them for the hills. And if I feel good the last 5K I will go for it

2009-08-02 6:23 PM
in reply to: #2322171

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Subject: RE: To walk or not to walk?
I'll just chime in and say good luck !

2009-08-02 7:54 PM
in reply to: #2322702

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Subject: RE: To walk or not to walk?

I love your new avatar! You look great!

And, I agree with the above. GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, YOU'LL DO AWESOME!

2009-08-02 8:10 PM
in reply to: #2322476

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Subject: RE: To walk or not to walk?
DrPete - 2009-08-02 4:27 PM x however many on taking the walk breaks. If that's how you've trained, you'll probably finish faster than if you try to push too hard/far and run out of gas.


There's the best point in the thread... you will most definitely finish faster, especially since your long run is only 75 mins., if you stick to run/walk from the start of the race.

No-brainer.
2009-08-02 8:15 PM
in reply to: #2322171

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Subject: RE: To walk or not to walk?
I just listened to an interview with Bobby McGee on xtri.com and I think I am sold on the philosophy.  His point was that most people end up walking a portion of their event anyway for iron distances.  I liked the point that scheduling walk breaks will keep you fresher longer and also will keep one from feeling defeated by having to take the longer walk breaks later on in the race. 
2009-08-02 8:20 PM
in reply to: #2322171

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Subject: RE: To walk or not to walk?
definitly start with them lik Kathy says. keep doing them to the finish. The run, I find, is deceptivly easy to start, don't get sucked in. Race your own race.
2009-08-03 6:50 AM
in reply to: #2322913

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Subject: RE: To walk or not to walk?

newleaf - 2009-08-03 1:10 AM
DrPete - 2009-08-02 4:27 PM x however many on taking the walk breaks. If that's how you've trained, you'll probably finish faster than if you try to push too hard/far and run out of gas.


There's the best point in the thread... you will most definitely finish faster, especially since your long run is only 75 mins., if you stick to run/walk from the start of the race.

No-brainer.

Just to clarify, my longest training run was 2hrs32min (13.1 miles). I just did walking breaks on all long runs LONGER than 75min

---------------------------------------------

BARRY, that is Jeff Galloways philosophy too and I used the walk breaks for all my Half-Marathons so far and during the end of the run I overtook a lot of people as I was still a lot fresher due to the walking breaks.

I guess I just saw this race as something to push myself beyong limits and then its easy to forget about the rational approach to things and I for sure don't want to risk another hip injury as this is not the end of TRI and Running season yet. 

Thanks for all the good luck wishes. I am still scared to death but also start to look forward to it

 



Edited by Joblin 2009-08-03 6:55 AM

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