Has anyone walked a lot on a hm?

[Agelesslass]

Just wanted to ask as I have got a hm this Sunday.

[Lordi Marathon]

If you can walk fast enough you can walk the whole way provided you are within the cut-off time Just kidding. Some purists will not walk at all in HM and marathons but I did walk through each and every water station for 50 odd metres so as to get a good drink, time to wipe my face and sort niggles out on my first marathon etc. You will not lose much time overall because you will still be walking at half the speed of running. In a HM or marathon if your body says "walk for a bit!" you will walk believe me! It's OK. Don't give in to the pussy gremlins though - walk when you, well just have to

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Lordi]

I will take all you said onboard Lordi, your advice us always valuable to me 👍👍

[C3PO Marathon]

I did on my last HM, as I had plantar fasciitis, and the last 5 km or so was uphill. I mostly ran until then, but just couldn't do it any longer. I ended up only finishing 20 minutes slower than my HM PB, so it wasn't bad.

Whenever I train for an HM or longer, I keep a record of how far I've run that day in training, then calculated how long it would take me to walk the rest, which has given me my worst case finish time. That way I'm mentally prepared for anything.

Good luck on Sunday!

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to C3PO]

Like what you’re saying C3PO👍👍

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

I walk when I need to. Like Lordi I have come to the conclusion that walking through the water stations is a sensible route. I don't get water down my top or up my nose that way - well, mostly LOL!

Also as C3PO mentioned I have walked up tough hills too.

I will add to that and say I have walked for a bit towards the end to get a bit of reserve. I try to make for this by giving it a big push at the end though.

Do what you need to do. Last HM I did people were walking after 3-4 miles. If you walk you wont be the only one, not by some margin.

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

Thanks so much for replying, I didn’t want to show myself up by walking, but guess it’s ok to do it.😀

[Windoze Half Marathon]

I am a firm believer in walking LONG before you feel you cant run anymore. Dont push yourself to the limit...if you want a few 5 minutes walks it's your Half Marathon you decide 😎 Good look for the weekend and enjoy the moment 😎

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Windoze]

Thanks so much Windoze, that’s good to know 👍

[Bazza1234 Marathon]

Provided you finish within the cutoff time you can do whatever you want - or you can do whatever you want and don't finish within the cutoff time. . I have done a few HM's, a number of 10K's and 10 miles and 165 parkruns over the past 5 years since doing C25k. In 8 weeks time I will be at the starting line of the Gold Coast marathon along with around 8000 other people ( for the first time for me) goldcoastmarathon.com.au/ . After the starting gun goes off, we at the back will slowly walk to the start line with 8000 others ahead of us and we will start running. 30 seconds later I will slow to a walk for my very first walk "break" of one minute. I will then repeat this for the next 6 hours and 20 minutes at which time I will collapse across the finish line with an official time. a medal , a t-shirt and probably a banana, That is my plan anyway??? Unless anybody has any better ideas???

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Bazza1234]

Thanks so much Bazza 👍

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Bazza1234]

Great post from you Bazza1234, well planned knowing exactly your finishing time before you run the race, well done.

[Decker Ultramarathon]

I think it is a proven strategy for many people to incorporate walk/run segments throughout, whereas others only walk through the stations and if they have to. I would fall into the latter camp, but its mainly about listening to your body and slowing as needed without pushing to the point of injury or over exhaustion. For your first race, you do want to enjoy it and soak in the experience. Understanding your course challenges via hills and elevation and the weather will help you plan how hard you push also. Ie if it is a hilly course and a hot day, I’m going to ease off. Everyone is a little different. No worries, you’ll be great. Enjoy it!

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks so much Decker

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

I ran mine without stopping, without walking, without drinking....without thinking. Don't do that. Do whatever is good for your body, whatever makes you reasonably comfortable and injury preventable. It's your show, do your own thing!

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to mrrun]

Wow mrrun, you must be a very fit athlete

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

Nah, just a bloke who at times runs like a horse and stops minutes before collapsing.

[misswobble Marathon]

You do what you need to do to get round. I walk when I need to. It’s fine 🤷‍♀️

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to misswobble]

That’s all I want to do is get round misswobble

[Madge50 Marathon]

I usually find the first water station comes up too quick and doesn’t match what I’ve done in training, e.g 5k chunks, however, I will definitely use them all, I can’t drink/eat and run at the same time, inhaling fluid and jelly babies is not a good look.....feels pretty awful too....🤢

So I have a walk break at the water stations. Then if I feel I need to walk a few steps to catch my breath I do, although I’ve been getting better at continuing the running motion but slowed right down after hills etc.,

Most of all enjoy it, take in the atmosphere, your medal is the same as whoever gets over the line first, it’s a great achievement, puff your chest out in pride, keep a smile on your face, it’s your HM, on your terms, your way, you will be fine 🏃‍♀️💪👏

Mx

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Madge50]

It’s my hm and all if you in here have been really great in advising me, your experiences have been invaluable. Thanks so much to Madge too, I will puff my chest out when I get over that finish lune👍👍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

In my limited experience loads of people walk. Some 'jeff' so walk regularly, others walk to chat, others because they're weary or injured .... etc. Personally, I walk through all water stations - there were only two in the second HM I did so I created two 'virtual stations' and walked while I drank from my bottle. I find these three or four walk breaks - each less than a minute - really helpful and re-energising. It also means I have a plan in advance: I know at what distances I'm going to walk and any gremlins that might appear suggesting I'm tired and I should just take a teensy walk break should get a sharp slap and that's that until the next water station 🤣

So far (two HM races and several HM training runs) this approach has worked for me. It has the added advantage that I don't run 21.1k - this weekend (having checked out the water stations in advance) I know I will be running 3k, 4k, 7k, 5k and 2.1k 😃

But as others have said, you should do what you feel like doing on the day - it's your race and I absolutely guarantee you will not be the only one walking.

Good luck and enjoy

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I will try to memorise this post for Sunday, thanks Linda 👍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Agelesslass]

Btw it's not Bath I'm doing so don't bother memorising the distances 😀

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Agelesslass]

Oops. It's not Bath you're doing is it? No idea where I got that from! Same ogic aplies though, cos I'm not doing Chester either

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Do what you need to...walk before you are shattered though..on the HM I did..loads of folk did jeffing...and had a brilliant time..just a quick water stop can be enough too..I cannot run and drink from a cup..so a few walking steps really sufficed each time

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss, fingers crossed for me and everyone else running this weekend

[Duddles Half Marathon]

Hello - I have exactly the same thoughts as you - Chester Half Marathon I presume?.

I don't think I will be able to run all the way so expect to be walking at times, and hoping not to feel inadequate. I am competing against my over 40 years younger daughter and son in law, but have decided, reluctantly, to let them get the better of me.

See you at the start line and good luck!

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Duddles]

Oh Duddles, we are in this together then, it’s so scary. I will see you in the start line, I will be at the back somewhere. I will be wearing a green vest top with Penyffordd run club on it. There are 44 if us from the club running that day. Good luck to you.

[Duddles Half Marathon in reply to Agelesslass]

Hopefully see you there. I am a tall gangly 70+ year old, though in my head looking and pushing 30, and will probably be wearing a top with a Manx Legs on the back - possibly with a "Parish Walk" logo. Probably be near the back initially. And maybe latterly..... Good luck.

[Duddles Half Marathon in reply to Duddles]

And it is scary - feeling very nervous..... just packing to fly over to UK tomorrow - Sort of adds to the nervousness and sense of occasion.

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Duddles]

Wow, you’re not even local to Chester. Well done for your motivation to travel here too. It is scary but fingers crossed, I will look out for the Manx teeshirt Duddles 👍👍

[Duddles Half Marathon in reply to Agelesslass]

The entry was a Christmas present from my daughter who is also running with her husband. The bonus is, the family get a weekend in Chester - which we know well as she went to university there. Looking forward to that part......

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Duddles]

It is lovely, I am privileged to live in such a beautiful city.

[Bluebirdrunner]

Good luck Agelesslass!

Your HM, your way, whatever it takes...😊xxx

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Bluebirdrunner👍

[Beccym Marathon]

Go slow and steady and you may find you don't have to walk. Having said that on my second half I went out too fast and walked /ran the last 3 miles. It only took 3mins off my previous time.

The most important thing is getting round.

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon in reply to Beccym]

Thanks so much Beccym, finishing it is my defining goal 😀😀👍