Run Walk Run Method?

[Mandaree]

So I did my solo half marathon run at the beginning of April. After having a week off, I started a half marathon plan on my Garmin app to improve my half marathon time. I really thrive on structure so like having a set plan telling me you will do this run on this day! For my long run today, it was 5 miles of running and walking intervals. Run for 90 seconds, walk for 30 seconds, repeat. I was just going to run the whole thing, I have this thing about walking, I don't like to do it, I would rather jog along slower than walking pace if needed rather than stop for a walk break. I don't know why, it's just one of those things I've gotten in my head.

Anyway, gave it a go, was ok, still not sure how I feel about it! It's supposed to help improve your overall time. I guess the thinking is that you will be able to run your 90 seconds faster than your goal race pace as you will have the walking recovery time in between. Has anyone else tried this method? Thoughts?

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I've not tried it, but it's really popular. In my second HM, there was a girl run/walking it - we kept passing each other depending whether she was in a run phase or a walk phase 😍

[Hidden]

No experience as such, but a guy called Amby Burfoot's book Run Forever makes the case that all successful beginners programmes start that way. We are our own experiment good luck with the plan.

[C3PO Marathon]

I also hear that people get really good times doing this. I'm not able to do it - the intervals are too short. For really long runs, I tend to run for 20 minutes, then walk for 1.

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon]

I did my HM last year on run walk, I like to run for 2 minutes and walk for one. I found my splits got faster as time went on, and I was pleased with my finish time. Usually the intervals are to run twice as long as the walk bits, lots of people like 60/30, but you can really do whatever suits you.

[Mandaree Half Marathon in reply to Curlygurly2]

That's good to know! The training plan I am doing is a Jeff Galloway plan and he promotes the Run Walk Run method. To be fair, even with the walking mixed in my average pace was about my goal pace so it did even out!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Mandaree]

It was Galloway I used. I stuck to my pre-chosen timings like glue for my marathon

For a half marathon though you might not need Galloway at all. If you've got a training plan and you've stuck to it, by race day you should be good to go Give it long enough though. I was just going to say the same as Ju Ju. Give the plan a bit longer. Whatever you do, plan ahead and leave from breathing space in case you pick up an injury, which does happen of course.

Good luck!

[Mandaree Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I am just doing this fun at the moment, I ran my half at the beginning of the month. Not ready to commit to a marathon so just doing the training plan to improve my half time!

[ju-ju- Marathon]

I do a blend of different types of running. On a weekend I run in my local woods which is very hilly with gnarly and challenging terrain. I do a walk/ run approach which is probably one sixth walking and the rest running. It works really well and means I am not exhausted at the end. Perhaps give the plan a bit longer to see if it works for you?

[Mandaree Half Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

Yeah, going to stick to it. It is a mix of things, drills, hill repeats, 1 mile as fast as you can, my long run the weekend before last was just a normal long run so there's enough variety in the plan to keep it interesting!

[misswobble Marathon]

Sure have! I loved it. It worked! I ran my first marathon using Galloway. It makes sense to me. I'm an older runner so that was my first consideration. I don't mind a walk mid run, in fact I positively love to stop and have a snack and look at the scenery. So, I was already receptive to the idea.

Reading chapter and verse on it convinced me it was the right thing to do for a winter marathon. I was right. It was, and I finished in one piece and walked away unscathed. My family were going to be there. I was away from home so they'd had to travel so I felt pressure to make sure I finished and didn't have to be carted off in an ambulance. The run/walks got me over the line.

I did it for my second marathon using different timings (you can get these from his book) and I shaved 52 minutes off. I must have got the book from the library as I didn't buy it. The timings might be online for free now though.

Made me more confident for my third marathon but rather than do the formal run/walks I just walked when I was eating/drinking.

[Mandaree Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

They have videos on his drills from him and his timings available in the program in the app. Really cool, glad I switched from my Fitbit to the Garmin watch, it has so many more cool features!