Just out of curiosity. I know that some people don't run the whole distance, especially marathoners (or even those who do park runs). Some 'Jeff (Galloway) it', as in walk-run, there are those who mostly walk - but there are also the hardcore ones who just go for it and run the whole thing.
My personal record is 34 kilometres (just over 21 miles) of solid running, non stop, no breaks. To complete my marathon and 50K distances I had to continue by walking for 1 minute per every remaining kilometre to the finish. It wasn't because I was tired or because I lost my lung capacity, it was the knees that started to seize up so the choice was to either quit or run slower/walk in between.
How about you? What's your style and why? What's your longest effort? And do we still say things like 'I ran marathons' although we part walked them? I personally say 'I completed the marathon distance' rather than ran it. Right or wrong? Does it even matter?
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mrrun
Ultramarathon
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I started low heart rate training before I was probably ready to do that so got used to run/walk to keep the heart rate down. I started jeffing for awhile to give myself a break from low heart rate training🤣. Now, I mainly just run but sometimes on a long run (8 miles + ) I walk 30 seconds every km to reset. I don’t feel like it really matters as I’m not going to be an elite but I do want to run long distance forever. Whatever works is my vote 👍🏻
( I know my long distance efforts are very short in comparison to others. Someone in my run club was disappointed in her just 100k run just a few days ago!. It was an ultra run until you drop 😱)
Deep inside I believe that however you manage to complete the distance (run, walk or crawl), your job is done. Ultra runners will often walk on rough terrains apart from a selected few superhuman machines who just don't stop. I am not superhuman, hence I do whatever it takes, and respect whatever others are doing. 😀
I much prefer to run continuously when I can. However, that's not exactly compatible with my preferred terrain of hilly and/or forest trails. Silly me.
Basically I run when I can, and walk when it's safer, faster or if I need to save energy. Or when I simply can't physically run the terrain or gradient (see below.)
I've certainly run HM distance non-stop several times, probably not further. Once I started running longer distances and taking on more challenging terrain I felt less obliged to run the whole way, even on sections when I could. I'll stop to take photos, work out where the hell I am or how I'm going to get up/over/round whatever obstacle's ahead of me, or even have a wee!
Longest distance I've ever completed was the 46.45km, 1835m elevation gain Trail du Gévaudan. I most certainly didn't run all of it! The steepest single km involved 179m elevation gain, with parts at 35%+, and the next 8km also climbed a further 284m. Didn't help that my left knee got upset fairly early on so I had to take the downhills very easy too.
That's the problem in my local parish (South London), where there's hill after hill, some steeper than others. Great for cardio training but not so great if you have to complete some training runs at a certain tempo. Now I'm trying a program that will push me to a sub 4 hour marathon and that effectively means driving to flat parts of London (along the river), where that stuff is possible to train. Can I go sub 4? I doubt it, but will give it my best shot. I need any excuse to go out and try different bits. 😉
I can't imagine ever getting anywhere near a sub-4 hour marathon - I've only ever done one sub-60 minute 10k. Training and improving pace just aren't my thing, I'm much too lazy. Good luck with your training!
Luck is crucial as well. My 57 year old legs are delicate skinny things. And they've seen some injuries. And to get injured you just need to push yourself hard. Hence, I will have to thread this line carefully. Sub 4 is a dream, but let's see how it all goes.
I got to the stage where I was doing a weekly half marathon every Sunday. That would be a non-stop run in just over two hours. Problem was that an injury sidelined me simply because I pushed myself too hard trying to maintain those non stop distances. That's the key - go far but stay injury-free. Not always easy and certainly not always possible, especially at our amateur levels.
I’m definitely a fan of continuous running, although I’d probably be quicker over longer distances if I Jeffed. Having said that, I did Jeff the last HUHM due to nasty running conditions (windy, rainy, squelchy) and didn’t find it any easier. I have a Forrest Gump mode which can go on and on!! 🏃♀️
Forrest Gump mode is the best one there is. Find yourself in a comfort zone, on a good terrain and scenic environment, get through the runner's high and enjoy it like never before! 😍😀👍
The furthest to my knowledge that I have run continuously is a half marathon - although I almost certainly have run further than that non-stop in training, but I don't pay much attention to that sort of detail!
I am not especially interested in the Jeff Galloway method for myself.
During a marathon I have always had some sort of difficulty (going off too fast, niggles, steep hills etc.) that has prevented me from running all the way, and so I have taken walking breaks ad hoc. I also find water stations too difficult to run through, so I tend to plan to walk for a few seconds when I get a drink. At Brighton last year I had a problem with an erupting gel, and the usual water station issue, but I was taking it at a pretty easy pace because I was not feeling in top shape, and I did very little walking and felt within me the potential to run all the way. And this is definitely an aim of mine! I may need to carry my own water...
Until I reach my goal I will continue to say I have "done" marathons 😊😊😊
There are so many factors at play that stop people from running the whole marathon without stopping, or any distance for that matter. Psychological input is considerable, regardless of physical fitness. I reckon the best way to do it is to do it fast. I mean look at Kipchoge. Done and dusted in two hours, no need to stop for booze or loos, you don't even deplete your electrolytes and glycogen stores during that time. Literally all I need to do is figure out how to do my splits between 2:48min/KM and 2:52min/KM at an average speed of 21.18kmph, throughout 42km. Oh. Hang on..
I think that most people who run ultras will walk the steeper uphill parts. As someone put it: you wouldn’t sprint in the middle of an ultra, so why try to run up hills? I guess that, provided the overall pace is reasonable, then it doesn’t really matter. As for what’s a reasonable pace, I’m not sure that it matters much.
My first Marathon was the Yorkshire one. I walked for about a minute on that to get up a short steeper section, other than that, I ran it all. My second Marathon was the Newport one, I ran all of that non-stop but it took me 8 minutes longer than the Yorkshire one.
Running 42k in one going without stopping for sightseeing, selfies or a quick cigarette is a major deal, well done, I admire such achievements! 👊👊👊 I’m now trying, in my infinite wisdom, to bring it closer to 4 hours or below, denying my age and experience. Then again, a friend who’s just crossed 60, is running it non-stop in just over 3.5 hours. Still, for as long as we are doing it, no matter how, I think we all should be proud about ourselves.
My longest distance is 10 miles and I Jeffed it. My Jeffing ratio is 4min30 running / 0min30 walking. I do this because 1. I honestly don't think I can run in 1 go that distance + 2. I do it to keep my heart rate low + 3. I read that Jeffing causes less injuries than running continuously + 4. it just feels better.
I must admit I have not run any distance over 5K without Jeffing it. I can run 5K non-stop without problems, but it just does not feel as comfortable as Jeffing it. And I am just a fast Jeffing it, if not faster. I run for pleasure, not to prove something to anyone. So why would I push myself over my limits when I can do it in a more relaxed manner in the same time?
The best thing about us, recreational runners, is that we call the shots, we make the rules, anything goes, there is no pressure here that is associated with professional running. I totally agree that everyone should do what they are most comfortable with and our targets vary. I always run alone, never compete, never enter a park run and I only push myself - against myself. Whether that's a sub 4 hour marathon attempt or a 75km distance (both very likely never to be achieved, but there's always hope). 😉😀
I found some excuses against not very comfortable training plan that should (in theory) bring me to a sub 4 hour marathon (yeah right, dream on mate). The main one was hilly terrains of south London where I live. However, my inner challenger emerged and suggested a perfect setting of Battersea Park, flat as it can be, scenic and fairly big. In other words, I’m going to put myself through a grinder once again. At least I call the shots. 😅
It doesn’t matter 🤷♀️ Not to me anyway 🙂. I walk when I need to in training or in races. I don’t think it diminishes me as a runner, and I always say I've “run” a marathon or HM or whatever
A few years ago I remember you asking me if an obsession with running 42K in one uninterrupted go was 'a man thing'. I don't think it is, but there's definitely some subconscious need for me to brutally punish myself at any opportunity. And I'm damn good at it. But, you never know, I might succeed! 😉
It’s only running for fun 🤷♀️ Well mostly fun 😀. I’ve “got a knee” so it’s not been fun in training for some while. I can walk just fine though so dunno what’s up with it. Can’t be much, I keep telling myself 🙂
Looking forward to Sunday cos it’s lovely up Monsal, OH is heading for the cafe. Lucky for some 😀. I finished it under two hours last time but I don’t think I’ll be pulling any trees up this year. After this weekend’s race I’ve got nothing planned til June so I can take some time off and rest my knee. Not running though is torture 😁
I’m off to Runforest in Matlock today to spend the rest of my voucher. Sunglasses 😎 and maybe some fresh socks, or a pink Ciele bobble hat.
Running 42km all the way is on my vague future calendar. I'm not far but injuries have always played a part in my setbacks. Recently I underwent a series of tortures in the hands of an osteopath and a Thai lady who brutally dismembered my body and put it back together. I'm doing all I can to be match fit, only to occasionally blow it away by being blown away during my martial arts sessions, where legs suffer more than arms. On that note, I'm off to (yet again) attempt to train for an uninterrupted, solo and non-supportive marathon. Am I a masochist? Probably.
You’ll be fine with your solo marathon 😀💪👍🏃♂️ Good luck with the training. It’s an exciting prospect 🤗.
I’ve done one solo, unsupported marathon. I ran past my house so I cd use the loo and refresh my eats and drinks. It was flippin freezin when I ran which I think it helped my time. Quickest of my marathons thus far. You don’t want to hang about when it’s really miserable weather 🥶
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