If I can Jeff an HM, how far can I walk?

[Kalessin]

Hi all, I have been lurking and reading but haven't posted for ages. I'm currently training for the Bungay Black Dog HM on April 10th, and despite diligently following an HM plan I seem to be slower than ever. I will be doing planned Jeffing on the day, as I did on my first HM (Chelmsford last October).

I have signed up for the Macmillan Mighty Hike at the end of July, which is a 26-mile walk down the Dedham Valley. My question is whether running will help prepare me for a much longer walk. The longest run I have covered in training (Jeffing) is about 14 miles, but that was pretty hard. The Macmillan walking training plan suggests that the longest hike in training should be about 18 miles.

I hope that running improves my fitness more than walking, but can anyone who has done a long hike, and who also runs, offer advice? I don't want to stop running but I will probably swap to shorter runs and longer walks, if I can find the time

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Oh hello! Good to see you back here!!

I would say that distance running probably gives you a walking advantage in terms of cardiovascular fitness, and also helps with general strength, and lends you the physical endurance and mental strength needed to walk a long way. But running and walking are different gaits, and you would be wise to assess carefully any differences you note in the way each affects you. For my part, I have done some very long runs (50k+) and some very long walks (up to 70k), and I find I experience low back pain when walking but not running - conversely walking has less of an impact on areas such as my Achilles tendons. If you notice any potential weaknesses in your walking it would be a great idea to include some strength training that can help improve it. Strength work is always a good idea of course!

All that said, you have given yourself the best of both worlds by using the Galloway method for your runs, and you're well on your way with that 14 mile run, even though you found it hard - 14 mile runs ARE hard anyway! xxx

[Teresa1632 Marathon]

I agree with Roseabi. As for your jeffing run, play around with the ratios. I normally run 30/30 or 60/30. I paced some fellow runners for their first half marathon and switched to 20/30. It made a huge difference and we had enough in the tank to speed up for the last mile and sprint to the finish line!

[Cmoi Marathon]

Hi Kalessin , I'm not exactly an experienced distance runner or walker, having only done one marathon and a few 20-25 mile hikes.

I've never trained for a walk, so am no use to you there. My longest maratrail training run (or more accurately run-walk) was 33km and on the day I was fine with the distance, which ended up in excess of 46km. Marathon training also taught me that while being in reasonable physical shape helps you to complete the distance, determination is hugely important, and you already have that in bucketloads. 😀

[Kalessin Half Marathon]

Thank you all for your very helpful comments. Interesting to hear about your back pain roseabi - I do sometimes get backache, just muscle tension I think, when I walk quite slowly eg around a museum. I will try for at least two or three good long walks before the day and see how I feel. And thank you Cmoi for your kind words about determination!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Kalessin]

I think you'll smash it! xxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Hi Kalessin. I’m neither an experienced long distance runner nor hiker, but I’ve done both over moderate distances a number of times. I’ve run around 8 HMs - all but one were run continuously and the last one I Jeffed as an experiment (which I didn’t like!)

I’ve definitely seen an improvement when I’ve been hiking on holiday, and even on day to day dog walks. The hills I used to find hard now are fairly easy,. The only other exercise I do, when I have the time, is yoga, so it has to be the running keeping me fit. 😀

As with running I’m sure you know that it’s imperative to have appropriate, well worn in, footwear and planned nutrition too. You’re in a good place. Good luck with everything. 😀