Walking Breaks and Longer Distances

TyFit08

My 10K is now just a week away and I can run the full distance, but I have begun the Hal Higdon Half Marathon training program for my first Half October 20th. Now that I am getting into longer distances, should I be taking walking breaks? Are there benefits in performances to taking a walking break? Unlike C25K and 5210K, my current program doesn't have any intervals, I am just building on miles each week. Sometimes I feel bad if I have to walk for a few on what should be straight runs. But when I did the 5210K, week 5, my second 30 minutes was often stronger because of the walk break.

romyhorse

Some people do perform better with walking breaks and use them in longer races. Don't feel bad about walking, if you can do a better time that way then I'd say go for it. Eventually as your stamina improves you would probably get a better time running but until then do what feels best for you.

TyFit08

I have been so focused on building endurance and miles, that I was hard on myself if I didn't run the entire time I planned. The other day, i had a 4 mile run after work and I was really low on energy. I took a few walk breaks and it didn't hurt my time. Still I felt bad that I walked. I guess I shouldn't feel that way. Now the big question is should I incorporate walking breaks into my half training or just go by how I feel.

rduhlir

I am doing the Hal Higdon half training program, and I am half way through. The way I do it is I run the weekdays, only breaking to walk of I trulyneed to. On the weekend long runs I Galloway it, run mile then walk one minute. I do that no matter how awesome or crappy I feel. That is the way I am going to do my first half (run/walk split) so that is the way I am going to train during the long runs. Remember, even some Boston runners run/walk. Walking helps clear lactic acid in your legs, so bringing in walks during runs can be a good tool at getting that distance done.

likitisplit

In reading inspirational books about running, I found that many runners break up their long runs. A lot of people will run out for coffee, drink a cup and then run back. As one person put it very memorably, "You can run, stop, watch the sun rise, and then start running again...and still call it a long run. As Hal Higdon puts it "You're not trying to punish yourself."

bttrthanevr

I'm doing a Hal Higdon Novice 10K Plan. So far I have run it all, but I was wondering about the interval training that got me to 5K...It worked pretty well. I'm only up to 4 miles for the "long run" so far. I guess I will keep running. But I do get better times with a brief walk after each mile. So I'm not sure what I will do as the distances get longer. Or even what I will do the day of my race.

TyFit08

When I did C25K and 5210K it told me when to walk, so it took the guess work out. Now having to figure out when or if I should walk does complicate things. I prefer to be more regimented since I can be a slacker otherwise. If I do take a walking break, i want it to be because it is part of the plan or I am exhausted, not because I'm being lazy.

likitisplit

I didn't need to take walking breaks as I worked up to 6 miles. However, I had to walk at times during my 10 miles last night. I also took two pee-and-water breaks. You know that you take about 700 steps every mile? 7000 is too many steps for me to do straight. Also, two and half hours of running requires at least one potty break.

TyFit08

I guess that makes sense. Today during my six miles I had to go really bad, so lucky there were port-a-pottiies at mile 3. I did take walk breaks today, but hadn'tn my last 6 mile run. I felt like I was taking them more than I need too. Normally I would just keep pushing past the desire to walk, but today I just walked. Granted the sun was beating down on me and I had worked a full day. I don't want to get in the habit of just walking when I can, instead of walking when I need it.

bttrthanevr

The sun can be brutal and really take it out of you for sure. I am not tolerant of hot sunny weather. It zaps my strength and makes me so much slower.

I will always try for no walking, because right or wrong, running a distance without walking makes me feel like I have truly "mastered" the distance. But I also really just want to do whatever makes me stronger and faster...I think that walking probably has its merits for building speed, because it facilitates faster intervals. And the little breaks can help prevent injury. The "no walk" runs build stamina and help the body learn to use energy stores wisely, not to mention helping the mental aspects. "Yes! I can run x !" I just wish I knew what the right balance was.

likitisplit

I think that's something each of us have to figure out. The ultra runners walk. Some Boston runners do. It's about what works for us and keeps us fast and uninsured.

KathleenKP

I sometimes walk during my longer runs, especially if I've been pushing my limit for a week or more without a day off. Even reading about how you feel guilty walking, is bringing on the guilt that I feel. But when I do walk, I do it because my heart is beating wildly - and it's usually after I got to the top of a steep hill and made myself keep moving up it without intending to walk (might have been "running" slower than I'd have walked it, though). It's a hard thing to get past, unless it's built into the schedule.

likitisplit

I just realized that even race car drivers do pitstops.