Walk breaks

nyy03

Just curious as to how often everyone takes a walk break. When I started training for my first marathon, last year, I was running 4min and walking 1. My last 1/2 I ran/walked 20:1. Do people actually run nonstop or just a few breaks at the water stations?

arc918

I'm a no walk break guy. I've always found too hard to get going once I stop.

I don't walk the water stops either. Unless the wheels have totally fallen off, you won't see me walking during a marathon.

CakeFit21

I agree with arc918. If you can run through, it's much easier. I ran the first half of New York last weekend without stopping and it was a breeze...then I had to pee. Waiting for the porta potty my legs totally started to tighten up. I never felt completely loose after that. The second half was painful. My splits were much slower and I think it was all because I stopped. New York is a crowded race so, sometimes it was impossible to get to the water with out walking, every time I ran again it hurt worse. It got so I didn't stop to walk through for the last 3-4 water stops. I think that not stopping saved me and I was actually able to really push and start passing people at the end.

Mommawarrior

I'm a no walk break guy. I've always found too hard to get going once I stop.

I don't walk the water stops either. Unless the wheels have totally fallen off, you won't see me walking during a marathon.

I agree. By the time I get to the first water stop I am already drenched with sweat. (I sweat really bad!) So, why would I worry if I spill a bit on me?

I had never heard of walk breaks till I was up to 16 miles on my training schedule and a friend asked how much of it I actually ran verses walked.

I know if I walk, I will never get back to a good pace.

arc918

All that said, I have a friend who is pretty fast (qualifies for Boston every year), so he's running 3:25 or so for the marathon at age 45. He takes a 30 second walk at the start of each mile. He says the change in muscles used helps him run faster.

So you never know.

macpatti

I completed the Houston marathon running 9/1 intervals (running 9 minutes, walking 1). I trained that way for 6 months prior to the marathon. During the walk breaks, I would hydrate or take my Gu. It certainly helped me, but I'm not a "real runner" anyway. ha! It took me just under the time limit of 6 hours to complete my marathon..........but I did it!

nyy03

Thanks everyone. I just ran on the dreadmill for 30 minutes straight with no walk break at 6mph. So I guess I have it in me. I was using the Jeff Galloway training method and he recommends the walk breaks, I guess I've outgrown them.