Monday, March 18, 2013

Experimenting Doesn't Make Me Kinky!

Over the weekend, I was thinking  (once again) about how my training had totally fallen apart and wondering how I could best salvage it for my two upcoming races.  I started thinking about Jeff Galloway, and his "run/walk" philosophy.  I started running using Run Your Butt Off, a program similar to the ever popular "Couch to 5K," so I am extremely familiar with "run a little, walk a little, run a little, walk a little."  

Since  having "graduated" from RYBO, however, I have not really intentionally done the run/walk thing.  I have walked during runs, sure, but not at set intervals (unless doing interval training).   Saturday night, I set my Garmin 10 for a 2 min run/1 min walk interval.   (If you're wondering, I kind of pulled those numbers out of my rear end.  Galloway has a set plan of what the ratio should  be based on your expected pace, but I've never really been very good at listening, plus who the heck knows what my pace would be?)

Yesterday afternoon, I headed out.  I won't bore you with all the details, but I will say this - by using the 2/1 ratio, I managed 9 miles in an average pace of 12:33.  Last week's 8 mile run, where I did walk, but only when I was too tired/mentally blah to run, was at a pace of 13:25.   Huge difference.   I did struggle a little yesterday, because my running intervals were on the fast side (for me!), but I got through 5 miles before really feeling tired at all, and after struggling a bit during miles 6 and 7, I got back on track for the last two miles.

I was sore and had an upset stomach when I got home (need to work on fueling - being on my feet for nearly 2 hours is a lot for me!), but after some dinner and a bath, I felt fine.  My legs feel great today, though DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) could kick in tomorrow and make me regret saying that, but I doubt it.  

So, what did my little experiment teach me?  I learned that run/walking is not a bad way to get through a long run - but I also learned that it's not really for me.  I will be using it in my next few long runs, and to get through my 10 mile race, but after that, I want to get back to "regular" running.  It's not that I think there's anything wrong with run/walking, it's just that it's not what I want to do.  I am grateful, however, that it's an available option for me at this point, because I know I'm in no shape to actually RUN my 10 mile race.  One day, I will be, but not this time around.  And I'm ok with that.

1 comment:

  1. I can run a faster mile by walk/running too, but like you, I don't like to do it. I think you are wise to try it if you're not ready to run the full 10 miles though.

    p.s. I'm not a good listener, either. Sometimes you just have to listen to your body!

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