Alright. I’m back from our trip and ready to get rolling with regular blog posts again.
Thinking about it, I haven’t done much posting about my half marathon training lately. Since the race is only 65 days away [yes, I am counting down the days!], I thought it’d be fun to get back into regular training updates, and more.
If you follow me on Daily Mile or Twitter, than you’ve probably heard me mention my run-walk intervals, and I’ve mentioned on the blog a bunch of times that I’m using a Jeff Galloway plan for my training. I figured it was time to explain his methods a bit more…
+++
For over two years, I’ve been running. Stressed out from grad school and teaching, I turned my afternoon walks into runs, mostly to get some energy out. I got into a rhythm of running three days a week, focusing on building up my endurance.
I followed a training plan, and within a year, ran my first 5k race. I was hooked.
But sadly, a few months ago when I picked up running after a long winter break, my running did not come as easily as it had in the past. I was starting to get a twinge in my right knee, and the shin splints I suffered from in high school were also making an appearance.
I bought new running shoes, but that didn’t seem to work. Grrr.
Rather than run through the pain and cause injury [or stay angry], I did some research.
When I had trained for my first 5k in 2010, I had used a training plan from Jeff Galloway , a former Olympic runner, is the creator of the Galloway Run-Walk-Run method. His plans encourage runners to include walk breaks at regular intervals, allowing for a faster recovery and fewer injuries. By taking breaks for up to a minute long, your body has a chance to slow down and prepare for the next set of running.
Now, some of you runners may be thinking, “Running with walk breaks isn’t really running.”
It’s not true. In fact, many of Galloway’s followers have had faster race times by incorporating walk breaks into their runs, and people have even qualified for the Boston Marathon using his method.
Walk break time – rest those legs!
Still not sure? Here are a few more reasons to check out Jeff Galloway’s Run-Walk-Run Method:
1. It gives your body a chance to recover while you run.
When you allow yourself to walk, even if it’s for twenty seconds after a six minute session of running, you are giving your muscles a chance to take a break. This can help you to go faster, and longer.
2. It helps your body recover faster after you run.
Many long-time runners who switch to the Run-Walk-Run method find that they have fewer aches and pains the days following a long run. They also have an easier recovery after a big race, like a marathon or half marathon.
3. You can adjust your intervals depending on how you feel each day.
One day, on a long run perhaps, you may run a minute, then walk a minute. The next run you may be up for running six minutes, and then taking a thirty second walk break. It’s all up to you and your body.
4. You may improve your time.
Runners have made PRs from taking walk breaks. By having more energy stored up from walking throughout a run, you can go faster at the end.
5. It adds some variety to running.
I find I get bored from just running for long periods of time. By running and walking in intervals, you can add speed workouts, change up your pacing, and get a break throughout your run.
+++
I’m currently training for the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon in October [woohoo!], and have been including set walk breaks into my runs since May. I find that I’m recovering faster, my shin splints and knee twinges have mostly subsided, and I have already run farther than ever before.
Walk breaks can work, if you want to give them a try.
To learn more, check out Jeff Galloway’s website , or listen to the Extra Mile Podcast Galloway Edition . [And in case you’re wondering, I’m not sponsored by Disney or Jeff Galloway in any way. I just love what they’ve put together.]
If you run, do you insert walk breaks into your training and races?
This post was originally posted on The Athlete’s Plate . It has been edited for Lisa’s Foods readers.
Alright. I’m back from our trip and ready to get rolling with regular blog posts again.
Thinking about it, I haven’t done much posting about my half marathon training lately. Since the race is only 65 days away [yes, I am counting down the days!], I thought it’d be fun to get back into regular training updates, and more.
If you follow me on Daily Mile or Twitter, than you’ve probably heard me mention my run-walk intervals, and I’ve mentioned on the blog a bunch of times that I’m using a Jeff Galloway plan for my training. I figured it was time to explain his methods a bit more…
+++
For over two years, I’ve been running. Stressed out from grad school and teaching, I turned my afternoon walks into runs, mostly to get some energy out. I got into a rhythm of running three days a week, focusing on building up my endurance.
I followed a training plan, and within a year, ran my first 5k race. I was hooked.
But sadly, a few months ago when I picked up running after a long winter break, my running did not come as easily as it had in the past. I was starting to get a twinge in my right knee, and the shin splints I suffered from in high school were also making an appearance.
I bought new running shoes, but that didn’t seem to work. Grrr.
Rather than run through the pain and cause injury [or stay angry], I did some research.
When I had trained for my first 5k in 2010, I had used a training plan from Jeff Galloway , a former Olympic runner, is the creator of the Galloway Run-Walk-Run method. His plans encourage runners to include walk breaks at regular intervals, allowing for a faster recovery and fewer injuries. By taking breaks for up to a minute long, your body has a chance to slow down and prepare for the next set of running.
Now, some of you runners may be thinking, “Running with walk breaks isn’t really running.”
It’s not true. In fact, many of Galloway’s followers have had faster race times by incorporating walk breaks into their runs, and people have even qualified for the Boston Marathon using his method.
Walk break time – rest those legs!
Still not sure? Here are a few more reasons to check out Jeff Galloway’s Run-Walk-Run Method:
1. It gives your body a chance to recover while you run.
When you allow yourself to walk, even if it’s for twenty seconds after a six minute session of running, you are giving your muscles a chance to take a break. This can help you to go faster, and longer.
2. It helps your body recover faster after you run.
Many long-time runners who switch to the Run-Walk-Run method find that they have fewer aches and pains the days following a long run. They also have an easier recovery after a big race, like a marathon or half marathon.
3. You can adjust your intervals depending on how you feel each day.
One day, on a long run perhaps, you may run a minute, then walk a minute. The next run you may be up for running six minutes, and then taking a thirty second walk break. It’s all up to you and your body.
4. You may improve your time.
Runners have made PRs from taking walk breaks. By having more energy stored up from walking throughout a run, you can go faster at the end.
5. It adds some variety to running.
I find I get bored from just running for long periods of time. By running and walking in intervals, you can add speed workouts, change up your pacing, and get a break throughout your run.
+++
I’m currently training for the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon in October [woohoo!], and have been including set walk breaks into my runs since May. I find that I’m recovering faster, my shin splints and knee twinges have mostly subsided, and I have already run farther than ever before.
Walk breaks can work, if you want to give them a try.
To learn more, check out Jeff Galloway’s website , or listen to the Extra Mile Podcast Galloway Edition . [And in case you’re wondering, I’m not sponsored by Disney or Jeff Galloway in any way. I just love what they’ve put together.]
If you run, do you insert walk breaks into your training and races?
This post was originally posted on The Athlete’s Plate . It has been edited for Lisa’s Foods readers.