Not a Runner? Want to be?

Inevitably, when folks find out I’m training for a marathon, they confide in me they could never run “that far” let along around the block.  While an eight mile run has become fun for me, it wasn’t always that way.  Want to know the secret? 

I walk a lot. 

I know I’ve probably just lost all my runner subscribers by admitting that (”Ah! So he’s not really a runner!  What a faker, I’m outta here.”) but I don’t care.  Taking regular walk breaks while running has gotten my body to propel itself for over 22 miles in a single session, and I know it will get it to propel it 26.2.

I do feel a bit vindicated by an article in Runners World by 1968 Boston Marathon winner, Amby Burfoot.  Amby mentions Jeff Galloway’s marathon training program, which is what I’m following.  Right now my interval is pretty much run five minutes, walk one - though on longer runs I have a tendency to zone out and soon ten minutes have passed between breaks.  On shorter runs (say six miles or less), I’m able to easily keep a ten minute pace - nothing that is going to win any races, but about as fast as I’ve ever been running straight through.  Longer runs, my pace slows a bit, which has been a bit of concern for myself, but nothing horrible. 

Want to try for yourself?  Trying running 60 seconds, then walk 90. Rinse. Lather. Repeat. I bet you’ll be able to keep it up for a half hour.  This is the anchor of the Couch to 5k Running Plan.  My wife, one not normally inclined to run, got hung up getting our son to school yesterday and missed her normal aerobic step class at the club.  Pressed for time, she decided to give running a try on the treadmill using this same interval, and surprised herself by run/walking for 28 minutes before she had to get our youngest off to his one year check-up. I’m excited as all get-out in hopes she gets hooked on it as well.