I'm kinda in this boat. I started running mostly due to seeing the Galloway method online. It gave me a plan that I thought I could handle and wouldn't quit on.

I have also stopped walking during the week on 5 or 6 milers. On the weekend, I normally cover half of my run with 1 short walk break, and then take them more frequently during the last half. For instance. Run 3 miles, walk 1 min, run 3 miles, walk 1 min, then 1mile/1min for the next six miles. And, in all honesty, they are mostly mental crutches. I use them to get water in, but boy do I look forward to them as I'm struggling along. It just worked out this way, I didn't really plan any of it.

And I'm increasing pretty slowly, so injuries haven't crept in yet. (fingers crossed)

Edited to say "hi" to Double Master Lopez. Hope we 30's didn't do anything to chase you off?
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http://This message has been edited by cus3435 (edited Aug-03-2005).

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I understand that. Gongrats on SF and I'll look forward to "seeing" ya if you get less busy.

Hi there! I must admit, it kind of freaked me out to see my username on a thread title here...I was worried that someone was mad at me!

You are correct, I was initially using the Galloway program to remain injury free during my marathon training. It is a reasonable and disciplined program...disciplined not only in it's emphasis on slow progression and building a solid base, but also on its emphasis on walk breaks to quell that urge to run harder and faster that many of us have!

And that's why I am still incorporating many aspects of the program! But for the past month, I've been gradually doing more runs without the walk breaks. Honestly--and I almost hate to admit this--I tried my first long run without walk breaks mainly because of all of the haranguing on one of the other threads. I was sort of made to feel like I wasn't a real "runner" if I took walk breaks, and I'm shamefully susceptible to peer pressure!

So, I gave it a try, and I had a WONDERFUL run! So, I re-evaluated how I was using the run/walk program and thought about when I really felt it benefitted me. I'm no exercise physiologist, but I have trained in endurance sports for years and have a good feel for the various aspects of a training program. I have a good feel for when something feels right. And doing my long, steady distance runs without walk breaks just felt right.

I still feel that on some of my intermediate/long runs, it works better for me to walk occasionally. These are runs from 10-14 miles where I am trying to push the pace a wee bit, just testing out the muscles and getting my body used to a faster pace. I still feel like I benefit from walking during these runs.

But my long/long runs (16-20 miles) I've started doing at a slow, steady even pace. I like the smoothness of these runs and the ability to get into a "zone". I feel like I am more efficient during these slow runs. And the creakiness in my knees and ankles hasn't warned me to take it easy!

So, I have been evolving. Perhaps if Jeff Galloway himself were reading this, he'd think I was being overly ambitious and that I could still benefit from walking on my long runs. Mebbe, mebbe not. But I'm also a firm believer in listening to your body and re-evaluating a training program based on your needs, tweaking it if necessary. This seems to feel right and my ability to handle distances and pace seems to be improving.

--Robin

quote:<HR>Originally posted by rtravers:
I was initially using the Galloway program to remain injury free during my marathon training. It is a reasonable and disciplined program...disciplined not only in it's emphasis on slow progression and building a solid base, but also on its emphasis on walk breaks to quell that urge to run harder and faster that many of us have! <HR>

This is what I love about this program. At 51 yrs. old, I have made multiple "comebacks" only to end up injured & sidelined for extended periods. I was getting injured because I was still stuck on the "farther, faster" mindset of my 20's & 30's.

Following this program I have learned to slow down & build the base miles I need to get me back on track. I started earlier this year at a couple of miles per run. I'm up tp 10 miles on my long runs now and have only had to deal with a mild case of shin splints when I changed shoes.

I will run my first marathon in December using this method and will decide then if I want to continue using walk breaks on a regular basis in further training.

I want to keep running....if this helps me do it I'm all for it. At my age it seems like each injury took longer & longer to recover from.