First Half Marathon--A Galloway Program Success!

Support | Event Directors & Organizers

Search Cool Running Community

Browse Cool Running

CoolRunning.com > Cool Running Community > Jeff Galloway >

robintravers

371 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

Oct 2, 2005 9:29 PM

First Half Marathon--A Galloway Program Success!

The Galloway training really paid off for me, today: I ran my first 1/2 marathon! I started running almost exactly 6 months ago, and I started the Galloway Marathon training program about 1 month after that. I'm planning on running the Cape Cod Marathon on Oct. 30, but I used the Maine Half Marathon in Portland, ME, today as a "dry run".

What a terrific run! I didn't "race" this event, but used it as a well-supported training run, a chance to practice my pacing, running in large crowds, and water stop strategies. I walked through the water stops only, which were spaced about 2 miles apart. I signalled clearly to those behind me that I was slowing and heading for water, and no one seemed to be bothered at all by this strategy.

I ran the first half at about 8:30 pace overall, and then began picking up steam. Feeling pretty great, I picked up the pace for the last half of the race, crossing the finish line in 1:49:03.

There are many who scoff at us Gallowalkers, but it has worked for me thus far. After only 6 months of running, I daresay that this is a pretty great time for a Half Marathon, and I credit the great training program I've been using.

I feel pretty terrific right now, and I have to believe that the fast recovery has something to do with the walk breaks at the water stations. I feel no stiffness, fatigue or serious aches or pains.

At my level of running, I think the walk breaks have been useful, not only in improving my overall times, but also in speeding my recovery. I suppose if I get faster, I might phase out the walk breaks as they might be less efficient at faster paces. We shall see.

But in any case, for now I'm looking forward to the possibility...dare I say it?...that I might even get a BQ at my first marathon in 4 weeks. If I do, it will be thanks to this great training program.

--Robin

Cashmason

460 posts since
Oct 29, 2007

1. Oct 3, 2005 2:27 AM

in response to: robintravers

Yay Robin!

Glad you had a great race.

lioness1

375 posts since
Apr 1, 2001

2. Oct 3, 2005 5:44 AM

in response to: robintravers

Great job! Whatever does it for ya does it for ya! Hope the marathon also goes well! What time do you need for the bq?

robintravers

371 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

3. Oct 3, 2005 9:36 AM

in response to: robintravers

This is so STOOPID! I shouldn't even be THINKING of a BQ! It's just that the McMillan running calculator puts my equivilant marathon time at 3:49:59, and a BQ for my age group (I am 41) is 3:50!

I almost wish McMillan had pegged my equivilant marathon time at 4:05 or some other respectable number like that. Then I would have sighed a big, happy sigh of contentment and thought, "Great! I know I can complete a marathon with my training!". Instead, now I have this other goal that I should REALLY, REALLY just forget about. A first-time marathoner should just focus on finishing, nothing else. But I can't help myself.

Somebody, talk me down, please!

--Robin

sortarunner

98 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

4. Oct 8, 2005 9:36 PM

in response to: robintravers

Here are my comments(from a beginning marathon runner) about Mcmillanrunning predictor or any other predictors,based on my recent(last week) experience:

As part of my marathon training I did San Diego Half marathon,by then I alraedy did 20 mile run/walk using 9 Min run and 1 min walk.I plugged in the results on Mcmillanrunning predictor and it gave me a number equivalent to 2 X Half marathon time + 14 minutes which is close to what Jeff Galloway predicts in his book.In the St George marathon I just did I was off by 30 min.I did no speed training.I believe my result is consistent with my Marathon specific training.When I ran Half marathon,what I did was not just Half Marathon specific training and it is much more than that,and therefore Half marathon was relatively easy.It is like training for a 50K,stay healthy, and run a marathon,you will get a better result.
Prior to this , I did about 6 marathons.I say I "did" because I just walked them and I was very happy to finish within the allowed time,and there were always hundreds of people behind me,and practically all of them were half my age!
But,this was the first time I was disapponted at the end of the race,even though my new time is 25 min better(My previous best was 6:03,my new time is 5:38),because of my ignorance in interpreting the predictors,and understanding all the assumptions built into them.
The purpose of my posting this is to advise others not to set themselves up for a disappontment based on some predictor's forecast.I think we get the results we deserve based on what put in the race specific training,weather,course and how we feel that day etc.,
Good luck to you.I think you will BQ'it.

robintravers

371 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

5. Oct 9, 2005 7:10 AM

in response to: robintravers

Very wise words! I'm going to just forget what the pace calculator told me and just aim to run the best race I can. I'll be Galloway'ing, but just walking through the water stops, spaced at 2.5 mile intervals. This seemed to work well for me during the HM. I tried some of the tips for running while drinking, and ended up choking!

Maybe next year, I'll practice running and drinking at the same time, but for now I'm just going to incorporate these reasonable walk breaks through the water stations.

I'm hoping for around 4 hours...

--Robin

fitfool

1 posts since
Aug 3, 2005

6. Oct 9, 2005 7:53 AM

in response to: robintravers

Congratulations rtravers! What a great time in less than ideal conditions.

sortarunner, thanks for sharing. I'm not doing the Galloway program, but I was also struggling with setting a reasonable goal for my first marathon. I know a lot of advice is to simply finish your first one but I would love 4:30 and think I'll be disappointed if it takes longer than 5:00. But! based on a 30K race, McMillan says I could even break 4:15. Doesn't seem like it would be a big difference but I've been discouraged that it feels harder to finish my workouts on the faster suggested training paces and I was starting to lose faith in my training. So yeah...I'll go back to doing what I had been doing and hope for the best in a month.

------------------
Training for 1st marathon at NYC 2005[/URL" target="_blank">
Read my blog for training journal and recipes[/URL" target="_blank">

RunningCircles

41 posts since
Aug 15, 2005

7. Oct 9, 2005 8:06 AM

in response to: robintravers

I wouldn't put too much pressure on yourself for your first marathon (heck, I've only ever done up to 30KM races). It looks like your progressive really well, and that you have some natural ability in you that you didn't know about. Good luck!

------------------
Got Marathon? We Sure Do
Beyond Running Shoes - Gifts For All Marathon Runners[/URL" target="_blank">

robintravers

371 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

8. Oct 30, 2005 7:29 PM

in response to: robintravers

Well, the Macmillan pace calculator was eerily precise! I crossed the finish line in 3:49:something-or-other (still awaiting the official time and the chip time: I saw something around 3:49:40 when I crossed). I gotta say, that is WEIRDLY precise...

But who am I to question, I am just psyched that I BQ'ed on my first marathon! I used the same techniques described during my HM report above. I aimed to run an 8:30 pace and I walked through the aid stations, drinking water and taking gels. I was very careful to be aware of runners around me and not impede their progress. I ran a steady pace, and I'm really proud of myself.

Now I have to start training for another marathon!

--Robin

Achilles58

197 posts since
Dec 8, 2004

9. Nov 1, 2005 7:38 AM

in response to: robintravers

quote:<HR>Originally posted by rtravers:
The Galloway training really paid off for me, today: I ran my first 1/2 marathon! I started running almost exactly 6 months ago, and I started the Galloway Marathon training program about 1 month after that.
Feeling pretty great, I picked up the pace for the last half of the race, crossing the finish line in 1:49:03.
--Robin<HR>

Good on you! What's your age if I may ask?
As JG says, the only way to get better is to train and the only way to train is to stay uninjuried. You can argue with run/walk on many grounds but is does help you avoid injury.

robintravers

371 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

10. Nov 1, 2005 8:41 AM

in response to: robintravers

I'm 41. And although I did struggle with some piriformis syndrome pre-race, I do credit the Galloway program with helping me to train uninjured.

And now that I've qualified for Boston, I have to start training all over again!

--Robin

Oct 2, 2005 9:29 PM

First Half Marathon--A Galloway Program Success!

New Runners

Training

Competition

Age Groups

Fitness

The Lighter Side

Feedback

Related Links