13 replies to this topic

[Ames43]

Hi gang

I've got the GC marathon coming up in 3 weeks and having just completed the Barossa Marathon two weeks ago (it was a last minute decision) I'm battling with how to approach the race. Generally I've recovered ok, except I've developed a sore foot in the last day or two which I think might be peroneal tendonitis so my running over the next 3 weeks is going to be reduced even more than what it normally would be during a taper.

So I'm starting to think about doing a run-walk marathon and I was wondering who has done it and how they did it. I'd be particularly interested to hear from anyone who has done a relatively quick one (sub 3.40 perhaps?)

A

[johnnyboyrun]

One question- WHY?

Doing 2 marathons in 6 weeks unplanned even if you were an experienced runner i would consider silly and coupled with the fact you may have an injury, it's probably plain stupid IMO. Rest up and take some time out and go along to GC and support your mates who are doing it. It may seem a but harsh but i see to many runners get injured and then make them worse by not planning and not listening body properly.

Cheers
John

[Rico]

One time I did a 3.12 marathon and was beaten by a guy who walked the whole thing.  He had won olympic medals for his walking, but.

[Ames43]

johnnyboyrun, on 10 June 2012 - 09:16 PM, said:

One question- WHY?

Doing 2 marathons in 6 weeks unplanned even if you were an experienced runner i would consider silly and coupled with the fact you may have an injury, it's probably plain stupid IMO. Rest up and take some time out and go along to GC and support your mates who are doing it. It may seem a but harsh but i see to many runners get injured and then make them worse by not planning and not listening body properly.

Cheers
John

Thanks John. Why? Because I can and because I want to. I posted on another thread that the foot pain is either injury, or due to wearing new high heel ankle boots around the office last week. Given the rapid rate of improvement over the last 48 hours by wearing 'sensible' shoes again I'm thinking it's the latter. Which is good news.

Plenty of people run 2 marathons within 6 weeks. I learnt in the last one that there is a vast difference between running one comfortably and racing one. So if the body holds up, there's no reason why I shouldn't do it. I see your point, and I give the same advice to others.

Rico - how did you resist the temptation not to knee-cap said walker? I remember one half marathon last year where i thought I was running really well, and then the walkers zoomed past. Talk about demoralising.

I'm keen to try the run-walk as an experiment, not as a survival tool. Kind of like a big interval session. I've read lots of stories on other websites of people who have actually ended up with a faster finishing time from doing it that way so I'm putting it out to CRs who have done it. I'm sure they're out there. There was a guy at Melbourne last year that was running-walking right from the very beginning. I thought it strange that he'd zoom off, then I'd catch him 15mins later. I didn't see him after 30kms though and he came in at 3.28, and I in at 3.40...

[johnnyboyrun]

You have only been runnning seriously for a couple of years- i dont know many people who have been running for that long or experienced guys who would do two marathons in 6 weeks (unplanned) unless they were training for an ultra which would be planned.  If you are having to come up with a walk run strategy to run a marathon its probably a good sign that it is not a good idea...

[Ames43]

By unplanned, I meant that the Barossa marathon was unplanned as in I hadn't planned to do that one, not that I was unprepared. I was training for Gold Coast and decided to run Barossa at the last minute. I took it easy, ran 4 minute PB and a negative split and pulled up fine.

As per above, the foot issue appears to be superficial and I'm interested in the run-walk as an experiment.

[Rico]

2 marathons in 6 weeks doesn't sound very unusual to me?

I'm not sure what the "unplannned" part means.  Most of my marathons have been last minute entries - is that what unplanned means?

Isn't there another thread where people are unhappy about an upcoming marathon being moved from saturday to sunday because it means they can't run 2 marathons that weekend?

[johnnyboyrun]

Rico, on 11 June 2012 - 12:39 PM, said:

2 marathons in 6 weeks doesn't sound very unusual to me?

I'm not sure what the "unplannned" part means.  Most of my marathons have been last minute entries - is that what unplanned means?

Isn't there another thread where people are unhappy about an upcoming marathon being moved from saturday to sunday because it means they can't run 2 marathons that weekend?

Planned means a marathon that you planned to do and have trained accordingly for....
Yes this is true, that some people do back to back.. In most cases theses guys have years in the legs.... Just because somebody does something doesnt make it right for you... If i was even considering doing a run walk marathon i wouldnt want ask myself why am i doing this and what damage will i do to my body ?...In the end its the individual decision. Just giving my two cents worth.

[Ames43]

Rico, on 11 June 2012 - 12:39 PM, said:

I'm not sure what the "unplannned" part means.  Most of my marathons have been last minute entries - is that what unplanned means?

What I meant by "unplanned" was that when I started a marathon program 11 weeks earlier in preparation for the Gold Coast marathon I wasn't planning on running another marathon before it. But I was in good shape, and I wanted to, so I did.

I'm trying to look at the run-walk theory as a proactive race strategy, not as something reactive that happens as you hit the wall late in a race, or go through drink stations. Something that you do right from the beginning.

See a guy that ran 2.50 here: http://news.runtowin...n-walk-run.html

and a guy that ran 3.16 here: http://www.reuters.c...E58F4BQ20090916

Given the lack of CRs who seem to have done it, I might just have to give it a try and report back after 1 July!

[twosheds]

Geoff Galloway is an advocate of the run/walk strategy. Run 10 mins/walk 1min- I haven't read too much about it but
I believe it is claimed as a good way to get a fast time. Haven't tried it -but worth a google search. Im keen to hear your experiences
ames- report back when done:)
twosheds

[Ames43]

Thanks TwoSheds...googling like mad here. most of the Galloway info I've found is aimed at 'beginners' looking to do their first marathon off little training. I think the hardest thing is actually taking the plunge and doing it!

[twosheds]

Ames43, on 11 June 2012 - 08:31 PM, said:

Thanks TwoSheds...googling like mad here. most of the Galloway info I've found is aimed at 'beginners' looking to do their first marathon off little training. I think the hardest thing is actually taking the plunge and doing it!

keep looking - I know Ive read sometime about a sub 3hour runner using the run walk Galloway style:)

[qwen]

Ames43, on 10 June 2012 - 08:10 PM, said:

Hi gang

I've got the GC marathon coming up in 3 weeks and having just completed the Barossa Marathon two weeks ago (it was a last minute decision) I'm battling with how to approach the race. Generally I've recovered ok, except I've developed a sore foot in the last day or two which I think might be peroneal tendonitis so my running over the next 3 weeks is going to be reduced even more than what it normally would be during a taper.

So I'm starting to think about doing a run-walk marathon and I was wondering who has done it and how they did it. I'd be particularly interested to hear from anyone who has done a relatively quick one (sub 3.40 perhaps?)

A

I did a 4hr run / walk marathon on the way to 100km Tan Ultra last year. Basically ran at 5:15 min/km for approx 3km and then walked Anderson Hill. Was able to keep going at over 10.5km/hr until 60km before dropping off the pace and walking more.

For a 3:40 time you'd need to be running at about 4:50 pace for 9 mins and then walk for 1 min.

All the best for GC.

[Gordo31]

I just did a 5:13 marathon with the run/walk method. But it was during the Cairns Ironman and my quads were cramping big time.

Although a lot slower than what you're planning, I pulled up so much better in the few days after the IM than I did after my marathon last year. Pace was quicker in the stand-alone, but I was out there a loooooooot longer last week.