2017: TRY RUN-WALKING a longer race

IN THE RUNNER'S WORLD ARTICLE “This 17-time Marathoner Tried Run-walking a Race- Here’s What Happened”, author Meghan Kita describes why and how she came to trial run-walking, and her experience doing so during a Bethlehem PA half marathon race.  I recall having repeatedly passed, then been passed by, someone run-walking a long race, so her story appealed to me. Did it work for a seasoned non-stop running marathon finisher?
 
Kita explains how running coach and Olympian Jeff Galloway popularized the method of long distance racing/ training in which periods of running alternate with periods of walking. “The run-walk method involves running for a pre-determined length of time, taking a planned walk break, and repeating” throughout the entire race, she says. “The purpose is to reduce stress on the body and mind.”
 
Her strategy was to run a mile and then walk a minute, using every mile marker in the race as a reminder. She was following in the footsteps of Amby Burfoot, who used and had written about the practice “back in the 90’s”. Burfoot has solid credentials as a former editor-in-chief of RW and winner of the 1986 Boston Marathon.
 
If, in the 2017 running year, you are looking for a way to decrease the wear and tear on your body, preserving it for runs and races now and far into the future, read the article in full. Beginning runners should consider this method too. I am definitely interested, and her perspective has pushed me toward more seriously training this way. A link at the bottom of her article takes you to the Jeff Galloway website home page. Click on the MAGIC MILE link in the mid-low portion of the left-hand column and you can get more specifics about times to run and walk in training.
 
RUN HAPPY!
 
http://www.runnersworld.com/racing/this-17-time-marathoner-tried-run-walking-a-race-heres-what-happened
 
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/run-walk/
 
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/magic-mile/
 
http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/walk-breaks-for-faster-running