Princess 1/2 walkers?

[carps09]

I just registered for the Princess Half and it will be my first one! I'm training with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. It is comforting to know I won't be the only walker in the bunch!

 

[shellbelle76]

I echo so much of what has been said here. I still consider myself a new runner. I've been running 2 years as of this coming January. From personal experience, I cannot stress enough the importance of taking things slowly, giving yourself plenty of rest days, and take care of yourself in general.

I've seen so many runners, different ages, shapes, sizes, experience levels, etc...everyone improves at their own pace, it is very personal. So try to just focus on yourself. Just keep with it, you will improve.

Just wanted to say that I LOVE this post. Very encouraging as I've only been running for a few months, and it's often tempting to start comparing myself to others. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Dreamer2012]

I am the type of person who is all or nothing - meaning in order to keep myself going I need to be regimented in doing it everyday...that being said I have read several places that when you are running you need a day inbetween to "rest" - does that hold true for walking as well? I am actually enjoying doing my 30 min. walks each morning and longer walks on the weekends. I do not want to over do - or jeopardize my training in any way so I just need to be sure that this is ok. Nothing hurts and I feel great knowing I have done something good for myself everyday. I also figure the extra calories burned sure can't hurt as I could loose approx 20lbs or so..... Thanks for your help!

Hey John VN - a 9:19 mile - WALKING? VERY IMPRESSIVE!! I'm not sure I will ever be able to do that! I will be happy to just keep the 16mpm pace and not be "swept"! Interesting that you also bike - I just started rollerbladeing since it is an activity my dd13 enjoys doing with me - we did 6 miles on Sunday! Not too bad for newbies.... does that kind of "cross training" help the walking?

Also a "general" question - I just bought expensive Saucony "running" sneakers - but since I have now decided to do the 1/2 marathon as a walker do I need to replace them with a "walking" shoe? Is there really a big difference? What would you do?

 

[John VN]

I am the type of person who is all or nothing - meaning in order to keep myself going I need to be regimented in doing it everyday...that being said I have read several places that when you are running you need a day inbetween to "rest" - does that hold true for walking as well? I am actually enjoying doing my 30 min. walks each morning and longer walks on the weekends. I do not want to over do - or jeopardize my training in any way so I just need to be sure that this is ok. Nothing hurts and I feel great knowing I have done something good for myself everyday. I also figure the extra calories burned sure can't hurt as I could loose approx 20lbs or so..... Thanks for your help!

Hey John VN - a 9:19 mile - WALKING? VERY IMPRESSIVE!! I'm not sure I will ever be able to do that! I will be happy to just keep the 16mpm pace and not be "swept"! Interesting that you also bike - I just started rollerbladeing since it is an activity my dd13 enjoys doing with me - we did 6 miles on Sunday! Not too bad for newbies.... does that kind of "cross training" help the walking?

Also a "general" question - I just bought expensive Saucony "running" sneakers - but since I have now decided to do the 1/2 marathon as a walker do I need to replace them with a "walking" shoe? Is there really a big difference? What would you do?

I'll give you my feelings related here but some or many might not agree.

Walk all you want as long as you feel good after but don't push the speed. Too much speed work will not allow muscles to repair themselves.

I could get out every day walking but I enjoy my bicycling MUCH MORE. Been gone from home for 2+ months to watch 2 DGSs and I already have a 100 mile ride set with my best friend for this Saturday after getting home on Thursday. I find that long distance bicycling provides the hours of constant exercise time that is required for us walkers since we spend so much more time pavement pounding.

I am walking in Asics Gel Nimbus 12 shoes and will be ordering a pair of 13's when I get home. You have to walk in the shoes that feel good for your style and as you increase speed and distance a change might be necessary because your stride could change along with the impact zone. When I first started walking I was a heel striker and now I am more mid-sole so I like the padding these shoes provide. I would love to rollerblade but I prefer to stay vertical.

You are doing fine but just keep it fun. Once the enjoyment leaves it then becomes work. Most people don't like work and that's when injuries happen. I can't fathom thinking "I don't want to get out because....." as many runners seem to express in posts.

Hope this helps.

 

[ChimneysweepGeorge]

I am the type of person who is all or nothing - meaning in order to keep myself going I need to be regimented in doing it everyday...that being said I have read several places that when you are running you need a day inbetween to "rest" - does that hold true for walking as well? I am actually enjoying doing my 30 min. walks each morning and longer walks on the weekends. I do not want to over do - or jeopardize my training in any way so I just need to be sure that this is ok. Nothing hurts and I feel great knowing I have done something good for myself everyday. I also figure the extra calories burned sure can't hurt as I could loose approx 20lbs or so..... Thanks for your help!

This is one of the great things about walking...unless you are keeping John's speed, you should be fine unless you start getting pain. As a rule though, yes, runners shouldn't have two consecutive days with any kind of effort and no more than one hard (distance OR speed) run per week until you have a serious base built: In other words, nothing to worry about for a while as long as you keep it comfortable.

As for the shoes, John hit it there too. It's more about your stride and how your feet hit the road than the actual activity. If something feels wrong, it likely is, your feet (and to a lesser extent knees and hips) will tell you here.

 

[ChimneysweepGeorge]

I'll give you my feelings related here but some or many might not agree.

I'm starting to get the feeling that despite our initial disagreement on stretching, you and I are largely on the same page.

 

[John VN]

I'm starting to get the feeling that despite our initial disagreement on stretching, you and I are largely on the same page.

I to your expertise and know we have a common link regarding health and fitness. Hope to meet you some day.

 

[ChimneysweepGeorge]

I to your expertise and know we have a common link regarding health and fitness. Hope to meet you some day.

With that common interest and that of The Mouse...it could well happen at some point!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

I'm totally new too. Until now my idea of exercising has been going to the grocery store. I hope we can cross the finish line together!

I do have a question for the "vets" though. Right now I am jog/walking 1 min / 2 mins for 20 mins total, but even that I can't complete. When I finish I get lightheaded, migraines, my head feels like it's full of pressure (my ears even pop!). I also shake for several hours. Today I started crying for no real reason. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong? I am healthy, just not fit, and I'm young, so I didn't think I needed medical clearance?

I'm still determined to do this somehow, but I want to make sure I don't do it "wrong" and hurt myself, and I get discouraged easily when it comes to physical activities (lots of being yelled at in gym).

I am sure you figured out the answer to this by now, but for me I feel lightheaded and get a headache when I don't get enough iron before exercise. Try taking a supplement if you haven't found something else that works

 

[Dreamer2012]

I know it probably wont seem like it to some of you veterans but we just did outm 6.5 mile walk last weekend and I felt like I could have kept going! My right knee was "tired" but not hurting....when I checked my phone (I was using the runkeeper gps guided app) it said we averaged 17 min per mile. I wa a bit dissapointed that we were a full min off pace, but I tried to concentrate that we actually did 6.5 miles!! That in itself was an accomplishment for two women who until last month would NEVER have even dreamt w could do this! We have 131 more days to train - hopefully we will be able to pick up the pace when we do the 3 miles this weekend...any advice out there? Hey John - think we are too far behind the pace to actually finish the race and not be swept up?

 

[ChimneysweepGeorge]

Congratulations!
Here is the thing about veteran runners...we weren't born that way. Celebrate!

I'm not John but I am an RRCA certified running coach...you are in good shape. The single biggest piece of advice is to ignore your speed and focus on distance...in other words, you are on the right track. I'll explain for you.

Speed is pretty much a function of two things; overall conditioning and neuromuscular response. The first one will only come as you train your cardio system more. That means a heart rate under 80% of max for as long as you can. If you don't have the base conditioning, trying to move faster is just going to exhaust you faster...and that's the opposite of what you want when facing 13.1 miles. You'll find as you are able to go longer and further, your speed will naturally increase. The second...essentially moving your feet faster, doesn't take a lot of time to train. It can be done in the last three to four weeks preceding your taper period if you find yourself lacking.

Oh and that's the second bit of counter-intuitive but true advice I'm going to give you, gradually reduce the volume of your run for the 7-10 days before the race. It gives your body time to fully recover and restore glycogen so you'll be able to give your very best. This REALLY messes with your head the first time (every time for some people) as your body fills with more energy and your brain starts second guessing the lack of activity but going into a race 10% undertrained is MUCH better than being 1% overtrained.

 

[John VN]

I know it probably wont seem like it to some of you veterans but we just did outm 6.5 mile walk last weekend and I felt like I could have kept going! My right knee was "tired" but not hurting....when I checked my phone (I was using the runkeeper gps guided app) it said we averaged 17 min per mile. I wa a bit dissapointed that we were a full min off pace, but I tried to concentrate that we actually did 6.5 miles!! That in itself was an accomplishment for two women who until last month would NEVER have even dreamt w could do this! We have 131 more days to train - hopefully we will be able to pick up the pace when we do the 3 miles this weekend...any advice out there? Hey John - think we are too far behind the pace to actually finish the race and not be swept up?

Excellent job with your 6.5 miles, , and csGeorge beat me to it when it comes to base, base and more base. Many people convince themselves that because they feel so good after doing X-miles they think they are ready to speed things up and what they really wind up doing is injure themselves instead. Get a little more base, then shorten your stride length along with quickening your steps and the times will come down.

 

[erinna]

I just want to thank the walking gurus -- I took up fitness walking (if that's what its' called) a little over two months ago. Outside of _Walking for Dummies_ I haven't consulted with experts so your comment are very affirming.

I'm focusing more on heart rate than distance and speed. That being said, I've been pleased to see a pretty natural uptick in how quickly are I can cover my route.

I'm a bigger chicken than OP, though -- I'm working towards the 5K marathon weekend. If I enjoy that experience, then I'll start thinking about the Princess 2013!

 

[ChimneysweepGeorge]

I'm a bigger chicken than OP, though -- I'm working towards the 5K marathon weekend. If I enjoy that experience, then I'll start thinking about the Princess 2013!

Starting smaller isn't about being chicken. You are already moving out of your comfort zone. That's always heroic...never forget that.

 

[John VN]

Starting smaller isn't about being chicken. You are already moving out of your comfort zone. That's always heroic...never forget that.

Golly, beaten to the punch again.

DW and I did our first 5K at WDW's 2010 Marathon Weekend the Up and Away Family Fun Run 5K. We had a blast and from there it was then the first Wine&Dine Relay then this year's 5K again, 1/2 marathon on Saturday and I walked the marathon on Sunday.

Everybody has to start somewhere and the 5K was the best for us so go for it and feel great about your accomplishments.

 

[ChimneysweepGeorge]

Golly, beaten to the punch again.

Sorry my friend, a slow day at work means that the IT guy with the upcoming WDW vacation is obsessing at various forums

But yea, I re-started with a 5k myself. Logan's Run (March) 2010...and I was unable to run the entire distance.

It's interesting to note though. 5k is my very LEAST favorite distance. As a matter of fact, I HATE that distance. I like to race when I have a bib on and when you have a race of 10k or more there is a bit of a strategy that involves conserving your energy since no one but elite athletes can go all out for that kind of distance. So there is always some portion of longer races where I can just relax and watch the scenery roll past. On a 5k it's PUSHPUSHPUSHPUSH.

 

[Dreamer2012]

Thanks CSGEORGE and JohnVN for the advice and the encouragement. I guess we will just keep plugging away! I am glad to hear that you think the speed will come when the distances get longer. Out training schedule calls for a long walk one weekend and then 3 miles the next weekend and then a long walk - then 3 miles .... the 3 miles just dosn't seem enough anymore should we lengthen it to 5 miles now or just trust the training schedule? Only 130 more days....yikes somehow that does NOT seem like enough to get ready for this!! I am totally making myself crazy now!! I need to just keep putting one foot infront of the other and go! Thanks for the help guys...anything else we should know?

 

[ChimneysweepGeorge]

Out training schedule calls for a long walk one weekend and then 3 miles the next weekend and then a long walk - then 3 miles .... the 3 miles just dosn't seem enough anymore should we lengthen it to 5 miles now or just trust the training schedule?

Stick with the plan. I'll even give you the SCIENCE.
Your body adapts to training indirectly. The long walks break down your muscles, overstress your heart and lungs and generally beat the heck out of your body. Your body responds to this overstress by rebuilding stronger during periods of rest. Shorter runs/walks are what's known as active rest. This way, your body won't lose any fitness but has more time to fully recover. When I'm training for running a full 26.2, my training week includes a 3 mile run or two for exactly this reason. For someone starting out, the rest is even more important and that's why you aren't seeing all mileage all the time, your body needs recovery time to stay healthy and uninjured more than it needs more miles.

Thanks for the help guys...anything else we should know?

My pleasure! I love this stuff.
Let's see, we talked training, we talked taper...the only thing I can really thing of is race nutrition. I expect that given the lower intensity but longer duration that walkers encounter, their needs are slightly different and I'll defer to John here BUT once long training takes more than an hour, it's a good time to start experimenting and see which brand and flavor of gels/gummies/beans your body does best with.

I'll go on the assumption that it's similar to running.

In a nutshell this is prepackaged...sugar. Usually more than one type of sugar so it will be easily absorbed but stay in your system for 30-45 minutes. Any strenuous activity that lasts more than an hour uses HUGE amounts of energy and refueling as you go will prevent you from, quite literally, running out of gas. The reason it's good to start experimenting (you can buy individual packs from most sporting good stores) is that the flavors and textures are largely unwholesome. Imagine swallowing two tablespoons of double thick, double sweet jelly or icing to get an idea. So it's good to know in advance what you don't find objectionable. Most races give samples at the start or on the course but trying anything new during a race is a rather bad idea. GU Energy, Clif Shots & Honey Stinger are popular brands and a decent place to start. Marketing aside, they are all equally effective so it's just a question of flavor and texture.

 

[John VN]

Got to keep the body energized for the longer times we walkers take so for me what works is a banana, Gu Gel packs, Shot BlOCKS, Hershey's Dark Chocolate chips with raisins added and I prefer just water.

As CSGeorge said, experiment now so you are set. I have experimented with eating before I exercise and found that Egg Beaters on whole wheat with a slice of American cheese and ketchup about 1.5 hours before a long training walk works well but before an event I have to have it about 2.5 to 3 hours before start. I even went so far as to see how my system would react to a lasagna dinner then getting out 90 minutes later and walking a fast 10K. No problems after the first 2.5 miles of burping.

Find your comfort foods and zones way before events and that's one less thing to think about.

 

[Dreamer2012]

Thanks guys! I have begun to trying to figure out a little of this - on our 6.5 walk we tried the shot block - it was ok in taste but rather large to just put a whole one in your mouth at once. Carrying the leftover piece was awkward - so I cut each block in to 3 pieces for the next walk (hope thats ok?) - On the last walk we had one at the halfway mark (even though niether of us felt we needed it) and it was fine - My question is how do you know when to take it and when not to? Someone said if you wait until you "Need" it - its too late....Should you just take it at regular intervals the entire long walk? What intervals? Since I have cut the remainder into thirds will this affect the timing? Maybe I will try the Jellybean type next since they are smaller.... Also since we usually go out for our walks very early - I have been doing them on an empty stomache. I do drink plenty of water during the walks (long & short) - have not had a problem yet - is this a bad thing to do? Like I said sooo much to learn - I am sure glad the two of you are there for advice!! Thanks so very much!