Princess 1/2 walkers?

[princess124]

Hello everyone! Nice to check in and read how well everyone is doing! Makes me happy to see some newbies join in too! Things should ease up here time wise now that I have lost my 2nd part-time job. Bad for the budget, but hopefully good for giving me some much needed time in the afternoon to get back to training...have to look for the silver lining!I am planning on hitting the gym instead of the cold outdoors starting Monday. That will be the start of the new schedule week. I have been putting out some resumes, but until then I plan to use the time I have been given to get back on the PHM track! I am also counting on reading all the motivating things all of you are doing to get me back in the swing! Thanks for all the suggestions. Hey Princess124 - do you know if those phone apps are for android too? I do not have an IPhone - I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 - that sounds like it would be very motivating for me too!

Hello! I just looked it up - the Striiv app is only for the iPhone, but the MyFitnessPal app is for the Android. Hope that helps!

 

[Dreamer2012]

Thanks Ill have to check it out!

 

[Tracerr00]

Hi all! I'm new to this thread but I've read quite a bit of it! I'm signed up for the PHM but I'm in limbo right now as far as knowing how it'll turn out. I'm your poster child for too much too soon and not knowing what I was doing. I started running this summer and thought I was doing well. But two nights in a row I was running by my house in the country which is all hills. I was so concerned about my time that I was trying to power up the hills which were slow going and when I went downhill, I tried to make up my time by running fast and I was pounding my feet into the ground without realizing how bad that was. This caused "shin splints" which turned out to be a stress fracture in my left tibia. I asked my doc if only two runs could cause a stress fracture and he said yes, every run counts.

So now I'm on crutches and out of training until mid December. I don't have the ok for anything weight bearing like walking or elliptical right now. So I've been doing the exercise bike and I plan to add some pool workouts to keep in shape. I walked a 5K a few weeks back (before realizing the extent of my injury) and I did a 14:30 minute mile. Do you think it's crazy that I would try to train for walking the PHM in only two months?

I think I might have to stick to walking from now on and reading this thread has given me hope that even if I don't do well at the PHM, that I can train for maybe the Wine & Dine or other 1/2 marathons later in the year.

 

[Dreamer2012]

I walked the PHM last year with my BFF and this year will do so again with my DD15. There are many of us who either prefer or due to other restrictions choose to walk. So YES you can do it and since you have been training you should do fine. Infact there us a whole thread I started last year devoted to PHM Walkers - come join in with us!

 

[Dreamer2012]

Ooops you are here! WELCOME!!

 

[Tracerr00]

I walked the PHM last year with my BFF and this year will do so again with my DD15. There are many of us who either prefer or due to other restrictions choose to walk. So YES you can do it and since you have been training you should do fine. Infact there us a whole thread I started last year devoted to PHM Walkers - come join in with us!

Thanks for the welcome! I didn't do any workouts all weekend so I have to kick it into gear this week and force myself to get back on that exercise bike. I don't seem to be able to go very long on the exercise bike though (my butt gets pretty sore!)

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Hi all! I'm new to this thread but I've read quite a bit of it! I'm signed up for the PHM but I'm in limbo right now as far as knowing how it'll turn out. I'm your poster child for too much too soon and not knowing what I was doing. I started running this summer and thought I was doing well. But two nights in a row I was running by my house in the country which is all hills. I was so concerned about my time that I was trying to power up the hills which were slow going and when I went downhill, I tried to make up my time by running fast and I was pounding my feet into the ground without realizing how bad that was. This caused "shin splints" which turned out to be a stress fracture in my left tibia. I asked my doc if only two runs could cause a stress fracture and he said yes, every run counts.

So now I'm on crutches and out of training until mid December. I don't have the ok for anything weight bearing like walking or elliptical right now. So I've been doing the exercise bike and I plan to add some pool workouts to keep in shape. I walked a 5K a few weeks back (before realizing the extent of my injury) and I did a 14:30 minute mile. Do you think it's crazy that I would try to train for walking the PHM in only two months?

I think I might have to stick to walking from now on and reading this thread has given me hope that even if I don't do well at the PHM, that I can train for maybe the Wine & Dine or other 1/2 marathons later in the year.

If your doctor approves of your bicycle training and pool work I would do what you can to keep moving. Since you have some sort of base to build upon when you are able to return I think you would be able to give it a good try for walking that PHM. I would add a core strengthening routine (Pilates) to your W/O at this time too. That will prove to be most helpful as you move through the event and keep/get you ready for the upcoming longer training distance.

I follow the John Bingham Marathoning for Mortals program and the PHM training from mid December calls for the following Long Runs/WALKS (LR/LW):
12/15=5, 12/22=5, 12/29=6, 1/5=7, 1/12=4, 1/19=8, 1/26=6, 2/2=10, 2/9=8, 2/16=5

Notice the Bingham program has you trained up to 10 miles, not the full amount (13 miles). It will be presumed that your last 3.1 (5k) will be do-able with good base training up to this point. The Bingham program has been successful for me and my DH. Currently he does RocknRoll events since he is double hip replacement and can manage their 18 min/mile pace. He is getting stronger and closer to a 16 min/mile pace.

You have allowance up to a 16 min/mile. I would recommend to aim for at least a 15 min/mile that will allow for some breathing room and escape from sweepers.

Find the fun, work on your core strengthening and do what you can.

 

[NateAnglin]

Hi Dreamer,

I'm not sure if you've resolved this but you just need a little motivation and the last years cold weather probably didn't help you. I just wrote an article on this tpic so it may interest you.

.nateanglin.com/lazy-mans-guide-to-walking-more

 

[Freight Train]

Hi all! I haven't checked in for a while but I was the one who was going to walk the Goofy. I wanted to let everyone know that this past weekend I walked the 13.1 on Friday and the 26.2 on Saturday. I averaged 14:45 for the half (by design) and 14:40 for the whole (which worked out to about 13:30 for the first 18 miles and 16:00+ for the remainder).

I'm not posting this to crow. I just know how doubt and fear and weariness can creep in and discourage you. You shouldn't let it. I was explaining to my wife before the weekend that I was worried about it because it was getting very real. It was like mentally coming upon a locked door that you have to find a way to get through. I'm telling everyone here to go to that door, bust it down, and mentally beat the hell out of anyone inside telling you that you can't or won't finish. If I can do it, so can you!!! Believe in yourself and know that you have support!!!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Hi all! I haven't checked in for a while but I was the one who was going to walk the Goofy. I wanted to let everyone know that this past weekend I walked the 13.1 on Friday and the 26.2 on Saturday. I averaged 14:45 for the half (by design) and 14:40 for the whole (which worked out to about 13:30 for the first 18 miles and 16:00+ for the remainder).

I'm not posting this to crow. I just know how doubt and fear and weariness can creep in and discourage you. You shouldn't let it. I was explaining to my wife before the weekend that I was worried about it because it was getting very real. It was like mentally coming upon a locked door that you have to find a way to get through. I'm telling everyone here to go to that door, bust it down, and mentally beat the hell out of anyone inside telling you that you can't or won't finish. If I can do it, so can you!!! Believe in yourself and know that you have support!!!

Well said!
Keep on keepin' on everyone.

 

[Tracerr00]

If your doctor approves of your bicycle training and pool work I would do what you can to keep moving. Since you have some sort of base to build upon when you are able to return I think you would be able to give it a good try for walking that PHM. I would add a core strengthening routine (Pilates) to your W/O at this time too. That will prove to be most helpful as you move through the event and keep/get you ready for the upcoming longer training distance.

I follow the John Bingham Marathoning for Mortals program and the PHM training from mid December calls for the following Long Runs/WALKS (LR/LW):
12/15=5, 12/22=5, 12/29=6, 1/5=7, 1/12=4, 1/19=8, 1/26=6, 2/2=10, 2/9=8, 2/16=5

Notice the Bingham program has you trained up to 10 miles, not the full amount (13 miles). It will be presumed that your last 3.1 (5k) will be do-able with good base training up to this point. The Bingham program has been successful for me and my DH. Currently he does RocknRoll events since he is double hip replacement and can manage their 18 min/mile pace. He is getting stronger and closer to a 16 min/mile pace.

You have allowance up to a 16 min/mile. I would recommend to aim for at least a 15 min/mile that will allow for some breathing room and escape from sweepers.

Find the fun, work on your core strengthening and do what you can.

Thank you for all of the excellent information!! I went to get my MRI results last week and I couldn't have been more thrilled with them. It is indeed a stress fracture but no crack in the bone and it's a slight one. The injury happened two months ago and he said that it's healing nicely and I'm now doing physical therapy and he told me that I could start walking!! I did two miles on Tuesday and three miles on Saturday. We got a family membership to the track at the local university and all three of us (including my 13 year old) are going to start walking tonight! I feel lucky to have the support and lucky that the SF wasn't worse. it was really a wake up call to not go all willy nilly when training. My sports doc also said exactly what you did - to have a training program and stick with it. People that try to do more end up getting injured. He also said that I should work on core strengthening and this is what I'm working on in physical therapy.

I'm so excited that I can walk now and I"m on my way to healing/training!

 

[Disneygirl03]

What's the best way to increase speed in walking? I don't feel like the distance is going to be a problem just my timing, particularly when starting out. Once I have been at it a little bit I tend to hit my stride and my pace is better.

 

[Bewitch324]

What's the best way to increase speed in walking? I don't feel like the distance is going to be a problem just my timing, particularly when starting out. Once I have been at it a little bit I tend to hit my stride and my pace is better.

I don't have a good answer for you, I just wanted to comment that I'm struggling with the same issue. My first 2 - 3 miles are way too slow, then I'm able to hit a pretty good pace for several miles. Haven't pushed pace too much on long walks yet, although I need to get faster there too...

I have seen a small improvement by really pushing the speed on short walks and using a metronome periodically to help me turn my feet over faster, but it's a struggle. And those first couple miles really suck. I have really tight calves and it seems like no matter how much I warm up and stretch, they don't start to loosen up until mile 3. Yesterday I don't think they EVER loosened up and I did 14 miles!!!!

Good luck!
Brooke

 

[Bewitch324]

Hi all! I haven't checked in for a while but I was the one who was going to walk the Goofy. I wanted to let everyone know that this past weekend I walked the 13.1 on Friday and the 26.2 on Saturday. I averaged 14:45 for the half (by design) and 14:40 for the whole (which worked out to about 13:30 for the first 18 miles and 16:00+ for the remainder).

I'm not posting this to crow. I just know how doubt and fear and weariness can creep in and discourage you. You shouldn't let it. I was explaining to my wife before the weekend that I was worried about it because it was getting very real. It was like mentally coming upon a locked door that you have to find a way to get through. I'm telling everyone here to go to that door, bust it down, and mentally beat the hell out of anyone inside telling you that you can't or won't finish. If I can do it, so can you!!! Believe in yourself and know that you have support!!!

Oh my goodness that is SO great !!! Thank you for sharing!!! You did really really good and this is EXACTLY what I needed to hear today!!!!

Have a great night and thank you for sharing!!!

Brooke

 

[Disneygirl03]

I don't have a good answer for you, I just wanted to comment that I'm struggling with the same issue. My first 2 - 3 miles are way too slow, then I'm able to hit a pretty good pace for several miles. Haven't pushed pace too much on long walks yet, although I need to get faster there too...

I have seen a small improvement by really pushing the speed on short walks and using a metronome periodically to help me turn my feet over faster, but it's a struggle. And those first couple miles really suck. I have really tight calves and it seems like no matter how much I warm up and stretch, they don't start to loosen up until mile 3. Yesterday I don't think they EVER loosened up and I did 14 miles!!!!

Good luck!
Brooke

Phone messed up and said my first reply didn't post so my actual reply is posted below...Oops!

 

[Disneygirl03]

I don't have a good answer for you, I just wanted to comment that I'm struggling with the same issue. My first 2 - 3 miles are way too slow, then I'm able to hit a pretty good pace for several miles. Haven't pushed pace too much on long walks yet, although I need to get faster there too...

I have seen a small improvement by really pushing the speed on short walks and using a metronome periodically to help me turn my feet over faster, but it's a struggle. And those first couple miles really suck. I have really tight calves and it seems like no matter how much I warm up and stretch, they don't start to loosen up until mile 3. Yesterday I don't think they EVER loosened up and I did 14 miles!!!!

Good luck!
Brooke

I have tight calves too. I think I will start to add a little jogging incase I need it on the day of the 1/2 because I definitely don't want to have to encounter the sweepers.

 

[debbieandroo]

Hi all! I haven't checked in for a while but I was the one who was going to walk the Goofy. I wanted to let everyone know that this past weekend I walked the 13.1 on Friday and the 26.2 on Saturday. I averaged 14:45 for the half (by design) and 14:40 for the whole (which worked out to about 13:30 for the first 18 miles and 16:00+ for the remainder). I'm not posting this to crow. I just know how doubt and fear and weariness can creep in and discourage you. You shouldn't let it. I was explaining to my wife before the weekend that I was worried about it because it was getting very real. It was like mentally coming upon a locked door that you have to find a way to get through. I'm telling everyone here to go to that door, bust it down, and mentally beat the hell out of anyone inside telling you that you can't or won't finish. If I can do it, so can you!!! Believe in yourself and know that you have support!!!

Crow all you want - that is a tremendous accomplishment! Thank you for telling us about it. Your door analogy is perfect - I've thought a lot about that these past few days.

Thank you for all of the excellent information!! I went to get my MRI results last week and I couldn't have been more thrilled with them. It is indeed a stress fracture but no crack in the bone and it's a slight one. The injury happened two months ago and he said that it's healing nicely and I'm now doing physical therapy and he told me that I could start walking!! I did two miles on Tuesday and three miles on Saturday. We got a family membership to the track at the local university and all three of us (including my 13 year old) are going to start walking tonight! I feel lucky to have the support and lucky that the SF wasn't worse. it was really a wake up call to not go all willy nilly when training. My sports doc also said exactly what you did - to have a training program and stick with it. People that try to do more end up getting injured. He also said that I should work on core strengthening and this is what I'm working on in physical therapy.

I'm so excited that I can walk now and I"m on my way to healing/training!

Again, wonderful news! I know you are so relieved. Also good information about not over-doing it.

What's the best way to increase speed in walking? I don't feel like the distance is going to be a problem just my timing, particularly when starting out. Once I have been at it a little bit I tend to hit my stride and my pace is better.

I don't have a good answer for you, I just wanted to comment that I'm struggling with the same issue. My first 2 - 3 miles are way too slow, then I'm able to hit a pretty good pace for several miles. Haven't pushed pace too much on long walks yet, although I need to get faster there too...

I have seen a small improvement by really pushing the speed on short walks and using a metronome periodically to help me turn my feet over faster, but it's a struggle. And those first couple miles really suck. I have really tight calves and it seems like no matter how much I warm up and stretch, they don't start to loosen up until mile 3. Yesterday I don't think they EVER loosened up and I did 14 miles!!!!

Good luck!
Brooke

Two things:

First, about speeding up, I'm in the same boat in that I have the endurance but speed continues to be a problem. I did walk two half marathons in November [part of a race series] and managed to average a 16:30 for both. What I noticed is that I could speed up to pass people if I wanted to, even in the later miles. So, in a racing situation, I do think I have the endurance, because of logging a ton of miles, to go faster if I spot a sweeper. I just can't seem to make myself go that fast in training.

I did find these drills that I just started using:

http://walking.about.com/cs/powerwalking/a/howfastdrills.htm

If nothing else, they are a good cardiac workout on my short walk days.

I have tight calves too. I think I will start to add a little jogging incase I need it on the day of the 1/2 because I definitely don't want to have to encounter the sweepers.

Second, and this is only my opinion...I'm a little nervous about adding jogging to the mix, for several reasons. First, I really enjoy walking but not jogging as much. Will I work as hard for something I don't really enjoy?

Also, I did try jogging a few months ago - the Galloway run/walk method to finish a 5K. My problem is that the running part fatigued me so I couldn't walk as fast as I needed to. So I slowed down my running to make sure I could finish that distance. If I were to add jogging to a half marathon distance, I would really go slowly - definitely more slowly than walking the entire time.

Then there's the injury issue. I am nervous that adding jogging might just put me at risk for injury - especially since learning a new form would be involved.

Anyway, Disneygirl, I definitely do not want to discourage you. I hope everything works out for you.

Oh, about your speed increasing after 2,3 miles....I've read that this is how it is supposed to happen for the longer distances. If you go out too fast, even walking, you'll poop out too quickly. Brooke, sounds like you're doing it right!

 

[debbieandroo]

And, Brooke, I just wanted to give you a bunch of these:



and these:

You have done so much to get ready for this marathon. I am in awe that your training is having you walk 17 and 18 miles - wow! You are doing so well and are being so self-disciplined - go you!!!

 

[John VN]

..........Second, and this is only my opinion...I'm a little nervous about adding jogging to the mix, for several reasons. First, I really enjoy walking but not jogging as much. Will I work as hard for something I don't really enjoy?

Also, I did try jogging a few months ago - the Galloway run/walk method to finish a 5K. My problem is that the running part fatigued me so I couldn't walk as fast as I needed to. So I slowed down my running to make sure I could finish that distance. If I were to add jogging to a half marathon distance, I would really go slowly - definitely more slowly than walking the entire time.

Then there's the injury issue. I am nervous that adding jogging might just put me at risk for injury - especially since learning a new form would be involved.

Anyway, Disneygirl, I definitely do not want to discourage you. I hope everything works out for you.

Oh, about your speed increasing after 2,3 miles....I've read that this is how it is supposed to happen for the longer distances. If you go out too fast, even walking, you'll poop out too quickly. Brooke, sounds like you're doing it right!

my bolding....I am glad you feel this way, , and regarding your concern with jogging....spot on as far as I am concerned. It took me 2 1/2 years before I started to add the jogging and to tell you the truth, I love my fast walking much more.

Great job to all!!!

 

[Bewitch324]

Hello all. I read the article about the drills, thank you for sharing. I'm going to try and incorporate some of these and see how I do. I definitely don't have the option on adding in jogging at this point as that is how I screwed up my knee last September and ended up NOT being able to do the half last January.

Doc basically said that I would NEVER be able to run...but I don't believe him. I think it's more like I will not be able to run until I get some significant weight off...which I'm working on but that will be a LONG process...

Planning an 18 for Sunday, will see how I do...It is supposed to rain though, really hoping I can get outside to do it, but I don't think walking for 5 - 6 hours in the rain would be my smartest move a month before the marathon, so I may end up doing some of it on the treadmill yuck.

Have a great night!
Brooke