A question regarding pace....

[Alphabetsoup]

I have signed up for the Princess 1/2 next year, started the run/walk training and now have injured my foot. I've been advised not to try running again for at least 6 months. So, my only choice is looking like training to walk it and I'm just wondering if it is possible. At the moment it takes me nearly 25 minutes to walk one mile...which is sooooooo depressing!! I really don't want to be the first person swept!!

So...my questions:
1.) Is it possible to walk the 1/2 marathon length and avoid getting swept (i.e. to maintain the 16minute mile pace)?

2.) For walkers...what is your standard time per mile (in race or out...what do you usually do)?

thanks.

soupy

 

[dsnyfan21]

Yes, It is possible to walk a half marathon I have walked 4 of them. My first being the WDW Half in 2007. I completed the half in 3hrs 17min and something. That was an average pace of about 15min6sec or so. I started training for it about 16 weeks before it. I was doing some loose walking around 2-3 days a week about 2 miles each time before I started the training program. (Just for sake of saying, my best half time was 3hrs 11min.)
So, I think you can do it. Please come over to the Walkers thread and we can help you out with any questions or advise.

 

[amykab]

I am fairly new to all of this, but I can tell you that when I started training for the Minnie 15K in January I was walking about a 20ish minute mile. By the time the Minnie rolled around in May I was easily walking 14-15 minute miles. I run/jog too so my walking pace isn't quite as fast as it would be if I walked outright. There are some people on here who are superfast walkers!

I would say you definitely have enough time to get down to the required pace. It's about 9 months away right? If you think about it, all you really have to do is reduce your time by a minute every month!

 

[Goofyin08forErica]

Soupy, as a very close person to me and alot of other people said " You have to believe in yourself!"
Right at this particular moment my walking pace is between 19-20 min pace. By the time marathon weekend rolls around my pace will be under 16 min/mi. I am recovering from having surgery on both my feet, that I had in April. I have only been able to start training 2 weeks ago. I am putting in the steps, as I know speed will come. You have plenty of time to get your pace under 16min/mi. There are lots of us who walk the 1/2, full, Goofy and even Dopey.
Just remember we are here to help you!

Erica

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Definitely you CAN walk it.

Will your injury prevent walking as training? That could be tricky, but definitely you can still train by using pool running, bicycle, arc trainer. You will need to challenge your cardio and work on some XT to strengthen muscles.

Definitely you have time to get it done in a good training way and have fun in the process. You just have to do it. Set a schedule and do what you can to stick with it.

Join in on the thread chatter and you will have good support.

 

[SamSam]

Soupy, Sorry to hear about your injury but I think you can definitey walk the 1/2. I'm a walker myself, sometimes a wogger but I mainly just want to finish an event and not get swept. It sounds like you are okay for walking (by the doctors) and you have plenty of time to build up stamina and a little speed. Take it day by day, then week by week and see how you feel. The WISH team is great for support and helpful advice, so keep coming to these boards.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Hey Soupy! Sorry to hear about your foot injury I think you can definitely walk the 1/2! I think when you're starting out, things can feel like they're moving slowly. When I started my training in January I definitely wasn't running as quickly as I am now. Even now, I still read get passed by runners at the track! It just gives me something to work towards

Just keep walking and doing other exercises in the meantime. A lot can happen in six months! Do you have a physio or personal trainer that you can go to? I injured my hip/butt about 5 weeks before my 15K and my physio got me back up and running just in time. It wasn't as fast as I had trained for but I was still happy I got to run!

Good luck and keep us posted on your progess!!

 

[syko]

Have you considered wearing MBT shoes?? They do everthing they say!!!!! My husband is waiting for his pair to arrive and he is going to use them for running....my sister runs in hers all the time and she has had seveal operations on her back, if not for MBT's she wounld not be able to keep her running up.

 

[Alphabetsoup]

Just got fitted today for a proper pair of 'wagging' shoes. They feel MUCH better immediately. The sore spot feels a little gripey as the new shows press a bit on it, but they give me the support needed there. Apparently my right foot rolls out a good bit, but my left rolls in a smidge. I always knew I was built weird.

I'm going to stop thinking about pace for the moment and just go for distance, then revisit pace down the track a bit. With proper shoes and some better flexibility, I'm hoping the running ban will get lifted in 3 months rather than 6. )

In the meantime, I'm just going to enjoy the fact that for the first time in my life I actually WANT to go to the gym, and don't sit and count down the minutes on the treadmill. Rather, at the end of my cardio time, I'm always looking around for other (non-cardio intensive) things to do (shoot hoops, play badmitton, lounge about in the family pool, etc....). I'm going to hit 35 with a WHOLE new attitude toward exercise and that is sooooo cool!

BTW...what are 'MBTs'???

Oh yeah...I apologize in advance for the many questions I am likely to post to the WISH events board over the next 10 months!! *lo*

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I love your enthusiasm and look forward to reading about your progress.

Yay for new shoes. Sounds like you've got a good plan to start out with and will have fun along the way!

Good question, what are MBTs?

 

[syko]

MBT's are the most amazing shoes and trainers!!!! http://www.swissmasaius.com

 

[suzannews]

Alphabetsoup,

You can definitely walk the 1/2! I did the Minnie by walking/jogging. When I started training in January, I never walked a long distance before. I started with a 1 1/2 mile walk and increased by 1 mile each week. I was in the 18-20 min range. After I was able to walk 9 miles in one shot, I started working on time. Thats where my walk/jog came in. I finished the Minnie in 2:17:07, right around the 15 min/mile. I could have shaved a few mins off in the last 2 miles but mostly walked them. What an amazing feeling to cross the finish line, words can not describe it.

Just remember to believe in yourself (I have a problem with that) because YOU CAN DO IT!!!!