Calling successful marathon walkers...

[jenthemom22]

For those of you who have successfully walked the marathon, what was your average pace? I know the minimum pace required, but I'd like to know what pace you have been able to maintain. I had wanted to enter the 2013 marathon, but I really don't think I'd be ready as I'm just starting back into exercise. I have set my sights on 2014. I completed the 2010 half by running/walking, but I think my body would tolerate walking the marathon better.

Any thoughts, advice, or inspiration would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Jen

 

[cewait]

Not a walker but I can offer a little on walker speeds. The record 40k walk time comes from a walking pace around 7:30/mile. Not many at Disney are walking at that pace but I played tag in 09 with a walker walking in the 9:30 range. I would think that the average walking pace at Disney is in the 14 minute range, or just a little slower.

 

[jenthemom22]

Thanks, coach. After I posted, I saw the Princess walker thread and have been reading along. Lots of good information there. It's encouraging to know I have lots of company amongst the walkers. Hoping I can improve and keep my pace.

 

[John VN]

Speed walking instead of the much harder Race Walking has been my method of competing with the following results....

2011 WDW Marathon was my first marathon walking it in a little under 4:57:00 at a 11min-20sec pace.

2011 Space Coast Half Marathon in 2:12:16 at 10min-5sec pace

2012 Make a Wish 5K Ft. Lauderdale in 28:10.9 at a 9min-5sec pace

 

[jenthemom22]

John,
Can you recommend any resources to help with learning/improving speed walking?

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Speed walking instead of the much harder Race Walking has been my method of competing with the following results....

2011 WDW Marathon was my first marathon walking it in a little under 4:57:00 at a 11min-20sec pace.

2011 Space Coast Half Marathon in 2:12:16 at 10min-5sec pace

2012 Make a Wish 5K Ft. Lauderdale in 28:10.9 at a 9min-5sec pace

Wow John, that is amazing!!
I'm very impressed.

 

[John VN]

Chi Walking by Danny and Katherine Dreyer allowed me to focus on my inner self and technique. Sounds crazy but for me it worked. I reached a point at which I moved into my own way of moving that was not true Chi Walking but is more comfortable and faster.

With my desire to enter triathlon competition, I started swimming in February(at age 61+). Since starting my training I have found that my knees have become much more stable to the point that I was able to start jogging and then short distance running. This past Saturday I bicycled 110 miles, swam Sunday morning, jogged 13.6 miles on Monday, swam yesterday and this morning I ran my first 5K in a time of 27:11.

I do not follow a schedule by any expert but I do listen to myself when exercising. Slow advancement paying very close attention to all aspects of my movement, muscles-tendons-bones-breathing-heart by way of my 910XT Garmin HRM. Only because I felt maxed out with my walking speed, dang hard moving legs so quickly, that I am now advancing towards running. Friends did not believe I was actually walking until I walked past them in a demonstration.

My fastest "magic mile" walking was a 8:16mpm pace and I am hoping to eclipse that when I finally become accustomed to running which I feel should take about 4 to 6 months.

 

[jenthemom22]

Thanks, John. I'll check that book out.

You are an inspiration. I doubt if I'll ever approach your speed, but your story gives me the confidence to believe I can be fast enough to complete the marathon by walking.

Best of luck to you on your triathlon! You're going to rock it!

 

[Ariel484]

Speed walking instead of the much harder Race Walking has been my method of competing with the following results....

2011 WDW Marathon was my first marathon walking it in a little under 4:57:00 at a 11min-20sec pace.

2011 Space Coast Half Marathon in 2:12:16 at 10min-5sec pace

2012 Make a Wish 5K Ft. Lauderdale in 28:10.9 at a 9min-5sec pace

Really? That is fascinating. It seems so difficult to me to walk at that fast of a pace. Great job!

 

[John VN]

One of the most important factors I found that helped ME walk faster was the elimination of the heel plant stride and this is what Danny D. wants Chi Walkers to learn. I agree with him in that the heel coming down first does act like a brake and for this reason Race Walking and I do not get along too well. Shortening my stride length and increasing the cadence also agreed with me.

 

[JennyDrake]

I am only 5' tall and close to 50 y.o. so my stride is shorter and I have to take more steps. No half for me yet--F&W will be my first but at 5K and 10K I can maintain 14:30 pace.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

John, you are an amazing man!

I have done all my marathon/all Goofy events at WDW. For that I began by training to maintain a 15 minute pace. As the years have increased, my pace has improved. Some days are better than others, I do not aspire to be as fast as John. I look for the fun in the event and have found that with the ability to sustain that 15 minute pace or better that I am able to enjoy the events.

The cross training that John mentions Swimming (to aid me in better breathing), biking (uses the muscles in a different way), walking/running has helped me to improve. I also recommend adding stretching and core strengthening to your cross training.

WISHing you the best as you get this figured as to what works for you. Remember, find the fun!

 

[debbieandroo]

One of the most important factors I found that helped ME walk faster was the elimination of the heel plant stride and this is what Danny D. wants Chi Walkers to learn. I agree with him in that the heel coming down first does act like a brake and for this reason Race Walking and I do not get along too well. Shortening my stride length and increasing the cadence also agreed with me.

I did check that book out from the library and was disappointed that I couldn't really 'get' the whole walking on the balls of my feet. When I do that, it turns into running? How does that work?

 

[windwalker]

I race walk, which as John said differs from what he does. Race walking is all about form and conservation of energy and motion. What John does is actually a shuffling run by race walk definition. John really is quite amazing for what he does for his age. As a fellow senior I can identify with that.

My advice for a person planning to train for walking the marathon is the same as for someone running the marathon. You need to train to be in motion for long periods. If you can walk briskly for 2 hours without to much difficulty you can finish a half and if you can walk briskly for 4 hours in training then you can finish a marathon. I would recommend that you train by time first and after you get to where you can do one 2 hour walk weekly along with 3 other walks of an hour you can start looking at where you are on speed per mile. I think endurance should be your first concern rather than speed when you are starting out.

Dave

 

[John VN]

I did check that book out from the library and was disappointed that I couldn't really 'get' the whole walking on the balls of my feet. When I do that, it turns into running? How does that work?

Chances are you might not be leaning forward enough at your ankles. When done properly, and IMO a pretty hard concept to put into action by most people, the movement is very fluid and never is there a time when both feet are off the ground thereby fulfilling the RUNNING definition. As Dave mentions the stride is more like a shuffle with very short stride lengths and because the stride is short a very large base is needed before faster speeds result.

Most people will give up on Chi Walking because it just doesn't work for them but my bad knees forced me to find something that worked and since I was pain free and a thick headed individual I enjoyed the challenge.

Before I found my own form to faster speeds the absolute coolest thing that would happen when I would start to walk would be the transition from just warm-up walking into C.W. mode. Getting into myself, feeling the shift in my hips, the smoothness in the stride, the attention to breathing and entire body feedback was and still is awesome. Might sound corny but I really do get into myself and because of this I am able to train or race without the need of company or music. Heck, my longest bicycle ride of 201 miles in a day started at 1:30AM on Halloween 2010 and for all but 40 miles I was by myself and enjoying it.

If C.W. does not work for you, don't worry. The most import thing is to get out and enjoy the effort.

Good luck.