Can you walk EVERY day during training?

[getnthinr]

My doc says I should walk for an hour every day to help lower my blood pressure and blood sugar. I know all marathon training plans have scheduled hard and easy days, as well as rest days, so typically I just ignore her and do whatever my training plan suggests.

My coach wants me to alternate walking/running days with swimming days, but I detest swimming. I suggested biking but he makes the valid point that biking uses many of the same large muscles as walking does, so it doesn't really allow adequate recovery. That leads him to believe it is not a good choice for my nonwalking days. (But then he typically trains runners and I think running is much harder on me than walking.)

What has been your experience with your daily training regime? Do any of you walk (or run) every day? Do you feel you are more susceptible to injury? Do you "take it easy" walking some days, and do you feeling something more akin to a stroll offers your tired legs enough time to prepare for the next hard day?

I know when I first started doing marathons, many runners gasped at the thought of attempting more than one a year. Now folks routinely do a marathon a month, and ultramarathoners do runs of 100 miles! That makes me want to ask you guys (real people) if any of you train every day -- particularly walkers -- and how you do it.

Anyone willing to share?

 

[windwalker]

Wendy Darlin I would expect you to be answering this question for others because whatever you are doing it's working. You are a little engine. But I'll let you know my training schedule to see what you think. Mine is of course all walking.

Monday and Tuesday: These are the days that Erica and I can train together so we do back to back long walks. One day will be about 6 miles the other 8 to 10 miles. As we get closer to the Goofy we will be increasing to where we are doing as much as 10 one day and 20 the next.

Wed: Since the last 2 days have been LSD (13.5 to 14 min pace ) I do a 4 miler on the hills at about a 13 min pace.

Thurs: I will push the pace today for the 4 mile hill route, starting slow to warm-up good then the last mile at sub 12 min per mile pace.

Friday: This is the day that I will either not do any training or I'll go to the treadmill and do 2 easy warm-up miles and then intervals where I reach 10 mpm pace, for 400m intervals, with 400m rest intervals between.

Saturday: Race day about twice a month or if not speed day. Speed day is usually intervals or just a 3 to 4 miler at race pace.

Sunday: Easy walking at the mall while I'm waiting for Erica to get off work. Usually a 14 to 15 min per mile pace.

I use the rolling pin on my leg muscles when they start feeling sore, especially the calves.

I can't do 2 a day workouts. After the first one is done no matter how hard it is I'm done for the day. I need sleep between workouts.

This is a normal schedule, but I listen to my body, If I start feeling extra tired I'll take a couple of days off. I don't get injured and don't get sick. I haven't even had a cold for over a year. The last cold I had was when I was at Disney in Jan 2005 when it was so cold.

Dave

 

[getnthinr]

Wendy Darlin I would expect you to be answering this question for others because whatever you are doing it's working. You are a little engine.

Dave, you are too kind. I am actually very inconsistent in my training -- not because of laziness, but because I'm never sure I'm doing the "right" thing. (Typically I just grab a running marathon training schedule and follow it, even though I'm a walker.) One thing I'd really like to do this year is train more consistently -- and hopefully improve my finishing time just a little. I like having a goal each year -- and adding more races costs too darned much.

I am also beginning to dread my annual doctor's visit more and more. My parents are both diabetic. They both have high blood pressure. There are many ways in which I'd love to be more like them, but their health is not one of them. (I am already on blood pressure meds.) When my doc says "walk an hour every day," I feel she must think that's a reasonable request, but she is not terribly supportive of my marathoning. (I sometimes think I'll try to find another doctor, but it's such a hit-or-miss proposition. )

I feel sure there are folks out there who walk every day with no undesirable repercussions. I guess I just need to experiment by adding miles/workouts for a while and see what works best.

Funny you should mention two-a-days, because that is one thing that was suggested to me to help me ramp back up after my recent "medical leave" from training -- using two short workouts to help me increase my mileage and get back into shape for my scheduled long runs.

Thanks for sharing the benefit of your experience and giving me a peek at your training regime. You are awesome, dude!

 

[monte]

Wendy, for what it's worth.....I have to agree with your doctor, not necessarily swimming, but I have found that by water walking, the next day after a long walk, it helps with my heel and knee. Your workout sounds good - see you in Jan.

 

[windwalker]

While walking in the heat this morning, I was thinking about your post. Something that I forgot to mention till I was slapped in the face with it this morning is to keep it flexiable.

We had planned on 8 to 10 this morning but with the heat 90 degrees and very high humidity 6 miles was plenty. We didn't violate any laws we just did what was best.

Other days I might plan on a moderate effort but I feel so good I push to a harder effort and even a PR. I make myself take a day off after a PR. Or if I have just no energy on a walk that should be easy then I'll take the next day off.

Dave

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Wendy:

I walk 6-7 days a week. I train only 3 days a week but walk to all my clients, when we go out, etc. I don't think I have driven a car for 3 weeks

I do this to help keep in shape. These extra mile are slower than training but not really slow as to do no good. I would slowly add the extra miles in to see how your body reacts.

Bye Energizer Bunny!

 

[windwalker]

Wendy:

I walk 6-7 days a week. I train only 3 days a week but walk to all my clients, when we go out, etc. I don't think I have driven a car for 3 weeks

I do this to help keep in shape. These extra mile are slower than training but not really slow as to do no good. I would slowly add the extra miles in to see how your body reacts.

Bye Energizer Bunny!

The Energizer Bunny is a walker.

So since you made Linda do the Goofy, she is punishing you by not letting you have the car keys?

Dave