Is my Gallowalking going to annoy people?

[scoolover]

I am a confessed gallowalker with a 7 minute run to 1 minute walk ratio. I will definitely stay out of the way during the walk breaks but with so many people, will I be in the way anyway. Are there any others who alternate the running and walkingand is there anything I can do to lessen the hastle for everyone else?
Thanks
Scott

 

[WDWFAN9]

Great question...I am wondering too. In the past I've strictly walked, but for the full I've trained W4/R1. The only time I noticed someone doing intervals was at the Chicago Distance Classic in August, and I have to admit they annoyed me, but that was because the couple's walking pace was slower than our steady 16 mpm. So, they'd pass us, but soon they were walking so slowly that we'd have to maneuver around them. At first it wasn't a problem, but as my blisters got more uncomfortable, and after we had had to pass them four or five times it was annoying. I think as long as you are aware of your surroundings and don't pull up suddenly in the middle of a pack you should be fine....but I would love to hear from some of our experienced interval runners.

 

[rtroeh]

The most annoying part will be when you run/walk past all of those people who ran out too fast and bonked at mile 18. They'll be doing their death march and will be annoyed that they don't feel as good as you!

 

[wtpclc]

As a runner, if you pulled to the side when you started to walk, that's all I'd ask. I know that is hard and it seemed like we had a couple that stopped to walk a little in front of us last year. (Not too close, as good as they could do) We went around. No big deal. You have every right to do the race your way. Good luck!

 

[chimera]

I do every race with intervals and have never had any problems. Just stay to the right during your walk breaks and you should be fine. I actually have met a lot of nice people doing intervals when you find you keep trading places with them. Like Carrie said, it's just as much your race as any of the other 15,000 people you'll be hanging with that day.

I think the most annoying thing during a race (which happens frequently at Disney) is when you get people walking 4 or 5 in a row and you have to go off the course to get around them.

 

[Jen117]

I always do a glance over my shoulder before I slow down. Sometimes with crowds it is hard to get over tho.

Mel - I HATE those group people. I get that when I run the track and there are only three narrow lanes. And I really hate it when I have to always say "excuse me" to get around them. Maybe I should bring a police whistle with me!!!

 

[Kristi1357]

Police whistle - good idea!

I also do intervals & agree with everyone else. As long as you pull to the right & are aware of your surroundings, it will be fine.

 

[chimera]

Maybe I should bring a police whistle with me!!!

There's always one of those annoying boat air horns. 'Course, that could cause a cardiac arrest if you come up behind someone and blow it

 

[Honeibee]

People did that to us on the track on the cruise ship. They'd be like 4 or 5 across the track. Uhh, hello! There isn't much room for us to go around. I can't swim, KWIM?

Knuckleheads.



Sorry, Scoo, for hijacking your thread.

 

[princessmomma]

Last year, I was behind a woman (who looked to be a pacer) and a man running. The woman glanced back and then put up her arm to signal their intent to walk. That was GREAT! I thanked her as I ran by them and she gave me a very pleasant, "You are so very welcome!".

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It is only annoying when you are not aware of your surroundings and stop dead in front of someone who is not expecting you to stop.

Runners courtesy is to head to the right and slow to a walk. I had little trouble with annoying people with this method and I do intervals.

It is also annoying if you have a group and you all stop at the same time.

Keep in mind that part of the "annoyance" is the risk of injury to other runners when you arbitrarily change what you are doing...it can cause someone to stop abruptly themselves, cause them to stumble or trip, or to bump into you.

Having courtesy when you do intervals goes a long way and as long as you have it, others will not be annoyed. Those that still are--tend to be elitests who don't believe you should be in a marathon unless you run the entire thing and finish in less than 3:30. I don't worry about those types.

 

[10nis]

Great advice and I agree.... a glimpse over the shoulder to make sure no one is on your heals and move over to the right. Someone stopped abruptly in front of my niece and she inadvertantly gave them a "flat tire!" they probably deserved more than that for stopping so quickly in the middle of the road!

I also get SO very annoyed when groups run/walk 4-5-6- across and make it almost impossible to pass. I noticed in one of the emails this year from the Marathon they sent out an attachement that had "race etiquette." Seems like the organizers are at least awknowledging that it is a problem at this race. It feels like I have to exert more energy to get around those people!!

 

[escape]

Last year, I was behind a woman (who looked to be a pacer) and a man running. The woman glanced back and then put up her arm to signal their intent to walk. That was GREAT! I thanked her as I ran by them and she gave me a very pleasant, "You are so very welcome!".

That sounds like a good idea. I'm planning on starting out walking 3/running 2. What type of signal did she give?

 

[princessmomma]

That sounds like a good idea. I'm planning on starting out walking 3/running 2. What type of signal did she give?

She just raised her arm over her head, I knew exactly their intent to slow to a walk.

 

[scoolover]

Thanks everyone. It should be fine then. Be aware -- Pull to the right and be courtious. I think I can handle that.
Scott