Question about subbing out bicycling for walking

[irishtwins1112]

I am training for the Disney marathon. I am going to use biking as one of my cross training activities. I was wondering if it would be ok to occasionally sub out biking for walking on a few of my cutback weeks (like 6 or 8 mile long runs). If I did I would try to bike for as long as I would normally be out walking (about 1.5 hrs on a 6 mile week or about 2 hours on a 8 mile week). Is this okay or should I just stick with the walking?

 

[cewait]

Confused....

I think you are walking the marathon and asking if it is ok to bike some of the pull back weeks. Short answer, no, I would walk these weeks. While they are recovery weeks, they should be performed. It's all about getting the miles on the legs and putting the miles in on the shorter weeks is still required.

If I am misunderstanding and you are asking if it is OK to sub a shorter x-training/walking workout with a bike, yes. It would be ok to cycle a shorter strain/walk workout.

Hope that helps.

 

[escape]

This is one of those do as I say and not as I do....

Listen to Coach Charles! He knows what he's talking about. However, I have done what you are asking and it worked out OK for me. I also had a pretty good base built up so I could get by with it. Is this your first full? If so, I would stick to the walking as planned as much as possible. Come race day, you'll be glad you did.

Edit to add: I see in another thread that this is not your first full. However, since it's been a while since you've trained for anything, I would stick to the schedule as much as possible. You can do it!

 

[irishtwins1112]

Ok Thanks!

 

[John VN]

No advice regarding training schedules or when to include bicycling but I will say that my bicycling IS an important element in my speewalk training. Using the bicycling advantageously has given me PRs for 5K of 28:10.6, half marathon of 2:11:12 and full marathon of 4:56:28. Planning to better these this year.

My shorter 45 to 60 mile rides are high heart rate workouts with the 80 to 100 miles rides being endurance workouts. Even better is when I am able to incorporate both workouts into one long ride. I have no set schedule as do many individuals but I do my best to include one or two bicycle rides every week. I'd rather bicycle long than walk.