Right up front I have to confess that I’m a bit of a purest. Not a great rules person, but definitely have more back & white and less gray.

Reading Jeff Galloway’s blog, articles & books I am interested in the walk/run concept and have to admit am having a difficult time with it. When it comes to running a marathon/tri/ironman, isn’t it about the actual performance (running)? Getting my arms around planning to walk/run seems like cheating. I love the concept to get people involved in the sport and for training, but isn’t the idea of doing the run the idea of doing the run? For all the reasons Jeff cites, I understand the benefits, just a tough concept.

I’m trying. My first exposure to the concept was reading Sr. Madonna Bruder’s book “The Grace to Race.” It got me thinking that it really was possible for me to run a marathon (Ironman is still a bit of a reach) and got me back to running. As she described running and walking through a couple Ironman competitions, I thought “well, OK maybe I can do it.” Life is so much about possibilities.

I understand that possibilities are huge… But still can’t get my head around running/walking a marathon – although it’s the only way I’d even be able to complete one. A strange conflict.

What do you think?