As I ran last Saturday (did I mention it was 9 miles) found myself thinking about the path to this half.
Accepting the run/walk has been the key to reaching 9 miles. And probably to crossing the finish…
Did you ever read the book Synchronicity written by Joe Jaworski? Joe’s the son of the Watergate special prosecutor. Synchronicity is Joe’s leadership journey to forming The American Leadership Forum (actually much more than that… you should read it). It is a book I continually return to.
One of my major take-aways is that life will bring you people and experiences to further your journey… if only you are open to receiving them.
When a friend who is a runner mentioned using the run/walk method for his first half a couple years ago, I kind of blew it off . You have to run to run. Why would I want to walk/run?
At a run last November we ended up chatting with a coach for one of the marathon training groups. We talked at length about wanting to run a half and how to get there. She spoke of the virtues of the run/walk method, how & why they use it. I listened but in the back of my mind continued to think… really? If I’m going to run, I’m going to run.
Last January, a little foot tendonitis had me sidelined for about 6 weeks. We were already entered in the Mighty Niagara Half, plans were rolling right along. If there was any way I could make 13.1, that was the goal.
It is funny how things change.
At 5 miles, my foot started talking again. Not wanting to hear it scream and not wanting to mess up our plans, I started walking for 30 seconds any miles after 3 miles. See, I knew I could run a 5K with no problem so figured that was a good start.
But then I remembered the coach (and all my Galloway & Higdon reading) talking about the benefit to recovery and the overall run of run/walking from the start. Couldn’t argue with the data, so started running a mile, walking a minute from the start for any run longer than 3 miles.
Wow, what a difference. My body was happy… ok happy is stretching it ;). Anytime you’re pushing, there’s some amount of discomfort involved. But that’s what it was, discomfort. With the exception of a little dehydration and maybe a little virus (or just exhaustion) along the way, run/walking has me confident that the finish line is within my grasp.
Had I not been open to the conversations… Even trying run/walk would not have happened.
At 49, starting this training my body let me know it wasn’t quite what it was 10 years ago. Hormones, lifestyle changes and diet changes really add up. Run/walk has allowed me to get here… just 4 more miles to go!! Allowed my body to get back some strength. Feels awesome!
If you’re setting a new running goal, consider run/walk to help with your training and to reach that new goal. It doesn’t matter how you cross the finish!
Thanks Joe! My life has been (again) changed with Synchronicity!!