Tips for walking a marathon?

by

Kango Jumps

JUMPING = play!!

To know me is to be highly aware I’d rather play than do traditional exercise.

Hula hoop. Scooter. Monkey bars. Roller skating. Hopscotch. Tether-ball. ANYTHING except organized workout classes or routines.

I’m working to change that part of myself a bit.

It’s not I think it’s time to grow up—I’ve just felt an inexplicable pull toward fitness mission statements and healthy living goals recently.

I want a tad more structure to my resistance training.

I’d not mind a bit more focus on the when of working out so it’s not always a quick afterthought.

Small tweaks which I hope will help maintain my functional fitness through the coming decades.

To know me is to also be highly aware I’m a walker. Full stop.

I may joke: If I’m running then you better run, too, because something bad is coming!! but it’s definitely more truth said in jest.

I’ll walk with you anytime and anywhere, I tell my running friends. Just don’t ask me to run.

Hoke oneone

running shorts + running shoes = WalkerCarla

I walked around Oakland so much I sold my car.

I walked an energetic Doodle puppy so much I threw a party when he finally slooooowed down.

I’ve walked a bunch of 5k races.

I’ve walked a 10k.

I’ve walked a few half-marathons.

(And yes, I’ve purchased this photo yet for some reason I cant locate the download:)

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Happy happy 10k walker.

Which brings me to the point of my old school, crowd-sourcing blog post:

For the first time a friend has taken me up on my offer of: I will walk forever. Running? No! Never!

She’s a runner who’s been temporary sidelined due to injury, but who’s also refused to give up her goal of completing a marathon in each state.

I’ve agreed to meet her in California for the Oakland Running Festival (the Child and I did their 5k) and walk my first full marathon.

rsz_screen_shot_2015-01-25_at_113335_am

13.1 done and FUN!

I’m really excited about this event and am just crazy enough to think I may walk this one and wanna do another (and another and another).

The extended opportunity to laugh, connect and just BE with another person/people feels like a tremendous gift of time to me right now.

Here’s where you come in and where Id love some suggestions/help:

  • Training.  Gimmie all the thoughts you’ve got! Would you suggest I used a regular marathon training program and substitute walking for running? Are there walking-specific programs available? Does it matter?
  • Shoes. I don’t run *now* and I love my Hoka shoes. Is there any reason to switch to a walking shoe?!

Hoka OneOne

(not a sponsor 🙂 they don’t love I WALK in their running shoes)

I’m excited.

I’m already counting down the months till my trip.

I know I need to train for this unlike every other race I’ve done.

I’d appreciate any tips or tricks you have—and consider this your official, virtual, engraved invitation to come to Oakland and JOIN US!

<3

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Comments

  1. Since I don’t even RUN marathons, I’m not the best person to ask for advice, but you did ask so …. My gut reaction is that if the shoes have worked for you for hours long walks, they should be fine. Switching shoes is always dangerous. I also would not think that you need to follow a running training plan because it’s not going to be quite as hard on your body, but you should work some longer walks into your schedule and build up your endurance. Also, strength training for your upper body and core will help you stay strong walking. My plans to “train” for our big Grand Canyon hike went out the window when I broke my foot two months before the trip. But, I was able to hike all day and make it down to the river AND back up. 🙂

    • OH. See? this one time trainer wasnt thinking about the CORE either. my CORE OF GOO shall become a priority.

  2. How exciting! I suggest following a plan that goes for time on your feet rather than miles. A plan that prescribes walk 60 minutes at a easy/moderate/hard effort. And strength training/core work. Good luck!

  3. WOOT WOOT!!!!! How cool!! That is a LONG walk my friend and, unfortunately I haven’t a clue if you should follow a traditional running plan. I’m thinking no since most involve speed work, tempo, etc – stuff you would not be doing with a walk. I’m sure there are tons of plans out there and, as for the shoes – go with HOKA. If you already know and love them and have walked all those other races in them, I wouldn’t change a thing!

  5. I would think your shoes would be fine if you’ve been walking long distances in them up to this point. Hokas are great shoes.
    And kudos to you. That’s a long walk. I’ve ran/walked a marathon with a friend, and it took me 6 hours. Do you have a time frame you want to complete it by?

    • I think the LONGEST we are allowed is 7 hours. So, Im hoping for 7 hours 🙂 (and actually Im not kidding :))

  6. I agree with Coco – if the shoes work, don’t mess with them. I would definitely find a training plan – maybe see if googling finds you a walking one. If not, I’d think Hal Higdon’s running plan would work just as well for walking. See if there are any plans out there for the 2 or 3 day breast cancer walks. My old boss does those each year – I’ll ask her if she has any tips.

    Dial in your nutrition and hydration – you will be out there for a long time. That in and of itself will require that you stay on top of it.

    I have a lot of friends who walk the Mainly Marathon series that I do. I’ll be at one this Saturday and will gather some tips for you.

    You got this! It’s totally something you can handle.

    • oh. yes. honestly? Id not really thought about the nutrition piece since with the half I did nada. no goo nothing because there as fruit on the course and that was plenty! thank you for the nudge…

  7. I agree with what Angela says–time on your feet instead of distance. A lot of marathoning experts recommend that as well–for runners. A few years ago MILF runner (I don’t know if her blog posts are still available) walked a marathon in 6 hours after hip replacement kept her from running. If you can find that I’d recommend reading it. To me, it was amazing and yes you can do it!

    Looking forward to cheering you on!

  8. I say definitely stick with the shoes that work for you. Buy a couple new pairs and save one for the event (wear it a couple times, but that’s all). Serious walkers really do better in running shoes.

    For training, like Angela says above, think more about time on the road than miles. You can use a running plan as a guideline, but gradually increase your walks up to about 4 hours once a week. On the other days, just work to get a good base, walking an hour or so. You might even through in a “fast walk” day, which can help build stamina and keep you going in the later miles.

    Listen to your body. If you feel extra tired, or have some aches and pains, take an extra day off. Don’t think that “little pain in your foot” will go away if you ignore it. It won’t.

    I hope you’ll come back and link up this post at the Running Coaches’ Corner. It’s all about running!

    • I really hadnt thought about the fact it is SO MUCH MORE about time on my feet versus mileage!!! And Im so glad you said that about the link up. I almost did and then I thought WAIT BUT I’M WALKING 🙂

  10. My suggestion would be to focus on time spent on your feet. Think about how long you realistically think it will take you to walk the marathon and then use that to think about planning long walks and shorter walks for training. Similar to marathon training plans for runners, add in some days with hill work, faster versus recovery walks, etc. Also make sure you’re still getting in some other form of cross training and lots of stretching. 🙂 I’m so excited to hear how this goes!

    • ahh that S-WORD. I used to rock it. I just dont prioritize it now. I need to…

  12. Really excited for you! My advice would be to follow a training plan, have a race day fuel and hydration plan and the most important tip I can give you is to spend close to what you think your finish time will be on your legs three weeks before you race. You have such a strong base of fitness, that I’m sure you’ll do fine!

    • OH! THAT IS SUCH A GREAT TIP (she shouts :-)) I am going to make it a priority to be on my feet for 7 hours three weeks before race day. I know I can make that happen and it is SO WORTH IT to make it happen if it helps me not hurt on raceday.

  13. Carla, I wear the Hokas for everything! I think they would be helpful for that many miles for sure! As you know & I know, they only sponsor hard core racers 🙂

  14. This blog made me teary-eyed. I am so honored that you have chosen to walk a marathon with me. It means more than you could ever know! It will most certainly be a highlight of my 50 state marathon journey. I’m so excited for you to show me Oakland as we traverse 26.2 miles of it! As for your Hokas, I didn’t realize you walked in them! Many of my Marathon Maniac friends (yes there is a club called the Marathon Maniacs) LOVE LOVE LOVE their Hokas. I drank the Kool-Aid and tried them. I tried at least 4 different models and unfortunately had to give up on them because I have a very wide foot and they didn’t work for me. However, they just came out with a wide width in the Bondi 4 so I’m going to give those a try this summer. Good luck with your training and of course you know you can come to me with questions but it’s often more fun to crowd-source answers to get a variety of opinions.

  15. Hi Friend,
    As you know, I’ve done several marathons and 2 fifty mile endurance walk/runs. I agree with all of the above about training for time on your feet versus mileage. In fact, the best marathon time I ever had was when my last long run was only 15 miles vs. usually training up to 20-22 miles. I’ve always been told it is better to be slightly undertrained that overtrained. I know you don’t want to run but if you can get yourself to run 30 sec – 1 min per every 10 minutes of walking you will notice a difference in muscle soreness. I am so proud of you. I remember how much you encouraged me when I was training for my first marathon ?

    • I had thought about that whole GALLOWAY approach too! Especially when I read OK DO A 20 MILE WALK THIS WEEKEND and I thought how long that really sounded…and how much shorter it could FEEL if I ran even just intervals. And I adore you.

  16. I walked a lot of my last marathon and can say that I was just as sore after and it wasn’t much easier than running it. So, it’s going to be a beast either way. 🙂

    I’ve never specifically trained to do a really long walk, but here’s what I would do if it were me. Weekdays, #wycwyc – walk as much as you can (without being too sore to walk the next day). One weekend day, start with a distance/time that sounds like a challenge, but a do-able challenge. I would look to extend that long walk a mile each time, and every month or so take a rest week (less mileage) if you find you’re tired and need a break (since walking doesn’t beat you up like running, you *may* not need it).

    • OOOH that’s super helpful as well. The notion of how much to extend the long walk each time hadn’t occurred to me. #newbiemcgee

  19. This post makes me so happy. Four years ago I developed a neurological disease that has taken away my ability to run further than about 100-200 feet, and it’s been the most difficult thing for me to deal with and live with. It makes me feel down when I have to walk so much…but this really makes me feel like I’m not missing out as much as I think and that walking can still be amazing and freeing. <3

    • Im so sorry to hear that in the sense of I love resistance training and would be sad if I couldnt do it any longer EVEN IF there was another soulmate exercise out there waiting to meet me. I really really adore the walking. I can do it and chat and laugh and connect and think and meditate in a way I never could while running. <3 <3

  20. If I had the right shoes and a friend with me, I’d give it a try. And as Lindsay says walking can make you feel amazing and free. Hey–go for it!!

  21. I am so with you as a walker! I did the Susan G. Komen 3-Day the past two years, walking 60+ miles in 3 days. Definitely train for it. I didn’t understand why we would need to train so much. (After all, I’ve been walking for over 4 decades. I’m pretty sure I can do it.) Yet you don’t walk daily like you do in a marathon. Yoga was a huge help for me when my hip flexors got tight. And massage your legs, back and hips!!

  22. How exciting! I know you can do it, you are one determined chicky!
    I would recommend checking out Jeff Galloway’s plan. We have just walkers in our local training group, so TOTALLY doable. Just need to be sure you can finish in the race’s allotted time.
    If you can go up to 23-26 miles BEFORE the race, that is the best thing, IMO. I’ve now run/walk/run 5 marathons and I always train up to 26 miles for the most part. The exception to that was my 4th marathon when it was pouring rain and we stopped at 24 miles. I was just over it. Ha!
    As far as shoes go, stick with what works for you. You might want to go get your gait analyzed if you haven’t already, even if you are walking. It will ensure you are wearing the right shoe and 26 miles is a long way to go in something not comfortable.
    Anyway, please feel free to ask me any questions. I love talking marathons! 🙂

  23. Oh, I have no idea. I walked a 10km years ago when I was fitter but was doing enough other exercise stuff that it wasn’t a problem.

    Of course now I can’t walk much at all and hate that I’ve let myself become like that.

    Looking forward to hearing more about the progress!

  26. I’ve run most distances over my many years of running. I like to run and will try to run for as long as I can. I have walked over 20 miles. That’s a lot of steps and time so it will probably be a bit g ruling. When I was running long distance every day, I felt I could do a marathon with an hour’s notice. I imagine with all the walking you do, so could you.

  27. I like strength training a lot more, and I’ve never done a full marathon, but if I ever were to do one, I’d most definitely walk it. I love walking everywhere! 😀

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