Tips for walking a half-marathon?

by

Screen Shot 2014-09-04 at 5.12.40 AM

I walked my first race in Napa!

Every few years I decide I want to attempt, again, to be a runner.

I’m uncertain why—I think it’s because I covet the freedom of the run, as I know (in my heart and in my piriformis) I am not a runner.

I get the RUNNINGurge.

I commit.

I bail.

(except for that one time but Ive realized that was an anomaly.)

Finally, thanks to a move to Oakland and turning 45, I have made peace with who I really am.

More than that, even, I own it.

I am a walker.

I loved every single, facet of walking the Zooma 10k.

I walked, I chatted, I power walked, I enjoyed the scenery, I walkedsofastitwasALMOSTarun, I made new friends.

And yes.

I bought this photo & now cannot find it:

rsz_10435464_10152979551244466_192341837360199498_n

 #wycwyc walking is my happy place.

At 45 I’ve finally learned walking helps me think.

Unlike running, which isn’t a natural movement for me, when I walk my mind wanders.

When I walk I write in my head.

The benefits of my walks are found equally in my bod & my computer as words pour out upon my return to my desk.

Walking for me is meditation.

And these days?

Even though the CrAzY of my life is all good stuffs?

I need me lottsa meditation.

Like 13.1 miles of meditation:

rsz_screen_shot_2014-09-04_at_53256_am

Yep. My beloved HOKAs and I are off to the ATX!

And yet I acknowledge this is faaaar longer than I have ever walked.

I’ve done 13 miles —thanks to The Chairman when he was a puppypuppy—but that’s been in the course of an entire day.

Which is not exactly the plan for this race.

Th key word being plan as in Ive got none.

And so I turn to you.

Runners?

Walkers?

Readers about running?

Writers about walking?

What’s your best tip for training to walk a half-marathon?

 

 

POSTS BY EMAIL

Never miss a post. Enter your email to get my latest posts delivered to your inbox.

Comments

  1. I’ve walked 13 miles before but that was hiking and it took a lot longer than it’s going to take you! My advice is to start increasing your walking mileage slowly by the week just like in a running plan. Good luck!

  2. Carla, I could have wrote this post 🙂 it made me smile ear to ear. Walkin is my meditation too 🙂 In two weeks I’ll be walking a marathon with some TOPS friends that I planned myself and I’m excited. It will be #4 for mike and I 🙂 for tips I would check out http://www.marathonwalking.com it has a good half marathon training schedule. I’m sure you’ll do fine 🙂 hugs

  3. i am a walker as well! my tip would be same for runners though – don’t start out too fast in all the excitement. know your intended pace and try to stick to it. have fun!

  4. Isn’t it obvious? Focus on #wycwyc 🙂 You probably should get used to walking longer periods of time at once and go to a running store to get fitted with the right shoes — you will be spending a lot of time in them training and on the big day.

  5. I agree with Coco that new shoes are important. Running shoes probably, since they’re designed to go the distance. I’d increase mileage gradually, the same as a runner would. The rule there is no more than 10% per run/week. Also, have one longer walk per week, where you gradually build up to at least 10 miles. Good luck and have fun!

  6. Yay Carla! Makes my heart swell thinking about this, and I know you will get there with the same fiery passion you have for your life. I am afraid I do not have walking tips for you, but I just know you need to respect the distance, and the impact will be the hardest thing on your body, so try to get those recovery foods that help your joints; omega 3s mainly 🙂

  7. Yes! To all of it! I’ll be walking this, too, and I’m reading the tips with interest. Definitely getting new, better shoes as my old ones have been great but are not, I think, going to survive the training and the half.

    I’m scared to death, but also super excited. This will give me something to work toward this winter, which is when I typically get lazy. I can’t afford the lazy this year; my nerves NEED the walking. 🙂

  9. Maybe even intervals while walking? or songs on a playlist that get you to move to different tempos to change things up! Monuments as markers helps too! DO I NEED TO COME TO AUSTIN AND DO THIS WITH YOU??

  12. Ya know what,

    I think that if I just accepted that walking is OK–my life would be a little easier. Injuries that make running out of the question can make me feel like I will never be in shape again….

    But that’s a bad attitude. Why do I love to run? So I can think, like you said. So I can enjoy the outdoors. Heck, if I can get my heart rate up, why don’t I just make walking my go-to?

    Thanks for this post, totally love it!

  13. Good luck! As with running a half marathon, it is likely beneficial to follow a training plan that progressively increases your walking endurance each week and includes some mid week walks at various speeds in order to allow the supporting, small intrinisic muscles to develop strength and endurance. Even with walking too much too soon can result in injury. Have a fantastic race and I can’t wait to follow your training progress!

  14. Excited for you, Carla! I think the others have already given you plenty of tips. Just train wisely, respect the distance and have fun with it!

  15. I’m excited for you- that is a looong walk! Running 13.1 miles is long enough but walking it is truly an endurance event. 🙂 To build endurance, I would take one day per week to get out for a long walk, starting at your normal walk distance now (a few miles?) and adding a mile each week. You should also take every 4th week as a ‘cut back’ week and skip the long walk for extra rest/recovery. Build to about 10-12 and you’ll be great!

  17. I know not whether the course be flat or hilly, but you could take advantage of Oakland’s terrain to get in some hill training. I know that runners do it to make flats seem easier!

  19. Yessssssssssssss! I have so much appreciate and gratitude for this post, so I begin by saying thank you. Thank you!
    Walking is my meditation as well, it always has been. Even as a kid, as teen, young girl, woman; throughout my life, addictions, surgeries, recovery, before and after every good and bad thing in life. Just go for a walk, it’s what I like to do. Works out the fuzz balls in my head, helps me set things right a bit. It’s the best thing and essentially all we need – after my back surgery it was my physical therapy for two years, so if it was good enough for my angel doctor, it’s good enough for me. It doesn’t bore me, it soothes me.
    I like other activities but walking is my home, it’s my center, my safe place. I have walked everywhere in the world, never lost. It’s the way I find myself.
    My tip, well I just learned a better way to foam roll my tight calves – sit on the foam roller with it in between your toosh and your calves. And just sit there and feel the wow 🙂 you can rock it back and forth or sway or however you feel. It’s gentle but wowzers
    Thank you! Rock the Walk! xox

  21. “Unlike running, which isn’t a natural movement for me, when I walk my mind wanders.”

    This is me as well. Running does nothing for me except hurt, and the ceaseless pounding rattles my brain. But I love to walk outside and can do it forever, and at a good clip.

    I’ve considered walking a half in the past — just as myself, though. I have a walk route that I do near my apartment that actually works out to exactly one mile, and I figure if I just walk that route in a circle 13 times, that’s pretty much a half.

    But walking in a circle 13 times seems stultifying to me. 🙁

  22. Not a professional, but if I was tackling this, here’s what I’d do.

    I think the most important thing here is time on your feet and being able to keep the pace you need to make the cutoff. Accumulate a good handful of miles every day that you can (#wycwyc, right?), but make sure to take one long walk every week (build up the miles from whatever is just beyond your comfort zone right now to 10+).

    Time those long ones. If you find you need to go faster, add some powerwalking intervals into some of your walks so you figure out the level of effort you will need to put out on race day.

    And, I’ll probably either be running or cheering so I may get a chance to meet ya. 🙂

    • If they allow walkers in this “race”- then there should be no cutoff.
      “walker” and “race” and “train” are not complimentary in my mind….it’s just walking.
      why would one even need a plan? just walk. a lot.

  23. No tips–I’ve never walked that far. Like you, I am not a runner, but I am a walker, just not a half-marathon walker. I tried running but the knees were not cooperating. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it. We can get just as far as those who run, it just takes us a little longer, and really…..what’s the hurry???

  27. Congratulations on the self awareness! I love to walk. I’ve never done a half marathon but I have hiked 15 miles in one day. We often hike 9- 10 mile days. To keep in shape for hiking I walk a 4 mile route daily that includes some elevation. Then usually doing my regular daily activities I get in an additional 2-3 miles. I have no problem out on the hiking trail carrying a day pack and hiking the foothills.

    I’m sure you’ll have no issue on an urban route. Your Hoka One shoes should be perfect for this!

    • Find a plan that works for you, and don’t do anything “new” on race day….that means your outfit, your food, your drink, your fuel during the race, etc. Remember to just take it one mile at a time. You will be awesome!

  29. The fact that you are out there participating and not riding a couch like the rest of America is a victory … don’t let the stares from puzzled people get out down, and good luck to you!

  30. Late bloomer walkers UNITE! I’m done with running. I’ve never enjoyed. Walking? I love. And you know I would join you if I could. Maybe you can draw a little stick figure of me on your arm. We could chat.

    What you need: a good plan, good shoes, a hydration system, nutrition plan for long walks.

    Most plans are 16 weeks which means you should choose one…soon. 🙂

  32. I don’t normally mention about what I do, I’m more focused on my fitness journey, and enjoying the stories of others on their quest for fitness, but have to share what I know will be enjoyable for you and your readers of your blog. A visit to this link will be fun and you may even find that perfect fitness tee for your particular passion, running, Pilates, yoga, weight lifting, you name it and there’s a fitness tee for it here at http://www.flirtydivatees.com/fitness-freak.html

Trackbacks

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This