It’s not always easy being a runner who uses run/walk intervals. I seriously can’t find people to run with. because most runners just loathe run/walk. There are times where I wonder if I really still need to “run” that way.
I am joining the Friday Five 2.0 from Fairytales & Fitness and Rachel @ Running on Happy and thinking out loud about whether or not it’s time to hang up my walking shoes.
I started out with run/walk
When I began training for my first half marathon, seven years ago, I chose to train using run/walk intervals. Except I didn’t have a GPS. Or a smart phone. It was hard to really time those intervals and I gave them up.
Walk every mile
Then I moved to just taking a walk break every mile. It gave me time to eat and drink.
New watch . . .
. . . back to run/walk. I finally had a watch capable of doing intervals — which seems to really work for me. I’ve gotten faster. I’ve stayed mostly injury free (there are aches, but aren’t there always?). Having a walk break coming up in a short amount of time gives me something look to forward to.
. . . but what if I just ran?
Run/walk intervals do have their drawbacks; doesn’t everything? I’m running relatively fast during the run portion — usually faster than the people I line up with. Which means I’m often trapped behind people who run slower than me, but then I walk and they get ahead and . . . you get the idea.
The Freihofers Training Challenge follows the Couch to 5k program. Which involves running with no walk breaks towards the end. And I did that. Granted, most of the time I was also running at a slower pace than is normal for me. Much slower, sometimes. Still, I worried about injuries by not using intervals.
You know what? I’m okay. It didn’t slow me down in my own runs, either. So it brings me back to something I’ve been wondering for a long time: what if I just ran? Would I get faster? Would I be slower? Would it be more enjoyable? Less?
One other drawback of run/walk for me is that almost very few (as in, almost none) of my running friends use it. Even in a group with people who are close to my pace, I end up running on my own.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
That’s what I keep coming back to. Knock on wood, running is going well. Some days I run paces that surprise me but don’t wear me out. We won’t talk about the other days. 🙂
Talk to me. Leave a comment or answer a question:
Do you find it easy to find running buddies?
Have you ever tried run/walk intervals?
Did you stick with them, if you tried them? If you didn’t, why not?
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Even if you don’t run walk it is very hard to find runners to run with at your pace. You have to adapt which means running slower than you want or faster and having to walk to catch your breath. The alternative is run alone and you can do what you want.
I tried run/walk but it doesn’t work for me because I don’t like to use a watch. It’s too restrictive and I don’t care about pace.
As they say if it’s ain’t broke don’t fix it.
But then again you don’t know until you try. It won’t hurt to run a race without stopping to see how you would do. You could get that 5k PR. Or at least you would know that it hasn’t next for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
** that it doesn’t work for you.
LikeLike
For me it isn’t actually all about pace, either. My knee can get very unhappy sometimes when I don’t take walk breaks — I haven’t had as much problem with it using run/walk, although sometimes it can still tighten up.
LikeLike
In other words, better safe than sorry.
One of the big reasons, I don’t push the heavy week day mileage or do any drills. Nothing hurts and I want to stay that way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do better finding a pace and sticking with it, but one of my MRTT chapter leaders is a huge believer and we have so many in our group who do intervals – you’d fit right in!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve even looked for Galloway groups in my area, but unless I’m missing something, I haven’t found one. I don’t actually follow him that closely.
But it’s just a Friday 5 musing. 🙂
LikeLike
I have never run with anyone, I like to be alone but I say if you like your run/walk why change it. Do what you enjoy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually really enjoy running with others, but I don’t get to do it all that often.
LikeLiked by 1 person
BTW, I tried to comment on your blog but it blocked me for some reason “as a suspected bot”. That’s the second blog that’s happened to me on!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So annoying! Sorry Judy
LikeLiked by 1 person
no problems commenting.
LikeLike
I am using run/walk and I may stay with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like anything else in life, it has its pluses & minuses — but it’s certainly easier on the body & I’ve gotten faster using it.
LikeLike
I always run/walk.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If only you lived on this side of the country. 🙂
LikeLike
Or if you lived on my end of the country.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t afford to! Wish we could. Such a beautiful area.
LikeLike
I always think I can’t go out for group runs because of my intervals, but sometimes I go anyway. When they say all paces welcome, they mean it. My intervals let me keep going if my ITBS speaks up, and you know what? I negative split my last race, so they can’t be bad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I can negative split using intervals. 🙂 I’m pretty good at it; of course it *doesn’t* always happen.
LikeLike
I rarely run with others because I figure I won’t be running with them on race day anyway. The exception is my mom. Sometimes I run with her. We push eachother.
I love your debate about the run /walk because I’ve had it with myself as well. On training runs I usually mix it up. Sometime I do it and sometimes I don’t. It all depends how I’m feeling. I have my watch set for intervals but sometimes I don’t follow it. I just wait till I get to the next mile to take my break. Regardless if you want to follow it on race day, I do think you should have a few runs per week where you do run/walk. I think it’s good for injury prevention. That is one thing I was worried about for a LONG time. I was afraid to run without run-walk because I was afraid my ITBS would come back.
I don’t use run walk during 5Ks because I think it would make me slower. I think you should practice running a 5k a few days a week with out walking and see how you do! Perhaps you will feel you’ll want to do that at an upcoming race!
Oh and I would love to run with you. Your intervals would not bother me at all! -M
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, my pace might bother you. 🙂
Seriously, though, that is one thing I didn’t mention — part of the reason I run/walk is also due to injury prevention. I still tape sometimes (always for a half), and I still sometimes get some knee tightness, too. It’s totally random.
I agree that I will not be racing with anyone during a race, but don’t worry, I will have plenty of solo runs (and have always had plenty of solo runs).
But it’s nice to run with other people too!
LikeLike
I rarely run with anyone so I can’t speak to how difficult it might be to find a pace buddy. It sounds like the intervals are working for you though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mostly I was just thinking out loud. Sometimes it helps to work things out that way!
LikeLike
If I lived near you, I would totally run/walk with you! Since having knee surgery, I’ve used the run/walk method but no one else runs that way here either.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m pretty sure I’m not the only person who uses it here, but so far I haven’t connected with others (or others around my pace, anyway).
In fact, when I chatted with some runners at a race they’d never even heard of it — that always surprises me!
LikeLike
I have never used run/walk intervals, but I do take walk breaks now and then (based on how I’m feeling). I know some runners feel like walking is “cheating,” but I have no problem with walk breaks. heck, they always give me a brief energy boost 😉 It’s hard to figure out what works for best, and when you find it…you should stick with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never worry about what other people think — well rarely, anyway. But sometimes I wonder if I’m clinging to something I no longer need. OTOH, running is going quite well — but we’ll see how the races shake out.
LikeLike
I started running by using run/walk intervals and over time I dropped the walk intervals. 🙂 I am lucky to have a running buddy and I find it really helps for my Long Runs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny, I’ve gone the exact opposite way!
Running buddies help, but unfortunately right now my schedule isn’t meshing with my buddies.
LikeLike
my thing is, sometimes I really want to just run. i don’t always want to take breaks. then I get annoyed with myself when I do other times I plan to take breaks and it’s fine. I’ve never been very fast and even when I was a bit more fit I couldn’t really find anyone to run with, except my friend Kim, whom I trained with for the Paris Marathon. Then she got better/faster and i didn’t and i lost my running mate. In the end it’s ok – I’ve learned that it’s VERY ok to do it the way the *I* want to do it and phooey on anyone who doesn’t agree 😀 My race, my pace. is it lonely sometimes? yes. My friends constantly pace and help each other to get PR’s, etc. No one wants to pace me, it’s just too “slow”. Ah well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s funny, sometimes I set out to just run, and then by the time it’s time for a walk break I’m like Pavlov’s dogs . . . sometimes I do just miss then, too, so sometimes it’s a bit chaotic.
I feel for you! Some of my running buddies have slowed down to run with me (and likewise me with slower running buddies) — but not in a long time.
I don’t care about being paced, but sometimes it is just nice to run with someone.
LikeLike
so lots of the ladies in our MRTT use walk/run intervals and swear by them. I haven not intentionally tried to do them but often end up taking mini walk breaks especially in the summer
LikeLiked by 1 person
Geez, it seems I need to move to find people to run with , LOL!
LikeLike
I use run/walk intervals from time to time… especially when I’m getting used to the hotter temperatures in the summertime.
LikeLiked by 1 person