login
IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose?
-
No new posts
 2018-03-12 11:10 AM |
Extreme Veteran  695    Olathe |  Subject: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose?Anyone go into a full IM distance knowing you plan to walk the entire run? I have some athletes I coach that want plans accounting to walk the entire 26.2 miles for one reason or another. Just wondering how common this mind set is? |
| 2018-03-12 1:59 PM in reply to: TriJayhawkRyan |
Champion 7553  Albuquerque, New Mexico | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? Not I, but a friend in the tri-club years back had a foot problem that prevented him from running. He was a decent swimmer and monster cyclist and walked to a sub-14 Ironman finish. He'd put on a pair of hiking boots and a cat-in-the-hat outfit for the "run." If you know you're walking, you can bike more aggressively since you don't have to "save anything" for the "run." I think my friend went about 5:30 on the bike and 6:30 on the run.
|
| 2018-03-12 10:56 PM in reply to: #5239641 |
Member 622 Franklin, TN | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? Personally, it would give me no satisfaction to do that. Barring a permanent disability or a training injury why would anyone go through the misery of walking 26.2 miles...is it just to say they completed the distance and are now eligible for a bumper sticker and tattoo? That’s a pretty expensive undertaking to treat it like a participatory event. Give the race and distance the respect it deserves by actually training for it. |
| 2018-03-13 7:52 AM in reply to: JoelO |
Extreme Veteran 695 Olathe | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? Well, one if my athletes is doing the run in full fire fighter gear, so she's 99.9% certain she will be walking the run course. I also had a guy (new to me coaching him) blow out both his patella tendons (like 10 years ago), but still wants to do the distance, but in no way can he run for 26.2 miles. Medically cleared no problem, but he's not a runner. More like speed walker. |
| 2018-03-13 9:12 AM in reply to: TriJayhawkRyan |
Master 2490 Atlanta, Georgia Silver member | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? Maybe 10 years ago I developed a foot problem close to race day for a 70.3 and decided I would walk. I was pretty fit(by my standards) and figured covering the half mary in a walk would be no big deal. Actually, it was kind of a big deal. First, walking that far takes a long time and around half way in, all I wanted was for the thing to be over with. Second, you're being passed by every single other person on the course, which is equal parts frustrating and ego crushing. Just not something I'd choose to do again. My suggestion to your clients is, for reasons totally unrelated to fitness, to not undertake a 26.2 walk without a clear idea of what that will feel like 10 or so miles in... That said, I wish your athletes best of luck with their training. Few things in life compare to the feeling of crossing the finish line at your first 140.6... |
| 2018-03-13 10:54 AM in reply to: 0 |
Alpharetta, Georgia Bronze member | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? Originally posted by JoelO Personally, it would give me no satisfaction to do that. Barring a permanent disability or a training injury why would anyone go through the misery of walking 26.2 miles...is it just to say they completed the distance and are now eligible for a bumper sticker and tattoo? That’s a pretty expensive undertaking to treat it like a participatory event. Give the race and distance the respect it deserves by actually training for it. This kind of thinking doesn't make sense to me. Not everyone has the same goals in triathlon. Why can't we be supportive of each other regardless of if we are on the podium, "just" a participant or anywhere in-between? Edited by lisac957 2018-03-13 10:55 AM |
| 2018-03-13 1:45 PM in reply to: alltom1 |
| 265 | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? I injured a calf 10 days before a 70.3 and ended up walking about 60% of the run course due to that and to heat. Coeur d'Alene Ironman 140.6 had an athlete for many years who was a fireman and walked the course in full turnout gear including helmet and oxygen tank. |
| 2018-03-13 6:37 PM in reply to: lisac957 |
Member 622 Franklin, TN | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? He asked for an opinion and I gave one. I fully support everyone when I'm out there racing. I know circumstances (injury, heat, nutrition, etc...) will dictate changes in how you execute the race. I've certainly had to walk portions of a run course due to bad execution on my part but I wouldn't sign up/nor train to walk the run...I'd switch to aqua bike (which I've done). I'm not even podium material (for my age group) unless it's a small race but I train all 3 disciplines as best I can so that I feel like I'm a part of the race and not just a participant...that's just me. Btw, the folks that do the marathon in full fire-fighting gear are tough as nails...you better believe they trained to handle that and could probably run past a lot of folks if they weren't wearing that gear to promote a commendable cause. |
| 2018-03-13 9:51 PM in reply to: TriJayhawkRyan |
1055 | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? Originally posted by TriJayhawkRyan Anyone go into a full IM distance knowing you plan to walk the entire run? I have some athletes I coach that want plans accounting to walk the entire 26.2 miles for one reason or another. Just wondering how common this mind set is? I think lots of folks end up walking it for one reason or another, and I believe many actively plan on walking a fair amount of it. Personally, I'd never actively plan on walking 26 continuous miles. I imagine that'd be a horrible, mind numbing experience. If it wasn't for pace groups, I'd find running one not that much more interesting but at least it's over a lot quicker. A 7 minute mile is a little over three hours so figure at least 15 minutes per mile to walk. . . ugh. . . that's nearly 7 hours of walking AFTER riding 112 miles and swimming 2 and a half? I would certainly discourage anyone thinking about doing it. As far as how to structure a training plan around it. . . swim and bike a ton. . . and buy a pair of walking shoes a couple days before the race? |
| 2018-03-14 6:06 AM in reply to: TriJayhawkRyan |
| 5 | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? To each there own I guess. I understand having to walk for a medical or physical limitation that would prevent you from running, or the folks wearing 50lbs of firefighter/combat gear doing the race to raise money/awareness. But to plan on walking the marathon just because you don't want to run, or think walking would be easier is not right. At least train to run it to the best of your ability. Most people ending walking a certain amount anyway. I certainly did, but if I could have run the whole thing I would have. It's a triathlon.........you know swim/bike/RUN. It's Ironman, it's supposed to be F'ing hard. Not sure if this is one of these cases or not, but I think Ironman is the Holy Grail of triathlon, and it's something to strive towards, and not be your first triathlon. Start with the sprints and work your way up. My 2 cents ( and those are Canadian cents, so whatever that's worth) Cheers |
| 2018-03-14 1:25 PM in reply to: 0 |
| 701 | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? I don't begrudge anyone their choice. Not my choice. I certainly didn't prepare to walk it (beyond the plan of aid stations and not knowing how far I could push myself as I'd never run more than 19 miles before)....but I was prepared to walk it. If I had to. Precisely for the reason that I'd trained/worked so hard NOT to. I was gonna finish. In the end, I way outperformed my expectations. But my takeaway from it...as someone noted above. HOW BORING. It took me 5:21 and some change to get through those 26 miles. And I was BORED for large swathes of it. Especially once it got a little darker and a little quieter out there. Edited by jhaack39 2018-03-14 1:25 PM |
| 2018-03-14 4:25 PM in reply to: JoelO |
| 249 | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? To JoelO The race and the distance don't deserve any respect. The people who compete in the event deserve the respect. Meaning, the people define the event. I lean towards the opinion of Lisa. If someone walks the 26.2, no, they are not really competitive, but what is the harm? Would you be mad if they owned an Ironman coffee mug because they walked?? Very few people ever make any money in triathlon so who cares. Do you know how many people walk 5K's? More people than run them. Of course you are entitled to your opinion. But it gives the slant of things I see and hear all the time. Examples: a 10 hour IM must be a lot better than a 12. Oh, you are ONLY doing the 10K and not the half? Oh, you are ONLY doing the Oly and not the 70.3? It discourages people and makes them feel like what they did do is diminished. PS a very hard run 10K (red line) is one of the toughest races in the world. |
| 2018-03-15 2:40 PM in reply to: TriJayhawkRyan |
| 1502 Katy, Texas | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? The last IM I did was a multi loop run. The first lap was pretty quiet, then on the second lap I came across quite a few more people, with a lot of walkers. At one point, I was running along and all of a sudden there seemed to be this magic point in the road in front of me where everyone all of a sudden started running. I thought this was odd, and as I got closer to the magic spot, all of a sudden, instead of being on of the only one's running, EVERYONE was running. I was like, what the heck??? Then I saw it....the race photographer lol. Everyone was in their best stride, hands raised, etc. As soon as we passed him, everyone went back to their Sunday stroll through the park.  |
| 2018-03-15 11:57 PM in reply to: TriJayhawkRyan |
Master 8248 Eugene, Oregon Bronze member | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? I would ask them if they have done any long-distance walking/hiking before and, if not, have them work up to 30K plus walks or hikes before they commit to walking an IM marathon. I have done long, long hikes up to 50 km in one day (for pleasure or challenge or out of necessity, such as getting up and down a pass before getting snowed in) and in many ways it is harder than running a marathon. You are on your feet for a lot longer and tend to have more issues with feet swelling, shoes rubbing, etc. If conditions are extreme the athlete would also have to carry more fluids as their interval between aid stations will be longer than those doing mainly run, or run-walk. Would only recommend committing to walk only for those who have physical conditions that make any amount of running impossible but inadvisable, but strong enough swim and bike legs to have a hope of finishing within the time limit. Then they will need to train for a long, long, walk in a fatigued state and dial in nutrition, hydration, equipment, etc, to account for the additional time on their feet. |
| 2018-03-18 10:40 AM in reply to: #5239641 |
| 108 | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? oh for god's sake, if people want to walk, LET THEM. it may not be right for you but for others it is. Their money, their race, their day, their agony. |
| 2018-03-18 7:29 PM in reply to: Dutchcrush |
Elite 5316 Alturas, California | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? When injured before or during race I have jog walked marathon. Shrug. |
| 2018-03-19 12:55 AM in reply to: Burchib |
| 471 | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? Originally posted by Burchib To JoelO The race and the distance don't deserve any respect. The people who compete in the event deserve the respect. Meaning, the people define the event. I lean towards the opinion of Lisa. If someone walks the 26.2, no, they are not really competitive, but what is the harm? Would you be mad if they owned an Ironman coffee mug because they walked?? Very few people ever make any money in triathlon so who cares. Do you know how many people walk 5K's? More people than run them. Of course you are entitled to your opinion. But it gives the slant of things I see and hear all the time. Examples: a 10 hour IM must be a lot better than a 12. Oh, you are ONLY doing the 10K and not the half? Oh, you are ONLY doing the Oly and not the 70.3? It discourages people and makes them feel like what they did do is diminished. PS a very hard run 10K (red line) is one of the toughest races in the world. What is the harm? Well firstly they risk physical injury and/or illness by attempting an Ironman without the proper amount of training. There is the mental side of things too. Is it actually good for them completing an Ironman by just walking. A woman from my club did this, barely did any training, swam the swim breaststroke, just made the bike cut off and strolled the "run". I didn't lose any sleep over it, by many others derided her, she didn't make things easy for herself by plastering her achievements all over social media. I don't agree with her detractors, like I said, if she wants to go out and exercise for 17 hours in the sun, then go for it.... but she wasn't prepared for the backlash, so for her, perhaps it was a regrettable decision? Something else to consider is the high volume of out of shape people attracted to the sport has meant swim cancellations have gone through the roof. Anything other than perfect conditions seems to eventuate in a swim cancellation because a lot of these competitors have not done the work. |
| 2018-03-19 10:13 PM in reply to: zedzded |
Master 8248 Eugene, Oregon Bronze member | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? I think there's a difference between someone who wants to walk the IM marathon because they think it will be "easier" than running a full marathon and will allow them to skimp on training, and someone who for medical reasons shouldn't or can't run much of it, but has the ability to finish in the time limit due to relative strengths on the swim and bike. Someone in the former category is going to be in for a rude shock (I think--I haven't done a full IM yet but done plenty of 20-30 mile hikes) and in most cases would probably be better off improving fitness at shorter distances first and gradually building up run endurance by using a structured run/walk plan. Someone in the latter category--if they can finish within the time limit, more power to them. Even at Kona, some of the older AG athletes and challenged athletes are walking much/most/all of the run. Ditto for lots of folks who have unexpected issues with heat, cramping etc. Even some of the pros have ended up walking most of the way. If it is your best effort with what you have on that day, there is no shame in it. |
| 2018-03-20 12:31 AM in reply to: 0 |
| 471 | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? Originally posted by Hot Runner I think there's a difference between someone who wants to walk the IM marathon because they think it will be "easier" than running a full marathon and will allow them to skimp on training, and someone who for medical reasons shouldn't or can't run much of it, but has the ability to finish in the time limit due to relative strengths on the swim and bike. Someone in the former category is going to be in for a rude shock (I think--I haven't done a full IM yet but done plenty of 20-30 mile hikes) and in most cases would probably be better off improving fitness at shorter distances first and gradually building up run endurance by using a structured run/walk plan. Someone in the latter category--if they can finish within the time limit, more power to them. Even at Kona, some of the older AG athletes and challenged athletes are walking much/most/all of the run. Ditto for lots of folks who have unexpected issues with heat, cramping etc. Even some of the pros have ended up walking most of the way. If it is your best effort with what you have on that day, there is no shame in it. I think I have an issue with people who are completely out of shape who haven't done the training, planning on walking the marathon from the start. It is showing completely disrespect and disregard for Ironman. Obviously excluding people with injuries/disabilities etc A few years ago at IMWA, 4 Singaporean athletes started the swim (in perfect conditions) lying on their backs sculling using surf lifesavers to rest every 200m. They could barely swim. No idea if they made the cut-off. What pissed me off is that because of their poor swimming ability they had nearly 6 paddleboarders escorting them along with a jetski. What if there was a genuine safety issue? Half the crew was occupied with these clowns. Edited by zedzded 2018-03-20 12:37 AM |
| 2018-03-20 3:05 PM in reply to: 0 |
Veteran 486 Newcastle, England | Subject: RE: IRONMAN // Walk the marathon on purpose? I Think its up to the individual it would not be MY choice, but... I've been reduced to walking due to injury but trained for a fast walk ... and walked past many who were 'running' I've also been reduced to walking due to gut problems as i came off the bike I have friends hat came to Tri from a LDW and speed walking background ... they totally respect the distance ... and can walk a marathon faster than many can run it Edited by WildWill 2018-03-20 3:06 PM |
|
|
|
| |||
| |||
| |||
 | |||
| Walking Boot and plantar fasciitis Pages: 1 2 |
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK