Just in case you haven't heard of him --- Jeff Galloway is a US Olympian, the Disney Endurance Events Official Training Consultant and Founder of the Galloway Marathon Training Program (RUN-WALK-RUN™ method). This method has helped a lot of runners all over the world, including myself!
Yes, I am a Galloway Girl and I owe all my PRs to this method. I usually do this with my friends who pace me. I have tried doing an all run versus the run-walk-run doing the same distance for both and I realized, I finished at the exact same time. Only with the Galloway method, I looked and felt less beaten and exhausted.
Here's a picture of me and my friend, Gail, with Mr. Galloway at the Disneyland Half Marathon at the Disney Health Expo last month...
Meeting Mr. Galloway
And here's the first part of his video....
Run – Walk – Run Method
The Jeff Galloway Run – Walk – Run method has helped thousands of runners get started. By alternating running with walking you conserve energy, reduce fatigue, reduce injuries and run farther. How fast do you need to run and walk? Once you decide your minute per mile goal, you adjust your run – walk pace accordingly. Let’s get training.
As you know, Jeff Galloway isn't the only one who doesn't believe in stretching before a run. There's still an ongoing debate about it but I say do what works best for you. I have tried stretching and not stretching before a run and personally, I feel better when I do a fast walk first then progressing into a slow jog for about 3 minutes and then doing some light stretching after. This method of warming-up works well for me and complements the run-walk-run that I do after.
The Galloway method really works well for me since I feel it helps me conserve enough energy so I can kick it during the last few miles.
- Your thoughts on this method?
- Have you ever tried the Galloway method before? If not, are you willing to give it a try?
- Do you stretch before a run or not?
I will be doing this approach with my first marathon nov 14th. I have been practicing it with my long 20 milers and the minutes per mile are great. I would be exhausted if I tried running the whole bit. I will run all the way through maybe as time progresses but for beginners and even long time runners, this method kicks butt. As for stretching, I don't right before or after a run. Maybe later that day or on an easy recovery day. The reason is simple. Running is a natural form of movement. I don't think you need to stretch unless you are doing a hard core session. When ever cave men were running on their hunts, I don't think they were bending over in weird positions before they went out. The video was great. I am also reading his book, marathon, you can do it. Great Read. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am a BIG believer of the Galloway method. It helped me finish my half marathons and my 1st full marathon.
ReplyDeleteand i LOVE our photo with Jeff G! ;)
ReplyDeleteI walk some in marathons and ultras but not to a specific method. I usually adapt to the race and route as I go. I never stretch.
ReplyDeleteI heart Jeff Galloway and the run-walk-run method. This is what I used for my first half marathon and it gave me the confidence to know I could finish. Because I was a new runner, I needed a little extra help. I used his Half Marathon: You Can Do It. I recommend it to everyone I meet who tells me they could never run a half. Because honestly, if I can do it, anyone truly can!
ReplyDeleteAs for stretching, I use dynamic stretching exercises after a short jog warm-up. I don't know how static stretching compares for me because I haven't used it with running; I just got used to dynamic stretches because my running coach made me do them before every run and every race and I'm so superstitious I can't break any routine once I start it. :)
How cool to meet Jeff Galloway! I'm jealous!
I would like to try this with someone who is disciplined to do it correctly. Because I end up walking a lot once I start...I don't do well at sticking with the intervals.
ReplyDelete@Lisa: yup that's how I started. And she had a Garmin too to guide us(interval setting). That's why I got my own Garmin so I could do it on my own during my long runs =)
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge fan of Jeff Galloway and the run/walk method. I was lucky enough to meet him and attend a classroom session he led. It changed my life, literally. I never thought I'd be able to run more than 3-3.5 miles. I was always exhausted after just that distance. Then the run/walk. I've done a number of 10K's and even 2 half marathons. It made running enjoyable for me. Thanks for the video. Will watch for the next ones.
ReplyDeleteIt probably would help me tremendously - I guess my challenge would be the walking part - once I'm running and feeling good in my run, I just find it hard to walk - when I'm walking, I find it hard to get running again. Though I will admit - I've never tried it in a method way, I'm sure that would make a difference. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteI suppose I'll give it a shot one of these days!