Why should I be proud of this?


     It's Five Minute Friday once again and I have a quick little thought for you today. 

 I can’t believe I’m saying this already, but this heat has been making running hard!


I was out on the trail the other day and I just wasn’t feeling it after I started running. I ran about a half mile and thought to myself, I should just do a run/walk.

When I ran my first half marathon, I used the Galloway Run/Walk Method, not by choice, but that was the only way that I was going to get through it with the horrible IT band pain I was experiencing.

 I continued to use the Run/Walk method while rehabbing (when I probably shouldn’t have been running at all) and continued to use it even after I healed because I was afraid to push myself for fear the pain would return. 

Fast Forward to a few years later...
I haven’t used the Run/Walk method in a very long time. In fact, my last half marathon (NYC Half), I ran the whole way through. Of course that’s not a big deal for most runners. But I was proud of that.


That brings me to back to the trail. I ended my hot and humid 3 mile run with no walk breaks and was proud that I pushed through. But it made me think ... Why am I proud of something (no walk breaks) when the alternative (walk breaks) is nothing to be ashamed of?   -M








29 comments:

  1. Easy! Because you pushed yourself to do something that was uncomfortable! That's what runners do. :) Of course there is nothing wrong with run/walking if that's what you're feeling that day, but I think as runners, we have that feeling that we need to push ourselves. Not all the time, obviously, but that desire to push is there. And it was there for you that day! Have a great weekend, Meranda. :)

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    1. 3 miles should NOT be uncomfortable but for some reason i thought is was going to be that day since it was so hot..haha

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  2. There's no shame in walking, but I can see how it would make you proud to push through a challenging run. Its tough to adjust to running in the heat!

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    1. I always say i like the heat better but it is tough.

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  3. I love run/walking. I do it all the time. I even qualified for Boston using the run/walk method at the Flying Pig marathon several years ago. I understand the (internal) pressure to push ourselves to run, but running is supposed to be enjoyable. Why not give ourselves a little mental break every once in a while?

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    1. I have certainly heard of people BQ-ing with that method and thats awesome.

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  4. I had this thought as well after my last race where I ran the whole thing. After all, I've been owning the run/walk intervals! I'm still trying to rationalize it, because most of the time run/walking is the only way I can do any kind of distance. The research supports it. Recovery is easier. I need to get over myself! Great food for thought...

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    1. Yes i often wonder if its worth it to "push through" if it means injury or soreness later?

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  5. Interesting question. I think it's right to be proud of doing your best or sticking to your plan. That day it was running. Other days it might be walking!

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  6. I don't think walk intervals are something to be ashamed of. Some days we have it some days not as much. As long as you are out there moving forward it's something to be proud of

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  7. That is a great question. So many runners seem to think that walk intervals are something to get over. And I'll admit, sometimes I think maybe it's time to move on -- the training group I'm involved in is up to running without intervals, so I do. But the pace is much slower than my normal pace.

    OTOH, I've also gotten a lot faster using my intervals. I'm not sure there's an easy answer here!

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    1. I do often wonder if i could be faster using consistant intervals.

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  8. The first hot days are no joke! I ran a long run in the heat. I didn't take walk breaks but I did stop for water a bunch. Neither are anything to be ashamed of ;)

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  9. I agree with Megan and Lisa! You pushed through an uncomfortable run. At some point you made the decision to challenge yourself to do run without walks that day and you achieved it.

    I totally get where you are coming from. Since I started running again after surgery I have decided not to use run/walk although some days my body just isn't feeling the heat/humidity/increased distances/paces combination and I have to take a walking break or two and I feel slightly guilty. It's totally bizarre because from 2012-2016 I always used run/walk and achieved all of my PRs with run/walk so definitely nothing to be ashamed of!

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    1. I may have to expirement this summer with run-walk again and see how my pace is.

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  10. I love my run/walk intervals :) But we all have different goals for ourselves and it makes sense to be proud of accomplishing something that you worked hard for!

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    1. I guess the 3 miles does seem like much of an accomplishment since i normally run that with out walk breaks anyway but the half marathon was an accomplishment for sure!

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  11. Good point. Such a label on things in running that I never knew existed. Like you said it's not a big deal to most runners - it IS a big deal to run the full marathon - that's amazing. While there's people out there proud to just WALK a full marathon. It's funny how there are standards & labels set on all aspects of this sport. It's each a personal goal/achievement - why I hate when people ask things like "What's your pace?" "What was your time?" or things that in the end, doesnt matter to anyone else.

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    1. You are right. After you cross the finish line none of that other stuff really does matter.

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  12. I hope you realize your pride came from pushing yourself through something you didn't feel like doing - sometimes what looks easy on the outside (and to others) is much more of a struggle, mentally and/or physically, than we let on.

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    1. You are right, its not that i didnt think i COULD do it, it was more that I didnt FEEL like doing it.

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  13. It's definitely a new level when you don't take walk breaks. I'm still using intervals since I do fear my IT band popping up again (like it did this cycle).

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  14. I agree thete is no shame in walking. But pushing yourself harder, training better is always something to be proud of!!
    Everyone is different and can do different things, there is no shame either ws y because regardless one is trying. The mental barriers of walking and running are hard to break for many I hear, but seriously be proud your awesome! !!

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  15. I love the Galloway method, been using it for 6 years now. I actually started running before that a bit with a C25k plan, but I herniated a disc in my back. Once I was able to run again, the Galloway run/walk/run was a lifesaver. Keeps me fit and a happy runner, and that's all that matters to me. :)

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Fairytales and Fitness is a personal blog authored and edited by us, Meranda and Lacey. The thoughts expressed here represent only our own and are not meant to be taken as professional advice. Please note that our thoughts and opinions change from time to time. We consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind in an ever changing society. Any thoughts and opinions expressed within our out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those we may express today. Some links may contain affiliate links. Some links are just to pages we'd like to share.