So after I did my 300 Miles in 2011 post and realized just how far off from that I was, I decided that I needed a new approach. Last week I started reading Women’s Complete Guide to Running by Jeff & Barbara Galloway. In chapter 13, Training Programs for Beginning Runners, there was a 26 week Run-Walk-Run program. Since I needed some motivation, I decided that I would start this program. I’ve been running for almost a year now so I decided to start at week 5. You run or walk 6 days a week (with the day of rest being on Friday which REALLY works out for me), with 3 days running (run-walk-run) and 3 days walking. I thought at the very least it would get me out and moving 6 days out of the week so it was worth a try! Along with this new program I also decided to finally get my act together and start eating better.
So today was the end of Week 1 (er, actually Week 5 according to the plan)…
- I did all 6 days of the training plan and I’m still alive to speak of it.
- I completed 9.09 miles!
- I lost THREE POUNDS!
- I used my Nike+ Sportband this morning (because my iPod needed charging) and it was great! Kinda liked not listening to music or anything for once.

Well done on the extra miles and the weight loss – what a bonus!! When you do the walk days how far do you walk and what sort of speed? I sometimes worry that my running speed is the same as some fitter people’s walking speed!! I’ve also found that not listening to music works better for me – my Itunes on phone stuck as I was midway through a run and couldn’t be bothered to stop and sort it. Found I actually ran better and listened more to what my body was telling me. Best of luck on the half marathon.
With the program I’m doing, you walk a certain amount of time each day instead of a certain amount of miles. I try to maintain a 4 mph pace, since both races I’m doing require you to maintain a 16 min mile. I’m a very slow runner, so I know what you mean about the fit walkers!