I had a really great question from one of my commenters ask how that one minute off benefits my ability to run (see comments here).
When I mentioned this to my Triathlete boyfriend (he runs a 3:42 minute kilometer for a freaking marathon), he doesn’t really understand where it comes from. But I just didn’t make it up. Some runners use the ten and one rule, others won’t because it slows down their pace obviously, while they’re walking. He tried to explain this to me as well, and tell me that I would be faster if I didn’t stop.
I have to disagree 100%. I am not built to be an endurance runner. They call me legs at soccer for a reason. I’m a fast sprinter and that’s what I’m known for.
Towards the end of that 10 minutes on during a run, I literally cannot wait for my walk minute, especially towards the middle/end of the run — it’s where I feel like death and I’m swearing out loud and grabbing both my hips just to keep my momentum.
Then the one minute walk break starts.
I can catch my breath, and get ready and gear up for the next 10 minutes on. I feel stronger, faster and have much more energy to finish my run when I have some walk minutes put in there. I think it’s a fantastic strategy whoever came up with it; And I mean, it doesn’t even have to be 10 minutes if you don’t want it to be… make it 12 if you feel like it. Make it 5 songs on your ipod!
I got my 5k run down pat. Close to a 25minute 5k, which includes walk times — maybe 2 or 3 one minute walks. I honestly don’t think I have the mental capacity (right now anyway) to tell myself to keep going at the speed I’m going without stopping. That’s not to say I’m Speedy McSpeed Demon or anything. I just find I can get that extra burst of energy, and catch my breath on those 1 minutes off.
It feels good. So I do it, and I will continue to use this method for all of my runs. Maybe my 10 minutes on will get longer (though, some of those ten minutes feels like an eternity), maybe not. Everyone is a different type of runner, especially my boyfriend. I don’t expect everyone to understand how it works. But I know it does for me. As I mentioned above, I don’t think I could continue at the same speed to get down to a 23 minute 5k (that’s my 26 min 5k taking out all the “walk stops”). I’m not that fast, it’s just the walks help so incredibly much.
I started running with a Learn To Run program at my gym, and I have yet to go on a run by myself … I’m not motivated enough yet, but I crave to run, and luckily so does my running buddy, so we go with each other now. It took us since April to build it up by adding one minute more of running to get up to those 10 minutes “on”. Each week I dreaded putting on those minutes. But it certainly does help build endurance. Who knows, maybe one day I won’t need this method anymore, and maybe I won’t use it in my race next weekend — maybe the adrenaline will be pumping through my body so hard that I won’t feel the need to stop. I won’t know until I try! 4 days til the race!
Til next time! :)
6 Comments
when I started run (before i gave up :) ) I did the same thing and my god…that minute off was a LIFESAVER. My dad thinks we’re weird for taking minute breaks (my mom does as well) but whatever works for us. I really should get back in the swing of things regarding running. i really do love it but i’ve been so down lately that when I get home I just wnat to go and sleep…. However, a run would probably take me out of that rut….catch 22 much?!
I think one reason why I like running is that everyone can do it their own way. If that’s how you like to run, you just go ahead and do your thing!
And you are a speedy thing, aren’t you? lol. I’m sure you’re gonna rock the race. :)
Nancy says: I like to think I’m speedy for a number of minutes (like break-aways at soccer for instance). But if I know i have to run the whole 5k without stopping? I slow down BIG time. I’m definitely trying to build up endurance and getting my breathing corrected. So many things to think about while running! :)
Girl…what works for you is the right way to run for you! I am convinced that everyone has their own style and running a 5K in 25 minutes with walk breaks is FREAKING AWESOME!
The 10-and-1’s are a feature of the popular Jeff Galloway method. (www.jeffgalloway.com) The idea is that you have a scheduled break before you NEED it and are about to die, and it increases the speed of your running. Here’s a link to Jeff’s full explanation – http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/walk_breaks.html. I’ve found it works really well. Instead of becoming exhausted and then ending up walking for five minutes and my heart-rate bottoming out, I have an easily attainable goal (“I just have to do 8 minutes before I can walk again”) and a time-limited break. I trained for the Twin Cities Marathon this way in 2008 and I it made a big difference in my training.