I am a big believer in walking. After training and completing several marathons and ultramarathons, I started having some trouble with my knees. Old injuries resurfaced, new injuries started. And it only happened when I ran.
I set a goal after completing my first trail marathon in October 2020, to continue doing a marathon (or longer event) each month for a year. I made it to month 6 before a muddy and icy (how can one event be both of those things!?!) ultra race gave me an IT Band injury. I couldn’t run after mile 3 so I walked 25 more miles to the finish (and got a DNF! Because I turned around early and only went 28 miles total).
Anyway, I had to stop running for a while, but I could keep walking. I noticed that even while injured I could walk pain free for miles! So I readjusted my goals and started doing long walks and hikes each month. I spent the summer hiking the Maryland AT, the Rivanna trail, and Hatteras island (Rodanthe to Avon). I readjusted my goal so that I had to complete a 20+ mile event each month. And my knee pain never returned! Until…I started running again.
So now I have found a nice middle ground…I walk when I feel like it and I run when I feel like it. I listen to my body (especially my knees) and have taken a very intuitive approach to exercise. Usually doing lots of walking interspersed with intervals of jogging. And this works great for me!
After completing a walking/running marathon around my neighborhood in September, I have officially completed my year long goal! My grand finale event will be the Cape Fear 24 hour race in October! I have a goal to get at least 40-50 miles (for 40 years of life). So what comes next?? Well I might just keep going and see how many months I can keep up this craziness…
Oh, and in case you weren’t aware of all the health benefits of walking, here is a list from the Mayo Clinic: Walking: Trim your waistline, improve your health – Mayo Clinic
- Maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat
- Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes
- Improve cardiovascular fitness
- Strengthen your bones and muscles
- Improve muscle endurance
- Increase energy levels
- Improve your mood, cognition, memory and sleep
- Improve your balance and coordination
- Strengthen immune system
- Reduce stress and tension
Walking an ultramarathon or marathon is totally doable for almost anyone and is a low impact and low injury way to achieve your marathon goal!
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