Has anyone ever walked a half marathon? Our marathon is coming up in October and I'm considering doing this. Key word - considering. Lord knows I can't run the dang thing so I thought maybe I could walk half of it.

Back when I was much younger, I walked 3 different 20-mile walk-a-thons. Two for March of Dimes and one for my church. Couldn't do it now without some serious practice.

The last one I did, I didn't train well for it. I remember finishing it, then getting into the car for the hour drive home. When I got home, I could not lift my legs out of the car. I literally had to pick my legs up with my hands and move them out of the car. My muscles just gave up on me!

Dotsie, if you start walking now, you'll be fine in October. Just get out there and walk 5 days a week. Start at 3 miles a day and work up. Stay hydrated, and keep your arms/hands moving. My hands tend to swell up a little if they hang by my sides for a very long walk. Wish I was there to do it with you!

k

Hi Dots,
In April I'll be power walking my 4th half marathon. MORE magazine holds one each year for women over 40 only.
I do it with a girl friend for her birthday. We thought we'd live through one and that would be that. We were barely able to walk after the first one because despite reading about training I don't think we actually did enough, or didn't eat right or whatever.
So we determined we'd try it again. And try to better our time.
First year, 3 hours 15. 2nd 3 hours. Last year while I was out on a training walk I was thinking about what I wanted my time to be.
I suddenly got this vision of the finish line and the timer overhead. It read 2:46. Yea right I thought initially. Then I did the math on how many mins per mile etc and decided that I'd hold that vision and aim for that time.
Well at every other mile there is a timer letting you know how far you've gone and the time. I kept track but when I saw I was slipping behind I just kept repeating 246, 246. Long and short of it? When I went over the finish line I forgot to look but knew it was shorter than 3 hours which was the big goal.
When I got the email with my time, 2 days after the race, whadda ya think it said? Yup, 2 hours 46 minutes.
I was more amazed at the power of intention to keep me moving at that pace than that I did another half marathon.
If you need any tips just let me know. After 3 of them I feel like an expert.
mscoach