If the word running were to have an enemy, it certainly would be walking. When I run from point A to point B, I have it drilled into my mind from what I’ve read and experienced, that if I walk any portion of it, I’m essentially cheating myself.
Of the three marathons that I’ve attempted to run in their entirety, I’ve always resorted walking the last portion of it. Yes, I’ve run those 20 miles training runs that Hal Higdon’s training schedule dictates, but alas, when it comes to race day, the magic isn’t there for me.
This time around, I’m trying the Jeff Galloway training method where his training plan combines running with my well known enemy: walking. The cornerstone of any marathon training program is a weekend long run which is the only time that I apply Galloway’s technique. With his technique, you run for a few minutes, take a one minute walk break, and repeat the process for hours.
Look, it really isn’t that bad. 
Out of curiosity, I wonder how much walking is done while applying the Galloway technique to my long runs. I’ve only listed the longer of the long runs as the schedule has an interesting way of spacing them out. In the table below, walking is a 13:58 min/mi pace or slower, and running is a pace faster than 13:58 min/mi. Yes, people can debate the difference between running and jogging for days and never arrive to a conclusion.
| Date | Distance (mi) | Run/Walk Ratio (min) | Run (mi) | Walk (mi) |
| 6/15/2008 | 11.04 | 5:1 | 10.02 | 1.02 |
| 6/28/2008 | 13.11 | 5:1 | 11.90 | 1.21 |
| 7/13/2008 | 15.72 | 5:1 | 13.03 | 1.69 |
| 7/26/2008 | 18.01 | 5:1 | 16.13 | 1.88 |
| 8/9/2008 | 19.93 | 4:1 | 17.65 | 2.28 |
| 8/30/2008 | 22.74 | 4:1 | 19.89 | 2.85 |
The table is a work-in-progress. It should be complete in November.