Jeff Galloway: Do walk breaks disturb the “runners high?”
Question: The challenge I find with walk breaks is that they seem to disturb my “runners high.” It’s if I have to start all over again on long runs. Any advice? Jeff: There is a rhythm during a run that is satisfying for many runners. During the early stages of walk breaks, this pattern is interrupted and can be irritating. On runs that are short enough for the individual, walk breaks may not be needed. On long runs, however, my run-walk-run™ method has been shown to erase fatigue, allow one to be strong to the finish, recover faster and run faster times in races. Until you get used to a certain pattern of walk breaks, you must ask yourself whether you want to gain control over your fatigue and realize these benefits–or maintain your steady run. The decision is entirely up to you. Most of the runners I’ve worked with who began their training with this “irritation” view of walk breaks found that after a month or so they got into a new rhythm. When you are on a constant pattern, your bo
