Just a question out of curiosity. If you did, what was your split? How did it compare with previous run splits you may have had?
On a related note, what’s the fastest you’ve heard anyone walk the full distance of an Ironman marathon?
I walked a 14 minute mile for 16 miles.
I could have ran more… I probably over reacted. But, I was freaked out that my watch was showing an elevated heart rate at mile 10, even though I felt totally fine and relaxed running. I thought the watch was telling me something I maybe didn’t know.
At that moment, realizing I may give up an hour on the total time wasn’t a big deal.
Oh, my legs hurt like crazy the next day. I assume it’s because I didn’t train those muscles. I don’t race walk in training.
I want to be helpful, but I’m almost embarrassed to answer your question. Due to dehydration and other problems at my last two iron-distance triathlons, I walked about 16 miles of one, and nearly all of the other. My run splits were 6:23 and 7:24, respectively. They were both awful experiences–the worst I’ve ever had–and I gained a lot of respect for those who walk an entire marathon.
I could probably have cut those times to 6:00 and 7:00 if I had had more motivation than just finishing. My run splits at previous races have been around 5:00-5:15.
Jim
When I came off the bike at FL in '07 I started running and immediately had breathing issues. I slowed down to a walk to see what was up for a few hundred yards and then started running again and breathing went to shit again. I have never had any sort of exercise-induced asthma (or any other breathing problems) so I decided to walk for a while. Every time I tried to start running again I would have the same problems. So I walked pretty much the entire marathon. My split was 5:45 and there were times where I was walking faster and passing people that were “running” during the loops.
At no point did I run for more than 100 meters or so in a mile, so I would definitely say I walked the whole thing.
The next year at LP I ran the first loop and then basically walked the second. 4:40-ish for my split. Considering I was a low 1:24 half-marathoner at the time, it was quite a wake up call for the level of training and smart pacing that someone needs to put up a good marathon split in an IM.
Just a question out of curiosity. If you did, what was your split? How did it compare with previous run splits you may have had?
On a related note, what’s the fastest you’ve heard anyone walk the full distance of an Ironman marathon?
I’m fascinated by this as well.
I once walked the entire marathon in 6:40 due to a tibial stress fracture. It wasn’t “racewalking”, rather just a purposeful walk and I didn’t run a step. I was probably in sub 3:30 IM marathon shape at the time.
I always have problems with the run of an IM no matter how hard I train. When training last year for Redman full I trained using a run/walk plan. I had one of my best IM marathons even though I had a very difficult day on the bike. I am using a run/walk plan to train for my first Ultra distance event next month.
Do you mean walked in the traditional sense or does race walking mean that funky fast walk thing that people do while moving their butts in extreme pendulum motions while not allowing 1 foot to be lifted from the ground before the other foot touches?
I believe most people in this thread are answering that they have walked (I have too). But I believe that you want to know if people have gone into an IM with the intention of Race Walking the whole thing as per race walking criteria. I have seen this before in races but not done it myself. I do know that I have not been passed by a race walker when I was running. I have been passed when I was walking (I am an even worse walker than runner in terms of comparative speed).
Do you mean walked in the traditional sense or does race walking mean that funky fast walk thing that people do while moving their butts in extreme pendulum motions while not allowing 1 foot to be lifted from the ground before the other foot touches?
I’m interested in stories from either those who did the formal racewalk as you described or people who walked briskly/intentionally quickly for the entire marathon.
Has anyone here race walked-backwards any marathon? That would be more impressive!
After the swim/bike disaster at IMSG this year (40 mph winds, 4-5 wind blown waves and the highest DNF rate in the history of Ironman sanctioned events), my race plan completely went out the window, and I adopted a run/walk strategy for the marathon. The marathon was roughly equal parts up or down slight hills, so I went with ‘run if flat or down, always walk on the uphills.’ I was going about 3.5 mph on the walking segments, and 6-6.3 mph on the running (9:55s). Came just under 6 hours (including some quality aid station refueling time)… Normal marathon for me is about 4:00:00. IMAZ (my first), I ran the first half to clear the cutoff times with a wide margin (ran just over 2 hours for first half), and walked most of the second as my legs siezed up, and I didn’t want to risk an injury that would take me out. I think split was around 5:45.
is legal racewalking faster than garden variety walking? I know they go fast but the strange stride is to comply with the rules about where the knee is or something.
I saw some race walkers warming up before a race. They’re pretty damn fast. Odd as hell looking, but they can walk like a mofo.
is legal racewalking faster than garden variety walking? I know they go fast but the strange stride is to comply with the rules about where the knee is or something.
Considering the world record marathon for race walking is <3:05, that’s a resounding yes. With that, I’m not sure how optimal a strategy it is to intentionally walk the IM marathon.
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i have seen some ~50’s ladies that set out on the run in full race walk style. i don’t honestly think they had any intentions of running.
i know there was one in 2009 imlp, but that’s as close as i’m going to be able to get you. she was cruising right out of the gate. as i started my second lap. or at least that is what my memory is telling me. (it might have been 2010 when i was spectating)
Tim
is legal racewalking faster than garden variety walking? I know they go fast but the strange stride is to comply with the rules about where the knee is or something.
Considering the world record marathon for race walking is <3:05, that’s a resounding yes. With that, I’m not sure how optimal a strategy it is to intentionally walk the IM marathon.
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I know it’s fast but if they could cheat on the straight knee rule would they go faster, i.e. just walking fast with big strides but keeping one foot on the ground.
I know it’s fast but if they could cheat on the straight knee rule would they go faster, i.e. just walking fast with big strides but keeping one foot on the ground.
This is one of those *If you have to ask *kind of questions. Best idea is to think outside the box & train enough to actually run the marathon 
is legal racewalking faster than garden variety walking? I know they go fast but the strange stride is to comply with the rules about where the knee is or something.
Considering the world record marathon for race walking is <3:05, that’s a resounding yes. With that, I’m not sure how optimal a strategy it is to intentionally walk the IM marathon.
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I know it’s fast but if they could cheat on the straight knee rule would they go faster, i.e. just walking fast with big strides but keeping one foot on the ground.
I believe they would refer to that as running.
is legal racewalking faster than garden variety walking? I know they go fast but the strange stride is to comply with the rules about where the knee is or something.
Considering the world record marathon for race walking is <3:05, that’s a resounding yes. With that, I’m not sure how optimal a strategy it is to intentionally walk the IM marathon.
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I know it’s fast but if they could cheat on the straight knee rule would they go faster, i.e. just walking fast with big strides but keeping one foot on the ground.
I believe they would refer to that as running.
both feet leave the ground when running. even mine, to a small extent
They only have to keep one foot on the ground currently. Otherwise it would be the race shuffle. Or maybe some sort of reverse moon walk but really fast.