if injured, would you walk a half?

[wanderlustmom]

 I am leaning toward yes as long as my PT clears it.  I ran my first half last March and my first full in November.  Starting in September, I would have on and off again knee pain.  My speed was improving and I was on track to make my goal of a sub 2 hour half until I was having pain while running in both knees a few weeks ago.  So I went to my first physical therapy appointment last week.  I guess I have a mechanical knee issue that's not that bad but he doesn't want me to run for at least six weeks.  I have been signed up since January for the Country Music Half marathon the end of April in Nashville with my mother in law   He said I am fine to walk as many miles as my legs will let me and do the eliptical so I should be able to train and exercise.  Walking doesn't cause any pain yet.  I think it will still be fun.  In the meantime, I have daily exercises for my week hamstrings and hips and I'm going to get to yoga as much as I can. I also will see the PT once a week.  I have scoliosis so I thought that might be it, but he said it was most likely the jump from half to full way too quickly and he recommended I train longer and slower for my next half and or full.  The good news is he said I should be fine to run again I just have to let my knees heal. 

Have you ever walked a half?  I think this one will be so fun that I don't want to miss it.  I am just hoping on my long walks I don't get pain.  And the competitive me needs to not wallow. I am sure there is a time limit so I can't just stroll.

[breezy8407]

That's too far for me to walk. I would get bored.

I used to walk ~90 minutes with a friend often, so as long as I had someone to chat with maybe, but my limit would be about 5 miles.

[wanderlustmom]

Mar 10, 2014 13:17:07 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

I get bored walking anything longer than a 10k.
Will you be with a group, or a fun support system along the route?

Mother in law is 67 and said she would walk about seven miles with me and then she wants to run to get her goal time.  But I hear this half has a lot of fun bands so I should be distracted the last six miles. I think I need to get up to walking ten miles and then I can assess.  Thanks for the advice! I also could just go and cheer her on and give someone my number.  That's what I did a few years ago in Las Vegas when I had plantar fascitis. I did get so sad watching the racers though. So I thought this might be a compromise but I could definitely see boredom as a factor.  My PT said I definitely will reinjure my knee if I run even a few miles.

[G22]

I'd get bored and try to run. But it wouldn't hurt to try walking it if you really are wanting to do it (provided no pain while doing it).

[wanderlustmom]

Mar 10, 2014 13:23:00 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Mar 10, 2014 13:20:25 GMT -5 wanderlustmom said:

Mother in law is 67 and said she would walk about seven miles with me and then she wants to run to get her goal time.  But I hear this half has a lot of fun bands so I should be distracted the last six miles. I think I need to get up to walking ten miles and then I can assess.  Thanks for the advice! I also could just go and cheer her on and give someone my number.  That's what I did a few years ago in Las Vegas when I had plantar fascitis. I did get so sad watching the racers though. So I thought this might be a compromise but I could definitely see boredom as a factor.  My PT said I definitely will reinjure my knee if I run even a few miles.

This puts me in the no camp. 

Thanks, he seemed to think I could walk it though but maybe he was just saying it because he was trying to be nice to me as it was the first time we met and he knew I was excited about it.  I will reassess.  I can always leave the course after seven miles with my mother in law if I get bored or in pain.

[Susie]

Nope. Walking 13.1 miles sounds like no fun at all, and would not scratch the itch of running it anyway. The slightest possibility of it aggravating an injury is just the icing on the NOPE cake.

I would rather just make some awesome signs, bring tunes, day drink, and be a champion spectator.

[ebeth]

no because it would take forever and walking is boring.

unless some kind of walk/jog could happen, I'd probably just let it go. particularly if there isn't a 'half marathon walk' as part of the event.

[cinco]

Nope. I'd rather walk around and see the sights with my family. It would leave more time for eating and day drinking, which are some of my favorite non running activities.

[runaways]

I wouldn't. Boring, and even if you're cleared it may be more conducive to healing for you not to walk 13.1 miles straight.

[thom]

I can totally understand you're disappointed about all this. I would be too. Here's a few thoughts:

First, be honest with yourself about whether walking aggravates it. Thinking about walking a half and being on your feet for 3+ hours while nursing an injury might be a lot.

Also, would you be holding MIL back if she walked the first half w/ you? It can be hard to stick together when one person wants to go faster but not leave the other. You know your relationship best & if you're both open and okay with this plan.

I really hope you heal quickly & things go well whatever you decide!

[lb2006]

My H had a hip injury - his PT said he could walk the half we signed up for, just not run it. So - he did...and walked it in 2:42! I couldn't have walked that fast for even a few miles!

I suffered an injury in the MDI marathon around mile 9ish. I tried running and gave it up at mile 11. I walked the remaining 15.2 miles (there were really no sag wagons - it was in the middle of Acadia National park and small race) - the sights were beautiful, but by the time i hit 20 miles, i cranked up beyonce and pushed through to finish it.

[labbie]

My sister walks one each year with a group of friends, but if I was injured I'm not sure I would do it.
Especially given that your goal is to get back to running- the mere chance of putting that at risk would be a no to the 1/2 marathon for me.

[valetgirl]

Another vote for no. Although walking is low impact, it would be sustained over such a long period of time that it could aggravate your knee. Better safe than sorry.

[wannabe]

why not just go and volunteer at one of the water stations or something? you could still be part of the action while providing a much-needed service.

do doctors really suggest things "just to be nice"? i'd be leery of that, big time.

[patches31709]

Since you're hurt and not clear to run it, I wouldn't walk it either out of fear you could hurt it worse.

[melmel48]

Sorry, but no. It sounds boring, and if you think you would get the feeling you want to run, I wouldn't chance it. 

[AAM2012]

No because I would be too tempted to run and hurt myself and it would take way too long. I would definitely volunteer though. It's great to give back and soooo exciting to cheer on fellow runners.

[sadlebred]

I hate to say but no. I really wanted to walk a HM this year myself, but my surgeon killed those plans. I have to wait til at least 12-18 months post op.

[hannahb]

No, a million times no. I would be bored to tears

[jordylee]

I wouldn't, for two reasons. First, it would be pretty boring. Walking is SO much slower than running, so it would take forever. More importantly though, I think it would just make me bummed out to see everyone else running and having fun when I can't. If I'm injured, the last thing I want to do is have everyone else running happily by me, chatting, having a great time, while I just can't.

If you still want to go to the half, my vote is to volunteer.

[MrsE]

No, I wouldn't do it. However, I would cheer on your MIL and other runners along the way.

IMO, if you are in the care of Drs and/or PTs for an injury, don't push it.

[brooke77]

I've been injured for a half as well. I spectated and it was a lot of fun! So, personally, I would not walk a half if I was injured.

[wanderlustmom]

Mar 10, 2014 16:19:00 GMT -5 wannabe said:

do doctors really suggest things "just to be nice"? i'd be leery of that, big time.

maybe not, he said I could walk it.  I want to walk it, I have never done this half and I am cleared to walk, do the eliptical, spinning, even my P90X classes as long as I don't jump. Thanks for the feedback, going to wait and see.
and the volunteering is a great idea too.