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I am currently on a runner's training plan preparing for a marathon in late October. By the time the race rolls around, I will have only reached 14 miles on my long run. This is, as any race site will tell me, Not Enough. However, I also walk a lot. Several weeks ago I walked up a mountain with a backpack on (3 hours total, all uphill, no breaks), and in two weeks I am walking a 10-mile race with a friend. Without doing any speed training, I walk a 15.5-minute mile at my natural pace (timed on a flat track outdoors, the marathon is on a flat paved trail). I don't run a whole lot faster than I walk -- 10-minute miles. In theory, if I can run 14 miles and I can walk 10, I should be able to finish the marathon if I am smart about how I combine those two. But I haven't read about anyone doing this, which makes me think it's not a great idea. So here's my question: What's the best way to half run/half walk a marathon? Should I run 14 miles and then walk the rest of the way? Should I run 4, walk 4, run 4, etc.? Advice from those of you who have combined walking and running would be helpful, especially your thoughts on whether walking is actually a break from running, or whether running four miles after walking four is just going to feel like running 8. Thanks! Laura
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