Caroline Wostmann walking to Comrades domination?
Not quite (but almost!) although the Nedbank Green Team athlete might be on to something that is not really all that new. The sight of the exuberant Gauteng athlete walking through the aid stations en route to an emphatic Comrades victory had some TV commentators shaking their heads in disbelief. Comments like "Our hearts just missed a beat" or "Caroline looks like she is in her rhythm after another walk break" were dime a dozen. But there is perhaps more to Wostmann's "walk breaks" than many observers may deduce at face value.
Die-hard traditionalists have long dismissed walking in a distance running race as a sign of weakness. Sure, this interpretation does have significance and substance when the walking is involuntary. The sight of any athlete falling apart a slowing to a walk has long signalled the relinquishing of a race lead or the death knell of pursuing a personal record.
But what if walking is planned and part of a race strategy?
And what if the notion of walking at certain points during a distance race actually results in improved performance?
Wostmann's walking was clearly planned and wildly successful. Statistically speaking, the fact that her final eight kilometres were faster than that of male victor Gift Kelehe is mind-boggling. For TV viewers, the sheer sight of the Wits accountancy lecturer low flying the final miles displaying perfect running form and composure was something to behold.
Legendary running coach Bobby McGee has long talked of the benefits of what he calls the Run-Walk Method. "It is just faster," he says, going on to add that easier fluid ingestion, lowering of heart rate and mental relief are but a few other benefits of such a "un-mahco" approach.
So why are more athletes, particularly males, not utilising such a simple, yet effective, performance enhancer?
The bottom line could be that of ego. Few runners like to be seen walking, or even running slowly during training. Ask any aerobic training convert of their initial forays into lower heart rate preparation and you'll no doubt hear tales of walking up hills to maintain optimal aerobic effort. Added to the fact is that female athletes are generally more coachable than their male counterparts and are often willing to try something new. Like walking to faster running.
Back to Wostmann and take a closer look at her walking intervals: her back was straight, leg turnover was quick and she looked at her watch both before walking and just before resuming running. In fact, her leg speed whilst strolling was similar to that of her running, as was her maintaining great posture. Walking break it was not as she was still moving at around eight minutes per kilometre pace.
Thus the Run-Walk is more of carefully planned strategy than a sign of weakness or laziness. It just makes more sense during events of such magnitude and distance. But this method should not be limited to competition alone; it has to be practised and as if to validate this were Wostmann's comments on 567 Cape Talk sports news early this morning.
"I always use the Run-Walk method, both in both training and racing. It just works great for me!"
If many would just give it a chance it may work great for them too.
