I Broke 3 Hours in the Marathon Using 5-Step Walk Breaks. You Should Try Them, Too
Runner's World
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The article shares a transformative experience of a runner who initially believed that walking during a marathon was a sign of weakness but later discovered the effectiveness of incorporating short walk breaks to maintain energy and pace. The author's journey began with an intention to run the entire marathon without stopping, but midway through her first attempt, she realized the need for a different strategy. She adopted a method where she took five-step walk breaks at specific intervals, which not only helped her finish the race but also improved her time significantly.
By starting her walk breaks at mile 16, she initially walked every five minutes, gradually increasing the frequency as the race progressed. This approach allowed her to conserve energy and avoid burn
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Originally published on Runner's World on 2/20/2026