Ratio of run/walkers to pure runners

Anyone care to take a guess, based on what you've seen at your events? I'm just curious.  I'd assume that the longer the distance, the more run/walkers you'd see.  I ran my first 5K all the way through and would like to take it further and maybe eventually do a half, but I'm still of the mindset that if I take walk breaks, then I can hardly say I ran it...does that make sense?  But I know there are TONS of people who follow the Gallaway method, and having to do that won't stop me.  In fact, I can't imagine going beyond 5K without taking walk breaks. LOL...

Anyway, what would you guess would be the percentage of people who take regular walk breaks during their runs?

I would guess that the amount of people who finish a marathon without walking some is pretty small. Maybe 25% ir so. The amount who deliberately use a run/walk from the beginning is probably in the 10% range based on what I have read and observed.

In a 5K I hardly ever see people do a run/walk although many people simply walk. For my 10K PR a few weeks ago I took one minute walk breaks at the two and four mile marks. I feel like it helped keep my legs a little fresher and helped me run a faster time.

I am all for the walk breaks but I know they are not for everyone. I think it's a lot to ask of a post op to run high mileage without walking some and I would not recommend it unless you have a good solid base of at least a few years of consistant running.

This doesn't apply to everyone and I don't have any less admiration for anyone who finishes any distance with walking incorporated.
That being said the goal I set for myself is to complete the event without walking.  If I walk, I feel like it was a failure or that I didn't meet my own expectations.
I see lots of walkers in the smaller races, many of them are billed as walk/run 5k's.  I have seen lots of people take off like jack rabbits only to be caught a few miles down the road when their gas tank is empty.
There is nothing wrong with setting a goal for yourself, don't walk, only walk after the first 3 miles, only walk the distance of the aid stations while getting a drink whatever your goal is.

"In fact, I can't imagine going beyond 5K without taking walk breaks."

You can do it! I've run up to a half-marathon without walk breaks and I started out slower than slow. I know it's hard to imagine, but the issue isn't that it's too hard for you to do...you are completely capable of it. The issue is that you can't imagine it... YET.

I agree, I never walk anymore.  I may slow down considerably, but neve walk.  It's more of a mental thing than physical.  Once you tell yourself you can do it, you find it's possible.  And by the way, I still get upset at run/walkers who stop in the middle of the pack and don't try to get off to the side.  I also don't like jackrabbits.  But I am much calmer about it than in the past.
Rob

You know what?  You're right!  Three months ago I had trouble believing I'd be able to do the 5 and 8 minute runs during the C25K training LOL.   Thanks!

I have always been a run/walker.  I was before I gained weight, I am training the same now (just started again).  I can go farther and at higher intensities. 

 When I started, walk breaks were what I LIVED for - lol.  But now that I'm getting closer to the half marathon on the 24th - I have found my training has helped me greatly.  When I did the 10miler on Sunday, I didn't wal****il the 5mile mark.  I keep telling myself that if I am not outrageously out of breath and/or in serious fatigue or pain - I gotta keep going.  Until I answer that little questionaire with a 'yes' - I don't NEED a walk break. 

BUT 

I have also learned how to vary my pace so that I can maintain the 'bounce' of a jog without having to maintain a certain speed.  That and controlling and pacing my breathing has helped me maintain a run for a longer and longer distance.  Now that I know I can RUN an entire 5miles straight - I'm SUPER psyched.  Hoping that when I run the half - I only need two walk breaks.  

Shorter events attract lots of walkers or run/walkers, in my experience.  I did see plenty of people walking during my Half on Sunday - most started with running and some were doing the run/walk thing. 

My run/walk ratio definitely depends on the distance and conditions.  On an average day I can run a 10K without walking, but the one 10K race I did was on July 4th with high heat and humidity.  I had no choice but to take some walking breaks.  Now I schedule walks into my runs (the longer ones, in particular) so that I can get some proper puffs on my inhaler (I have asthma) and time to fish out a packet of GU without running off the road or into traffic.

Personally, I hate that I need to walk, but mentally, I know that 20 seconds of walking probably saves me asthma attacks, fatigue, etc.  My personal rule is to maintain forward motion at all times unless I MUST stop to stretch or use a potty.  I do not just stop on a race and only a medical emergency would make me at this point.

I think it's fairly common to see people walk (jog/walk) a little in the longer races. However, I really admire those people that can stop and make the adjustment to get in the "groove" again. I have a hard time doing it. I have to run/jog the entire way. I don't feel I really get going and find my comfort zone until 2.5 or 3 miles into it. I fear where my mind would take me if I stopped all together, but that is just me. Like I said, I think it is really common to see people jog or speed walk through parts of it.

I'm training for a marathon and I'm on 16 miles now so I have no idea if I will hit that dreaded wall and have to be okay with stopping....who knows. Ugh! We will see.

I think it's a personal thing though. You have to do whatever works best for you. Don't measure your success against someone's else. Just putting a goal to motion is success!!!