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The run-walk method's walk interval has been adjusted over time. Earlier reporting said Galloway originally recommended running 1 mile and walking 1 minute; later reporting said that about ten years ago this was changed to 30 seconds. Runner's World interviewed Chris Twiggs, chief training officer of the Galloway Training Program, who explained the change: walking speed slows late in long distances, and too long a walk drags down overall pace, while 30 seconds provides recovery without a noticeable slowdown. Currently the run-walk method sets the walk interval uniformly at 30 seconds. In newer reporting, Twiggs said run-walkers lose energy by starting and stopping abruptly and should practice accelerating and gliding between intervals. The acceleration glider drill cycles through 15 slow jogging steps, 15 faster steps, and 15 steps slowing to a jog, then glides on momentum, repeated 4 to 8 times at least once a week.
Galloway Training's Chris Twiggs says run/walkers lose energy by starting and stopping abruptly, and should instead practice accelerating and gliding between intervals. The acceleration glider drill cycles through 15 slow jogging steps, 15 faster steps, and 15 steps slowing to a jog, then glides on momentum, repeated 4 to 8 times at least once a week.
Runner's World interviews Chris Twiggs, chief training officer of the Galloway Training Programs, about why the run/walk method standardizes walk breaks at 30 seconds. Galloway originally recommended running 1 mile and walking 1 minute, then shifted to 30 seconds about a decade ago, because slower walking late in long distances drags down overall pace, while 30 seconds provides recovery without a significant slowdown.