Be honest: walking a 5k.

LabAgility · August 2013

Would walking a 5k make me lame, as a friend suggests?

I am overweight and don't want to put undue stress on my knees with running until I lose some weight.. Although I am over 300 lbs I have never been sedentary, I have always walked, ridden horses, hauled hay, kayaked, etc. It has never stopped me from doing what I wanted to - although I am the first to admit I could be in much better shape, and am working on it.

I mentioned to a friend that I would like to do a 5k this year and walk the Bay to Breakers 12k next year. I have a group of friends that have done the B2B and are talking about doing it again. Of course, both would be walking for the experience.

I know I can do a 5k in under an hour. I just finished over 4.5 miles in the hills in 1.5 hours. My HRM puts me in the zone 2/3 of the time.

You guys can be honest with me, I can take it. Should I shelve my plans for when I can actually run?

3dogsrunning · August 2013

Not at all. Lots of people do it (I organize a 5k fun run/walk). Go for it.

ETA - I've walked one with my mom a few times also.

bannedword · August 2013

Your friend is lame. Walking a 5k is awesome. Go for it!

lcvaughn520 · August 2013

DEFINITELY NOT LAME. A lot of people walk 5ks. Just make sure that you start toward the back because people who do run get kind of annoyed when slower people start in front of them. I've done a couple 5ks and there has always been a group of walkers.

saxmaniac · August 2013

Hell no, you're doing better than everyone on the sidelines or the couch.

Your friend needs a pie in the face.

sandra80 · August 2013

heck no! do it if that's what you want!

sprintto50 · August 2013

Not doing it would be "lame". Don't ever let your weight stop you from doing something you want to do. Walk it, and make it a goal to run it next year.

katiekido · August 2013

Go for it! I've run hundreds of races and there are usually lots of walkers in them! Definitely don't let your friend discourage you! I would encourage you to participate - it doesn't matter if you walk, run, jog, crawl! I think you should enter it and be proud to cross that finish line!

buzzerooski · August 2013

It's not lame at all! It's an awesome and achievable goal, and finishing it will make you very proud of yourself. I would steer clear of any "friends" who make you feel lame for exercising... Perhaps they themselves need to get in better shape, and are threatened by you taking concrete steps in your own life. Go, go, go!

klynnshuck · August 2013

DO IT! You will be so happy you did! There are people of all shapes and sizes and fitness levels at 5ks! It is not lame at all. Go for it!

AmykinsCatfood · August 2013

Your friend doesn't seem very supportive... I would definitely go for it! No one said you HAD to run a 5k, there are tons of people who walk them for the exercise and for the good causes they benefit. No shame in that!

Briargrey · August 2013

Absolutely not! You should do it! I'm doing one on Saturday where I thoroughly plan on mostly walking, perhaps some jogging, and I'll be caught by the zombies of course, but it's about getting out and doing it! (The demonspawn and I are doing a 5K zombie run - I don't think there will just randomly be zombies at a fun run. Though it would make it awesome).

The friend who thinks it is lame? Tell him/her to shove it. NOT doing something you will find enjoyable (and that is legal) is the only truly lame thing. If they're to insecure to do something like that, that's on them. You're not, you want to do it, ergo, it is not lame!

ThickMcRunFast · August 2013

You've already walked over a 5k, and do not seem to be lame. Lots of people walk 5ks. Do it if you want to do it.

BattleTaxi · August 2013

Tell your friend to shove it and go WALK the 5k!!!!!

kerricolby · August 2013

Every race I've ever been to has had big groups walking. Even some people that start out running might end up walking.

dacspace · August 2013

No way! Do NOT listen to your "lame" friend... if walking a 5K is what you want to do then by all means go for it. I personally walk and jog at the running events I do each year. I think the B2B sounds like a really fun time with your other friends too.

Just remember, you are lapping everybody on the couch!

Nar1965 · August 2013

I'm not a runner and I haven't done a race so I'm probably not really qualified to answer, but that's never stopped me before! I say GO FOR IT. Do what you can do and start where you are. Walking a 5k is awesome, and an accomplishment, and a heck of a lot better than watching a 5k! GO, GO, GO!

KarmaKills · August 2013

I see nothing wrong with walking it! You can always work up to running later, if it's something you wanna do but in the meantime walk away!!! Not "lame" at all.

EastFork · August 2013

In some races up to 1/3 walk. You wouldn't get a second glance.

LuckyLeprechaun · August 2013

No it is not lame.

Now let's talk about the more important topic: What are you planning to WEAR to do the Bay to Breakers? THAT is IMPORTANT BIZNESS!!!!

Don't sweat it, and don't listen to hater-talk, even (especially) when it's coming out of the mouth of someone labeled "friend"

sullus · August 2013

Your friend sounds like an elitist. No, don't shelf your plans until your friend thinks you're worthy. Don't let waiting for the "perfect" time to start prevent you from starting at all.

kymberlin · August 2013

I think it's awesome that you want to do a 5k. I say go for it. Last year at 195lbs I did a 3.66 race and most was uphill. I got an email a few weeks before it saying you couldn't walk it. I knew I wasn't ready to jog all of it. Course then I saw the hills and was gonna quit right then and there. I finished in an hour. My SIL stayed with me the whole way encouraging me. This year I did a Biggest Loser 5k. I was 228ish. I jogged more of it but was on my own and took me 62 minutes. I'm very proud that I did them and really just finishing them was awesome. Even if you walk at least you gave it your all. You sound like you rock. Feel free to friend request me.
Kimberly

Foxtrot2N · August 2013

As it has been said, a 6 minute mile and 16 minute mile are still a mile.

And, as long as you're moving around the track you are lapping all the potatoes still on their couches! Go for it!!

RunningForeverMama · August 2013

Not lame!

chloeRichardson1 · August 2013

No not at all. I don't like running. But I enter 5 k walks and have also done marathons. Walking is just as good of an exercise form as running, and puts less pressure on the knee joints.

Go on go for it!!!!

tejor · August 2013

The excitement from doing the race will stay with you whether you walk or run. There is an enthusiasm to those things that are extremely encouraging. I have walked 5k's, 10k's and even a 1/2 marathon. You do what you feel good about and don't let anyone tell you not too.