Run or Walk/Run

backto20

I am never gona be and don't really want to be a long long distance runner. I am not a natural runner but I do want to run a wee bit. Just for fitness and to get rid of some lard. Am I better slogging it out for 3 miles or doing a walk for so long and jog for so long.

tenunderfour

Do whichever you want to do. Both are effective. If you don't really want to be a "pure" runner then do the run/walk thing. No shame in that. Google Jeff Galloway. He has run/walk plans for up to 26.2 miles. There are loads of folks who do this.

JBApplebee

Start out with interval training. Get warmed up, run at a higher pace for a while, then when you need to slow down, walk for 3 minutes & repeat as necessary, gradually increasing the running times at a higher pace.

I used to have the same feelings about running as you do. Now I'm getting ready to run my first ever race in 3 weeks, it's a 10K. It's surprising how feelings about running will change the better you get at it. Now I can't imagine not running 3-4 times a week.

grinch031

In the end I think you get the most benefit doing intervals of slow/fast running. Although since you are new, it is reasonable to do walk/run as you build up your endurance to where you can run continuously. Then start adding the intervals of faster pace.

Sox90716

Do whichever you want to do. Both are effective. If you don't really want to be a "pure" runner then do the run/walk thing. No shame in that. Google Jeff Galloway. He has run/walk plans for up to 26.2 miles. There are loads of folks who do this.

^^ This!
Do whatever method you like to do! Just have fun and don't burn out thinking you have to run the whole time. Good luck!

waldo56

I am never gona be and don't really want to be a long long distance runner. I am not a natural runner but I do want to run a wee bit. Just for fitness and to get rid of some lard. Am I better slogging it out for 3 miles or doing a walk for so long and jog for so long.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. I think there are 3 big milestones on your way to becoming a runner:

1) Being able to run 1 mile continuously
2) Being able to run 5K continuously
3) Being able to do an easy long run

I think a lot of beginners miss that the 3rd milestone even exists. At first every run is hard. Even when you back off and do an easy run, it is still pretty hard. Keep pushing your pace and/or your distance and eventually you'll get to the point where you'll be able to run nice and slow without it really taking much more of a toll than walking. The thing with the 3rd milestone is that unless you are a junkie for accomplishing goals, chances are before you reach that point, running sucks, or is at best tolerable. Once you can do an easy run, you can begin to enjoy it a whole lot more.

jazzrose007

Walk/Run is very effective. I did this just this morning for exercise. I would usually just walk for an hour and burn about 400 calories in the process. However, today I walked for 4 minutes and jogged for 3 minute intervals and burned 600 calores in the process. So it is effective.

backto20

Do whichever you want to do. Both are effective. If you don't really want to be a "pure" runner then do the run/walk thing. No shame in that. Google Jeff Galloway. He has run/walk plans for up to 26.2 miles. There are loads of folks who do this.

Thanks alot, looks just the job

myak623

I agree with everyone else. Do whichever you are comfortable doing. I wasn't a long distance runner and did C25K a couple years ago and enjoyed it. If you aren't familiar with it, it's a program that gears you for a 5k by taking you through a progression of walk/run workouts over the course of several weeks.

backto20

Thanks guys, my hubby is never off my back telling me i've got slog out running constantly (which I hate) to make a difference. I am quite happy and much more comfortable doing the walk jog so I am happy with advice from people who know what they're talking about.