Question for the RUNNERS out there
leenabeana1
Posts: 67
Do you think its better to run a straight 3+ miles or run and walk? I was running 3 straight miles (5.5mph. 32 min). I took 3 weeks off and am just getting back to running. But I see a lot of ppl who run a few minutes then walk?
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Replies
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Do both, like intervals. It will keep your body guessing what's coming up next.
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You are opening up a huge can of worms here.
My thoughts are, if you are just starting out or starting back and taking intermittent walk breaks allows you to go longer and farther, then take them.
If you have been at it for a while and you are training to best your previous race PR times, then eschew the walk breaks.0 -
for me it actually throws me off more if i start walking in between. that's just me though.0
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Some of the people you see doing intervals like that may be doing the Couch to 5K program. In case you haven't heard of it, it's a training program that uses walk/run intervals to gradually get a person running a 5K. It's very popular right now. A lot of people at my gym are are using it (including myself!).0
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I took 3 weeks off and had to walk 5 run 10, walk 2 run 10 ect0
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Do you think its better to run a straight 3+ miles or run and walk? I was running 3 straight miles (5.5mph. 32 min). I took 3 weeks off and am just getting back to running. But I see a lot of ppl who run a few minutes then walk?
There are training plans, all the way up to marathon distances, using walk/run intervals and I know some runners who turn in pretty impressive race times using the method (google Jeff Galloway).
Best advice if you're coming back from a few weeks off take it easy and listen to your body. Go slower than your previous pace and if you feel the need for breaks take them.0 -
Nothing wrong with walk/run to get you back in the swing of things. Even after you can run 3 straight, you might want to do walk/run intervals for speed training, but not for every run.0
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How many miles per week and for how many weeks before you stopped?0
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I do the run/walk method, but I'm in the middle of a couch to 5K. I think I'm in better shape that I originally though, becuase so far this plan in easy. I do the run/walk for about 45 minutes instead of the 30 the plan says to do, and only becuase I told my wife I'd be home at a certain time. I think I need to jump ahead a week or so. :-)
Sorry,slightly off topic. Anyway, do what your body is telling you. If can go for 3 miles without pain or any sort of problem, do it!0 -
I like to mix it up with walking and running. I just took a week off and jogged for about 2.5 miles. However if I take a longer period of time it takes me awhile to get back to running the distance.0
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12 yrs ago I could run 5 k no problem. I just got back into it, and I am at run 5 min walk 2 min. I am hoping by Nov I will be back to just running. I would rather just run the whole way.0
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Do what you want to do or what is easiest for you to get back into the swing of things.
I have taken breaks for injuries and breaks to allow for other exercises to take precedence. If I was injured - I might walk some when I am just getting back into to it so as to not overdo it.
If it's not for an injury- I just run.0 -
I will suggest reading the Jeff Galloway Method; he believes that you benefit by taking walk breaks and that you can improve your time and speed by taking the walk breaks. I am just getting back to running after getting rear-ended and getting whiplash; I still have some pain in my lower back and my neck so this is perfect (and okay with my doctor) rather than running my regular mileage right away.
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/0 -
for me it actually throws me off more if i start walking in between. that's just me though.
Me too! ^^^^^
ETA: I think with it only being 3 weeks you were out, you could build yourself back to running the full 3 in no time. See just how far you can go, but I wouldn't worry so much about the speed. Go the distance first, then build the speed.0 -
Just stared interval running, it rocks!!!!!0
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Another method is to run and instead of doing a walking interval, you could just slow down to a jog then speed back up when you are ready.0
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yep, i do both, and i love it, i never was a runner, glad i am now!0
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When I was participating in the C25K program, I did the walk/run thing. Now it messes me up~I do better if I run without walking~unless it is a day like today when I ran intervals, but I consider that different?0
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I have to just run. I tire too quickly if I stop. I have a harder time getting myself to run again and for the whole distance. I found for me if I run my 3 miles, I not only burn a lot more calories but my work out is done a lot quicker.0
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Intervals are a good way to bump up your fitness level. You'll probably be running your intervals faster than you would run the whole thing straight, which is great for your heart and muscles.
I do both. I'm trying to train for a 5K and want to run the whole thing without stopping. But I find intervals help me condition well so breathing and bursts of speed are easier.0 -
I love to mix it up! For the most part I just listen to my body. Some days I just go for a walk, others it's a walk/run combo, and then there are days where I'll just run the entire time. I intentionally do NOT run two straight runs in two consecutive days. Listening to my body and mixing things up gives me an exercise program that I enjoy and one that is less likely to lead to injuries.0
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what I do is keep changing it every minute or two! like from 4mph the 7mph and the sometimes I stay on faster speed for extended period of time!0
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using a run/walk technique is a legitimate way to exercise as is only running, or only walking.
Jeff Galloway is renowned for his run/walk technique and has a bunch of info on his web site. His method is highly-touted as being nearly injury proof esp for endurance running.
do whatever *you* like doing.0 -
Just stared interval running, it rocks!!!!!
Your pic made me almost vomit.... Gross!!!!!0 -
Everyone is different. I like the run/walk it seems to help so I don't get as tired. It's helps me run the Goofy Challenge (half and full marathon in one weekend)0
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My likely unpopular opinion (as a runner who is generally interested in running as fast as possible on race day):
walk breaks are a great way to get started, but runners should strive to graduate from them over time0 -
walk breaks are a great way to get started, but runners should strive to graduate from them over time
agreed.
I don't care what galloway says, run/walk isn't the way to get fast.
Training wheels - they need to come off.0 -
Depends on your goals. Nothing wrong with run/walk. If you're out for fitness or want to increase the amount of time you spend exercising it's a great strategy. It will allow you to go longer than running alone. So it can be a really good option for the first few 10ks, 1/2M, and marathons. I walked in my two 50 mile races for exactly that reason.
If your goal is to race as fast as possible particularly for marathon and shorter, my opinion is run/walk won't get you there (despite what Galloway says). A runner who is well trained and fully understands where the edge is for them and can execute a race plan around that will always run faster than they run/walk. That was a big caveat though, wasn't it? Some people do find they set race PRs with run/walk, but that is usually because they don't have enough training or race experience to understand how to run it well. Heck, that's a never ending learning game in reality. Those same people would beat their PRs if they better knew how they responded to racing well.0 -
I think Galloway has proven that there really isn't any shame in mixing it up. Some may think of it as "training wheels" but even training wheels have a place, and not everybody has to remove them some time. To continue the bicycle analogy - they make recreational tricycles for adults that are pretty darn awesome and swank - they're totally fun to ride as well. Much better than not riding at all.
That being said - if you do go from running to walking intentionally as a training plan, and you do it during a race, practice some situational awareness - don't start in the front of the line at the starting line, don't abruptly stop in the middle of the road, and don't insist on walking in the middle of the road, move to one side (really important if there are runners around you or if you're doing it with friends). Give a glance behind you when you slow down to make sure you're not going to get knocked over and you're not going to trip anybody.
Do what you need to do to get where you're going, but make sure it doesn't impede others' progress as well.
No matter what you do - keep at it!0 -
I am not allowed to run in the house only walk. So when I go outside I automatically run and run and run.0
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