4.5 mph is not walking, it's running for a petite female.

Speak for yourself! I'm only 5'2" and anything less than 5mph is walking for me. I run at 10mph.

Me too. I'm 5'3 and my normal walk is about 3.5-4.0, and light jogging is 5.0-5.5. Running is 6.0-infinity :P

Usually run at about 6, unless doing HIIT. Then I run anywhere from 6-9.

I'm 5'1" and I run / jog at 4.5 and try to get up to 5 to cut down on my mile time. Theres no way I could walk that fast. My fast walking is 3.5 max right now.


Edited to add: I use runtastic and I think it automatically logs it on here as a run / jog.

I think height has little to do with it. I'm 5'3. When I started running, I ran between 5 and 5.5 on the mill and it was hard. Now, the only way I'd be able to run at 5mph on the mill is if I set the incline to a 3 or a 4, or it's completely unnatural, I walk at 5 mph now. For short runs, 3-6 miles, I average 6.7 - 7mph. Long runs 10-13 miles I dial it back down to 6mph. But this is because I've been running a couple of years now and I average between 20-25 miles a week. I didn't get faster until I started running over 15 miles per week and increased my number of days from 3 to 4. And my legs are still the same length.

... I'm 5'10" and 4.6 is DEFINITELY running for me...

Me, too... I was starting to feel inadequate reading about all these shorties who laugh off anything under 6 mph. Maybe you guys can go faster because you're littler. Plus you have a lower center of gravity and therefore greater stability and resistance to falling. These are all of my bullsh*t theories to justify why I can't run faster (yet) without killing myself.

where are you measuring? i find i run faster off the treadmill than on because i have a tendency to shorten my stride on the treadmill whereas i can use my normal stride outdoors. outdoors my natural jog speed is around 6 mph which doesn't feel fast until i'm on the treadmill.

well...i am 6'2 and when i am out there dying while running, MFP gives me a very snarky "walking, very very brisk pace".

So I would advise not to worry too much about what MFP says. That is my biggest criticism about MFP, their exercise section leaves a lot to be desired but their food log section is really good. So i usually log all my food here and visit RunKeeper/Endomondo/Runtastic for logging my exercise.

You all just make me HAPPY! I'm 5'7' and I have been running 4 to 4.5 mph! And it feels like running, my leg muscles and lungs feel it! And I love it! So glad there are others! THANKS!

I disagree. It's the same MPH yes, however if your "running" at 4.5 because your legs/stride are shorter, your expending more energy, increasing your HR and burning more calories

4.5 mph is still 4.5 mph whether you walk or run it you will be burning the same amount of calories.

I am 5'5" and I just can't go 4.5. It is neither a run nor a walk. It is just straight up awkward. I have to walk, then skip, then run a little, then skip and walk again.

You all just make me HAPPY! I'm 5'7' and I have been running 4 to 4.5 mph ! And it feels like running, my leg muscles and lungs feel it! And I love it! So glad there are others! THANKS!

Okay!

I'm 5'10 and run nonstop on treadmill an average of 50 mins at 4.0-5.3 speeds and often up my incline as well. I do not know if its running or jogging I just know I'm sweating and burn a lot of calories so that is all that matters! lol

Holy crap, do I relate to this. This made me giggle.

You all just make me HAPPY! I'm 5'7' and I have been running 4 to 4.5 mph ! And it feels like running, my leg muscles and lungs feel it! And I love it! So glad there are others! THANKS!

Okay!

I'm 5'10 and run nonstop on treadmill an average of 50 mins at 4.0-5.3 speeds and often up my incline as well. I do not know if its running or jogging I just know I'm sweating and burn a lot of calories so that is all that matters! lol

Running and jogging is just the difference in intensity, so it's totally your perception.

You holding back your speed because this needs to be an easy workout because you had a big one yesterday and are sore, or have a harder day planned tomorrow - you are jogging.

You are going normal speed that is based on how far you plan on going and this is your hard workout - you are running.

You are going all out for short spurts that requires walking afterwards - you are sprinting and doing intervals.

i like these definitions because it highlights that these are relative terms not only from person to person but only also within different stages of the same person's fitness life.

This thread makes me smile. I'm 5'2, and on good days I can walk over 5mph. It's not overly comfortable mind you, but it burns calories. When I started, 3.6 was my highest speed. Now 4-4.5 is my comfortable speed walking pace.

4.5 is only running until you improve enough that it's walking. It feels awesome walking past everyone else on the track.

Create your own exercise....problem solved.

I'm 5'2" and while I have to take twice as many steps as my husband when we're walking (he always knows when he's going too fast because I sound like a horse trotting along when I'm wearing heels) 4 - 4.5 MPH is a brisk walk for me. My jogging pace on the treadmill when I start out is between 6.3-6.5. My running pace if I'm doing a tempo run is 7-7.5. Being short doesn't really have much to do with your pace.

If you're just starting out with running then yes, 4.5 is going to be a "jog" pace for you. Have you tried to up the speed for a little while? If not try doing sprints. Do your normal pace for 1-2 minutes then up the speed a bit -- maybe to 5 or 5.2 -- and do that for a minute (or half a minute if it's too much) then back down to 4.5 for a 2-3 min. jog etc. That will help you increase your speed if that's what you're aiming for.

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as was explained, thats false.

Reason why is when you're walking, the body can power you using the fatty acid energy system. which is far more efficient at making ATP than the cardio system. Once you get moving fast enough, then the cardio system becomes the dominate power source for moving muscles, so results in a higher calorie burn, even over same distances..
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The above makes sense - however I am 5ft and my hubby is 6ft 4 and we walk togather - we do 4.2 mph and i am practically running and out of breath where as its small steps for him! so therefore Im practically hitting cardio surely? yet he isnt