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

Again, height and "short legs" for the most part do not affect the energy cost of running. In fact, at some point, being tall becomes a hindrance---there are not that many elite distance runners over 6 feet tall. If someone is struggling to increase running speed compared to a taller person, it is due to difference in fitness level, not leg length.

Is it different on a treadmill, than on the road perhaps. Because treadmill requires you to stay at one speed steady, and for most of us that is not how we walk outside. We vary our speed quite frequently. Maybe even more so with walking than with jogging. I'm 5'2". I've been measuring my walking now. My speed varies from 3.5 to 6.5 (when I'm in a hurry or have a lot of energy), and averages around 3.5 to 4. When I was jogging (in a hurry) I went at 4 to 5. So, sometimes I walk faster than I jog. It takes me less than 10 minutes to walk a mile. But, going at 6.5 happens in moments. Walking outside we are likely to follow a HIIT pattern in which we naturally speed up and slow down. On a treadmill I can walk up to 4.5, but at 5 I usually start running in order to sustain it (and not got shot off the back of the treadmill).

I've only glanced the posst and truly the whole thing makes no sense to me. Leg length is really not a big deal. Walking or running would be speed, fitness level, cadence, etc. My DH is 6'6" tall, I'm 5'4" - he runs a 10 MPM - I run 8:20 MPM on a 10K. Sure I take more steps, move my feet faster, etc etc. But I've also been running for 4 years and he just started. Leg length is not really a factor in speed.

Not sure where I read it - but isn't the average female marathon champion 5'5"?

Think about it - DH legs may be longer than mine - but I also have a lot less body and weight to move so I can go faster turn over with my feet. I think anyone can justify it but I can see why as a "general rule" for MFP website why they call it walking. I "walk" on the treadmill at 4 MPH between sets of intervals for my relaxing cool down rest period, irregardless of my leg length.

I also feel a bit cheated when I have to log 4.0 or 4.5 mph as walking, when I was clearly running! 4.0 is a slow but comfortable pace that I can maintain at 5'5", but I've just learned to input my calories burned according to my HRM and move on!

You can make your own exercise entry to use, and leave speed out of it if it changes. Just call it Running hard, or Jogging easy, ect. You enter the calorie burn and time, and you can use it again next time.

I think the point of this thread is to support each other not to boast about ourselves. Just saying

It may be walking for a over 6 foot male but for a petite woman it is light running. I am 5'5 and take more steps than a taller person to keep up so wouldn't that mean I could run at a slower MPH than a man?
It makes no sense to me that I have to run at 4.5 MPH but MFP claims I am walking. It's unfair really. I feel i am running and according to my heart rate I am. MFP really needs to take height and length t of legs and torso into consideration. Also list more exercises. speed intervals on a treadmill is not even listed neigher is planking. They list cleaning house as exercise but not being in a mosh pit which is much more moving than cleaning.

:huh:

I'm 5'0". 4.5 mph is still walking for me. It's a very brisk walk, but I'm still walking (well, I've been accused of taking large strides, but come on, I'm 5'0", how long can my strides be??) I don't start running until about 5 mph. (And actually, coming off a run, I will go down to 4.5 for a bit to recover when doing HIIT)


I think it's different for different people. But it's not necessarily your height. It's your stride and your attitude.

Right there with ya. 5'4.5" and to me

2.5 mph is a normal walk
3 mph is a fast walk
3.5 mph is a very fast walk
4 mph is a jog
4.5 mph is running

This is me. And let me tell you, 5.0mph it looks like I am sprinting down the track. I'm 5'2" and when i do have to slow down, I drop it to below 4 because that is when I am slow jogging to catch my breath with my asthma.

5'2" here and 4mph is jogging for sure for my short, stubby lil legs!

I am 5'4", and 4 mph was very fast walking or jogging, whether I am outdoors or on a treadmill. I couldn't walk any faster without killing my shins. But I could jog.

It may be walking for a over 6 foot male but for a petite woman it is light running. I am 5'5 and take more steps than a taller person to keep up so wouldn't that mean I could run at a slower MPH than a man?
It makes no sense to me that I have to run at 4.5 MPH but MFP claims I am walking. It's unfair really. I feel i am running and according to my heart rate I am. MFP really needs to take height and length t of legs and torso into consideration. Also list more exercises. speed intervals on a treadmill is not even listed neigher is planking. They list cleaning house as exercise but not being in a mosh pit which is much more moving than cleaning.

5'5" is not short it's average. I can walk at 4mph and run is 5.5-6 mph