To run or not to run?

I hear "jogging is running" all the time and realize that semantically, jogging is just a word for a type of running, but these feel different to me.

Jogging is throttled. I am more upright, smaller steps, prancing along - I want this jog to develop into something that can go for miles, and have felt that before, the feeling like I could sustain it for a long long time, it is the mile-eating sustainable jog. I can power-walk as fast or faster than I can jog, BTW. It's slow, when it's good it's under 10 minutes per mile but not by much, (but I am slow).

Running - I do know some people can run for miles at what looks like my RUN, but I can't. Running for me is leaned forward more, more air time, this moves me forward at 7-8minutes/mile or faster and the longest I have ever maintained it, at a mini-peak of fitness, was one mile, 8 minutes and I about died after.

When I "go for a run" I jog most of it and speed up at the end and run some.

So yeah, of course, jogging and sprinting are subsets of running, but it's not silly to say there is a difference between running and jogging, and most people separate these in training, slow easy runs (jog) and faster runs and sprints.

I know why people think jogging and running aren't the same thing - I call all of it "running" but the spectrum is pretty wide.

I sometimes go out and do "intervals" where I sprint for some period of time and then walk/jog to recover, then sprint again. When I do that, goshdurnit, I'm RUNNING!

If I go out and jog 3 miles, well, I call it running, but I expect a lot of people wouldn't. My dog doesn't think so. He's pretty much walking. Maybe a little more briskly than he normally does. And he seems annoyed with me for holding him back. Jerk. (Our "jog" isn't even close to a 10-minute mile anymore.)

If you can find joy in any of the above or anything in between, then do it, and yes, you'll burn way more calories than walking alone (I saw a recent analysis of this, actually - where was that?) But if you hate it, don't force it. There are lots of other ways to get your exercise in and if you enjoy it, you'll keep doing it. Life's too short.

TaraHancock827 wrote: »

How do you define the difference?

Jogging I can do for a while. Running is hard and too fast a pace for me to keep up for very long.

Oh? Then I never run

robininfl wrote: »

I hear "jogging is running" all the time and realize that semantically, jogging is just a word for a type of running, but these feel different to me.

Jogging is throttled. I am more upright, smaller steps, prancing along - I want this jog to develop into something that can go for miles, and have felt that before, the feeling like I could sustain it for a long long time, it is the mile-eating sustainable jog. I can power-walk as fast or faster than I can jog, BTW. It's slow, when it's good it's under 10 minutes per mile but not by much, (but I am slow).

Running - I do know some people can run for miles at what looks like my RUN, but I can't. Running for me is leaned forward more, more air time, this moves me forward at 7-8minutes/mile or faster and the longest I have ever maintained it, at a mini-peak of fitness, was one mile, 8 minutes and I about died after.

When I "go for a run" I jog most of it and speed up at the end and run some.

So yeah, of course, jogging and sprinting are subsets of running, but it's not silly to say there is a difference between running and jogging, and most people separate these in training, slow easy runs (jog) and faster runs and sprints.

This is your very personal definition, it is not a term that others use in the same way
It sounds like you are a slow runner. Nothing wrong with it and no reason to give it an alternative name.

TaraHancock827 wrote: »

Everyone has been so helpful...think I will just not jog or run...ill do something else that I enjoy. I always thought jogging or running helped you to loose weight faster. Thanks!!

I don't get it. You say you hate running and like jogging but then decided you are not going to jog or run? I don't race, I don't even try to run very fast. I only started running last year. I ran 1000+ miles for the year, and I plan to do it again this year. I have settled in on a very comfortable pace between 9-10 min/mile and it gives me a great calorie burn as well as a calming, meditative effect. It is one of my higher burning and almost effortless categories and I don't have to wait for gym equipment or dry off after coming out of a pool. If you like jogging, give it a fair chance. Forgot about going as fast as everyone else. Just run at your own pace, and continue to increase the distance (sensibly).

robininfl wrote: »

I can power-walk as fast or faster than I can jog, BTW. It's slow, when it's good it's under 10 minutes per mile but not by much, (but I am slow).

You can power walk 10 minute miles? Really? You should consider entering in the Olympics for race walking.

I am currently jogging 15:30 minute/miles. I don't want any new runners posting on here to think 10 min-miles are slow, they are not.

Not trying to sell you on running, but since you said that you like jogging, a couple thoughts came to mind.
First, a bit of vocabulary: Most folks who engage in running/jogging use the word "Pace" to describe the speed with which someone is moving (and often to describe the implied or associated level of effort) . Using PACE provides a common reference point for discussions, as opposed to trying to find the dividing line between "running" and "jogging". So, we can have a person who runs a 5k event at a 7:50/mile RACE PACE, and that same person may also do an easy 5k run on other training days at a 9:50-10:15 RECOVERY PACE. (Which looks a lot like jogging for a 7:50 RACE PACE runner.)


Secondly, and I'm guessing here, but I'm thinking that perhaps you may enjoy an activity that allows you to participate with other people. Since I know from experience that running really does help to drive weight loss when coupled with a solid eating plan, I'll offer this suggestion. Have you considered joining a local running group? For example, I volunteer as a pacing coach at my local running store. On Saturdays, we will often have 50-75 people show up to run. We divide them into groups based on 2 things: 1) the distance they are training for ( 5k, 10k, half marathon, etc.) and then secondly the PACE at which they will run(or jog). In these sessions it is typical to have beginners who can only do their chosen distance by using a run/walk strategy, up to very accomplished runners who breeze along. The important thing I"ve noticed is this: EVERYONE there is enjoying themselves and the support of the group is key to that satisfaction. Their relative speed has nothing to do with it. And over the course of an 8-12 week session, the improvements come quickly. Just some food for thought before you dismiss runnning.

Good luck.

Jog? Run? Just do it.