Running: To stop or not to stop

Probably nothing, except your heart rate goes down so you *might* burn a few less calories.

Are you actually coming to a full stop or walking for a minute?

30 min is 30 min whether it's in 10 min increments or all together.. and it's actually good for the heart rate to go down and back up again - interval training.. it's best not to push yourself TOO hard and hurt yourself.. just keep increasing the amount of time you run as you feel able..

See the Galloway run walk program

I don't think the OP is talking about wanting to do intervals. I agree they are good (I do them too), but I think the OP prefers Not to feel the need to stop.

I could be wrong.

I use the Galloway method where I run using intervals and it work great for me. Google it and you will see if it is something you want to try

What is your ultimate goal? If you want to run without stopping you need to slow down and build your endurance. If you goal is calorie burning, then walk breaks are fine.

Sound advice.

I'm really trying to build my endurance & not stopping. I try to jog between 5.0 mph - 5.5 mph nonstop. I want to get up to 6 mph, but if I can't even run at 5.3 for 15 min I feel really discouraged. Most of the time I feel that I could physically keep going, but it's more of a psychological thing where my brain says "ok, stop. I'm bored". So frustrating!

I get that too - the "ok, stop. Im bored"
Just finished my 3rd marathon - and believe me - i did NOT run the whole thing.
you want to ENJOY your run - otherwise, its hard to stay motivated for such a long time. walking breaks gives me something mental that i need to keep going. dont know why
my advice - dont get discouraged. it takes a LONG time to build up endurance -- and personally, i believe its more about the miles then the minutes/speed... so unless its for bragging rights, listen to your body and you'll get there when ITS ready.
also - the first 3 miles are ALWAYS the hardest - and the whole time, im thinking "there is NO way I can keep going" ... then the body warms up and the rest is kinda just autopilot.

Good luck!

So you are stopping out of boredom and not out of fatigue or endurance trouble? I can't imagine why you'd be bored unless you are treadmill running. I mean, I run outside with my iPod and great music and never get bored. I usually have to stop when I am fatigued - after 90-120 minutes (although yes, there are walking intervals in there). I'm in it for enjoyment and working out but I never get bored while running outside.

30 min is 30 min whether it's in 10 min increments or all together.. and it's actually good for the heart rate to go down and back up again - interval training.. it's best not to push yourself TOO hard and hurt yourself.. just keep increasing the amount of time you run as you feel able..

I agree was told by a trainer interval training is good, I do a good jog for 10 minutes and walk for 2 minutes and keep intervals based on the amount of time I have. I wouldn't just stop though, just walk it off.

Bump

This may or may not help you... but I'm in week 8 of couch to 5k right now. When I started, I could barely run for a minute, and now I can run for 28 minutes without taking a break (next week will be longer). It might not hurt for you to try it, and then when you finish the program, you can continue for maybe longer.

there are tons of things that will come up when you google it but I believe what you might be referring to is HIIT. Here is an article that explains it and why it is so amazing for you http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ask-the-ripped-dude-hiit.html

I agree with get the distance you want (3 miles) and gradually your speed and the ability to run without stopping will come. I think this happens with almost everyone who ever tries to continuously run. when I first started, I picked a route and I jogged as far as I could, then walked when i needed. My 5K time started around 35, I'm now at 27... I've also run 5 half marathons and am scheduled to run my first marathon in October. Don't give up!

30 min is 30 min whether it's in 10 min increments or all together.. and it's actually good for the heart rate to go down and back up again - interval training.. it's best not to push yourself TOO hard and hurt yourself.. just keep increasing the amount of time you run as you feel able..

I agree was told by a trainer interval training is good, I do a good jog for 10 minutes and walk for 2 minutes and keep intervals based on the amount of time I have. I wouldn't just stop though, just walk it off.

I agree.. I dont think I have ever stopped.. it is always harder to get going again if you come to a complete stop. I really think interval training IS a good way to build up endurance to eventually run straight thru.. Im holding at a 8min run/5 min walk interval right now in my couch25k program.. the next step is running for 20 min straight and not sure if I am ready.. I wanted to work on my form a bit more before I move up.