Walking during a run , good idea or not??

[Nwrkpak]

I graduated a few weeks ago and then due to illness struggled to complete 5k again after that. I’ve seen many others walking during social runs but I’ve never dared run before as I was too scared that I would not just use the walk as a mini breather but that I’d actually give up and walk the rest of the run. Last night I went out and was determined to cover 5k one way or another. I ran the first 2 km , brisk walked the next 1km and ran the final 2km. I completed this in just over 40minutes. Although I usually complete 5k in 38 minutes I was really pleased that firstly I had managed 5k again and secondly that I actually increased my speed for the final 2 km .

I’m doing a parkrun Saturday and I’m thinking of trying to run walk run again. At least until I’m off my meds and starting to feel a lot better but at least some good has come out of it and I know I will run again. If I stop and need a walk.

If anyone has any good run walk techniques I’d happily take some advice x

[Coddfish Graduate10]

When I was training for the 10 mile great south run last year, I used a repeating pattern of run 1k, walk 2 minutes to initially build up distances. I would then repeat the distance with longer running blocks / fewer breaks. It worked for me because it was long enough to recover breathing, blow nose, drink water when hot, etc etc. When I eventually got to the event, I ran the first 12k then run/walked the remaining 4K.

[Nwrkpak Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

That’s sounds good. Just stopping long enough to recover breathing , take stock and start again. I might try that Saturday. If I can sort out a pattern that works for me I’m sure it will help when I build up my distance. Well done on your 10 miler 😁

[misswobble Graduate10 in reply to Nwrkpak]

Run walk is fine. I walk during runs all the time, races too. It’s the only way I get through them. Most runners do it. Well, possibly not Mo 🏃‍♂️

There is loads of discussion here about Jeff Galloway If you want to have a read 🙂

[Bazza1234 Graduate10]

Whatever it takes to keep going forwards! Running and walking are both great forms of cardio exercise - trouble is that walking does not raise heart rates high enough and running can raise them too high. Running and walking one after the other is a great way to raise HR to the right zone and keep it there without overcooking.

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate10]

I do pretty much all my long weekend runs using run/walk. I run the first 5 mins and then walk for 1 minute, run 4, walk 1 etc. it keeps me in a 5 minute rhythm which is supported by my watch buzzing on my wrist. Others run 1k and then walk for a minute, some use the Galloway method where the intervals are a lot shorter. My mid week runs are usually non-stop - just so I don’t lose it! But run/walk for longer runs is a great way of getting some decent distances in without exhausting yourself in the process!

[mergirl101]

@Chelsea007 you should read this post!