5.5k - Does it count as a run?

[Ripcurlrana71]

So what classes as a run? I had to walk a few seconds here and there (30 secs in total) and then had to stop to cross roads. Did I RUN 5.5k? 👀🙏🏼

[Jay66UK Graduate10]

Sucks air in through teeth. Tilts head to one side. Then the other.

Go on. I’ll give you that 🤣🤣🤣

Well done!

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Jay66UK]

Ha!!!! Thanks 😬👍🏼

[Realfoodieclub Graduate10]

Once you have graduated a run is whatever you make it to be. It is your journey, your exercise and you are in control of it. I spent many months not progressing with my running because I was worrying about what other people would call it. As long as there is a difference in form from your walking you are running.

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thank you. I’ll accept that as a run then! 😬

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

That is definitely a run Ripcurlrana71. I am so envious of you all progressing from graduation . I hope to go out later and try running for 15 mins to see how my calf is .

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy - just feel a bit disappointed that I had to walk at all! I’m sorry that your ankle. Hopefully a gentle run will get you back to it. 😊

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Actually my ankle is fine now. After doing the physio exercises on my left leg. Then doing the Parkrun on Saturday I had a twinge in my right calf. Maybe I should have done the exercises on both legs to keep them stretched. I have now printed off calf strengthening exercises to see if that helps. Sorry it’s getting boring.

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Not at all! Look forward to reading all about your next run. Good luck and take it easy. 😊

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Thanks . I’ll be be back to my 30 mins soon I’m sure. 🏃‍♀️😎

[Whatsapp Graduate10]

The distance is the same if you have to walk for a bit - although it affects your overall pace, so is accounted for. You are, after all competing against one person... you.

As an aside you can pause the app whilst you wait to cross a road.

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Whatsapp]

Thanks for the info. I’ll bear in mind pausing the app but would take me just as long to get it out of my waist belt as waiting to crossing the road! 😬😎

[Whatsapp Graduate10 in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

No worries. I run with my phone in my hand.

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Whatsapp]

I did for the last 1/2k willing it to click to 5.5!

[Razouski in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

I use map my run and you can change it in the settings to make it pause when you stop running and resume when you start moving again.

And of course it's a run. You were out running weren't you..?

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Razouski]

Thanks! I’ve been told Strava can be set to auto pause too so I have now done that. 😊

[Hidden]

I cant avoid stopping to cross roads on most runs, or climb fences, or sometimes take photos, none of them ever for more than a few seconds at a time. They are still runs. i read somewhere that seasoned trail runners walk up steep hills. x

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flick. I somehow feel I cheated if I stop or walk at all! 😫

[Hidden in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

I do too, but i think a few seconds here and there are fine. Many seasoned marathon runners walk part of the way.

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Think it’s clicking out of C25k mode where Laura keeps you running. x

[Pippayoungart]

I’ve been wondering that! To date i’ve been terrified of pausing in the slightest - in case it means that the ‘run won’t count’ in some way!

You set these little rules for yourself to get you up and out and before you know it they’ve developed into a full-blown inner tyrant!

Think i might need a chill pill....

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Pippayoungart]

I challenge myself to the point of annoying myself!! I’ll take a chill pill and pat myself on the back! 😬😬

[runswithdogs Graduate10 in reply to Pippayoungart]

It's really nice to let go of our preconceived notions of what a run should be. Running the entire session is great. Doing pre-planned run-walk intervals is great. Running and walking to how you feel is great.

On a personal note, after years of solid running, I'm doing more run-walks for my longer runs. Almost as fast as pure running, a little easier on the joints. One fellow has a whole program on it - The Galloway method.

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to runswithdogs]

Thank you! When I do walk I try to keep the pace up. I figured as long as I haven’t stopped I’m still covering the mileage. I can then pick up my pace better too. I’ll look up the Galloway method.👍🏼

[runswithdogs Graduate10 in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Exactly. I have a friend that runs 120km ultras and you bet there's a lot of walking. You'd never say she's not a runner. Same rule applies to us.

Also as your runs get longer and longer you might need to come to a full stop for the washroom.

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to runswithdogs]

Yep! I’ve had the bathroom needs already happening!

[APScotland Graduate10 in reply to runswithdogs]

I found the first few weeks of C25K the worst for needing bathroom stops! Sonething to do with the slternating walking / running. 2 miles seemed to be the trigger point So far, my longer runs ( up to 7 miles) have kept my body fully occupied with running. Beyond a half marathon I imagine loo stops must become almost the norm? x

[HoagyM Graduate10]

Good discussion, and food for thought - have been focused on not stopping, no matter what, on every run to date. Definitely time for that chill pill, I think

Just one thing to add to the discussion - you can set Strava to ignore any pauses that you do during a run if you want, so that it would only count actual running time. I don’t do that myself for runs (I do for hikes), so not sure how it would work with very brief pauses, like crossing a road, but might be worth a try?

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to HoagyM]

Ooh sounds good. Do you know how to do that? I’m on the freebie Strava.

[HoagyM Graduate10 in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

I’m on premium, but I think this is a freebie setting - open the app on your phone, press the record button (middle at the bottom) as though you were starting a run. Press settings (top left) and there’s an autopause button you can toggle on and off.

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to HoagyM]

Thanks!

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to HoagyM]

Found it and set it. Thank you!

[Hidden in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Careful, I used auto-pause on Endomondo and it would pause when I was still moving and cut out half my session. Test when it's least important to track a run. Maybe a short one.

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the tip!

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Totally counts as a run. x

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

😎

[Lorijay Graduate10]

Good discussion, chill pill for me too!!!

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Lorijay]

😬

[Lorijay Graduate10 in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Did 5.3k last night and would not stop for anything but after reading this discussion maybe just need to take away some of the inner rules I seem to have implemented. God I hate been so anal !!

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Lorijay]

That’s brilliant! Are you on Strava?

[Lorijay Graduate10 in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

No Run Keeper. I don't know why but I thought Strava may be for me techo people whereas I can only do the basics.

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Lorijay]

It’s not at all - get yourself on there. 😊

[Lorijay Graduate10 in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Is it easy to use? If so I will give it a go but seriously I am not very tech savvy.

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Lorijay]

Very! Im Alka Peters - look me up. 💪🏼

[Lorijay Graduate10 in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Ok I'll give it a go.

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Lorijay]

There’s a c25kers club you can join there too. Sorry if too much info!!

[Lorijay Graduate10 in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Thanks for that, no good info.

[Jb33 in reply to Lorijay]

How do you find the c25k club on Strava?

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Jb33]

Mmmmm...think you can search for it under clubs. Sorry can’t remember how I dud it!

[Hidden]

Someone has beaten me to the punch but yes, the Run/Walk/Run method is highly regarded. Apparently it actually improves pace for marathon runners. It's Jeff Galloway who has a dedicated website.

Kudos on the run, great effort. 🏃‍♀️💨💨👍

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I do feel a burst of energy after my tiny walk break so my pace isn’t negatively affected at all.

[Tjar]

Yes! No need for any further explanation. 😉

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Tjar]

👍🏼😊

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

You ran so it was a run! Good to hear all is progressing well.

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you!

[TedG Graduate10]

There’s a book by Jeff Galloway ‘Run Walk Run Method’ aimed at Marathon training, nuff said 😜

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to TedG]

Thanks Ted - I googled him yesterday. 😊

[SusieHicks]

It’s a run! If you use the NRC app it automatically pauses if you pause to cross a road or just to breathe! Since graduating I have paused whenever I felt like it, and find that knowing that I allow myself that makes it easier to keep going. Just keep going out and running, pause when you feel like it, and you will get stronger. I now run for 30 minutes at a time, sometimes twice or more back to back, and find I can run up ( gentle) hills, and I wouldn’t have got to this stage ( which I love) if I hadn’t allowed myself to stop when I felt like it! Gradually the urge to run will take over from the urge to stop:-)) Go for it!!

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to SusieHicks]

Thanks Susie! 😊

[Gillma in reply to SusieHicks]

Love it! Well said Susie

[Hidden]

Well done 👍 glad you stopped to cross the road rather than plunging under a truck 😳 we need you on the Ju ju train next week. Look at you 5.5k !

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Paula! Yep was so hot any excuse to take a breather. I’ve actually done week 1 of the plan this week unintentionally! I will start officially next week. ☺️

[Enyala Graduate10]

Hi- just been reading this thread and wanted to add that I did my first 5k run in March in 40 mins, running all the way. Last week, I thought I would try the run/ walk method for a change and did it in 36 minutes! I was pleasantly surprised to say the least.

I am a slow runner, as you can tell, but I did feel I could push the pace a bit more in the running bits knowing I could get my heart rate down and catch my breath in the walking bits so I’m going to try this method to achieve my dream- 5k in 30 mins!

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Enyala]

Hi and thanks Enyala! Yes I definetly improve my time by doing this as my best 5k is 33mins with doing interval running for last 1km. But without its 36. Just didn’t know if it was cheating! 😏

[Jb33]

That’s answered one of my questions too, thanks all.🙂

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Jb33]

We can continue with less guilt now! 😊

[Jb33 in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Absolutely. I had to stop for a good few seconds when I had small barking dogs at my feet😂 & crossing roads.

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Jb33]

And just to put your heart back into your chest! 😬😬😬

[Jb33 in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

True!

[Hidden]

How easy it is for me to give advice to others ☺️I ran tonight in shorts and sun glasses. It was really boiling. At about 2km, I felt defeated 😕 “I can’t go on”. So I stopped for about 30 seconds to drink water and breathe. Runkeeper paused. And on I went to do 4.5km. But I feel so guilty ! I’m going to chalk it up to experience. I stopped. No one died...

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Oh Paula - it’s good not to be alone! ⏯No one died apart from one of our teeny tiny pride running cells. 🔄 We need to get a grip - at least we continue running after! And you smashed the KM’s!! 💪🏼

[Gillma]

I am working on the theory that if I do the whole lot during one half day it counts - even if I have a sit down and coffee in between or a bit of a walk. I decided that, because my fairly recent PB is then 8.5k - which involved a walk/run to Park Run, a long pause (I was early), then a Park Run. (I strolled off at the end of Park Run, did some shopping then caught a bus home - but I didn't count any of that!) The initial 3.5k walk-run did make my Park Run extra slow but I felt quite satisfied. So, yes, what the others said - I reckon it's whatever you decide counts. I used to feel that if I stopped running I'd never start again and there's some truth in that for me - but I can usually summon up a bit more even if in short bursts and quite honestly the walk intervals don't affect my overall speed much. I am that slow!