I thought a brief walk is cheating?! - Bridge to 10K

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I thought a brief walk is cheating?!

Ricochet1 profile image
11 Replies

I've read a few posts saying it is acceptable to walk a little when doing long runs? I thought I wasn't supposed to stop running as in the C25K?

Am I becoming a bit obsessed? Thought the idea of building times is to not walk at all but slow run?

Ha! Am I being too harsh on myself?!

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Ricochet1 profile image
Ricochet1
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11 Replies
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator

Many folk use what is called Jeffing on longer runs like HMs and Marathons..

couchtorunner.co.uk/2018/11...

Purists say it is cheating. .but many think it perfectly valid as the distance is still covered.

It has given runners a chance to cover distances and achieve goals they may never have attempted.

You do what is right for you....🙂

Ricochet1 profile image
Ricochet1 in reply to Oldfloss

Thanks for response, I'll click on the link now..

Becky1606 profile image
Becky1606Graduate10

I don't walk at all up to about 8k, but then after that, if i want to go really long distances (15k+) i put walking breaks in there for my asthma, but also because i find it brings my average time down!

At the moment i'm religiously walk/running as i'm training for a half marathon - it works for me, but if it doesn't for others that's fine too.

Ricochet1 profile image
Ricochet1 in reply to Becky1606

Thanks for that, half marathon!!!!!! Can't imagine that, good luck

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate10

You can do anything that you want, that's the beauty of it. I personally prefer running all the way, non stop. The only time l had to part walk was in the final stage of marathon when l hit some dark times. Hence l never say that l 'ran' the marathon. I 'covered' its distance instead by part walking. Purist? I don't know, even care less, it's simply how l define the obvious. It's either running, or walking, or mixing it. All legal. :)

Ricochet1 profile image
Ricochet1 in reply to mrrun

All legal ha! Thanks for reply

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate10

Hi Ricochet, here on the Bridge site there are many of us who have been running for a few years. I have run 10k many times now. The c25k program gives us the ability to run for thirty minutes without stopping, after consolidating many go on to run for longer distances if they want to.

Following a plan like Ju Ju's Magic10, I completed the sessions with continous running. However, by the time you are running over 8k you can become a little tired, if so, a small breather is fine, even walk a little if necessary. The satisfaction of reaching 10k with little or no breaks is amazing...

However, there are no rules to say this is the only way. As Oldfloss has said the Jeff Galloway method of run/walking works well for distance runs and it's something I'm trying now (four years after graduating). Its helping me with speed and I'm enjoying it.

So, as long as you are enjoying your running do it whichever way suits you.

Happy running 😊xx

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10

Hi Ricochet. I personally don’t choose to “Jeff” as I run so slowly I don’t feel the need. There was one exception on a particularly hot hilly trail run this summer. 🏃‍♀️🥵

Never say never though, and if I really needed to, to save a doomed run for example, then I would. I’m currently working towards HM distance and I’m 99% sure I’ll manage it without needing to walk, but if it’s walk a little or not complete the distance, then it’s a no brainer.

It’s certainly not cheating, just personal preference. 😀👍

UpTheStanley profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10

Perfectly OK to walk for a while if you want to. Personally, I try not to, but I'm pretty sure in my Parkrun future I am going to meet hills I can't run up (just as in my long-past "prime" I had to walk chunks of the Navy's "Top of the Rock" race in Gibraltar). And it's equally OK to stop, for a call of nature, photography or just a rest - as long as you don't pause your watch :-) - two 30 min 5ks with an hour's rest in between do not add up to a 60 min 10k!

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate10

Hi Ricochet1 ...I have been so hard on myself regarding walking during a run...at first I thought I was cheating but then, just as you have, I asked my lovely buddies on here and they reassured me that a little walk break is fine...the distance is still covered but a little walk break here and there can help you run longer, therefore covering more distance....I would love take part in a HM (oooops did I say that out loud??) but I know that I wouldn’t be able to run all the way...

Your run is exactly that, your run...as long as you are enjoying those runs that’s all that matters

LUHAN profile image
LUHANGraduate10

I've just been looking into the run walk method as a way of preventing injury as I build up my distance and time running. Lots of interesting articles on it. I have refused to let myself walk up until this point but am beginning to think It will be beneficial in the next few weeks.

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