Is Walking Cheating?

[Thisgirlcandoit]

I’m still quite new to running and whilst I religiously stuck to the C25K programme I deviated quite a bit from the ‘magic plan’ but have still managed to get 5x 10k under my belt.

In the course of lock down I set myself a monthly target of running 50 miles a month. In April, each run had to be as a minimum a 5k run and to ‘qualify’ I was not allowed to stop. Then in May, I upped this to a minimum of 4 miles and then in June - again another 50 mile month I didn’t set a minimum but again each run to ‘count’ to my total was not allowed to stop. If I stopped - that was it, end of the run for that day.

I was researching something and read that it’s a myth that you are not allowed to stop and walk part....

what is everyone’s thoughts on this?

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

For a runner doing C25K, especially the non stop runs from run 3 of week 6 onwards you are not allowed to walk, if you do you must repeat that run, if you are at a parkrun or a event such as a 5K, 10K or more, it's OK to walk for some of it without cheating.

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

A while back I was putting so much pressure on myself thinking that if I had a walk break I wasn't doing it properly. Now I know thats rubbish and if you need a walk break take one.

Its strange though now that I tell myself its okay if I need a walk break I don't need one. 🤣🤣👍

[Lizzibeth78]

I take walk breaks all the time! Might only be 30 seconds and it’s usually when I’ve gone too fast but I still count my run. Sometimes it’s up a slight hill so I’ll walk a little way. My much longer runs definitely include some walking.

Both my sub 30min 5ks have included a little walking.

[HappyNoodle Graduate10]

It’s your run do it however you want to. I’ve seen people post here they got pb’s when they had periods of walking interspersed with their running. Your run your way just enjoy it 😍

[sTrongFuse Graduate10]

If you have to, you have to. Who are you actually cheating? Who is judging you?

There was a time that many of my 5k PBs had 30 second or so walking bits in them but yet were still 1 or 2 minutes faster than my "non-stop" 5ks, which was more an indication that I'd got my pacing wrong than of anything else.

Just do what feels right at the time. If I had to discard every run where I briefly pause it slow to a walk for social distancing pauses, very few of my runs since April would count.

[Fabulous450 Graduate10]

Stop as you like! It’s all about going out there for me and you’re doing some amazing distances anyway.

I do exactly as I like every single time I go out there. That’s why I love running so much. I set the bar and I move it if I have to. It’s always 10 X better than being on the couch! 😉🤩🤩❤️

[Knittingrunner Graduate10]

There is a running technique called Jeffing after Jeff Galloway who developed the technique. You run intervals of running and walking. It allows people to keep going for longer. As an older runner I do this. It allows me to recover quicker and go longer. 😊🏃🏻‍♀️

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

You can do anything you like now. You are a runner even if you walk some of it. There is a lady who gets in faster than me at parkrun, while doing walk/running.

[RunWillie Graduate10]

I’m low heart rate training at the moment so I have to walk / stop all the time to keep my heart rate down. I still upload it to Strava so it must count 😂🏃‍♀️

[Sparkey5000 60minGraduate]

Your run, your way, your rules!

[hamit Graduate10]

Run, walk, hop, cartwheels, what ever floats your boat. The only person you are competing against is yourself unless you enter a race.👍

[Roxdog Graduate10]

I occasionally stop running to tie shoelaces, go through gates, cross roads and occasionally walk the last part of a slope or up a bridge because I had an injury which will be exacerbated by running uphill too much (I live in a flat part of the country so hills are a killer for me!). I don't count that as 'cheating' but just a momentary recallibration!

[samejeans]

For me, if I stop or walk, running again is so much harder, so I try not to. This makes it annoying when I have to stop for cars to pass though 😠 (I run on narrow roads). But like the others, I say do what you need to do - you’re only competing against yourself!

[Blackberrypie Graduate10]

I find running to distance more freeing in this respect than running to time - it can't be cheating if I need to cover the same distance anyway!