Good idea to walk on rest days or rest ?

[grannyjudes]

So what is the general opinion, rest on rest days or walk. I love to walk but not sure if it will help or hinder

[poppypug Graduate]

Good question ! Will be interesting to read the replies. I walk to work Monday to Friday, its 3.1/2 miles from my house to where I work, I sometimes walk back from work, so that's 7 miles, I don't walk both ways though on my running day , just the one way.

[helcl Graduate]

I walk the dogs on days I don't run ( and days that I do, but if it's a running day I tend to stroll with the dogs, and I try to power walk on days I don't run). From what I understand, you tend to use different muscles, so it should be ok

[grannyjudes Graduate]

poppy pug thats awesome !! I love to walk but dont want to jeopardise my C25K

[poppypug Graduate]

I think as long as you don't do like 10k hill walks you should be fine, Judes.Nice and steady , that's the way xx

[Hidden]

I am given to understand that walking is good for rest days as it uses different muscles. I'd tend to keep it steady - I do a bit of walking myself, mainly with the dog but I walk around town or maybe go for a stroll in the park, that kind of thing. My other exercise (sometimes even on running days) is cycling - mainly because I use the bike for getting to and from town because we have lots of cycle paths round here so avoid any roads for some journeys. It's quicker cheaper and easier than using the car - no parking fees either! If you enjoy walking then it's likely to be beneficial in any case - some people use it as a meditation to clear the mind. Whatever, just enjoy it without worrying - it shouldn't affect your C25K. Your body will soon tell you if your're overdoing it. Good luck and best wishes.

[Katkin]

So far I've walked on every rest day, 5k on weekday evenings, and 15k at the weekends. Of course everyone is different, so what might work for me might not work for you. I use it as a form of stress relief more than anything.

[grannyjudes Graduate]

It certainly is a good stress reliever, I often walk with my 4 year old grand daughter, but love to walk on my own, just me and my thoughts

[seenthelight Graduate]

I walk the two miles into work most days unless I have had an early morning run that day. If its a rest day then sometimes I walk home as well. I'm OK to walk home on the days I've had a morning run, somehow I find that within reason, the more exercise I have the more energy I seem to gain! I try to swim in the evening of my rest days which is great as completely different. What I have found is that over the nine weeks I have been doing Cto5k I have been able to swim further as my stamina has improved so much. Its all good!

[runner56 Graduate]

I have a very excitable 16 month old dog who pretty much requires at least 3 miles per day so I tend to be out most days. I find it stretches those muscles that may be slightly tired from the run and so far has not impacted on the programme

[ju-ju- Graduate]

I would suggest listening to your body...walking is great, and its mainly a rest from running that you need to be mindful of.....

[bestthingsinlife]

I find it helpful to do other (non-vigorous!) exercise on your days off. I normally do a leisurely cycle or walk, this seems to loosen me up a bit, as when I've stayed inactive on my days off I feel very stiff.

[Windswept1 Graduate]

I usually walk and quite often go to the gym (rowing & weights not treadmill) so again different muscles. Listen to your body though.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I'd suggest not 'not doing' an activity you enjoy just because you are doing C25K. Walking sounds a great idea (personally I find a brisk walk or power walk more disgreeable than running so just normal walking for me)

There's also NHS Strength and Flexibility podcasts (which are done as part of a walk although you can also do it indoors)... or anything that isn't high impact in the way running is.

[Running66 Graduate]

I walk every day as I have a lively dog to exercise! I always walk fairly briskly and on the run days Molly dog runs with me. I find that if I don't exercise every day I soon stiffen up. In between my run days I do yoga or hand weight exercises. Have found a couple of good 20 minute work outs on line which involve the use of dumb bells.

[frannyfran Graduate]

I've been walking my very lively dog for at least an hour a day for much longer than I have tried to run (just finished week 3) and I think when I started running it stood me in good stead!

So keep going out and enjoy!