seeking professionbal advice

[rayao]

i am new here and 70-y-o and weighs185 lbs. kindly pls advise what's optimal time for walking 5km. many tks.

[MarkyD Graduate]

About 6:30am - in the morning before you do anything else.

[rayao in reply to MarkyD]

Hahaha. Tks. But I actually meant the length of time it takes to walk 5km for a 70-y-o.

[dottiemay Graduate in reply to rayao]

Sorry, I can't offer professional advice, most of us here are strictly amateurs, just offering support and encouragement. But, honestly, there is no 'optimal' time, just the time it takes *you*. If you walk at 5km per hour, then it'll take you an hour. If you walk slower, it'll take longer!

I know I can walk 5k in around 45 - 50 mins on a good day. I'm 65, average weight and I walk a lot. We're all different. However, walking is excellent exercise so just go out and walk as fast as you comfortably can and slowly build up the distance and time. Take it steadily and don't overdo things or you'll do more harm than good.

[rayao in reply to dottiemay]

Many thanks dear Dottiemay for your good advice and encouragement.

Much appreciated.

I am now clocking in under 54mins on the treadmill at a local gym.

Will try to improve the time, maybe half a minute a week. Haha.

Will keep you posted.

[wizzbang Graduate]

The main thing is to enjoy it, find a great natural beauty near to you and enjoy the view and the fresh air and if it has a tea room all the better!

good luck

Stephen

Just realised you mentioned treadmill! set it for 2-3mph and see how you feel, I walk at 2.5mph and run at 3.5mph on my treadmill, I know not very fast but it is not a race.

[rayao in reply to wizzbang]

thank you sir for your good advice.

i do the treadmill three mornings a week for the 5k walk/jog/run.

usually, i clock in around 54mins.

i use the rolling hills programme and start at 1.8, then progressively increase the speed to 3.8... brisk walk only... no running.

i sometimes go up to 4.3... but my heart rate then would shoot up to over my optimal heart rate: 220-70= 150... so now, i am happy to stay under 4 and alive!

as well, i'll try to get rid of the "bad" habit of holding on the heart rate monitors on the hand bars, in one of those "death grips"...

i'll keep you posted on my progress.

have a good evening and keep warm... i am from ottawa, ,Canada, the coldest national capital in the world.

[runswithdogs Graduate in reply to rayao]

Hello fellow Canadian! Whatever speed you walk is fine. I think the last time I clocked myself I was close to an hour - and I'm a reasonably tall 35 year old. But I'm happy being slow.

[misswobble Graduate]

Just going for a walk round your local park, lane, trails, to the shops, or local attractions would be great. You can and walk as much as poss. It's free! 😀

[davelinks Graduate]

I've been tailrunner at Parkrun and have been with a guy of 74 fast walking, and got to the finish line in about 53 mins...

[OldPossum]

My mum is 77 and she completed C25K program last year but she's never worried about her speed or times. If she feels good, she moves faster, if it feels tough she slows down. Let your body be your guide not the numbers - whatever your age 😎

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Hi, if it is walking you are interested in, you might like the Walking for Health forum on HealthUnlocked.

Is there a specific reason you need to be indoors and on a treadmill? Recovery, serious balance issues or something? Most of us need the Vitamin D from getting outside (well that's far from all we are outside for...)

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

Walking is a fantastic way to improve fitness. There is a Walking for Health Forum on here, sure they would advise you better than we could. As with running, I would imagine your speed will depend on your fitness levels and as you improve will get faster too. When I first started walking, I was pretty unfit and struggled with hills so much but in no time you will improve.