Anything wrong with walking?

[Sandie1961]

I’m still trying to hit that elusive 30 min 5k and am trying to increase my pace. Unfortunately I’m finding I start to run out of steam and breathing gets out of control so I slow to a walk for a few seconds then start again. Doing this I’ve reduced my 5k time by over a minute in just 2 runs, from 33.46 to 32.30. Any of you lovely people done this or is it cheating?

[Hidden]

Not cheating at all hun that is called ‘jeffing’ hundreds of people do it doing the park runs. Google Jeff Galloway he invented it.

[Sandie1961 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks - I’ll have a look!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Also looks like a precursor to C25K... thanks for the info

[Bandit14 Graduate]

No not cheating at all - top runners train by interjecting walking phases in their training runs. That's still a really good time 😊

[Sandie1961 Graduate in reply to Bandit14]

Thanks - it does seem to be making a bigger difference than slogging non stop at a slower run!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I agree with the others...........but you are not running if you are walking..........run/walk is used by many runners..........or is that runner/walkers?

[Sandie1961 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks - only about 6 weeks post graduation so still building stamina. It feels as though this is giving me better results for now and maybe try something else in a couple of weeks or so. Was getting a bit frustrated at not getting faster!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

If you don’t hail a taxi it’s not cheating! Good work

[Sandie1961 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Lol - no taxi driver would take me perspiring on his seat😂

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

It isn’t cheating.

[happysouls Graduate]

I was wondering about this too. This is my first week after graduating and I've found myself just aiming to run 5K rather than 30 minutes (then trying to reduce the time). I started timing after the warm up and stopped when I got to the 5K. It took me 37 minutes and each time I've had to walk for about a minute maybe 3 times during the run as I've been totally gasping for breath. I'm also adjusting to running round town with slight slopes after doing all my training until now on really flat trails! I'm finding it hard and so it is good to know that the walking is normal and acceptable! I've felt like I'm cheating too haha!

[theoldfellow]

I still take 34 minutes to run 5K, indeed yesterday I took 42 minutes to run 5.5K. I don't walk though. But I did 'stop the clock' to go to the loo....

Whatever works, the important thing is to stay happy, enjoy the run, and the benefits of being healthier. ☺

[dollymo]

How can you cheat? This is about fitness and achieving - if this is what it takes for you it's fine. I wish I could do 5k in 32.3 minutes it takes me 45, I run very slowly!