Does long walks help run better or does it not?

On my rest days I usually walk a lot, somewhere between 11000 and 15000 steps, so I find myself being very tired. However when I run, I keep getting better and better, but I don't know if it is the running itself helped and /or also the walking has contributed to my runs being more efficient? So what are your opinions? Thank you

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

All cardio exercise helps your fitness. As you’re used to the walking then it’s a good thing for your running... I wouldn’t recommend anyone not used to covering 10k on foot suddenly starts to, like running walking should be increased gradually. So yeah, a walk the day before a run will help. It’s more than that though... walking the day after a run gets the blood flowing to the legs, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the recovering muscles than they’d get if you lay on the couch... active recovery is better recovery!

Keep it up.

[Hidden in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you. Before the C25K I was walking lots before, so really it is not that much difference. As it stands, I do strength/core training twice a week, walk almost every day, run 3 times a week, with one day a lazy day... And I try to keep a balanced diet, with 2 kids is really impossible task sometimes to achieve that... But I manage about 90%.... This is why I ask, because I am so tired at the end of the day, but happy though...

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Sounds like a decent balance to me. Tired at the end of the day is no bad thing.

[Hidden in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you

[damienair Graduate]

Definitely fast walking will help. I sometimes do a 5K Walk in about 44 minutes and my heart rate from my running watch does be in around the same zone as my running heart rate. It will help greatly with your fitness health and running.

Damien

[Hidden in reply to damienair]

What I do is leisure walk lol, but now I can say I run faster than I walk lol, it wasn't like that when I started... What I have realised I seem to perform better at my runs when I have walked around 10k the day before. Not sure why, because when I run I feel tired, but my body is doing better.... Oh well

[backintime Graduate]

I walk my dogs for an hour a day, and I am on public transport during the week, up and own stairs, and I believe it has helped me stay injury free (touch wood, no devil tempting going on, honest)

I've had the odd niggle but nothing that hung around

[Hidden in reply to backintime]

I do a lot of walking and catching up my two boys, so I don't really have that much option of rest lol too active they are!!! 😩 Yes, let's keep ourselves injury free!!! 😀

[backintime Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I have 2 boys too - they're older now (16 and 13) but they did run me ragged when they were younger

luckily my daughter is a bit calmer

[Hidden in reply to backintime]

Thank God... 😀