Silly running question

[thelongroad]

I have been working on my running a lot lately and am making great progress! I do have to stop and walk for a short time about 3 or 4 times on a 3 mile run. Is that normal?


I know it's an odd question, but I feel like a slacker sometimes and not a "runner"!

[Brit]

It is absolutely fine to take a walking break as often as you want/need to. If you really want to cut out the walking breaks, try running a bit slower than you normally do. If you can run a few miles with a few walking breaks, you can probably run them a bit slower without any walking breaks. Also, it is possible that the walking is more of a mental need than a physical one. Again, absolutely fine to walk, but if you don't want to, challenge yourself to slow down a bit and walk less or not at all.

[Deleted]

Of course it is normal. Everyone has to start somewhere and build up endurance.

[grk2012]

Normal, especially if you're just starting out.
Even after several years of running and racing, I still appreciate a good walk break here and there.

[kams]

Gosh, totally normal. Keep on keeping on - you're doing great!

[wannabe]

I've been running for almost two years and I can count the number of times I've done 3 miles without a walk break (or five) on one hand.

[thelongroad]

Thank you ladies for making me not feel like a total slacker!

Mar 14, 2013 19:02:56 GMT -5 Brit said:

It is absolutely fine to take a walking break as often as you want/need to. If you really want to cut out the walking breaks, try running a bit slower than you normally do. If you can run a few miles with a few walking breaks, you can probably run them a bit slower without any walking breaks. Also, it is possible that the walking is more of a mental need than a physical one. Again, absolutely fine to walk, but if you don't want to, challenge yourself to slow down a bit and walk less or not at all.

Yes Brit, I think you may be on to something with the mental need to walk.  I've often thought about that and questioned my motivation when I have felt the desire to walk. 

[grk2012]

Mar 14, 2013 21:57:25 GMT -5 thelongroad said:

Thank you ladies for making me not feel like a total slacker!

Mar 14, 2013 19:02:56 GMT -5 Brit said:

It is absolutely fine to take a walking break as often as you want/need to. If you really want to cut out the walking breaks, try running a bit slower than you normally do. If you can run a few miles with a few walking breaks, you can probably run them a bit slower without any walking breaks. Also, it is possible that the walking is more of a mental need than a physical one. Again, absolutely fine to walk, but if you don't want to, challenge yourself to slow down a bit and walk less or not at all.

Yes Brit, I think you may be on to something with the mental need to walk.  I've often thought about that and questioned my motivation when I have felt the desire to walk. 

Running Diva Mom on FB posted something last week that I loved:

"Your legs are not giving out. Your head is giving up. Keep going."

[thelongroad]

Mar 14, 2013 22:25:06 GMT -5 grk2012 said:

Mar 14, 2013 21:57:25 GMT -5 thelongroad said:

Thank you ladies for making me not feel like a total slacker!

Yes Brit, I think you may be on to something with the mental need to walk.  I've often thought about that and questioned my motivation when I have felt the desire to walk. 

Running Diva Mom on FB posted something last week that I loved:

"Your legs are not giving out. Your head is giving up. Keep going."

Oh wow, that is perfect! Thank you for sharing!

[mainewifey]

There's a girl that's in my training group and she runs faster, and takes walk breaks and I run slower with out walk breaks. We consistantly finish with in seconds of each other. I always find that to be interesting. We're both working hard, and that's what counts.

[joenali]

I have been using a heart rate monitor when I run. I've been doing all zone 2 runs, which makes me run slow, but I don't have to stop. In the next few weeks I'll be running some zone 3 and 4 once a week or so.

[bluelikejazz]

I'm faster overall when I take walk breaks than when I slow down and don't take any.

[thom]

You are doing great and are definitely a runner! I do agree with Brit that the walk breaks could be mostly mental. All through college I ran pseudo- consistently, but usually I needed a walk break or two. After awhile I just decided I didn't want those breaks, and I worked a lot on deep breathing and slowing down so I could avoid the walk breaks. Focusing on relaxed, deep breathing (in through my nose and out through my mouth) really helped my endurance and it helped eliminate side aches that had bothered me too.

On the flip side, I know lots of half marathon and marathon runners who use walk breaks as a regular part of training and racing. Either way is fine.

I still recommend evaluating & focusing on your breathing whichever route you go.

Good luck to you!