Walking

I have not worked out in quite some time. So, I eventually would like to become an active runner. Considering my current shape I know I must start with walking. My question is: Do I walk for time or for distance? Which one is more important?

Anyone?

I am certainly no expert but I think especially if you are not physically ready to start running you should just make sure you are at a steady pace that gets you heart pumping and then take the time to enjoy the walk....you will find that you enjoy it more when you are breaking a sweat and when you are ready start walking to warm up and then go for running a minute, then walk, then run  a  minute....I find that works great for me.  Within a couple weeks you should be able to walk further, harder and faster.  Good luck...

I def understand the importance of gradual endurance but should i pay more attention to the time or distance?

I would start with the distance first.  Set a goal for distance, time how long it takes you and when you are ready try and beat your times.

Best of luck.

Hi there! I just started back to walking everyday also, and I concentrate on time right now...I walk at a nice steady pace for 30 minutes...That is just my opinion

 

Jen

When I was starting back I found it best to do a set route and time myself, so I could see the improvement.  Being able to pick up the pace more and more is very motivating I find.

About.com has SO many articles and resources about setting up a walking plan and how to do it best. I highly recommend checking that out.

I just went out for my first run in 3 years! 1 mile really really sloooow. But, I got out there and got er done.

I hike @ 4-5 miles/day. I go out just to enjoy myself. I'm walking a pup when I go and he's pretty hyper so sometimes we walk fast and sometimes we stop for a scent...we are all over the place on speed but the distance is pretty set.

I plan to pick up my running as I lose, too, and I want to stay with both.

Good luck to you...I'm going to check out about. com, too!

Original Post by yellowrosey777:

I have not worked out in quite some time. So, I eventually would like to become an active runner. Considering my current shape I know I must start with walking. My question is: Do I walk for time or for distance? Which one is more important?

 

 Both is the answer to your question.  Find a place that you can measure the distance (road, track etc.) then see how far you got in say 30 min.  It can even be a certain land mark on your walking path, I can get past this statue in 30 min for example.  Your goal is to beat that distance in less time each time you go for your 30 min walk.  Example day one you go 1 mile in 30 min ..... day 6 you go 1.5 miles in 30 min.  This way you can measure that you are becoming more fit and a lot of times it helps to beat a goal.  A month from now you can look a back and say it used to take me 30 min to do one mile now I can do 3 miles in 45 min, or some thing like that.

I'm a big fan of walking, not running. For me, its about the quality of my walk, not the distance or time. I'm fortunate enough to live in San Francisco, so I have th hills to use for resistance. I zig-zag up and down the hills, which raises my heartrate when I go uphill, and lets me rest when I go downhill. Its also killer for my butt. It doesn't matter how fast I go. Its enough of a challenge to make it to the top, but when I push myself to make it up the hill, I look forward to flying down the other side.

Not everyone has that kind of natural resistance available to them, but any version that lets you create intervals of raising your heartrate, then resting, is the best way to get real benefits from walking.

amheld...that would be a blast to hike the hills of S.F. My first and only mountain hiking was 5 miles into Mt Lemmon outside of Tucson. What a workout! and what a way to see the world sans civilization (except its ruins!) Enjoy!

I have started this couch to 5K program that someone was talking about on this website. I'd just google it but it is supposed to take someone who does no running to running like 3 miles. It is a 9 week program and you do the walks 3 times a week. I'd google it.