walking versus running

[archeryguy1701]

How much or far does one have to walk to get a decent workout? I'm currently having some physical problems, and currently can't run much more than seven minutes before having extreme pain in my foot. However, walking doesn't seem to bother me any. So is there a certain distance or length of time I have to walk so I can keep my cardio up and possibly improve it? Thanks!

 

[Seven of eleven]

All things being equal, you will burn more calories by running an hour than walking an hour. It is true that walking a mile will burn more calories than running a mile -- although it takes longer to do so. When you run a mile, you're burning mostly sugar, or carbohydrates, which is how your body gives you fast energy in bursts. When you walk a mile, it gives your metabolism time to switch from burning carbohydrates to burning fat.

If you were walking briskly for one mile and your friend was jogging, you'd burn about the same number of calories if you walked for 15 minutes and he jogged for eight and a half minutes.

link

 

[Malcom]

Running does things for your cardio system that walking does not. And you don't even have to run that fast.

I was at Walter Reed doing the minor check up before donating platelets and the sergeant taking my numbers looks at my numbers, looks at me [I don't look all that fit as I'm short], looks at the numbers, looks back at me, leans forward and says you're a runner, aren't you?

Running, unlike walking, also really helps me sleep at night.

 

[archeryguy1701]

Running is what I really want to do, but until I get my injuries figured out, it's not really an option. It's a thing where I run 7 minutes and I hurt. I jog for 15 minutes spread over an hour, and I'm limping pretty bad for a couple days, and if I jog for 30 straight minutes (which, since I've gotten out of shape due to my previous injury, is two minutes on, two minutes off), I can barely walk for a week.

My big concern as far as being in shape is my summer races. June 21 I have a 30k, which I have decided I will just have to walk, period. With my constant injuries, there is no way I'll be in shape to run by the race. However, the next weekend, I plan on doing a 24 hour relay, which is basically (if I get a full-sized team) 6 miles with four hours of rest. I plan on running that, but will walking help get me in shape until I can start training for it? After being down for almost seven or eight months, I think I would drop kick a poodle if it meant I could run injury free again.

 

[Borgminister]

Used to love to run... longer distances. Did two marathons, one in 93 and the other in 2000.

About 30-50 pounds too heavy to run meaningfully right now.

How'd THAT happen?

(don't answer. rhetorical.)

 

[archeryguy1701]

Long distances are fun... my hope was to do a trail 100 miler before I'm 22, but we'll see.

 

[galleywest]

If I were you I think I would employ the use of a trainer to develop a workout plan that would help keep me in running shape even while I couldn't run. Can you do other cardio activities, like biking, maybe? My dad became an avid cyclist after arthritis started to make running more painful for him. He's in pretty good shape (okay, he has better legs than me which is so unfair!).

 

[Ashu]

I personally would rather walk then run. Mind you Ive never been much of a runner. I tend to walk longer distances and walk up 200+ stairs a day. And thats been working just fine for me at least

 

[archeryguy1701]

^^Biking is doable. I may have to do that because the walking has me a little concerned: I went for an hour long walk, and I tend to walk pretty briskly. I hate walking with people even in halls because going as slow as most people is just uncomfortable for some reason. Anyways, I went on this brisk hour long walk, and it literally felt like nothing. I could have kept going for a long time without issue, so it concerns me how good of shape it'll get me in while I sort things out.

 

[Lindley]

I've never been a runner at all. I can sprint fast enough, but distance totally kills me.

On the treadmill I can manage .2 miles at 8mph, then .2 at 4mph, alternating for maybe 2 miles, but that's about it. Outside I can run a bit longer, but not significantly so.

Stair climbers, on the other hand, I have no problem with. *shrug*