WALKING FOR FITNESS EVEN IF YOU RUN

Out of bounds at Pebble Beach Golf Course, looking at Monterey Bay California. Taken by PKSenagore on June 24, 2018. All rights reserved.

JODI HELMER INDICATES HER PURPOSE IS TO ‘BUST’ 3 COMMON MYTHS about walking in an article for Under Armor’s MyFitnessPal.com blog. Helmer says it’s not always best to focus on steps taken and that weight loss can be achieved with a walking program.  She saves the best myth to destroy for last, ending the piece by arguing that walking is not just for those who cannot run. However she doesn’t elaborate much on this topic.
 
Jeff Galloway who pioneered the concept of combining running and walking during distance endurance training/events, provides a better discussion in a piece for runnersworld.com.  He advises paying attention to form, walking on a day scheduled for a run or instead walking as a cross-training method, and changing up the terrain. Galloway is succinct and is THE expert in this area. Runners looking to prolong their running longevity will want to read this short article.
 
Katie Golde provides another perspective in a Greatest.com article, and contrasts the benefits of running versus walking. She picks running as the winner for weight loss but any regular aerobic activity for helping to improve cardiovascular health.  She offers a few suggestions for increasing calorie burn and intensity while walking. An important point by Golde is that the risk of injury is less with walking.
 
Since I am a recovering run-aholic, I want to chime in on this topic.  I am currently not running (just past one year ‘sober’).  I cannot promise I won’t run again. But I am making huge fitness strides not running. 
 
After spending over 6 months in rehabilitation (self-imposed and -treated) after a knee/calf problem that had its roots in osteoarthritis, I haven’t had an injury episode. There’s nothing (calf, knee, Achilles tendon, thigh) to ‘baby’ these days. Everything feels great. I can power walk with a weighted vest, ride 25 miles at a stretch on my new fat-tire bike, and perform stretches, floor exercises, and dumbbell strength training (low impact) without issues. My golf game is improving, especially driving off the tee. Physically my form/weight has benefitted from the greater variety of workout types.
 
My knees are fine without any meds.  However, I want them to stay “fine’. I fear resuming the injury-recovery-rehab cycle if I run again.  I don’t know whether I’ll return to running, but it does feel good to “feel good” continuously.  My guess is that moderation in all forms of physical activity will be conducive to pain-free movement.
 
Consider walking to cross-train and as a substitute for some running sessions if, like me, you’ve been cycling through running-related injuries for years.  Perhaps my running longevity would have been extended.

RUN & MOVE HAPPY!
 
https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/common-walking-myths
 
https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a20844232/walk-to-strengthen-muscles/

https://greatist.com/fitness/walking-good-workout-running
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