Topic: Is walking 5 miles as good for you as running 5 miles?

[Karyn]

I tried podcasts, movies, magazines, etc on the treadmill.  For some reason music with a really steady beat does much better for me.  Death metal FTW.  It's actually the only time I listen to music.

[MikeHz]

Nobody mentioned joints? 

That's one of the reasons I'm hesitant to start running. I carry a bit o' extra something something and I've already had knee issues.

When I run, I prefer to do it on a treadmill because I can grab onto the rails and not put as much force on my legs. I'm considering re-joining a gym in order to have access to a treadmill.

You might also try an elliptical, which gives a good workout without stressing the knees.

[Squarebanks]

You have to consider the efficiency of the movement. Walking is more efficient than running, so you will burn less calories per unit of distance. Riding a bike is much more efficient than either walking or running, so you will burn significantly less per mile.

[DRmeg378]

I think it's fun. My main problem when running is that unlike when I walk, my inner monologue somehow gets silenced. It bores me to death. I try and compensate with podcasts (or a magazine on the treadmill) but it's sometimes better to just alternate.

What about music.  Music takes less concentration, but takes away that bored feeling.

It doesn't really work. I want to concentrate in the music, and when I do I almost automatically stop running. Podcasts are okay, but the only way I have been able to run continuously for over 20 minutes is by reading the New Yorker on a treadmill.

[Lukas]

After the run, I walk, generally about an hour, often with the dog if the weather's good.

Unless I have absolutely no time, I walk the dog every day. He doesn't seem to mind windy rainy days, and he loves snow, so I really have no bad weather excuses...

And to those who think walking or running is boring, a (well-behaved) dog makes a very good companion, especially if you have some decent trails where you can let it run off-leash.

[DRmeg378]

Just for the record, I love walking. It's running that makes me crazy. Whatever works.

I'm also planning on finding a place within walking distance of my job in Chicago, so I can get that walking time even on days when I can't make it to the gym. I think in the long run it will pay off.

[AQB24712]

I think it's fun. My main problem when running is that unlike when I walk, my inner monologue somehow gets silenced. It bores me to death. I try and compensate with podcasts (or a magazine on the treadmill) but it's sometimes better to just alternate.

What about music.  Music takes less concentration, but takes away that bored feeling.

I like to walk in town.  (I love to hike, but I have to get outta town for that.)  I used to listen to nothing, worried about whether I could be alert to traffic.  Listening to music, for me, was a dismal failure—I kept wanting to match my pace to the beat.  I found listening to podcasts ideal, even when I have to stop to laugh.

I don't run unless I'm being chased, generally, although I do actually enjoy jogging on a mini-trampoline in my living room.  (My cat finds this appalling.)  I thought that would work well while watching TV...nope.  I get bored and whiny.  A carefully-chosen music playlist is great; I pick songs with the right tempo, and it's easy enough to say "c'mon, just one more song, okay, one more" and keep at it for half an hour or more.

I'm also planning on finding a place within walking distance of my job in Chicago, so I can get that walking time even on days when I can't make it to the gym. I think in the long run it will pay off.

I think that's a great idea. 

[Karyn]

Moving to within a mile of my job certainly got me off my ass a lot more.

[Johnny Slick]

Thank you for your insights everyone, it's encouraging. When I say I brisk walk I mean 1km in 10mn, occasionally a tad faster or a tad slower. The terrain has many soft hills and one 300m steep hill, it is unpaved over half of the way, so I'm always dodging puddles and managing the uneven terrain.

The other thing to consider is the ability to exercise AND have a normal day as well. The few times I ran I was dragging my bones the rest of the day, didn't get much done, etc. That's a big problem.

The occasional sprint sounds good to me, I will try it. I've done soft jogging here and there, but never tried to sprint, that's worth a try. It will make me feel like a fool honestly, I will try to ignore that and report.

My experience with starting something new is that I'll generally feel it for several days afterward, period. That doesn't mean the 3rd and 4th time I'm going to be dragging at work or wanting to stretch out my sore hamstring all day long. In fact, to quote the great Dan Savage, who was clearly thinking exactly about this situation, it gets better.

[MikeHz]

After the run, I walk, generally about an hour, often with the dog if the weather's good.

Unless I have absolutely no time, I walk the dog every day. He doesn't seem to mind windy rainy days, and he loves snow, so I really have no bad weather excuses...

And to those who think walking or running is boring, a (well-behaved) dog makes a very good companion, especially if you have some decent trails where you can let it run off-leash.

The dog probably does not care, but I don't like walking in bad weather. On those days, I opt for the gym, which has plenty of treadmills and other cardio equipment, as well as an indoor track. Plus, if I get a machine in the back row, there are almost always cardio bunnies to enjoy.

[andrewclunn]

I think it's fun. My main problem when running is that unlike when I walk, my inner monologue somehow gets silenced. It bores me to death. I try and compensate with podcasts (or a magazine on the treadmill) but it's sometimes better to just alternate.

See this doesn't happen to me, which is why running can be really dangerous, as I should really be paying attention to where I'm going.  In fact the only way to kill my inner monologue is loud angry music, which consequently is the best way to work out in my opinion.

[Johnny Slick]

Music is generally a really, really horrible idea for me because once the endorphins kick in I start to, um, sing along. 

[David E.]

I tried podcasts, movies, magazines, etc on the treadmill.  For some reason music with a really steady beat does much better for me.  Death metal FTW.  It's actually the only time I listen to music.

That kind of music is great for meditating as well. 

[AQB24712]

Music is generally a really, really horrible idea for me because once the endorphins kick in I start to, um, sing along. 

   Another reason why I stopped listening to music while walking.  At least you can, you know, actually sing.

[lonely moa]

And to those who think walking or running is boring, a (well-behaved) dog makes a very good companion, especially if you have some decent trails where you can let it run off-leash.

seconded.  I've resorted to borrowing an obedient collie/cross since putting down the old kelpie.  Muddy loves a little extra exercise on such trails as described above.