From running to walking for fitness
At SE Fitness we cater for both walkers and runners. Sometimes people have a go at the running but find it just does not suit them for what ever reason. One of the successes for me is when such a person returns to try the walking. I imagine this can be hard psychologically – turning negative feelings into positive. I asked one of our walkers to explain why she preferred the walking to the running.
Her response was:
‘Being of high BMI the impact of running on my body is greater. Whilst I was able to make small improvements over a period of time with endurance and breathing the shin splints got the better of me. I was disappointed to give up but the fast walking has given me an alternative. A fast walking pace provides your system with the same cardiac benefit; you can get a rhythm and speed it up for periods. I find the breathing easier to control on a fast pace i.e. about 4mls/hr and feel much more comfortable overall even when pushing myself to keep up a pace. I have changed from boots to running shoes because I have found that boots are not good for the fast pace; you need more flex in your feet and of course the boots are heavy. In fact I think I could probably cover more distance with a fast walking pace than on the run/walk/run/walk.
It is important to enjoy taking exercise and for me because the fast walking is within my comfort zone I find it more pleasurable. Above all I do love being in the park, which was the main driving force that kept me turning up for running for 12 months. So I will be very glad when the nights are light again.