Is It Okay to Walk? (Spoiler: Yes, Absolutely)
The question stays in the mind of every person who runs, especially when they begin: "Is it right to walk?" Many think this is shameful or a sign of not doing well enough, but the answer is a clear yes. We are here to change that idea. Walking is not only good, it often becomes a necessity and a benefit for people who run at all levels.
To be clear, running does not mean moving fast all the time - it means going ahead, covering ground along with liking the path. The best way to do this involves walking. When you face a steep incline, get over an hurt, or just need a pause during a long session, walking is a proper and often good choice.
Consider this - pushing your body to run when it tells you to walk can cause hurt, tiredness as well as a dislike for the sport. Walking helps you save energy, get over effort in addition to keep moving when running becomes too much. It does not show weakness - it shows good sense, knowing yourself next to understanding your body well.
And let's talk about hills. Those inclines that seem to stretch towards the sky? Walking up them is not only acceptable, it's often the *most efficient* way to reach the top. Power hiking, as it's often called, allows you to conserve energy and avoid burning out on long climbs. It's a skill that even elite runners utilize, so there's no shame in embracing it.
Walking also serves as a helpful part of a plan for practice. You can put it into quick workouts, use it to recover between sessions, or even use it to build up strength for longer distances. Taking breaks to walk can help you go further, faster along with with more strength in the long term.
The next time you are out on a session and feel the need to walk, do not fight it. Use it. Walk with purpose, walk with pride as well as walk knowing you make a good choice for your body and your path in running. Walking is not failure - it is power - it belongs to the process, to the journey in addition to to what makes running so good. Go out and walk (or run… or a mix of both!).
