? about stopping in the middle of my run UPDATE

I run only about 1 1/2 miles maybe 2 if I'm lucky at least 3 days a week. I know one day I will get my miles up. For now I'm just working on distance. I always have to stop and walk for about 3-5 minutes then I can resume my running until I'm done. Is this bad?


Update
So thank you so much for your advice. I decided to not give myself the option to stop and walk and I did it. It's all mental it's so true. I would stop if I was hurting or something was wrong. I don't think that was the case for me I just wanted to stop. Thanks ladies!

Message edited 5/27/2011 9:35:26 PM.

Re: ? about stopping in the middle of my run

Don't say "only", that's great!!!

That is not bad, but you eventually want to take that walking out of the routine. It is all mental. If you feel like you are catching your breath, then I suggest jogging slower and don't stop to walk at all. The only way to stop walking in the middle, is to not even think about doing it. Maybe now if you walk for 3 minutes, the next run only walk for 2 mins., then for 1.5 mins, etc., until you don't have to walk at all.

Good luck!

Re: ? about stopping in the middle of my run

There's nothing wrong with stopping!! I sometimes have to stop because of my knee.

I agree with what a previous poster said- if you want to try to and run the whole time, slow down your pace by a few seconds.

Re: ? about stopping in the middle of my run

nothing is bad! you're out there running! woo hoo!
i walk too sometimes, especially if i'm adding more distance or if i didn't pace myself correctly.
you have some options though.... you can try running each mile at a slower pace (like 30 secs slower) so you can maintain the run the entire time. or work on shortening your walking time to only 1 or 2 min intervals until you feel comfortable eliminating them. play with it and your body will find its groove

i also sometimes like to do fartleks. i'll run at a slower pace for a song or two, then bang out a sprint for like 30-45 secs and then return to the slower run so even though i'm always running, the slower running serves as a little break from the intensity.

Re: ? about stopping in the middle of my run

time on your feet is time on your feet and all leads to building up endurance.

Re: ? about stopping in the middle of my run

I agree with what everyone said--walking will eventually lead to running!

Here's the only thing I would add:

Make sure you're always pushing yourself if building endurance is your goal. Before I started training for my half, I ALWAYS walked for a few minutes after my first mile, and I was only doing two. Even when I didn't need to walk, I was. Don't get TOO comfortable--if increasing endurance is your goal, make sure you're not walking just because you THINK you have to walk!

Re: ? about stopping in the middle of my run

You know, I used to get really hard on myself about having to stop. Whether it was fatigue or side stitches, I felt like a failure. Now, I haven't run since the fall, but this summer, when I resume, I will NOT give a crap if I have to stop. Why? Because I am STILL running and everyone else driving by me is NOT. Being a runner is NOT easy. Well, maybe for some, it is. Not for me. It's hard. I'm slow. But truly, it isn't easy because if it was, everyone would do it. Therefore, stopping to walk is nothing to be embarassed about. Firstly, you have to read your body. Ignoring the signals could lead to injury. Secondly, again, you are running and you are doing something sooooo many people WISH they could do. So run. Walk if you have to. But just get out there!