In today's world, what is running?

[John VN]

Is it speed governed, a specific form, a personal style, a frame of mind, a combination of some or all of the above?

My 305 Garmin denotes running as a 9 minute/mile or less pace.

Definitions I've read agree that a specific form must be utilized for running.

I've spoken to many people who use a method where they run/walk.

I've spoken to people who just get into their own mental running groove and move along.

I remember Chariots of Fire where the guys are running on the beach http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-7Vu7cqB20 and thinking "wish I could run like that".

I'm only a walker and I envy you runners. Good luck in achieving your goals no matter how you get the distances accomplished.

When all things are said and done, we are athletes of different abilities just trying to do our best.

 

[FireDancer]

Interesting question. I'd say it is faster than jogging but slower than sprinting. I'm not sure if I'd put a speed on it though. I think it is about any individuals % of their maximum pace over a long distance.

To paraphrase Justice Steward I may not be able to define it but I'll know it when I see it.

 

[FFigawi]

Some favorite sayings I've heard about running:

The difference between running and jogging is a bib number.
Faster than me is running, slower than me is jogging.

 

[SAHDad]

I would say that it is a function of effort, and not just speed. What I consider a run when doing a marathon is a slow warm-up when compared to my 5k pace, for example, but both are appropriate levels of effort for the distance concerned.

If I am at a race, giving it all I can, it is running, regardless of speed. If I am moving along at a lower pace, not because the day dictates that I must (illness, poor weather, just not feeling the run), then it is jogging. ((FWIW - nothing wrong with jogging. I "jogged" the Illinois marathon at the end of April and the Kalamazoo marathon a couple of days ago - no point in trying to race them, because they were only a week apart, and both were really training runs for my next race. But I could not say that I tried my hardest for either race.)

 

[fashionista311]

Interesting on the garmin - I actually thought it was an 8 minute/mile that it was considered running vrs jogging. Clearly I don't know how to use most of my features on the 405..but whatever, you just boosted my ego a bit, so thanks

Funny - me and my mom (she's a walker) we were just discussing this. I say you are running when both feet are off the ground at some point, rather than shuffling along. I don't like the term jogging to begin with though - I say if you are running, you're running - it may just be at a recovery pace, training pace, 5k pace, or marathon pace.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Last fall, I was talking to someone at work who ran a 1:45 half marathon as his first race. He called himself a jogger... I laughed and said if you're a jogger, then what am I Then again, on my recovery days I sometimes average a pace of 12 m/m+ and I have a walker on my team who can speed walk at that pace. So who knows! I think a lot of people use the terms running and jogging interchangeably, I'm not offended by either. Maybe we should just call ourselves racers

 

[cloudnut220]

I like to think of myself as a runner because I get out there and move, and I don't stop to walk (anymore). I also enjoy racing, and although at my current speed, I'll never win anything, racing gives me a real sense of accomplishment. So I guess for me--a classic 9mm middle of the packer--running is more of a state of mind than a speed.

 

[jmasgat]

Running is whn you are moving forward and at some point in time during your stride, both feet are off the ground. The rest is just a matter of degree!

Maura

 

[ban26ana]

If runnin is a 9 minute mile, what the heck is my 15 minute mile? Man I need to get faster lol!

 

[DisneyRunnerGirl]

I'm only a walker and I envy you runners. Good luck in achieving your goals no matter how you get the distances accomplished.

When all things are said and done, we are athletes of different abilities just trying to do our best.

Your last line really sums it up well, so please don't think of yourself as "only" a walker. Be proud that you are out there!

 

[SAHDad]

Your last line really sums it up well, so please don't think of yourself as "only" a walker. Be proud that you are out there!

Good point. I was insufficiently caffeinated before, but whenever someone denigrates a slower pace, I typically respond with something along the lines of "The distance doesn't get any less because you go slow." I have nothing but respect for walkers and slower runners. On Sunday, after I had finished, gotten changed, had a beer, rested a bit, and was heading to my car, there were still people out on the race course. I was glad to be done for the day, and they were still out there, in the sun, still moving, as the day got warmer.

Personally, I'd rather run the distance than walk it, because I'm too much of a wimp to be out there that long!

 

[John VN]

There is room for interpretation from reading responses. Thank you.

Interesting on the garmin - I actually thought it was an 8 minute/mile that it was considered running vrs jogging. Clearly I don't know how to use most of my features on the 405..but whatever, you just boosted my ego a bit, so thanks

Funny - me and my mom (she's a walker) we were just discussing this. I say you are running when both feet are off the ground at some point, rather than shuffling along. I don't like the term jogging to begin with though - I say if you are running, you're running - it may just be at a recovery pace, training pace, 5k pace, or marathon pace.

Bolding by me. I too thought the Garmin had the 8 minute mark but then I double checked a 13.12 mile walk I did on March 17. There is a white hatched line between slow run and fast jog at the 9 m/m pace so that is what I referenced. If you look at photos of runners in running publications you will often see both feet off the ground. This point in the stride does seem to be an important factor for running.

 

[Princess Roo]

Very interesting reading! I'm new to this, but for me the difference between running and jogging is the effort. If I'm going at a relaxing pace just for the joy of the sport or to recover from a harder workout, I'm going out for a jog. If I'm working hard/training, I'm out for a run. I also say I'm "going out for a run", even though I take walk breaks for about 25% of the workout. Maybe that's cheating, but saying I'm "going out for a run with intervals of walking" sounds goofy.
Then the difference between running/jogging and walking is the stride. If both feet are never off the ground at the same time but you're walking with effort then you're certainly an athlete, just not a running one - even if you're leaving a jogger/runner in your dust.

 

[justcrusin]

Running to me is moving faster than walking. I'm at an 11 minute mile and to me that's running. If anyone dares to tell me differently, I'm going to ask them to "run" an 11 minute mile

 

[JillPTFLA]

Maura is correct...the true physiological definition of running is that you are moving forward with an action where both feet are off the ground for an instant. This is how racewalkers are judged...they must always have a foot in contact with the ground in order not to be disqualified.

I don't care what Garmin says...for me, a 9 minute mile is a full-on sprint!
Jill

 

[cynomologus]

I agree with most postings here.... "running" should not be defined by a broad definition of "less than 9 minute miles", because that wouldn't apply to every person.

We all are different sizes/speeds and what is fast for me may be slow for someone else, etc

I'd say if you are moving faster than your normal "walking" pace, you are running.

That is really the great thing about this sport. Anyone can do it, and most (if not all) of us only compete against 3 things, the course, the clock, and yourself

JOHN