Why Can I Walk But Not Run?

When I was younger, I could run for hours. Mile after mile, I would push myself to the limit. But now, as an adult, I find running simply too tricky. Walking comes easily, but my body rebels when I try to run. What’s going on? Why can’t I run as I used to? Why can I walk but not run? As it turns out, there are several reasons why walking comes more naturally than running. Let’s take a closer look at some of them.

Why Can I Walk But Not Run?

There are many reasons that we walk before we run:

• Walking is one of the most straightforward exercises we can perform and does not require a lot of energy to do it.
• We can walk even if we have various running injuries.
• We can also walk even if we are overweight.
• Walking causes no strain on our ligaments, even on pavements.
• People can’t run if they are out of shape and haven’t exercised in years.
• Maybe have a bad knee which makes running impossible
• Suffer from asthma flares up if they run.
• Temperatures can stop people from running if its too hot or cold
• If raining heavily, some runners won’t go out in the rain
• Surfaces can be too hard, especially pavements.

I will now look at these in more detail.

Walking is Easy

Walking is the most accessible exercise that we can perform. We don’t need any gear other than a pair of runners. We do not require much energy to stroll, but if we walk quickly, we expend more energy. In addition, walking will help us to become healthier. Brisk walking can help us to build stamina, burn calories and help make our hearts healthier.

Walking If Overweight

Walking is a great way to start getting active if you are overweight. It is a low-impact exercise that can help you lose weight and improve your overall health, whereas running is tough when you are overweight. The heavier you are, the harder it is to run. It is also an excellent way to start getting used to being more active. When you walk, make sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothes.

Walking Causes No Strain On Ligaments

This is because when you walk, your feet are in contact with the ground longer than when you run. This means that the forces exerted on your ligaments are lower when you walk than when you run, causing less long-term damage. Unfortunately, a lot of runners suffer ligament injuries when they run.

Out Of Shape

People can’t run if they are out of shape and haven’t exercised in years. So if you want to be able to run, you need to start by slowly adding some light exercise, such as walking, to your routine. Over time, your body will get used to the new activity, and you might be able to try a start-to-run program.

Bad Knee

A bad knee can make running impossible. If you are in pain and your knee is swelling up while trying to run, you will have no choice other than stop running and maybe try a program to help strengthen your injured knee. However, walking is still possible even if you have a knee injury.

Asthma

Running can be nearly impossible if you suffer from severe asthma, even trying to inhale. Weather conditions plus asthma can also cause severe asthma flare-ups. If you suffer from asthma, it can make it nearly impossible to breathe when trying to run. Walking is more manageable if you suffer from asthma, as we are putting less stress on our bodies.

Temperatures

If the weather is too hot, it can be tough to think about running. Also, if the weather is too cold or the ground is icy, you may be unable to run. Even if you can run, you may have to adjust the time and pace you run depending on the weather. No matter the weather, walking, whether hot or cold, is still possible.

Heavy Rain

Many runners, including me, refuse to go running if it is raining too heavily, as I know when I get wet, I get really cold, making it impossible for me to run.

Hard Surfaces

Some surfaces are very hard if we are continuously running on them. For example, when a person is trying to start to run, they should run on either grass or a track. If these surfaces are not an option, we should run on tarmac roads rather than concrete. There is no bounce in concrete, so it is tough on our joints. In comparison, we can walk on any surface if we are walking.

What To Do If I Can Walk But Not Run

We can do many things to help if we can walk but not run. These are

Gradually Increase Your Walking Speed

Start by walking at a faster pace than your usual speed. Then, you can gradually increase your pace until you are comfortable jogging. We should find a good couch25k program as this is a mixture of walk running. I have included one in my blog post, How To Start To Run.

Build Endurance

Focus on building your endurance by walking for more extended periods. Try to increase the duration of your walks until you can walk for 30-45 minutes without stopping.

Strengthen Your Muscles

Strength training exercises can help improve your running ability by strengthening your muscles.. It is essential to make our cores strong. Focus on exercises that work your leg muscles, such as lunges, squats, and calf raises.

Stretch Before And After Exercise

Stretching before and after exercise can help improve your flexibility and reduce your risk of injury. We must stretch correctly, with dynamic stretches before running and static stretches afterward.

Get Proper Footwear

Wearing the right shoes can make a big difference in running. Make sure you have a pair of shoes that are designed for running and that fit correctly and offer the correct support depending on pronation.

Final Thoughts

We have now looked at the reasons why we find it easier to walk than to run. For each person, the reason varies as it depends on their weight, health, and the likelihood of injury. I hope you now understand all these reasons. Please comment below if there are other reasons you walk and can’t run.