Everyone is Running These Days

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! You have signed up for a marathon. (Noted: a marathon is an running event which is the distance of 42.195 kilometres, 26.219 miles, or 26 miles 385 yards to be exact...nothing LESS. There is something called a Half Marathon.)  Or perhaps you have decided to lace up your shoes, go outside and move.  Either way, that is awesome (and wishing I could use the party explosion emojis here to express how excited I really am for you)!

BUT...let's define and understand what we are really doing here.  
1. I want to be very clear, that the longer the distance does not make a better athlete. There are different types of athletes.
2. Everyone has different goals - so establish what your real goals are.
3. Which gets me to the reason I am writing this... 

are you a runner?

or are you a walker...and a damn good one

There is a big difference between the two 

You can become a very fast walker.  In fact, check out these world records of speed walking...I can't even run that!
20km: 1:16:36  by Japanese Racewalker, Yusuke Suzuki
50km: imagine running a 50km this fast, let alone, WALK it! 3:32:33 from Frenchman, Yohann Diniz
​ 

​IMPRESSIVE!
Not a sport to be taken lightly. It is quite remarkable how fast you can move when walking. 

Both feet connected to the ground at one point and never airborne. 

Movement for thought: Is this how you "run"?

While it is remarkable to watch runners fly around the track at top speeds, observe the difference between mechanics between the two. 

Running, there is one foot at a time contact and always...always...ALWAYS...ALWAYS a brief moment where the body is airborne and there is no foot connected to the ground.

Again, I ask: Are you a runner or a walker? No shame in walking...look how amazing these athletes are! Own it, if that is what you are. But if you are a walker and wish to be a runner...a runner who as aspirations of longer and longer distances, try addressing your biomechanics at much shorter distances.

It is like going from a chunky shoe and dropping to a minimal one; it takes time. One needs to develop strength, mobility and understand movement before increasing volume of distance. And if you wish to keep walking...keep on walking! It is a great form of exercise. 

Either way, I hope you now know and understand the difference between how these two movements are defined.