Its seems that there are "runners" out there that think if you ever walk during a run you are not a real runner.  I find that this could not be further from the truth.  As I was out running with our Half Marathon training group last Saturday, I noted to myself that my body was just not feeling up to it and not really responding for whatever reason that day.  Although on long runs I typically do take 1 minute walk breaks this was a 7 miler and supposed to be a short run, but I found that I needed to take multiple walk breaks just to get through it.

What I always find interesting when I take walk breaks is that it doesn't affect my time all that bad.  Now if I am going out trying to qualify for Boston then I may need to re-think this, however when I am taking walk breaks and my finish time only suffers by 3 or 4 minutes, I can live with that, especially if I am having a bad day.  Also as I get older (and I am not that old) I am adding to my running longevity by taking walk breaks because its easier on my legs to offer them a bit of recovery during runs.

I have never been a speed merchant while running.  Don't know that I ever will be.  But I do know that I have found much more enjoyment in my long runs when I am able to take a short walk break and enjoy my surroundings that much more.  And yes, I still consider myself a runner.