Does walking a lot help your overall running?

Yes. I used to walk to and from work also, and I definitely felt looser all day long. I don't know if you could substitute it for the morning run, but on its own, it is a good idea.

I walk quite a lot too and wonder the same thing. I would tend to say no that it doesn't have any real effect on aerobic capacity but it makes me feel good too so I keep doing it.

Try racewalking! that will make you get an aerobic feeling!

going,going,gone wrote:

I walk to work and back. Maybe 20-30 mins total a day. I keep a good brisk walking pace (mainly because I don't wan to be late). This is in addition to the regular running I do. I have noticed that I never feel sluggish anymore in the evenings after work, in fact I feel very loose and ready to go fast.

I have heard on this board one of the main points of the "morning run" is to get youir blood flowing and get your legs to loosen up for the evening workout. Could walking (out of necessity) be a substitute for morning runs? (atleast to some extent) Or can walking, in addition to morning runs, provide a boost in training w/o the additional pounding?

No, walking is not a substitute for a morning run, and the purpose of morning runs is not loosen up for anything. The purpose of morning runs, in fact any run, is training.

With that said, walking itself is a complementary activity to your training. Keep doing it.

Sure, just ask Japanese marathoners.

sure, why not? one of the early Boston marathon champions used to walk from NYC to Boston before the race.

Walking? Compared to what? Walking is better for your running than sitting, driving thu and eating.

Tom

I seem to recall reading many years ago that Toshiko Seko walked a GREAT deal as part of his "training". Many hours at a time if I recall correctly. Does anyone else remember this?

mez wrote:

I seem to recall reading many years ago that Toshiko Seko walked a GREAT deal as part of his "training". Many hours at a time if I recall correctly. Does anyone else remember this?

Yes. But he had hepatitis or some such thing and couldn't run.