I have often thought about returning to running. I remember my days in Germany running with a jogging stroller for fitness and in hope that this would induce sleep for my son. It gave my wife a break and was a means for me to exercise. I loved the stress release, and I could exercise for 20-30 minutes and burn a heck of a lot more calories than I do today. Alas, that is no more…
In 2005, I experienced two training injuries:
- The first one occurred while playing football with some fellow trainees. I had an ankle inversion injury. I hobbled on it for a week with crutches. The ER physician told me it was not broken based on the ankle rules for fractures. Well, they are 95%+ correct with that test. I guess I was in the other 5%. I fractured the left distal tibia (outside bone of the ankle right at the bony bulge of the ankle). I don’t fault the physician who saw me. I did not think it was broken, either. I rehabbed it for 3-4 months and thought I was ready.
- The second occurred 8 months later while on assignment overseas. I stepped in a hole, and it popped. Good news: a combat boot is a good splint. Bad news, I had a fracture in three places. I waited until after my return from the assignment to seek surgical care. I had to have an ankle reconstruction. I would likely never run again.
This is why I walk instead of run. Occasionally, I will try to run or jog, but the ankle reminds me in short order why it is a bad idea. It also keeps reminding me for several days after.
Cardiovascular Exercises:
- Jogging:
- PROs
- Less impact on the joints than running
- Burns more calories than walking
- It is cheap
- Extends life expectancy
- CONs
- Higher impact than walking
- Harder for the elderly to continue
- Higher injury rate than walking
- Takes more time to burn the same level of calories as running
- PROs
- Running:
- PROs
- Burns more calories than jogging or walking
- Extends life expectancy
- It is cheap
- CONs
- Harder on your joints than jogging and walking
- Highest injury risk
- PROs
- Walking:
- PROs
- Anyone can do it
- It extends your life expectance
- It is cheap
- Lowest injury rate
- Lowest impact of the standing conveyance exercises
- CONs:
- Takes more time to burn the same level of calories as jogging or running
- PROs
The bottom line: I think you can easily see why people choose to walk. You can do it with a repaired ankle. It can lowered your cholesterol and cardiovascular risk. Time will tell if it affects your life expectancy or reduces your risk of dementia. I recommend you consider walking as a form of exercise.
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