Is this cheating? (Read 1201 times)

So I just recently started logging my runs and I find it really cool to know the exact weekly mileage (just started again this week after long time off). Anyways, so yesterday I ran my normal 5.5 mls in the morning, and then did a 3ml ruck walk in the afternoon. I had 20 lbs and did ~13 min/ml. (Thats fast walking for me with the weight!) Anyways, so I added it into my log, but since its not really running, I am wondering if I should count that for my weekly mileage. I'm going to try to do a ruck walk every evening until I get up to 40 lbs and finally able to run it. But should I bother counting it in my log? thanks

It's not cheating at all. I personally would want to keep my non-running workouts separately identified. I don't see a problem with using it towards total mileage.

I was wondering the same because I sometimes add a 4 mile walk mid week and I log it...but I add below in the notes that I actually walked. I think it's miles you got in some how...so just count them

If I added it I would do the custom run type called "Ruck walk" so you can see it separately. You could also just log it AS a walk but then it wouldnt be in your mileage but you can still track it. What you log depends on your goals and it is only for you...there is no "cheating" When I was pregnant I logged EVERY thing that was done with effort as running. By the end of the pregnancy a 22 minute mile walk was "running" (run type walk). Because that was my goal then...just keep MOVING. Now I log only running as running and power walking pushing the stroller as walking and dont log casual walking. But I still LOG the power walks because if I am trying to figure out why I might be more fatigued than expected it is good to see "oh..yeah..I did 12 miles of strollering this week " Since you intend to eventually run it...I would log it as its own type so you dont suddenly have this big jump in mileage. Also you probably will at some point be in limbo...maybe you'll run 1 mile of it to start, etc.

Cheating at what? I thought the point was to become a faster runner, not to build the biggest running log. Log whatever you think is related to your goals.

I have a "hiking" category in my log for just such stuff. I've got my own log where I have "locomotion mode" (run, bike, ski, hike, xt, trail work, etc) and a "workout" (easy, sub-LT, big hill, rolling hills, etc). I can query on total volume as well as running-only volume. But I tend to include the hiking with the running since it's training for an ultra. I can split out progress toward running goals vs total load on my body, which is important to sometimes figure out where an unexplained ache came from. Both are important.

I'm going to try to do a ruck walk every evening until I get up to 40 lbs and finally able to run it. But should I bother counting it in my log?

Good question. I've been wondering the same thing. I'm going to start doing some ruck marches ... and I'm still pondering the log question. Yeah, yeah, its my log, whatever - but I do care about being fair by my own standards. Here's the thing: ruck marches aren't "walks" or "hikes." Those who never served in the military probably don't appreciate what a ruck march can be like. There is no question that, for me, a 4:00 marathon is infinitely easier than a 10-mile ruck march with 50+ pounds and a helmet and a rifle. I still remember some of those long ago marches with abject horror. It's hard, hard work. Brutal sometimes. So its hard. For me at least, a lot harder than running the same distance. And its on my feet. And hell, I have logged a few runs that I've done with my better half at a pace just as slow as a ruck march. But it ain't running. It's walking. So I still don't know what I'm gonna do. Let us know what you decide. I may just compromise and count it as cross-training, like weight lifting. But not the mileage. I dunno.

Thanks for the replies guys. Jake, thats zactly right, I know I'm not going to really cheat on my own log, I just want to be "fair by my own standards." I decided I'm going to count it as another workout, and I guess when I start "running" it, although its more of a shuffle lol, I'll count it towards my weekly mileage. I'm glad someone can appreciate how much fun a ruck can be, my calves still hurt from last night! ha ha. But ya, its still walking as of now, so it cant count I suppose.