Walk, Jog, Run! Our Complete Walk To Run Program For New Runners

If you are new to running, the very notion of running more than a couple of blocks without stopping can seem completely untenable.

However, taking a walk to run program approach can help safely transition you into the sport by giving your cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems time to adapt to the physiological stressors of running.

But, what does a walk jog run program entail? How can you get started with a walk jog run training plan to get in shape or train for a race?

In this article, we will discuss how to take a walk jog run approach to build fitness, the benefits of a walk to run program, and share a 30-day training plan to help you get started on your journey as a runner.

We will cover the following: 

• What Is a Walk Jog Run Plan?
• Benefits of a Walk To Run Program
• Should I Run a Race if I Mostly Jog?
• 30-Day Beginner Walk Jog Run Training Plan

Let’s jump in!

What Is a Walk Jog Run Plan?

A walk jog run training plan involves combining walking, jogging, and running. 

Note that there is no official speed that differentiates jogging vs running, though jogging generally denotes slow running.

On the other hand, the distinction between walking vs. jogging/running is clearer. The actual gait patterns between the two forms of exercise are different even if the moving speeds are not. 

With walking, there is always one foot that remains in contact with the ground. When one foot is in the swing phase (up in the air), the other foot is in the stance phase, supporting your body weight.

In contrast, when you run—even when jogging slower than you might walk—there is a “flight” phase or “float” phase to the jogging gait cycle. 

This “flight“ or “float“ phase in the gait cycle is what differentiates running from walking. There is a brief period of time when both legs are in the swing phase, and no feet are on the ground.

Therefore, when you are running or jogging, you have to land on a foot from a completely airborne position, which is why running is a high-impact activity.

For this reason, walking and jogging/running look and feel different, even if the moving speeds aren’t drastically different.

In fact, although most people typically get from point A to point B faster when jogging vs. walking, it is possible to walk faster than you jog.

For example, someone might be able to walk briskly at a speed of 4.3 mph, whereas plenty of slow joggers might only be jogging at 4.0 mph (15 min/mile).

Running usually feels like a more intense and purposeful jog. Your running form might be more exaggerated, with more of a knee drive and a longer, fuller stride, and a faster cadence (steps per minute).

Benefits of a Walk To Run Program

There are numerous physical and mental health benefits of a walk to run program.

Walking and running are both forms of aerobic exercise, so there’s a lot of overlap in the health and fitness benefits of each.

These benefits include strengthening the heart and lungs, decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality, boosting aerobic capacity or VO2 max, decreasing blood pressure, improving blood sugar regulation, strengthening the muscles in the legs, reducing stress, boosting mood, and supporting a healthy weight.

However, jumping right into running if you have been relatively inactive or haven’t been doing high-impact cardio exercise can be a recipe for injuries and can be mentally defeating if you have poor fitness.

A walk jog run program allows you to enjoy the benefits of walking, jogging, and running while safely progressing to more jogging and running if you have been sedentary.

Some people even decide that they prefer to stick with a run/walk approach to their workouts.

For example, the Jeff Galloway run walk method involves taking deliberate walking breaks at various intervals during your run.

This can help improve endurance and give your legs, cardiovascular system, and mind a relative break periodically throughout the workout.

Running is a very high-impact activity.

For this reason, whether you use a walk to run program to run longer distances without stopping or as a way to add variety to your cardio workouts, combining walking with jogging and running is a great way to build cardiovascular fitness and endurance without placing so much stress on your bones and joints.

Should I Run a Race if I Mostly Jog?

Don’t worry; it is normal to feel a little bit of anxiety about participating in your first race, whether you can run the whole thing or take a jog/walk approach.

If you are doing a walk to run program to build fitness and want to participate in an organized running event but don’t quite feel up to a “real race,” you can also try a fun run.

Whether you decide to do a race or a fun run, the good news is that you will not be alone in your nerves. 

A significant number of people who are participating in their first race or fun run will be a little jittery as well, as community running events and races often draw runners and walkers who are absolutely brand new to the sport and have no experience and very little fitness built up yet.

Additionally, you can always stop and walk if you need to; there are absolutely no rules about how fast you need to go and no pressure about achieving a certain finish time. 

The majority of community 5k races also have a very relaxed atmosphere, so if you would rather participate in a 5k race rather than a themed fun run but are a complete novice, rest assured that you are more than welcome to register for a regular 5k race with no experience. 

You can also walk or jog any or all of the entire 5k race, just as you can with a fun run. 

The only real difference will be that the atmosphere will likely be more competitive in the 5k race, particularly up front, but there are always many participants in community 5k races who take on the event with a casual attitude and want to have fun along the way.

30-Day Beginner Walk Jog Run Training Plan 

Here is a 30-day walk to run program for beginners that we have created. When following this beginner walk/jog training plan, remember that your pace is not important.

Run and jog by feel. Just try to keep making forward progress.

The process of getting in shape is not a race.

If you are using a walk/run training plan for beginners as a way to get in shape and build up your endurance and strength to run longer distances without stopping, the goal should be to accrue time on your feet and work on your stamina even if it means that you are jogging and running slowly.

Have fun and stop and walk if you need to. Stick with it and enjoy the journey.

Welcome to the world of running!