I think I'm ready to run. The fastest I've done is 4.2 on the treadmill, but my body has adjusted to is as easy. is 5mph considered running? And if you go by treadmill, at what speed do you run at?

I mostly run at 6. Maybe it depends on the length of your stride?

This is a good question.

ETA: Have you seen the C25K program?

Mmmmm, I think 5mph is still considered "jogging". There are tons of different answers out there, but in general I think the thought is if it takes you more than 9 minutes to complete a mile you're jogging, if takes less you are running. IMO, running is running On average I do a 10 min mile or a little more and I'm sorry, but I'm a runner!

Damn I must be out of shape.

Webster defines running as the following:
"a) to go faster than a walk; specifically b)to go steadily by springing steps so that both feet leave the ground for an instant in each step."

Let's face it...most of us are NOT running with the hopes of becomming the next "Flo Jo" and competing. That said...we do this to lose fat...right? Well, I've personally lost the fat by running for LONGER periods of time and not by going the FASTEST. I started running 3.5mph actually...and very slowly and gradually graduated to running between 5.0 and 5.5 mph. I alternate every 5 minutes. Works for me and the fat has simply melted off with absolutely no distinguishable muscle loss.

I want this to be "fun"...not to end up dreading it because of running grueling speeds that test my heart's outer limits! Anyhoot...it's not how much you do on one day...it's how many days you do it!

Hope this helps.

I "run" at 4MPH. I'm going to try to up it to 4.2 today for my 30 minute run. I joined runnersworld.com and that has helped me mentally a lot. They assure me that I am running, even if it is slow running. They definitely encourage newbies to work on distance before speed.

My goal is to run comfortably at 5 MPH. If I've ever able to get over that, great.

Either you're running or you're walking. If both feet are off the ground at the same time, you're running.

Jogging is a word to use to put your own or others' efforts down as insufficient.

I do 6 or 6.5 on a treadmill. I average a 9:30-10:00 mile and I can run 3.5 miles at this point. I take very small strides so it slows my time down unfortunately.

I started the C25K at jogging 4mph. I am now at 4.2mph and I'm almost at the 5km mark. I run a 15 min mile, which is probably super slow, but once I get to the 5km mark, I'll work more on my speed.

Running is definitely not easy. I really admire joggers/runners because you have to be in some sort of good shape to run. Wouldn't you all agree?

IMO, if one foot is on the ground at all times, that's walking. If BOTH feet are off the ground (even for a very short time), then it's running. The speed will vary depending on stride length and height. I also think that if you go a distance and any part of it is running, then you are "running". If you do a 5K in walk/run intervals -- that's running a 5K.

When I started running, 5 mph was fast. Then 5.5 was fast. Now I start on the TM at 6 mph and go up from there. You tend to get faster with training, but "fast" to you depends on your weight, running efficiency, and natural gait.

My running philosophy is that it's about having fun and moving and burning calories. You are going to burn pretty nearly the same calories over the same distance whether you run fast, run slow, or run/walk. It just takes you longer if your pace is slower, but the end result is just as good. So why stress over speed?

Yes!! Consistency is the key ....

Yep, I agree with this.

For myself, I feel if I can hold a conversation, I am jogging. If I can't, I am running. But I really don't care except that my current goal is to "jog", I guess, at 6.0. Right now, 6.0 is running. So it doesn't have to do with speed so much as ability, whatever that may be.

But if your feet are leaving the ground...you're a runner.

I only run FAST when I'm being chased by the cops or a pack of pit bulls!

What's next for me is SPRINTS...I mean all-out sprints (track team style)...it gives you nice glutes! My long runs (5+), I just want to feel my heart pumping, relax my mind and get lost in the beauty of my surroundings...ya know...enjoy it..not view it as work. My goal at each run is simply to be completely soaked in sweat. Yup...I gauge my success/progress by how much I sweat. I go for the "head to toe" type sweat...literally. It's worked so far!

i cant run that long, i try but the longest i ever ran was about 2 min.. then i end up walking.. i feel like my heart is just beating to fast i get scared and stop.. im doing everything on my own cause i cant afford a trainer.. but i feel like its taking forever for me to lose weight.. i been working out and eating right for a month and i only lost 10 pounds... i know i need to push myself harder but i feel as though my heart is gonna give in.. one of the guys at the gym said i should push though that fear and just keep at it, after a while my body will shift gears and it becomes easy.. what do u guys think?

I consider 5 mph jogging, not running. I am capable of walking up to 4.6 mph, it's a very fast walk but it is still a walk. Higher than 4.6, I have to start jogging.