Tonight I’d like to speak in appreciation of the walk break.
To me, it is an excellent tool of the “slow-and-steady” ilk. It is great for reforming speedsters like myself, as it builds in moderation. It reminds me to take it easy as I run. It reminds me that the miles will take care of themselves. I don’t need to rush to seek them out.
It is a very flexible, versatile tool. I can apply it more or less frequently based on the run I am doing that day, how I am feeling, who I am with. I can set my phone to have me start and stop and regular intervals, or I can do a walk break when I feel like it, say every mile.
I have often thought of a parallel between the walk break and the idea of diversification in investing. To me, walk breaks are kind of like buying bonds. You don’t generally buy bonds for the possibility of fancy returns. You buy them essentially, for the security they provide. Bonds provide “ballast,” as Jack Bogle put it. This helps keep your investing ship afloat amidst the raging waters of the market.
So it is with the walk break. We aren’t breaking any records walking for a minute. But used in tandem with our running, our runs can be easier, more relaxing, and, yes, sometimes even faster because of them.
Sometimes I think about not using the walk breaks. I ran for over a decade that way. But right now, they fit my mellow way of doing things. They are kind of like the pool buoy and the hand paddles I have used for many months in the pool. I appreciate having the option to use these tools, especially when I want a relaxing swim.
Similarly, the walk break is an excellent partner in making our runs gentler and more user-friendly.
I appreciate the walk break.