One of the biggest misconceptions people have when starting a running journey is the belief that walking somehow does not count.

You hear it all the time.

People say things like:

“I had to walk, so it doesn’t really count.”

“I’m not a proper runner if I’m walking.”

“I should be able to run the whole thing.”

“Walking means I’m not fit enough yet.”

And if I am honest, that mindset has probably held more people back than almost anything else.

Because the moment someone believes walking is failure…

They start doing one of two things:

Either:

They avoid starting altogether because they think they are not ready,

or

They push far too hard trying to avoid walking.

Neither helps.

So let me say this clearly:

Walking absolutely counts.

Walking is not failure.

Walking is not weakness.

Walking is not cheating.

Walking is movement.

Walking is effort.

Walking is progress.

And for many people, walking is one of the smartest and most effective ways to begin.

At Runners Gateway, we believe walking can be:

• the start of your running journey
• part of your running journey
• or simply part of your healthy lifestyle

Because movement matters more than ego.

Too many people become obsessed with the idea that they must run continuously for it to “count.”

But the truth is:

Your body DOES NOT CARE whether you call it running or walking.

Your body responds to:

• effort
• movement
• consistency
• gradual progression

That means every walk:

• builds your fitness
• improves your endurance
• strengthens your body
• increases your confidence
• and moves you forward

Walking is not what happens before you become “good enough.”

Walking is often part of the process of becoming stronger.

Even experienced runners use walking:

• in training
• during recovery
• on hills
• in long events
• when managing fatigue

Because walking is simply another tool.

Not something to be ashamed of.

So if part of you has been thinking:

“I need to wait until I can run properly…”

or

“I shouldn’t have to walk…”

I want to gently challenge that belief.

You do not need to earn the right to begin.

You do not need to be beyond walking before you start.

And you do not need to apologise for building gradually.

If walking is what allows you to:

• start safely
• stay consistent
• build confidence
• and keep progressing

then walking is exactly what you should be doing.

Remember:

Walking is not the opposite of running.

For many people:

Walking is the beginning of running.

And sometimes it remains part of the journey for much longer than people expect.

That is okay.

Because the goal here is not to impress anyone.

The goal is to keep moving forward.

And if walking helps you do that…

Then walking counts.

Always.

Take A Moment To Reflect

What beliefs do you currently hold about walking?

Do you see walking as a valuable part of progress… or do you quietly view it as something “less than” running?

Have you ever judged yourself for walking during exercise or training?

Your Next Small Step

Reframe walking in your mind as part of the process, not a sign of failure.

Choose one way you will begin treating walking differently moving forward.

That might mean:

• seeing walking as training, not fallback
• giving yourself permission to walk without guilt
• intentionally including walking in your routine
• stopping the habit of apologising for walking

Shift your mindset from:

“I had to walk…”

to:

“Walking helped me keep moving forward.”

Remember

Walking is not failure.

Walking is movement, progress, and often the beginning of running.