The "Running" Thread

[Mursilis]

3 miles was in 34 minutes today without much problem. I'm not worried about winning the race. I've always wanted to sign up and run one just never actually went through with it.

Just do it. Most halfs have a 4:00 time limit, which is pretty generous, so finishing within the cut shouldn't be a problem. You certainly won't have a great finishing time, but you'll have done it, and learned the distance. It may motivate you to focus more on your next one.

[Corcaigh]

There are plenty of half-marathon training programs on the web to help.

The most important advice is to go further, and slower if necessary. If your longest run currently is 34 minutes, try 40 next time and build up duration gradually, don't worry about the mileage covered.

Running should be comfortable and relaxed to help you develop aerobic strength. If it's a slog, go slower and take walk breaks. Hard efforts are for sharpening and can lead to burnout.

An effective training program for most distances could be as simple as this:

• Jog comfortably for about an hour most days
• A couple of times a week finish the run with 'strides' - comfortable fast running; say between 5 - 8 over a distance of 50 - 100 yards. This will help with better mechanics
  
• A couple of times a week, if you are feeling fresh, push the last half to third of the run to a comfortably hard effort.

[renaissance]

Just do it. Most halfs have a 4:00 time limit, which is pretty generous, so finishing within the cut shouldn't be a problem. You certainly won't have a great finishing time, but you'll have done it, and learned the distance. It may motivate you to focus more on your next one.

There are plenty of half-marathon training programs on the web to help.

The most important advice is to go further, and slower if necessary. If your longest run currently is 34 minutes, try 40 next time and build up duration gradually, don't worry about the mileage covered.

Running should be comfortable and relaxed to help you develop aerobic strength. If it's a slog, go slower and take walk breaks. Hard efforts are for sharpening and can lead to burnout.

An effective training program for most distances could be as simple as this:

• Jog comfortably for about an hour most days
• A couple of times a week finish the run with 'strides' - comfortable fast running; say between 5 - 8 over a distance of 50 - 100 yards. This will help with better mechanics
  
• A couple of times a week, if you are feeling fresh, push the last half to third of the run to a comfortably hard effort.

THanks both for the motivation and advice

[Henry]

3 miles was in 34 minutes today without much problem. I'm not worried about winning the race. I've always wanted to sign up and run one just never actually went through with it.

How often do you run three miles, and how long have you been running?

If you've been going three miles three times a week for a year or something you should have a strong enough base to get to 13 in two months. If three miles is a once-in-a-blue-moon distance it might be a slog.

[MissU28]

so I'm running a 10k next Sunday in Maine and I haven't been training. Whoops. I've done tons of 5ks and a couple 4-milers, but never a 10k. I'll try and get a few runs in this week. I have been doing Insanity, though, and am about to start on month 2. Hopefully that will at least keep my endurance in check.

[Corcaigh]

so I'm running a 10k next Sunday in Maine and I haven't been training. Whoops. I've done tons of 5ks and a couple 4-milers, but never a 10k. I'll try and get a few runs in this week. I have been doing Insanity, though, and am about to start on month 2. Hopefully that will at least keep my endurance in check.

Whoops. Respect the distance. Go out at a conservative pace. Don't get caught up in the surge at the start. And pick it up once you get to half way if you are feeling good. It's a lot more fun to finish strong than go out hard and slog the second half.

[Henry]

so I'm running a 10k next Sunday in Maine and I haven't been training. Whoops. I've done tons of 5ks and a couple 4-milers, but never a 10k. I'll try and get a few runs in this week. I have been doing Insanity, though, and am about to start on month 2. Hopefully that will at least keep my endurance in check.

If you've run 4 you can run 6. Just don't go too fast.

[MissU28]

Whoops. Respect the distance. Go out at a conservative pace. Don't get caught up in the surge at the start. And pick it up once you get to half way if you are feeling good. It's a lot more fun to finish strong than go out hard and slog the second half.

If you've run 4 you can run 6. Just don't go too fast.

Yeah, I always start out pretty slow. Except when I ran a 4-miler recently and started out at a very fast pace, then absolutely DIED on the last mile and a half (90 degrees and super humid, too). It will be through the streets of Rockland, Maine, so I'm looking forward to running slowly and taking in the scenery and salty sea air Aiming for under 75 mins. In the right weather, I'm under a 10-minute pace, and it should be in the 60s/low 70s that morning...perfect. But it's longer than I've ever run, so I don't expect to run at that pace.

[renaissance]

Went 4 miles at a 12 minute pace this morning. Felt pretty good.

[Henry]

Upping my long runs in preparation for the TM in September. Did seven miles today. My longest distance since June of last year. Felt pretty good, actually.

Next week eight!

[renaissance]

What a difference a week (and nicer weather) makes! Went 6 miles this weekend in the same amount of time that I went 5 miles last weekend.

[Koolblue13]

I have never been a runner and have always wanted to. Kayak or bike long distances, sure, but running has always hurt and I've been trying since I was a kid too.

I played soccer and my mom would make me run every NOW or whatever event run she could find. It always hurt.

Well, I've been trying again, now that I quit smoking. I have a bad knee and ankle (same side), so I'm very careful with it, but my main problem is the breathing. I know I just kicked a 30 year smoking habit, but it's harder now than it was. I have been running back and forth on this little dirt road up a small mountain. I want to get on the road or a trail, so I went to the gym to see how far I've been running.

I can barely run a mile I'm getting there. Any tips on helping this old smoker to breath better when running slowly?

[renaissance]

I have never been a runner and have always wanted to. Kayak or bike long distances, sure, but running has always hurt and I've been trying since I was a kid too.

I played soccer and my mom would make me run every NOW or whatever event run she could find. It always hurt.

Well, I've been trying again, now that I quit smoking. I have a bad knee and ankle (same side), so I'm very careful with it, but my main problem is the breathing. I know I just kicked a 30 year smoking habit, but it's harder now than it was. I have been running back and forth on this little dirt road up a small mountain. I want to get on the road or a trail, so I went to the gym to see how far I've been running.

I can barely run a mile I'm getting there. Any tips on helping this old smoker to breath better when running slowly?

I don't know specifically about the breathing other than in through the nose, out through the mouth, and make sure you maintain good posture while running. However, when I first started working out I could barely run a mile without having to stop and walk. Now I'm up to 6 miles without stopping. My advice would be take it slow and you will start to see major improvements in the coming weeks. When you are running, you should be at a pace where you could hold a conversation with someone. Eventually you will see that pace and your average distance increase. In the meantime, don't be discouraged by having to slow down now and then. You don't have to be running to build up your endurance.

[MattFancy]

I haven't run in almost 2 months . Between the weather and having a baby, I've had no time for anything. Need to get back into ASAP if I'm still going to do the Baltimore Half in 2 months.

---------- Post added August-13th-2012 at 08:52 AM ----------

Do you guys think it too late (for training purposes) to sign up for a Sept 16 half marathon?

I've never run a half marathon before, or any competitive race for that matter.

I did my 1st half last year. I started training in mid-July for a race in October. I slacked off towards the end, but you could totally do it by September. For your 1st one, you'll feel great just finishing. Good luck!

[renaissance]

I did my 1st half last year. I started training in mid-July for a race in October. I slacked off towards the end, but you could totally do it by September. For your 1st one, you'll feel great just finishing. Good luck!

Yea I ended up registering and am doing an 8 week program I found online. I'm not going for greatness here. My goals are to finish, finish in 3:00:00, finish in 2:43:00, and finish in 2:37:00.