Running up a tab - Mar 3 to 9

[Idealmuse]

6 miles in 60 minutes is a slug?

Then what's 4.2 miles in 60 minutes? (Although I admit I have 1-2 min walk breaks in there every 4-5 mins) and that's on a treadmill! I'd hate to see what I can do outside.

[Grog]

Tuesday workout: done.

With a conversation about the meaning of life on top of that. Some mornings are more productive than others!!

Now off to work.

[OakLeaf]

Oakleaf, when you run on the beach are you barefoot?

I wish. I overpronate so badly I can't even walk around the house barefoot. My Chi Running goal is to wean myself off orthotics, but I'm nowhere near there yet. Maybe someday I can wean myself off shoes, but that's not even on the radar right now.

[tattiefritter]

Tattie (and Yoda), what's a good stretch for the post. tib.? I have an awful time stretching any of my deep muscles. Do the usual calf stretches target it enough? (actually what I'm really having trouble with right now is the upper pecs)

Don't really know a good stretch for it (which will probably have something to do with mine being tight!) I only do some general calf stretches - and I have been neglecting even those. Which reminds me stretch time!

[Jo-n-NY]

I am beginning today when I get home from work on the treadmill. I have never ran a day in my life. I figured I would post here so chances are I won't wimp out.

I got the book Emily mentioned. Needless to say I won't finish reading it before I get home. But I did read where the author began with 1/4 of a mile. So the plan is to run a bit and walk a bit. I usually walk at 3.8-4mph for 2-3 miles. I will try for 2 miles, but a slower pace because I already know I cannot run at 3.8mph at least to begin with.

I sure would be nice to enjoy this along with cycling.

~ JoAnn

[Grog]

I got the book Emily mentioned. Needless to say I won't finish reading it before I get home. But I did read where the author began with 1/4 of a mile.

I hope you have a good time running!

Last time I did this workout with a bunch of beginneers and it worked well:

3 min walk workout
1 min run / 1 min walk
2 min run / 1 min walk
3 min run / 1 min walk
4 min run / 1 min walk
The 4 min bit really tested the limits for some of them but they could do it.

Then we did a mix of 1min-30sec and 2 min - 1 min and stuff like that for the rest of the workout.

Don't by shy and plan your walking breaks. It's much nicer to walk when it's planned than to walk because you can't handle running anymore!!

Enjoy!!!

[VeloVT]

6 miles in 60 minutes is a slug?

Then what's 4.2 miles in 60 minutes? (Although I admit I have 1-2 min walk breaks in there every 4-5 mins) and that's on a treadmill! I'd hate to see what I can do outside.

you know, as counterintuitive as it sounds, I don't think the treadmill is easier than running outside. I can hold a seven minute mile outside for many miles (and faster paces for a shorter time) but after 5 minutes at 7:30 on the treadmill I'm ready to slow down :30 -- 1:00/mile for a while. My treadmill runs are always, well, I don't know if they deserve to be called intervals, but I always have spurts of faster running followed by longer slow periods -- and the fast periods are considerably slower than my working-hard-but-not-horribly-uncomfortable pace outside. I just can't seem to hold a fast pace on the treadmill.

I also can't run for more than about 40 minutes on the treadmill without succombing to extreme boredom, even with an Ipod ... Luckily my university gym has a small indoor track. When it's just too yucky to run outside, I alternate between the treadmill and the track -- 4 continuous miles on the treadmill, 4 hard mile intervals interspersed with walking on the track, etc.

I also find I'm more prone to niggling problems on the treadmill than outside (blisters, tight calves, etc).

[emily_in_nc]

I ran 5 miles again on the treadmill today. I cut nearly 2 minutes off my time from last week, and for the first time ever, my overall pace was < 10:30. It's so neat to see (and feel) progress. Makes the effort all worthwhile; it really does get easier, just like all the books say.

I sent a PM to Jo-n-NY; I think it's great that she's joining us! We beginners have a lot to learn from the more experienced runners here. You've all been very inspirational to me, and it's nice to feel a part of this little sub-group of TE, especially since I am not riding at them moment (soon, though!)

Emily

[Grog]

Another 5-something km with my beginners' group. I have a slight pain on the inside of my left leg that's annoying me, but I've just changed shoes so we'll see.

Beautiful evening... A bit chilly though, only about 4 C, but crisp and clear. Ah! Vancouver...

[Tiffany]

Got outside today and ran ... thank goodness the snow from yesterday melted FAST! I started the run intending to go 5 miles. I felt so good I ended up running 6.5! I couldn't believe how good I was feeling. Finally had to stop b/c the sun went down and the cold was really kicking in.

Great running day today

<----- Oh yeah, he's the best running partner.

[Deborajen]

My first run of 6 miles in... well about 3 years. Felt okay.. was on trail and the ground was soft, so my calves are singing tonight. But I feel quite a bit of accomplishment! Did 6.1 miles in 60 minutes. OK by me.. I know I'm a slug!

Not picking on you jesvetmed but ya know, I think we should all just put a lid on this "I'm slow" and "I'm a slug" crap. Are you dead last? If you're not, then how do you think the people BEHIND you feel when you talk about how slow YOU are? And if you are dead last, so what? Somebody has to come in last - it's still a finish, and still an accomplishment. Why make it sound like a bad thing?

I've been running for six years now so I can't call myself a beginner, but I'll admit I have a lot to learn and resources are hard to come by. Our local running club's weekly "slow-paced, easy run - suited for beginners" - is 9 minutes per mile. That just kills me - no wonder so many people are hesitant to give running a try. I'd have to train quite a bit and I still couldn't keep up with that.

So I did 4 miles Sunday, have been doing some cross-training on the stairstepper and am planning on doing 3 miles of fartleks tomorrow (yes, the running "f" word). Keep up the good work everyone. You all rock - really!

Deb

[Wahine]

The way I look at the slow/fast thing is this, the people running slower are suffering just as much as the people running faster to run the same distance.... but for a longer time. That makes them way tougher than the fasty shmasty people.

I haven't been posting here because I am officially sick of my high volume weeks and don't want to talk about it anymore.

[Jo-n-NY]

First, Thank you Emily for your PM. You gave me a great guide to go by especially the speed that you began at. On my train ride home from work I read a lot of the book "The Courage to Start" which I purchased during my lunch hour. I think I am feeling the excitement of having something different to try.

Anyway, I went on the treadmill for 30min last night, run 2 minutes, walk for 2, however the speed of 3.0mph was very slow. I think I will speed it up. I honestly do not think I can run for 2 minutes at a faster speed, but like the books says I will do whatever I can and go from there.

Grog, I like that guide also and will try it on my next workout which will probably be Saturday. May I ask what speed your beginners began at?

Thank you all....it is always fun to look forward to another challenge.

~ JoAnn

[HillSlugger]

I had a poor run this morning. I feel like yesterday's commute completely wiped me out, and I'm not sure why; two 44 minute rides 8 hours apart shouldn't have made me so tired. Last night I had no enthusiasm for deciding/planning what I'd do this morning. This morning I still felt unmotivated...and slow! Oy!

[KSH]

*Stretches out and rubs her belly*

This has been a recovery week for me. Sweet... sweet recovery week.

The last day I ran was 3-1-08... and that was for 88 minutes... or 7.25 miles (3 minute walk/2 minute run combo).

I get to run tonight, 3-6-08, for 40 minutes... treadmill run thanks to it being dark when I get off work AND crappy weather. Blah. The treadmill running has been wearing on me.

My next long run is for 3-9-08, 2 hours and 15 minutes. Will be around 11-12 miles for me.

Then for the rest of March... on Sunday I run 2:30, 2:40 and then 1:00. So a build for 3 weeks and then sweet... sweet recovery!