Running up a tab - Mar 3 to 9

[KSH]

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.

I know... that's not slug in my book! I keep around a 11:30 minute mile for my long runs (5 minute walk/2 minute run intervals)... and that's moving for me.

[indysteel]

On Wednesdays, I usually run 3 or so miles and then take a spinning class. I only had time to run last night and managed to do 6 miles on the treadmill, which is about 1.5 miles longer than I've gone since I began running again in January. I ran most of it at about a 9 minute mile pace, which I'm pretty happy with. The only thing that's buggin' me right now is that I'm far less breathless running on a treadmill than I am running outside at what feels like the same pace. I don't know if it's the cold air or what, but I run much better inside than out. Grrrr!

[Tiffany]

The only thing that's buggin' me right now is that I'm far less breathless running on a treadmill than I am running outside at what feels like the same pace. I don't know if it's the cold air or what, but I run much better inside than out. Grrrr!

Most people do. When you're running inside you don't have any other factors such as wind, hills, terrain, humidity, etc. I, however, am an exception (thank goodness). I run much better outside.

[roadie gal]

3 1/2 miles on the treadmill without any pain!! *happy dance* I still have my foot taped most of the time, but I think I've got the PF finally under control. My triathlon season may not be washed out!! Yay, Yay, yay!

[Grog]

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?

Keep in mind that most of them are in their mid-20s to mid-30s and students who live on campus (they walk or cycle a lot, not quite sedentary).

The first run we took about 38 minutes for 5 km, so maybe 7m30s / km . (About 12 min/mile.) The second run they did slightly under 7m/km, or about 11m15s miles. This week was a bit faster still. I expect them to hit between 6m00 and 6m30s within the next month and then to plateau there as they increase distance, depending on whether they hurt themselves (I hope not) and how much they stick to their plan (2-3 times a week running).

[Grog]

Interesting tempo run on the beach this morning. Looked like a total geek, wearing my Timex Ironman lap watch AND my Polar heart rate monitor (which doesn't keep track of laps) but I wanted to be metrics-driven today. Warmed up as we were running down the 2 km hill and after that tried to keep my HR constant around 185 for 8 minutes, took a walk/jog break of 4 minutes then increased the HR again to to the upper 180s for 12 minutes. Jogged back home (uphill of course). It was pretty tough but I didn't feel like I was in the red, only in the "burnt orange" zone.

And I went with my sweet partner. It's nice to have a view on his nice... hmm, hamstrings when I am in pain from running.

[emily_in_nc]

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.

JoAnn -- I don't have my book right here, but does Bingham really say to run at 3 mph? Are you sure that's not for the walking phase? (Or maybe I am misunderstanding you?) About the slowest I can run is 5.2 mph, and that is a slow jog. It's actually harder to run that slow than a bit faster, I think.

In any event, as you say, you can certainly speed it up! You don't have to go slower than what you're already going in order to follow his "plan". In other words, you don't have to start on 'week 1' if you're already beyond that in your abilities. Jump right ahead to 'week 4' if you're there (or wherever).

Deborajen -- thanks for your comment about slow/fast -- you're right that we need to stop apologizing for our paces, altho John "The Penguin" Bingham says he's slow, unapologetically; he celebrates his slowness! I like that. And I too have seen "beginner paced" club runs advertised at a 9:00 pace -- that kinda pisses me off, because for me, that would be a sprint! Not gonna happen! It's strange to me, because bike clubs have beginner paced rides at 10-12 mph; maybe the true slow runners don't join group runs, so there's just not the demand for a slower-paced running group. We're all out running by ourselves, I guess. I like running alone, but I expect time would pass a lot faster with a group, just like riding.

Emily

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi Guys,
I did my 3rd run walk last night. 30 mins. No pain, so maybe I am rounding the corner.

[HillSlugger]

Great news! I hope it continues.

[Grog]

I am also wondering how one could walk at 3 mph.

I use this pace converter: http://www.runningforfitness.org/calc/convert.php The "starting pace" for my beginner's group equals 5 mph, but that probably means running at about 6.5 mph and then walking for one minute at 4 mph here and there.

I suggest letting go of advice on speed and just doing what feels right. I wouldn't worry about running too fast!! Especially not if you're taking walking breaks.

Enjoy! And report!!

[Wahine]

Hi Guys,
I did my 3rd run walk last night. 30 mins. No pain, so maybe I am rounding the corner.

That sounds like great news!!

[rocknrollgirl]

Yes Yoda and even better we biked the trails behind my school on Tuesday and I pushed a bit and was ok. A little sore the next day, but really ok. A 1 on the pain scale. So maybe, maybe, this is the beginning of the end of all of this nonsense. ( come on ELBOW!!!)

[indysteel]

Most people do. When you're running inside you don't have any other factors such as wind, hills, terrain, humidity, etc. I, however, am an exception (thank goodness). I run much better outside.

I ran into a trainer at the Y last night (he heads the tri group) and he said that running on a treadmill with the incline set at 2% better mimics running outside. I'm going to try that and see how it feels.

[alpinerabbit]

I rented an aquajog belt tonight at the pool.

I asked a girl who was doing it what I am supposed to do - don't know yet if I did it right, but my HR was maybe 100.

So not very strenuous and I am wondering if it can do more for ya. A Tri Club mate trained almost exclusively in the water for a sub-4h marathon.

The weirdest thing was going to the loo after 40 mins - I felt like I had just landed after being on the moon. HEAVY.

[rocknrollgirl]

Your hr will not be as high during pool running because of the bouancy of the water. From what I have read, it is min to min the same as running on land.