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Why by time and not by miles
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I have justed started running again and while not slow (about 11k/hour) I am not fast either.
My training plan says to do a particular mileage so I do it. Why should I be running by time, doesn't that discourage trying to get faster? Currently doing between 16-20 miles a week.
My training plan says to do a particular mileage so I do it. Why should I be running by time, doesn't that discourage trying to get faster? Currently doing between 16-20 miles a week.
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My plan is in distances, so I convert those to times, knowing my average plodding pace and go out for half the time and then back.
And 11 km/hr is a lot quicker than me!!
One tip for you though. If you run on a treadmill set the incline to 1.0 to replicate the wind resistance you'd get running outside
Have you thought about maybe starting off with a 5 minute fast walk to warm up?
Laura
Weirdly enough, I find the first fewm minutes running after setting off the easiest. The middle is often the hardest, then I get a second wind. How far do you run?
Laura
I wrote a reply to this, but somehow it's not appeared. The basis of it was that I agree with what you're saying - but I don't think it's entirely the same for everyone. I find the first section of my run the easiest.. plus, I run for 20 minutes, so if I used the first 10 minutes as a warm up, there wouldn't really be much left! However, I think GO's problem is related to not being warmed up, yes. How far are you running?
Laura
Once I get over the initial struggling on a good day I can just plod along for ages. I find it also helps clear the head as I don't actually think about anything at all whilst running - or at lease anything sensible that is - and if I start to get tired I count from 1 to 100 over and over as I find it focuses the mind and blots out any feeling of tiredness - what do others think about when running?
It being dark is a nightmare.. (can't run off-road)
How was the Dublin Marathon? Hope it went well.
What's the longest run (in terms of hours/minutes) you've done?
Laura
Dublin was OK - cold and very windy but most enjoyable despite suffering a calf injury at about 2 miles when a spectator stepped out in front of me and I had to do a sudden swerve to avoid him - and stubbed my toe - ouch!! Time was not too bad - a little over 5 hours but wanted to do better.
Longest training run is about 2 hours
I can't imagine running for 5 hours. Actually, I can - but it's more likely to be in one of my nightmares than a daydream! Why did someone step out in front of you? That's bad.
I use a Petzl Zoom headtorch at the moment. On trails with absolutely no artificial light, and with tree cover, it's barely adequate. I'd prefer a more powerful one like a Silva or something. When there's snow on the ground (like now) it's a lot lighter.
It's very tranquil running in darkness. On an easy run you have time to look at the stars, and there is never a whippet racing past you. Plus you get loads of mental brownie points for being out at all.
I like running in the dark -no one can see my red face - but it's OK for you men - us women have to be a little careful unfortunately.
Sorry to butt in on unrelated question but SteveC got me thinking.
I much prefer trail running as it means the dog can be off the lead and we both get a good session. Unfortunately now it's too dark to set off at 6am through the local woods but I hadn't thought of a head torch! Aren't they a bit big and cumbersome (and wobbly?).
Where did you get yours SteveC?
Thanks.
BL
Yeah, that's true and I do agree benefits (of running) outweigh the risks. I haven't found Birmingham to FEEL that unsafe all the time I've been here (5 years).
However, when you can still run but not alone in the dark, around some city park, then that's what's preferable! Some of them have a lot of youths hanging about, and I hate getting comments shouted (which is what happened specifically every time I went to one of them, in the autumn). I prefer to run along well lit main roads with plenty of cars around and students (although statistically, I don't know how the risk compares). Having said that, the one girl I do know who was raped whilst running was running in the day time.
As far as headtorches go, I've seen one advertised in Bournesports (mail order). You can probably get lightweight ones so I wouldn't have thought they were cumbersome.
I like the radio anyway, and don't get much time to listen, so 2 or 3 hours listening on a Sunday whilst running is a treat for me!
Field and Trek stock the Petzl brand that I use.
http://www.fieldandtrek.com/brand.asp?cat_id=BRANDEQUI
The Petzl Zoom I feel is (barely) adequate for unlit and totally shaded trails, but that's what I use, for about £20. The one I have has a spare low watt bulb built in. I think it lasts about 90 mins - I'm not sure - I use rechargeable NiMH batteries, three off. They sit in a battery pack at the back of the head, which balances the lamp nicely. The lamp can also be angled vertically as well as the zoom.
I ran out of light once and it was very difficult picking my way home in total darkness, so I also carry an LED light as backup - Petzk Tikka.
There are much more expensive and powerful lights used by orienteers. Silva are good but F&T don't seem to have them. The battery packs are heavier and tend to be carried in a pouch, harness or pocket rather than the head.
Given unlimited money I'd get a more powerful one with a flood - say 20W - I'd like to have more light in the periphery because I get a strange feeling of running into a tunnel with a narrower beam.
I also use the same light skating and skiing. It is handy on a bike too - in addition to the normal light you can swing your beam at cars on junctions if you think they haven't seen you and are going to come out.
I like driving and listening to music/to the radio, so presumably running for that length of time whilst doing the same shouldn't be boring. Longest I've ever run, I'm actually not sure - but am retrieving my old training diaries from the 1990s when I next go to visit my mum, so will know then!
I think a torch would be a good idea anyway, as you're less likely to trip over things or step into a hole/mess.
Laura
http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/Forum6/HTML/012060.shtml
Headtorch will go on my Christmas list.
Now that I have a dog to run with I'm not too worried about running in the dark, just falling over and looking like a prat. It would be a brave wouldbe mugger/rapist who took on Bootie but I wouldn't wear headphones... I like to hear what's going on around me.
I do have a small (but powerful) handheld torch but when I tried running with that it didn't feel right... got in the way somehow.
Have a good w/e all.
BL