|
|
JCyrus
Newbie
|
|
|
Joined: 02 Jun 2006
Posts: 13
|
| Back to top
|
|
 Posted: 06/02/06 - 18:32 Post subject: Preparing for Something, Not Quite Sure
Hi!
I'm relatively new to the sport of running. I run/walk a few 5k's per year, (generally finishing between 36-48 minutes) but I'd like to get more involved with running.
I'm going to be in my junior year of high school this coming fall, and my short term goal is to be able to run a half-marathon. Heading into the future, I'd like to be able to do a marathon before I finish college, and continue to do one or two distance races per year after that.
I have stamina, and I have no doubt that I could finish a half-marathon or full-marathon as a walker, but I'd like to run, and have a somewhat respectable time. Last summer, I hiked in a 34 mile ultramarathon, and made it about 14 miles before an injury caused me to have to drop out. The trail could be considered extreme terrain, and so, while I know I'm not in the same shape as I was last year, I figure I could do something similar on a roadcourse, and possibly go faster and farther.
Anyway, that was just a bit of background about myself. Really, I'm not a runner, my PR for the mile is something like 11:30, and that's on a track. My PR for 5k is 36 minutes, but I generally average around 42.
So I'd like to start training towards my goal, but really I'm not sure what m goal is. Every training program I've looked at online or in books is written to prepare you for a marathon in x number of weeks, and that's not what I want.
I want to build up my strength, speed, and endurance to the point that I could run a half or full marathon if I wanted to, but I don't want to figure out exactly which marathon I want to do, and when, and then start training 17-27 weeks ahead of time.
Anyone have any good suggestions on a way that I can train to bring myself up to the level of being able to do a half or full marathon, without having to pick a specific race ahead of time. I'd like to test myself first, and be fairly confident that I can do it in a good amount of time before actually sitting down, looking at the websites and saying "This looks like the best race for me. I'm going to do it."
Really, I don't have any types of time or speed goals, just to be at a somewhat competitive level. Really, my goal is to finish the event, in and of my own will and power, and I'd like to not be the last person, so I need to be at a pace where I can be beating the cops who are tearing down the barricades.
Thank you all in advance. I'm sure I'm going to enjoy talking with you on these forums in the future.
|
|
|
gretriever
Hipster Doofus
|
|
|
Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 19385
Location: A moving target in a firing range.
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 06/03/06 - 22:26 Post subject:
| JCyrus wrote: | Thanks for the advice.
The one thing that sort of confuses me. Some training plans want you to run x number of miles on a specific day, whereas others want you to run x number of minutes. Is either way better? |
For people who are starting to run, or are in your situation, some plans do simply give you a goal of running a certain length of time. One that quite a few people here have used in starting out is the C25K plan.
Once you are into the running on a regular basis, most plans call for you to run a given number of miles per week. How many you run per day, how many days per week you run, etc., depends really on what goal you set for a given distance (like how fast you would want to run your half). Which does lead back to your original post - what do you feel is "a somewhat respectable time"? Do you have any recurring injury problems - especially with regard from the waist down?
You sound like you have a good attitude approaching this, and you are asking questions rather than going into it unprepared. Don't hesitate to ask anything about running - the only stupid question is the one you don't ask.
|
|
|
JCyrus
Newbie
|
|
|
Joined: 02 Jun 2006
Posts: 13
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 06/07/06 - 05:54 Post subject:
Next question.
I can't really run a mile. My training regimen thus far has been running 1 mile at about 5:30AM and then walking my dog a mile in the evening, around 7PM.
My "run" is a lot faster paced than the walk, but I'm still probably walking a bit more than I'm running. Today, I did my mile run in 10:40 and yesterday's walk was 14:55. There seems to be alot of fluctuation in how fast I'm actually running too. I sort of want to be able to run or jog almost all of the mile before moving on more. Assuming that I want to gradually build up a strong distance, is it a good idea to spend several weeks running one mile, so that I can actually run the whole mile before moving up to 1.5-2 miles? And also, if that's a good idea, should I stay at the next distance for as long as it takes me to be able to run it?
Thanks in advance.
|
Welcome! You really need to build a mileage base up to where you are running 25mpw for several months before you would possibly be ready for a half marathon. This is done by running a few times a week shorter distances with a longer run usually on the weekend. Don't increase your mileage by more than 10% each week.
