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Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Mars on October 03, 2009, 10:26:50 pm

Title: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Mars on October 03, 2009, 10:26:50 pm
So I've been running for about ten months now, have my 5K time down to 23:40 and my mile down to 6:30 not so good, not so bad.

My problem is, I've been trying to work up to a 10K for about a month now, and I can't seem to run a full 10K at even 6mph (10 minute mile). Could it be a nutritional thing or do is there a specific thing that I missed?
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Blue Lion on October 03, 2009, 10:39:23 pm
Can you finish a 10k period?
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: StarSlayer on October 03, 2009, 10:51:16 pm
Are you unable to run 10K non stop or just not maintaining the speed you want?  Quite frankly 6 minute miles for 3 miles ain't nothing to be ashamed of.  I run about 10-9 miles and I find I just naturally run at a set pace which is pretty damn slow.  I find it difficult to try to set an overall faster speed then what I would naturally do, so instead I'll fartlek.  That is I'll throw in sprints for about 2 phone pole lengths (200 feet) where I'll run at full speed, then resume my standard pace till I recover then do it again.  It's a pretty good routine because it makes the run both an anaerobic and aerobic workout.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fartlek (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fartlek)

I'm not a professional runner or anything but hope that helps.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Locutus of Borg on October 04, 2009, 12:49:32 am
I got up one day and did a half marathon on no training. (I sound like an INFOMERCIAL...:S)

The method I use is this:

buy a watch which you can set to go off at intervals. Then set it to go off at intervals of say, 2 and 1 minutes.

The idea is, you will run for two minutes and then take a one minute walk break. Yes, you will be walking 33.33333% of the time, but you can still go pretty fast. If you feel up to it, up the ratio. I know someone who does six minutes, forty-five seconds running, then only thirty-five seconds walking.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Mika on October 04, 2009, 03:06:19 am
Mars, could you post your training schedule? What is your age?

From personal experience, buying a heartbeat monitor will drastically help running and if you don't know already, it makes distinguishing different breathing regions easier.

My guess is that 10 miles at 6 mph speed is probably too high target for starters. Longer distances are usually trained within aerobic region (116-140 BPM). While it is possible to do such distances faster (140-166 BPM), that is done once or twice in a week, while keeping the rest of the running slower.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Mars on October 04, 2009, 08:36:21 pm
I run hard 3 times a week and remain fairly active for the rest of the week. I am 20 years old.

Thank you all for your help - it seems my issue as almost entirely nutritional. I ate 1000 calories of pasta last night and went on a run tonight. I ran 6.7 miles in 6.2 minutes (9:15 minutes a mile) and it was amazing. I'm feeling prepared for my 10K race this Wednesday.  :)
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: General Battuta on October 04, 2009, 11:47:20 pm
You ran 6.7 miles in 372 seconds?

I mean, damn! That's 95 feet per second!
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: StarSlayer on October 04, 2009, 11:51:14 pm
You ran 6.7 miles in 372 seconds?

I mean, damn! That's 95 feet per second!

must have been killer pasta
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Mars on October 05, 2009, 01:25:49 am
lmfao - that should have been 62 minutes.

That pasta would be the ****.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: TrashMan on October 05, 2009, 01:45:21 am
I'd collapse after 2 miles.....
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Mars on October 05, 2009, 02:19:07 am
I'd collapse after 2 miles.....

Many people think that. I've gotten two people who swore up and down they couldn't run to do decent 5 kilometer runs. And I've not even been running for a year.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: achtung on October 05, 2009, 08:59:52 am
I've always wanted to do some serious running, but I seem to have issues with extreme throat pain on cooler days, it's a non-issue on hot days.

Does anyone else get throat pain and know what to do about it?
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Mars on October 05, 2009, 09:03:06 am
This may seem rather silly, but have you tried cough drops? Also dehydration is an evil, common thing.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Blue Lion on October 05, 2009, 09:03:36 am
I've always wanted to do some serious running, but I seem to have issues with extreme throat pain on cooler days, it's a non-issue on hot days.

Does anyone else get throat pain and know what to do about it?

Drink more water and maybe chew some gum while you run.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: achtung on October 05, 2009, 09:08:27 am
I always keep myself well hydrated.  I've also tried chewing gum/coughdrops, and sometimes they exacerbate the problem.  I've considered going to see an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist, just to see if it's something more severe.

It basically feels like my throat is drying out, but you would think it would come about on hot days if it were just a dry throat.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Mika on October 05, 2009, 01:17:05 pm
Quote
I run hard 3 times a week and remain fairly active for the rest of the week. I am 20 years old.

This may or may not be too much depending on the rest of your activities during the week and how hard is "hard". Please be a little more specific. If hard means trips lasting one hour or more, getting really sweaty and running out of breath, then there is a possibility of trying to overdo your physical capabilities, especially if other activities are involved.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Mika on October 05, 2009, 01:20:42 pm
Quote
I've always wanted to do some serious running, but I seem to have issues with extreme throat pain on cooler days, it's a non-issue on hot days.

Does anyone else get throat pain and know what to do about it?

Do you mean pain in throat or dry throat? And some other questions: what kind of running are you doing or planning to do? How cold are the cool days? Also, you said you would drink enough, then how much do you drink water?
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: achtung on October 05, 2009, 02:15:41 pm
Quote
I've always wanted to do some serious running, but I seem to have issues with extreme throat pain on cooler days, it's a non-issue on hot days.

Does anyone else get throat pain and know what to do about it?

Do you mean pain in throat or dry throat? And some other questions: what kind of running are you doing or planning to do? How cold are the cool days? Also, you said you would drink enough, then how much do you drink water?

Pain in the throat that feels like a dry throat, but in my experience, isn't.  Water, milk, and juice is all I drink.  I usually drink either a glass o milk or half a glass of water no more than thirty minutes before running.  The type of running I usually do is kind of like a brisk jog.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Colonol Dekker on October 05, 2009, 03:14:52 pm
I've always wanted to do some serious running, but I seem to have issues with extreme throat pain on cooler days, it's a non-issue on hot days.

Does anyone else get throat pain and know what to do about it?

Take a sporty water bottle / Lucozade style on your run. Drink water, not enough to fill your gut, just enough to rinse.. Then spit...

OR STOMACH CRAMP WILL KILL YOU!
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Titan on October 05, 2009, 03:17:15 pm
I'm an excellent sprinter. I'm just to lazy to actually commit to anything.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Mars on October 05, 2009, 03:18:40 pm
If you're good at something, you should milk it for all it's worth. Especially if you're still an underclassman in High School. It really does make things much more fun.


@Mika: I suspect you're right and I'm kinda overdoing it - I'm mostly training for a 10K on the 10th, so I'll probably stop pushing myself quite so hard after that date.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Titan on October 05, 2009, 03:20:00 pm
I signed up for FIRST robotics instead.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: MR_T3D on October 05, 2009, 03:21:22 pm
I'm an excellent sprinter. I'm just to lazy to actually commit to anything.
i get friggin bored after 3-4 miles, my optimal distance is about a mile, best time about 5:30
was impressed last weeking running 2/3rds mile with backpack and sweatpants in 5, having basicially not ran much at at all recently.
If you're good at something, you should milk it for all it's worth. Especially if you're still an underclassman in High School. It really does make things much more fun.
just don't be too much of an asshole about it...
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Mongoose on October 05, 2009, 03:32:16 pm
You people all make me feel even worse about myself...I don't know if I could even make it a full mile at this point without collapsing. :p
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: MR_T3D on October 05, 2009, 03:52:51 pm
You people all make me feel even worse about myself...I don't know if I could even make it a full mile at this point without collapsing. :p
you probably could. its 50% motivation.
actually, a lot of things are mostly motivation.
seriously, put your mind to something, and you have a good chance of being able to do it.
just believe in yourself.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Mongoose on October 05, 2009, 03:57:54 pm
No...I mean, if I tried to run a mile right now, my heart rate would accelerate to no-doubt-dangerous levels, I'd be gasping and wheezing for air within a half-mile, and I'd probably feel like I had to throw up at the end.  Motivation doesn't really cover those aspects. :p
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: MR_T3D on October 05, 2009, 04:04:20 pm
No...I mean, if I tried to run a mile right now, my heart rate would accelerate to no-doubt-dangerous levels, I'd be gasping and wheezing for air within a half-mile, and I'd probably feel like I had to throw up at the end.  Motivation doesn't really cover those aspects. :p
That's fair enough,
that's where 50% comes form... :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Mika on October 05, 2009, 04:17:57 pm
I've always wanted to do some serious running, but I seem to have issues with extreme throat pain on cooler days, it's a non-issue on hot days.

Does anyone else get throat pain and know what to do about it?

Take a sporty water bottle / Lucozade style on your run. Drink water, not enough to fill your gut, just enough to rinse.. Then spit...

OR STOMACH CRAMP WILL KILL YOU!

Haha! I usually only get some sloshing sounds. While we are at it, one should not do splits just before running. Running will just feel weird after that.

[Some personal experience for scaring people of doing stuff too much]:
Overdoing stuff is BAD. I mean for real it is BAD. I'm recovering from overstressed condition, has taken already one and a half years so far. The ****ty thing about overdoing stuff is that your mind (at least mine) works in a way that you don't realize it yourself. And it will continue until body gives in and simply cannot do more. Climbing one store up caused loss of breath and such... Add in being sick for six months as the immune system doesn't work nearly as well as it should. It is a condition where you definetely need doctors' (specialized in sports, typical doctors are quite clueless) help.
[/End personal experiences]

I recall getting dry (perhaps kind of pain, but I wouldn't describe it as such?) in throat in cold weather when going really fast. But doing stuff slower usually doesn't cause anything.

First snow by the way.

Mika
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Mars on October 05, 2009, 04:24:05 pm
lol, our first snow here was in September  :sigh:


@Titan: I'm sorry if I came out as assholish, I wasn't trying to insult you or anything.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Mika on October 05, 2009, 04:27:38 pm
Quote
No...I mean, if I tried to run a mile right now, my heart rate would accelerate to no-doubt-dangerous levels, I'd be gasping and wheezing for air within a half-mile, and I'd probably feel like I had to throw up at the end.  Motivation doesn't really cover those aspects.

There's an easy solution to this: slower. I haven't met anyone who couldn't jog/run a mile, provided that he doesn't try to be too fast.

A good starting speed would be one where you are able to speak normally with a friend who jogs next to you. This also means that your breathing rhythm doesn't change much from what it is during walking.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Polpolion on October 05, 2009, 07:31:31 pm
Seeing as how this is a running thread (Buahaha!), I'm interested in trying out for a uni Ultimate Frisbee team next year. I'm pretty good at Ultimate, so the only thing holding me back is probably my physical ability. The team I'm going for got 5th in some US wide tournament a year or so ago, so it's pretty intense. Last week I decided to start trying to get in shape, so the first thing I did was run a mile, and I did it in 7:09. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where to go from here? I know nothing about getting in shape.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Blue Lion on October 05, 2009, 07:43:55 pm
Eat better (you can almost always eat better) and stay active. It's not really that hard.

Start an exercise routine.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Polpolion on October 05, 2009, 07:47:14 pm
Eat better (you can almost always eat better) and stay active. It's not really that hard.

Start an exercise routine.

Uhh, what kind of exercise routine? I've been playing ultimate for two hours bi-weekly for the past year, and a 7 minute mile isn't exactly good, from what I've heard.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Blue Lion on October 05, 2009, 07:56:19 pm
A seven minute mile is about average for a person who isn't a runner. My best mile time is a few seconds over 5 minutes.

The workout is really all about what you want to work on but it's stuff as simple as running, lifting weights, push ups, sit ups.
Title: Re: Runners? Need advice.
Post by: Colonol Dekker on October 06, 2009, 02:41:26 am
Weights are secondary.
 
Press ups and sit ups, jogging, all you need. Chinups are a benefit but you need to develop the right muscle group first by doing monkey bars and climbing ropes / walls and crap.