New To Running

Freshlegs90 · March 2nd, 2007, 11:41 PM

I've just started runing these past few days and im thinking this might be the thing for me. At my jogging pace I ran 3 miles at a 6:20 pace the first day, not paying attention to my pace. Today I ran 2 miles but once i looked at my watch when i got home I realized I had run my first mile in 5:04 at a relatively quick pace. My question is, with having shins that will not tolerate more than 5 or 6 miles, would be a good distance for me to train for, and what would be a good goal in that distance?
Details would be greatly appreacated, I no absolutley nothing about pacing or racing so anything is helpfull, Thanks

**g_samsa** · March 3rd, 2007, 09:21 AM

You might want to check the distance carefully on that run. 5:04 is awfully fast for someone who just started running this week. Unless of course you do some serious other kinds of exercise. Actually, I would almost say the 3 miles at 6:20 pace is even more impressive because you shouldn't have the lung capacity for that yet (unless you've already been doing something else). Now, all that being said, advise.

If you can't run any more than 5 or 6 miles, you'll have to stick with a very short distance to compete in. The half or the mile would be the distance for you. To run further would require long runs for training (10 miles probably). The mile is good because it's a mix of speed work and medium distance. Roger Banister broke the 4 min mile with only 35 miles of running per week. He refined his training to such a point that he cut out all unnecessary miles. You ought to read his book. He was a university professor and doctor so he only had his lunch break to train every day. He was a minimalist. You might try something like that.

Freshlegs90 · March 3rd, 2007, 02:04 PM

I swam competitivly for about 5 years but took about a year off of regular exercise. I went out and measured the distance with a surveyer wheel and it was .98 miles so it was a little off when i ran the 6:20's i wasnt exactlly wiped out at the end, what would be a good way to gauge my fastest speed? just go to a track and run a mile as fast as i can or what?

**g_samsa** · March 3rd, 2007, 05:27 PM

Getting on a track and running a mile will give you an accurate time. But, there is one huge problem with doing that, which is that there isn't any competition and it's hard to measure your true speed unless you have someone pushing you. The thing to do is one of two things. Either enter a race and use it for a time trial, or get someone to pace you on the track. Those are the only two ways to see how fast you currently are. My guess is that if you can run 5 minute by yourself then you'll hit 4:40 with a pacer.

You should consider entering yourself in an all-comers track meet. They have them in every major city throughout the year so you should find one nearby. Just run it and test yourself. If you're still young and you find you have a talent for it then maybe you can push yourself for a career as an athlete.

Freshlegs90 · March 3rd, 2007, 06:41 PM

so i pushed harder and i just ran two miles on a track by myself and i ran 2 miles in 10:44. this is solidifying my curiosity about wether or not this is the thing for me. im not sure when the next race is around here in richmond but should i just look for a 5k and see how i do with some compitition?

**g_samsa** · March 4th, 2007, 12:37 AM

competing in Track events, road races, and cross country are all a little like learning to play guitar. It's always best to prepare for your gig before you perform. Don't do it for anybody else, don't listen to the audience, just you. When you race, you are racing against you, and use others to push YOU faster. If they beat you then that's cool as long as you pushed yourself as much as you could. Why am I saying this?

It's easy to get discouraged with a performance, really easy. You don't have a race to compare yourself to so anything you do will be a baseline. Use your first race to gauge where you are and build on it. Each time getting better compared to where you've been and against the competition. Try to hang on with the leaders a little bit longer each time. Soon you win the race because you've built up strength. Somebody who goes for the win right away might get lucky and win, but then they expect to win every time. When they get challenged they'll fall apart because they have no real experience.

I think racing a 5k is a great idea as long as you have a plan. That plan should include a period of at least some mental and physical training. Spend a few weeks just thinking about it and working out a game plan. Then run the race and see how you do. After the first one then you can go ahead and decide if you want to commit yourself to serious training and a longer prep-time.

I'm not trying to suggest that you lower your expectations at all. I'm just saying that you should keep your long term goals big and your short term goals small. Build a little at a time and you'll be stronger (except the guy who won the Olympic marathon in his first try at a marathon -- that's a true story).

Anyway. Go for it. I just did an hour of Yoga so I came back feeling a little spiritual. Sorry for all the longwindedness. Come back and report how you do when you're done.

Freshlegs90 · March 4th, 2007, 01:35 AM

the longwindedness is welcome, yoga is a welcome running partner and helps quite a bit. Ill start looking for my firt race. Thank for all of you help since you seem to be the only one conciderate enough to help, Again thanks.

FreshLegs