So..... running

[lostkat]

Some good advice there, which I will endeavor to take on board. Thank you. Would you recommend any books to novices? I'm not bothered about racing to beat people or running marathons, but it'd be good to get some tips. I've started posting in the n00b section on Runners World again as I found that helped last time

With regards to a training plan, I've found an 8 week plan which I will follow leading up to the 10km. For now, I'll just work on distance and endurance though. If I can get back up to 8km comfortably then I'll be really happy and can start working on speed

I've also been thinking about maybe joining a club. There's one very local to me who meet on a Tuesday or Friday at 7pm and they do a buddy system for n00bs where they partner them with someone experienced. I might pop along one Friday once I can comfortably manage 6-7km. I can switch to Tuesdays once I finish Uni in May It'll be a cracking replacement for Uni. The club also runs a 10km in August. It's cross country and very hilly. Eek!

[ojo]

Originally Posted by lostkat

Some good advice there, which I will endeavor to take on board. Thank you. Would you recommend any books to novices? I'm not bothered about racing to beat people or running marathons, but it'd be good to get some tips. I've started posting in the n00b section on Runners World again as I found that helped last time

Runner's World is a good forum. Do you get the magazine? It is fairly cheap on subscription. Fetcheveryone is also a good site which allows you to create training plans and log miles. I use it daily and the forums are a little more... colourful It has groups, say of 500 miles per year and they are really supportive. There are some excellent runners on it who really go out of their way to help.

For a book I really do swear by the Glover one as it covers everything. It is not only for the 'serious' runners. I will have a look around for any other recommendations.

Originally Posted by lostkat

With regards to a training plan, I've found an 8 week plan which I will follow leading up to the 10km. For now, I'll just work on distance and endurance though. If I can get back up to 8km comfortably then I'll be really happy and can start working on speed

Sounds the right way to go about it. From the Glover book, it is explained with a pyramid:


Mainly you concentrate on the foundation bit and as you get more experienced and get closer to an important race you add some speedwork. It is not recommended unless you have the base training wrapped up.

Originally Posted by lostkat

I've also been thinking about maybe joining a club. There's one very local to me who meet on a Tuesday or Friday at 7pm and they do a buddy system for n00bs where they partner them with someone experienced. I might pop along one Friday once I can comfortably manage 6-7km. I can switch to Tuesdays once I finish Uni in May It'll be a cracking replacement for Uni. The club also runs a 10km in August. It's cross country and very hilly. Eek!

Excellent! It can be scary but the buddy system sounds good. I will suggest it to our captain Clubs usually host a race or two over the year and there are some crackers. Most of all you will find it a social event and start hating the idea of missing a session.

Good luck!

PS You may be able to do 10k if you slow run for, say 3k, walk 1k, run 3k walk 1k and run the last 2k. You will find your runs get longer and the walks get shorter. Just keep it easy and the rest will fall in to place.

[lostkat]

Brilliant, thanks very much. Really do appreciate this. Would you suggest that I attempt 10k's pretty soon even if I can't run the whole way yet? Say, for my weekly long run, if I do a route which is 10k and then plan to walk/run it rather than just doing a shorter route of non-stop running? I hope that makes sense.

[cleanbluesky]

Originally Posted by ojo

Buy some books: The Competitive Runner's Handbook by Glover & Glover is excellent.

Ordered. Maybe I'll get the next one later, either way I have plenty to read at the moment.

[lostkat]

You sod, you got it off Amazon didn't you? I went to pay and it said it had been removed from my cart as it was no longer available

[cleanbluesky]

Originally Posted by lostkat

You sod, you got it off Amazon didn't you? I went to pay and it said it had been removed from my cart as it was no longer available

You snooze, y...

On second thoughts, just have this really smug picture

[ojo]

Originally Posted by lostkat

Brilliant, thanks very much. Really do appreciate this. Would you suggest that I attempt 10k's pretty soon even if I can't run the whole way yet? Say, for my weekly long run, if I do a route which is 10k and then plan to walk/run it rather than just doing a shorter route of non-stop running? I hope that makes sense.

If you can run 8k in training you will probably be able to run the whole thing on the day. It will be a great feeling of achievement. However, if you think that you can stretch to 10k on your long run by putting in walk breaks then all the better! Your long run apparently should be a little less than 1/3 of your total mileage for the week and never more than 1/2. It usually accounts for 1/3 of mine on a 69 mile week.

What stops you from running? It is hurting legs? If you slow down you just may be able to go further. It is the distance which counts on the long run. Even 9½ - 10½ mm pace is great!

[lostkat]

No, I have pretty strong legs due to the amount of squats/lunges etc. I do as part of my normal weekly exercise. It's lack of breath and lack of stamina more than anything. I think I can't make it, so I'll walk for a few hundred yards. I'm absolutely sure I can push through it though, given enough time. I think I'll start doing the 10km on a Sunday and just see how much of it I have to walk, then work on reducing it every week. Thanks for the sponsorship

Have also ordered the book!

[ojo]

Okay, slow down your pace until you can speak in full sentences. It may feel pretty slow but it will ensure that you are going at a good manageable pace. You will get faster.

Who you speak to is up to you.

[lostkat]

Oh Christ, people are going to think I'm bloody nuts Will have a go and see how I do when I next go out. I get stitch too and that's only cured by making sure I breathe really deeply. Need to get the hang of this belly breathing again.

Did 5.38km today including a ruddy massive hill. Had to stop for a pedestrian crossing because traffic was busy, but apart from that I was alright. I've scoped out my 9.5kmish route for Sunday morning and am going to do the running/walking combinations. Not sure how to time it yet though as I don't have a stop watch. So many things to sort out!!!