Running Squad (Quit procrastinating! Go for a run.)

[Siha]

http://nerdfitness.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=652&d=1315228933

For all the runners, so we can hang out here when we aren't out running, and cheer each other on after we have. (And if Batman isn't motivation enough, may I suggest a more epic motivator?)

[BarefootDawsy]

So how many of you have done a marathon? I'm planning on lining one up for next year and was wondering how you trained and whether you would do anything different the next time 'round?

[catspaw]

If I was going to train for a marathon again, the biggest thing I would do differently is watch for over-training signs.

Marathoning is a very life-consuming event: you're running an incredible number of hours per week, and when you're not running, you're planning your runs or your diet or your social life around your runs. I went to Vegas with some friends one weekend, and went to bed at 10pm, sober, because I needed to get up and run 12 miles the next morning. Fortunately, running along the Vegas strip was badass, but that's the sort of thing I mean.

HOWEVER, there's a fine line between the life-consuming event that it will be, and overtraining.

The week that my Saturday run was 17 miles, I stopped sleeping properly. I'd fall asleep exhausted every night, and then wake up about 3 hours later totally awake. I stopped being hungry. And my stress levels were strangely high. If I'd been paying attention, I would have recognized these to be overtraining symptoms but I didn't.

As a result, on my 18 mile run, my exhausted overtrained body twisted my ankle.

I had to spend weeks on end in rehab and running on an Alter-G treadmill, and although I was still able to run the marathon, it was at a much, much slower speed than I would have liked, on my braced ankle.

Anyway, that would be my main point of advice. Expect it to consume your life, but be careful.

[catspaw]

Oh, and in a recent article for Runner's World, I read this great tip about the intensity of marathons: "Even if you cry, you still get a medal".

[Siha]

So, challenges?

I have been getting asked about them, and I have no clue what the answer should be.

Should we have our own weekly goals? Should we have a group goal (and if so, suggestions as to what they should be)? Should we just work off our individual six week plans and completely ignore the weekly challenges other than check in?

What say you?

[Robzilla1983]

I would think being vague with the challenges is the way to go since we're all running at different levels here. For me, getting in 3 runs a week is the challenge. But, we can also throw in something like run a different route, or run the same route but for time. If any two people are at the same level we could do more PVP. My goal is a 30 minute 5k

[Siha]

I'm working toward the same. I'm trying to get my 5k to 30 or under.

What's your time at now?

[Robzilla1983]

I'm working toward the same. I'm trying to get my 5k to 30 or under.

What's your time at now?

No idea

Last year I did one in 32 minutes. Right now I've been following couch to 5k. My speed during the run part is certainly faster than last year. I think my lungs will hold out, I'm just a little nervous for my legs taking that much strain. My fitness level is certainly higher than last year, so I'm hoping after a few weeks of training it'll be fine.

[Siha]

I'm at 33 right now.

PVP? First one to 30?

[Robzilla1983]

I'm at 33 right now.

PVP? First one to 30?

Sure. My first crack at it will be in two weeks. Unless I feel amazing before then. After tonight's run, I think I'll need more than 2 weeks

[cacodaemonia]

For me, getting in 3 runs a week is the challenge.

That's about where I'm at. Recovering from an injury, so I'm trying to do 3 runs a week for a total of 4-6 miles. Is anyone else on here around that level?

[mcdrew]

I guess I'm around that. I currently do about 4 runs a week that would total about 7 miles. Not sure what my 5k time would be. Right now I'm easing my bones into the distances. Still :s

Frustrating!

[Robzilla1983]

Sweet. Nice to see a bunch at the same place.

So, pvpvpvpvp challenge (did I hit enough Ps?) Fastest 5k time? I'm thinking anytime in the last week of the challenge, run a 5k for time. Winner gets bragging rights. Loser? I dunno. But I'm open to suggestions.....

[CthulianDreams]

I just finished week 4 of the C25K program. I'm up for a PvP if we can use the times from the last week of the challenge, since that'll be week 9 of the program for me. I have no illusions of winning, but the competition will be fun.

[Lucía]

Just wanted to pop in to say how much I LOVE the batman picture. It's SO going on my fridge!

[Siha]

Sweet. Nice to see a bunch at the same place.

So, pvpvpvpvp challenge (did I hit enough Ps?) Fastest 5k time? I'm thinking anytime in the last week of the challenge, run a 5k for time. Winner gets bragging rights. Loser? I dunno. But I'm open to suggestions.....

I like this.

[Havock]

w00t runners guild! I'm doing 2 miles minimum and trying to finish C25k, also want to get a 3.1 mile in on the weekends. But I'm still walking for the majority of my 2 miles, working up to a solid 30 min run even if its on granny speed XD

[string]

Since my running goal is just 'run six days a week' and I'm counting rugby practice on days that I have it, I really like the idea of having the 5k competition to work towards!

Looking forward to keeping up with all of your running success!!

[cacodaemonia]

So, pvpvpvpvp challenge (did I hit enough Ps?) Fastest 5k time? I'm thinking anytime in the last week of the challenge, run a 5k for time. Winner gets bragging rights.

Yeah, that sounds awesome! I've never actually run a 5K for time before, but if I can stay injury free until the last week, I'm in!

[FiendFyre]

But I'm still walking for the majority of my 2 miles, working up to a solid 30 min run even if its on granny speed XD

Great goal, Havock! There's nothing wrong with some LSD (long slow distance) and the conditioning aspect of running has a way of sneaking up on you if you don't push yourself in a progression. I didn't have a program I was following, so after getting up to a 10min jog I didn't keep pushing because that was such a huge thing for me in itself. Luckily, about 2 weeks later I got a wild hair and was able to jog 20min straight and yeah, it was granny speed, like 4mph. Keep it up!

[Sundae]

Though I would say hey, since after seeing the "Quit procrastinating" i decided to quit procrastinating and go for a run, I will edit this post with my time later but for now good luck all.

*edit* Time was 26:31.50 for 3.3 miles(7.5mi/hr pace), and a couple stops/walks at traffic lights.

[spezzy]

there are 13 of you.

y'all want to split in two or stick together?

[Robzilla1983]

Doesn't matter much to me

[cacodaemonia]

*edit* Time was 26:31.50 for 3.3 miles(7.5mi/hr pace), and a couple stops/walks at traffic lights.

Damn, that's awesome! Do you run 5Ks a lot?

Spezzy - I'm cool either way. If we do split up, it might be a good idea to try and group faster and slower runners together so that each group has similar goals.

[Sundae]

I have never ran a 5k, 5 years ago I did a mile run, but that is it. The running is just to stay in shape and to try to get faster for ultimate, and this summer is the first time I have managed to stick with running regularly for more than a couple days, previously it would be once a week or less I would go run a few miles, but I was very slow then.