Hi Mama! I just started training recently for my first marathon. About two years ago I decided I wanted to be able to run five miles. I'd never run more than a mile, in gym class, you know? I just needed something new for an exercise goal and that's what I picked. It took me seven months, but I did it. Then for about a half a year I ran five miles a couple times a week and then decided to work up to ten, which took me all of three weeks. I piddled around at ten, eleven, twelve miles a run once a week or so and then around Christmas decided to try to train for a marathon. I'm using the schedules at marathontraining.com. They have a mileage build-up schedule and a marathon training schedule. The website says that if you can run thirteen miles at a time and are running about 25 miles a week, you're ready to start the marathon training schedule. I could do the thirteen miles, but I wasn't doing anywhere near 25 a week, so I started with the mileage build-up schedule. I'm several weeks in and my schedule this week looks like this:
Sunday - 8 miles
Monday - rest
Tuesday - 4 miles
Wednesday - 6 miles
Thursday - 4 miles
Friday - rest
Saturday - 4 miles
Hi Tomkandra!! Thanks for letting me in on your goal setting and reaching!! Thats awesome! I dont know why, but Ive always wanted to participate in a marathon of some sort...I mean, I know Im far from fit...but I know its not impossible...when I was 200lbs..i ran in a bootcamp that our gym held....we ran three times a week..I cant remember how long we ran...but I managed...and the trainer told me that I obviously have running experience... ( in highschool i did belong to a running club, but once I graduated I just began to bike...a LOT (and ran a couple of times a week or so for a maximum of 20 minutes..that was my wall..or so I thought!)...so anyway I biked hardcore for about 10 years...until I graduated from uni...got a car...and well...had two kids...and...well!!! in the past 6 years gained a lot of weight..and I just want to get back outside...for me!...I have an old co worker who runs 3 times a week...im scared to say I will go with her, because I dont want to emberass myself in front of her or her friends...and definetley dont want to hold her up!! sigh!
Location: Lyin' in a puddle of sweat on the floor.
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MamaC, have you heard of the Couch to 5K (C25K) program? It's on the Cool Running website, free, and is a beginner's program for running. I know you said you're not a beginner, but it would give you some ideas on how to ease back into it. There's another thread here on the Exercise forum for the C25K, and they just started in the past week. I'm sure you could join in on that thread, too, if you decide to do the C25K and don't want to go it alone. You'd be able to catch up to your friend at work in no time!
mamac - if you want to do it, that's great. Some people run because they feel like they have to to lose weight, and hate every minute, and some people run because they want to run, and love it. Of course there are all sorts of in betweens (I know I hate it some days and love it on others), but if you want to run and have a proper running goal it seems to work better than only running because it will help you achieve something else.
Start slowly, build up gradually, and you'll get there. I couldn't run to the next lamppost when I started out, but I worked at it, and now I run marathons. You don't need to run marathons to be a runner, but it's a great long term goal to have because it will make sure you stick to your routine for more than a couple of weeks!
HI guys...so i have a fitness plan too...with regards to the running part anyway! Tomorrow I am going to start the Couch to 5K program!! ALSo, starting April 12 at my gym (YMCA) they have a running clinic...with the goal of running in the 5km race June 1!! SOO...those are my current goals!! I decided...I should Just Do it...rather than talk about it...and forget about being scared....i know I can do this...its just as much mental as physical right!!! Im happy to hear from others who are running, and running to train for marathons or increase their running! Look forward to keeping you updated!!! Thanks!!!!
I restarted the c25k yesterday. After 2 weeks of limping, my foot was FINALLY well enough to resume, but I was so out of it, that even doing week 1 again was tough. My old faithful tennis shoes served me well. NO more NEW shoes for a while. My legs were screaming at me and I didn't think I was going to make it through but I did. It's amazing how fast you lose your momentum isn't it? I just wanna run for a straight 30 minutes or more like most of you do. I swear, Helen is my hero! You rock woman!
Helen's pretty much on a pedestal for me, too! Good job getting restarted, Roni. Hope you get back in the swing of things soon!
Mama, way to go making a plan! Sounds like you have some great ideas, and I can't wait to hear how your race goes. It'll be here before you know it!
Cheryl, hope you got good sleep!
I did an easy four miles today. I'm still in awe that I can say that..."easy four miles"...ha. There was a time, not too long ago, that I couldn't even say "easy one mile".
I have a question. I have been running for about 13 years but have never been able to increase the size of my stride. I seem to short step my stride and it wears me out very quickly. I run about a 1.5 miles 3 times a week. i used to run more and hope to increase it again over this summer. I would like to be able to run a marathon one day. But I know I need to find a way to increase the size of my stride to be able to train properly. I would appreciate any suggestions.
Hi Dawn! I have never really thought about the size of my stride... Is it comfortable for you? Because, really, on long runs, running comfortably is so much more important for me than focusing on breathing or time or my route or anything. I give myself a free pass on my weekly long run to run at any pace I want without pushing myself, because on that particular day my goal is to run the whole time.
Maybe the other, more experienced runners will have better advice.
Take that pedestal away, quick. Today I managed 0.75 miles before giving up and getting on a bus (I was meant to be running to work). A slight leg niggle, which I don't want to take any chances with, was my excuse, but it's still knocked my confidence a bit. Fingers crossed it will heal up nicely before the weekend, I was planning to do a 20 mile race but I don't want to risk it if it doesn't feel right.
I have a question. I have been running for about 13 years but have never been able to increase the size of my stride. I seem to short step my stride and it wears me out very quickly. I run about a 1.5 miles 3 times a week. i used to run more and hope to increase it again over this summer. I would like to be able to run a marathon one day. But I know I need to find a way to increase the size of my stride to be able to train properly. I would appreciate any suggestions.
Dawn
Most running things I have seen say to focus on stride cadence (the NUMBER of steps you take in a minute) and not stride length. As you develop leg strength, endurance and speed, your stride length will naturally increase slightly, but trying to force a change is more likely to cause injury than success. Overstriding will actually slow you down, not speed you up.
Personally, I say dont worry about stride length OR cadence, just go out and run. Run more, run consistantly.
Location: Lyin' in a puddle of sweat on the floor.
Posts: 2,296
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I'm not an experienced runner, but I wonder if the shortened stride could be related to something like a tightness in the hamstrings, and whether it could be helped with some type of stretching?
