10K's are not my least favorite distance, but I've heard that from other runners. It's sort of an awkward middle-of-the-road kind of race I think -- you can't pace it like a 5K because you'll crash and burn but running it like a half marathon is too slow. There aren't nearly as many 10Ks as 5K event opportunities, so I think people just aren't used to the pacing strategy needed for a 10K. Anyway that's my theory.

My favorite distance is the half marathon. It's all the fun of the "big event", with medals and bands and goodies, with less than half the work/preparation of a full marathon. I'd have to say that the full marathon is my LEAST favorite, it's just too much for me. I did one just so that I knew I could, but the training required is more than I'm willing to do again. My knees started bothering me, I didn't have time for other activities, and it stopped being fun. The Half is just right.

Cake,

I dislike a 10K because it is short enough to push hard, anaerobic most of the way, but long enough so that really really hurts. Anything longer, and I'm at a comfortable (mostly) aerobic pace, and the 5K is short enough that even though it hurts it is over relatively quickly.

I really liked my marathon, but the training is a big time commitment. I'll probably do another in a year or so after my base is rebuilt and the risk of injury is lower. I did get a stress fracture the first time I trained for a marathon (in early 2004) because that was just too much too soon. I started running in mid 2003. The half is just about perfect. Still something I need to prepare for (especially now, LOL), but not overwhelming.

Anne

PS There is no rule that you have to push a 10K hard, and a comfortable run is certainly possible, but my personality won't really let me do that.

I don't know :?: I'm currently training for a half marathon (HM).

I've never done a 10k. I've done three 8k races, I don't think that's a terribly common distance but there's one here every spring and another one in early March in the town my sisters live in up north. That one is sponsored by a brewery and there is free beer at the end, possibly my favorite race to date. ;) I find the 8k distance to be a little trickier to pace than a 5k, but not too bad. I paced about a 9:30 mile which is pretty quick for me. Maybe I'll do a 5k after the HM to see if I can improve on my speed, I haven't done one in over a year and haven't done much speed work in a long time.

I think you mean PB? That stands for "personal best", which is used interchangeably with PR (Personal record).

i have my very first 5K early saturday morning, and i'm feeling pretty anxious about it. i haven't run outside in a few years. the few times i've tried running on the tm at an increased incline of 1 or 2 to try and simulate outside running, i've had to switch back to 0 incline within a mile. also, i seem to be totally unable to run within a couple of hours of having woken up. i don't know why, but the few times i've tried going (and not even early in the morning, you), i've crashed and burned at 1 or 2 miles. even though the 5K on saturday is a fundraiser and not timed, i will be timing myself and i'm worried i'm going to disappoint myself big time.

3.4 miles for me this morning. Two long running segments, plus one walk break and a nice walking warm up and cool down. 2.7 miles of actually running, with better than a 12 min/mile pace. Much better than Tuesday, but I still haven't shaken Sunday's bike race out of my legs completely.

I'm going to lay out my training plan for my triathlon May 25 tonight. Helps to have a plan. :)

Anne

I managed 3M running a 11:38 Pace (I think). That was pretty good considering I also did 60 minutes of crosstraining. I am just totally loving running. I wanted to get you guys opinion on something. I wanted to run 10K by summer's end but I can run 4 miles now. I have a 10K training schedule I got from Runner World and plan on doing one in late June. Also I would like to participate in the Rock and Roll HM in September ( I have a training schedule for that as well). I believe this is slow enough for me. I am not running for time just to finish (maybe next year for time). Do you guys think this is feasible?

Shinanigans - HAHA I think I typed it wrong....sorry. I am doing an 8K in August ....a MUD Run, that is going to be soooo fun!!! How is your HM training coming along

Anne - WOW you are awesome lady! I understand what you mean. I guess I don't know if I like it yet but as I said I am not going for time AT ALL. I simply want to finish!!!!! I don't think I will ever get to the Marathon....it seem overwhelming. Are you doing a sprint or a full triathalon?

SWS - No worries. When I went out there last weekend...I had butterflies all in my stomach the closer I got (seeing people with their numbers). My BF goes, you got your iPod right. I said yeah. He says, then you will be fine. So I put onmy number, turned on my iPOD and off I went. After the first step the buterflies were gone and I felt normal. You are going to do great. No worries really.

MBN - That is a good theory and makes plenty of sense. It does seem wierd. I found this calculator to tell me what my 10k pace should be based off my one-mile time. It was 13:00 whoa...I am never gonna finish...LOL

Oh yea do you ladies strength train?

SWS19 - please try not to put so much pressure on yourself, although I know that facing the unknown is always scary. There's absolutely no shame whatsoever in taking lots of walk breaks, or even walking the entire 5K. LOTS of people do just that. And you know you can walk 3.1 miles, right? So then, no biggie! Just try looking at the event as just another training run, and don't start out too fast. I'm sure you will do better than you think you will, because the excitement of the race tends to kick in and push you along.

Cakebatter - absolutely, yes, I strength train! I consider it essential for a balanced exercise program and for injury prevention. Along with running, I take several classes a week that include strength training, cardio intervals, Pilates and Yoga. And I recently started swimming a couple of times a week, and I kayak for fun whenever I can (a couple of times a month). Although running is my "primary" sport, I like to do a lot of other things too, I'm just limited by the hours in the day ....

Thanks MBN, you are wealth of knowledge.

SWS - MBN is exactly right the excitement of the race does push you along....you are gonna have fun really

Cakebatter, I'm doing a nonstandard race distance that is longer than a sprint, but not as long as an Olympic distance race.

I don't strength train, except some irregular core work. I used to, but with two small children, a job, a husband, and a three sport hobby, something had to give. I also had problems with soreness, to which I seem to be especially prone, wiping out a lot of opportunity to do my run/tri training. I did like the things it did for my body when I did do it, and occasionally make an effort to try again. Perhaps some day it will stick.

Anne

Anne -- I'm in awe that you are training for a tri. There's a little voice in the back of my head that tells me I should do one some day, there's certainly lots of opportunity in my area. I'm just not a very strong swimmer, and the very idea of a chaotic, mass-start, open ocean swim kind of freaks me out. I did start swimming a few weeks ago, I hadn't really "swam" for YEARS, and never really "lap swam" for exercise. I had to remember how to do the front crawl, and breathe .... I'm seeing some progress, but I need a whole lot more work before I can even contemplate a tri. Biking isn't much better, although I can certainly ride a bike, I haven't ridden anything but a fat tire for years, and that only casually. Nothing serious. So, my hat's off to you!!

And I certainly understand not being able to do everything, there's only so many hours in the day and you have to pick your exercise priorities.

thanks for all the advice. i think you're right, i just need to take it easy. i have always been secretly really competitive with myself and i prob just need to take a chill pill. it's not like the world is gonna explode if i have to walk or something.
but assuming i want to put my best foot forward, what do you all recommend would be good to eat for breakfast morning of?

I’ve been a bit under the weather this week, but being determined to stick to my training schedule I went out and did my 7 miles yesterday. I took it really slow and was sucking wind like crazy, but it was manageable. Feeling a bit better today, planning to go out for 3 miles after work.

I’ve been having trouble finding time to do much other than running, my training schedule has me running 5 days a week and as I’m getting closer to the end the runs are of course longer. I try to make it to yoga class and usually roll out my mat at home for 15 – 20 min after each run, but strength training hasn’t made it back into my routine yet. I was in the habit of doing a Power Pump class twice a week, plus some lifting/calisthenics on my own on the weekends for a wile, that really made an amazing difference. Unfortunately, every time I start back up I get so sore I can barely walk after the first few sessions, I’m scared to do that to my body right now when I need my legs for running!

I’ve toyed with the idea of a tri someday, probably a sprint, I can’t imagine a full. I used to swim competitively, I rather like the idea of getting back to the pool, but I’ve never done any serious cycling. Maybe I should try doing some more of that this summer. I wish there was a tri that was swim/rollerblade/run.

sws19 - I like to just have fruit for breakfast before a run. It’s easy digest so it won’t slow you down, and the sugars will get into your bloodstream quick for the energy you need. I’d also suggest avoiding dairy that morning (well, I say to avoid dairy at all times cause it is teh devil, but that’s just me :p) as it can increase mucous and make breathing a little more difficult.

I would just eat what you normally eat in the morning before a workout. Something light and easy to digest. One of the cardinal rules is "nothing new on race day". So, I would stick with something that you know works well for you. Also, Make sure you hydrate during the race, drink when you are thirsty.

One trap to avoid is over-refueling after the race. According to the calculators, a 150 pound average person burns approximately 100 calories per mile. So a 3.1 mile race only burns off around 300 calories -- and one bagel is more than that. So be careful around those post-race goody tables loaded with carbs, it is very easy to eat back WAY more than you just burned!!

haha! that is sooo true, MBN. i'm a notorious overeater on exercise days. i'll definitely have to keep that in mind. but as for your suggestion to just eat what i normally eat in the morning before a workout: therein lies the rub.
i normally cannot workout in the morning. i'm a total late afternoon/early evening person. the few times i have tried going for a run before 2pm have all ended in me tanking out after about 1 mile or so (as opposed to the 5-6 miles i do in afternoon/evening runs). so clearly i have not figured out what the optimal food choice would be. ;) or why this keeps happening to me. the only thing i can say is that i'm reaaallly not a morning person. also, i generally try to avoid having blood drawn before noon because my blood pressure is so low or something that the technician can NEVER find a vein. i know this is a half-baked theory, but could this be related? if so, any suggestions as to how to remedy the situation?

I don't want to second-guess your training schedule at this stage of the game, but just to let you know -- I've never run more than 4 days per week. When I was training for my full marathon, I did it with 3 days per week of running, but I was slower and less conditioned then. Only one run per week is the long run, my other runs are around 5 milers. My current mileage is 25-30 miles/week. The 4 day schedule gives me more time to do other things and crosstrain. I just found I can't do more than that without risking overuse injury, but then I'm 20 years older than you. Just another perspective!

I wish there was a hike/kayak/run tri. Oh wait, I think they call that Adventure racing! :D

[QUOTE=sws19;2722543]
i normally cannot workout in the morning. i'm a total late afternoon/early evening person. the few times i have tried going for a run before 2pm have all ended in me tanking out after about 1 mile or so (as opposed to the 5-6 miles i do in afternoon/evening runs). so clearly i have not figured out what the optimal food choice would be.
/QUOTE]

I don't know that food/fuel will solve things for you. The excitement of the race will definitely pump you up, so that should help. Food choices that have worked for me include carbs and protein combined. My favorite is a half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich along with my absolutely essential cup of morning coffee. I just make sure to eat it at least a couple of hours before race start, to allow for digestion. But, again, I would stick to something that you know that sits well on your stomach. I hope that helps!!

Another lousy run. 3 miles planned, and I got 1.5 miles in before it fell apart for random run/walk intervals. Of course this was after supporting DH in his 10K and chasing after a couple of kids with stroller stuff and porta pottie intervals, plus it was getting hot by the time it was my turn, so perhaps lousy run was to be expected. And better than no run for that matter.

Swim tomorrow. Trying again on Tuesday.

Anne

I haven't been running (yes I know bad me). 2 weeks from today, I have a 5k.... There is also an optional 1.7 mile dog walk. I'm going, I'm not sure I'm going to attempt to run or do run/walk intervals or do the dog walk. I looked at the race results from last year and someone finished in 50+ minutes so I feel ok about doing the 5k. Although I don't want to be the last person.

Cake Batter started a May runner thread:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=170640