Forums >Running 101>New Runner with Questions
The young Mama Bear!
Dave
Last Saturday I went for a "long" run for 4 miles and did it in 40 minutes, and it KILLED me. I was completely useless for the entire day. So this week, after putting in 3 solid days of 3 miles ~30 minutes, I went for another "long run" of 5 miles yesterday. Mindful of what happened last week, I bough a cheapo watch and timed my splits making sure that I didn't run faster than a 12 minute mile at any given point. I was fine afterwards.
1) How should I increase my mileage per week? I've read than you shouldn't do more than 10% from the previous week. Are my "long" Saturday runs too much? I had a mental image of increasing that run by 1 mile every week or so, and then during the week, slowly increasing those. Is that the right way to do it?
2) How many rest days should I take a week? Right now, I'm running 4 and resting 3 (Friday, Sunday & Monday off). I find my runs on my third day to be REALLY difficult, but my long run to be much more enjoyable. Should I only be resting 2 days? 1 day?!? Is this a personal preference. Obviously I'm very concerned about burning out. I know if I go out too hard I won't enjoy it any more and lose interest, but at the same time, I want to enjoy each run.
3) Am I running too much for a beginner? I literally just started running, no walking, I'm in horrible shape. Am I pushing too hard too quickly? I feel like the runs have been just right, but is talking about increasing mileage now too soon?
4) Pre-Run meals. During the week, this isn't bad since I eat at work and have a good 5 hours to digest before running. Saturday is more difficult with running being fit in where it can, and meals being consumed much closer. Yesterday's Ham & Cheese grinder was not a good addition to my first 5 mile run. Any suggestions?
5) Drinking during running? Is this necessary? If I hydrate before and after, is that good enough?
I ran a mile and I liked it, liked it, liked it. dgb2n@yahoo.com
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