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New runner, training for 1/2 Marathon (Read 1808 times)


...and again...and again

posted: 1/7/2009 at 2:57 PM
Quote from Jeff on 1/7/2009 at 2:52 PM:
(Hard to figure out which emoticon to use.)


I've recently learned that this one: Surprised is amenable.
Hit Bull, Win Steak!
Jeff


fu don't kung think

posted: 1/7/2009 at 3:07 PM
Richard, brother, friend, internet stranger. Congrats on your son. I think that's awesome. I was a miler in college, and I understand the importance of drills, weights, stretching. Pilates weren't around then, but I'll trust you on that one. I really do. I also appreciate the value of slogging out the miles. I wish him all the best, and I'm sure if he keeps it up, the sky is the limit. Sounds like he's a motivated young kid. But seems to me that to hold up a 14 year old kid as a model of appropriate training just because he's run fast, well, that's sketchy. I know because I ran faster off of guts, good genes, teenage angst, and a competitive temperament. It sure as hell wasn't my training.

For us recreational runners, for the vast vast majority of us, all it takes to improve is something very simple: run more. Get out the door. It's hard. But it's not complex. It's simple. And if signing up for a marathon makes that simple task any easier, then all you folk out there reading this thread and wondering whether this is your year to do it, then go right now and sign up for it.


monkey groovy

posted: 1/7/2009 at 3:14 PM
stretching is not running.
peace, love and hills

I'm running somewhere tomorrow. It's going to be beautiful. I can't wait.
posted: 1/7/2009 at 3:16 PM
Is wrenching your back running?
posted: 1/7/2009 at 3:18 PM
modified: 1/7/2009 at 3:20 PM
Jeff - you're right, my son is irrelevant to this discussion, but my point was the importance of flexibility and core strength as well as mileage. Especially for us older folks and those who aren't in fantastic shape when they begin this endeavor.

Miles are necessary, but there comes a point when even the best athletes are better served by cross training to ensure there is adequate recovery.

Bill Rodgers on the subject: http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=13424


1983

posted: 1/7/2009 at 3:18 PM
How about herniating your discus? Should I log that?
Don't worry about him, he has no "game". - some kid


monkey groovy

posted: 1/7/2009 at 3:19 PM
Quote from TanyaS on 1/7/2009 at 3:16 PM:
Is wrenching your back running?


It can most certainly happen during a run. Say at about mile 4.5 out of a planned 5, running through the lovely if rainy 35 degree afternoon.

Cripes.
peace, love and hills

I'm running somewhere tomorrow. It's going to be beautiful. I can't wait.


For The Thunder!

posted: 1/7/2009 at 3:30 PM
modified: 1/7/2009 at 3:30 PM
Quote from MrH on 1/7/2009 at 3:18 PM:
Miles are necessary, but there comes a point when even the best athletes are better served by cross training to ensure there is adequate recovery.


I won't argue that, but my point was about the people that aren't even willing to put in the mileage.

Quote from slosh252 on 1/7/2009 at 3:18 PM:
How about herniating your discus? Should I log that?


Discus is not running.
Run fast sometimes.

Don't let the bastard win.
Scout7


CPT Curmudgeon

posted: 1/7/2009 at 3:30 PM
When I'm running 100+ and knocking on the door of elite-hood, I'll worry about things like cross-training. Until then, I think the great majority of us are better served by being consistent and running more miles more often than worrying about how useful plyometrics and core strength are.

A good way to develop core strength for running: Run more. Run more hills.


monkey groovy

posted: 1/7/2009 at 3:36 PM
Running hills is running.
peace, love and hills

I'm running somewhere tomorrow. It's going to be beautiful. I can't wait.
posted: 1/7/2009 at 3:39 PM
The relationship between flexibility and running faster is a fantastic discussion. The danger of posting a link that supports either side of the argument is the fact that it most likely violates the small sample size notion.

And Scout, why are you doing this to yourself? You're going to abandon us again and then the internet will be a darker place. I do appreciate the effort however.
"Good-looking people have no spine. Their art never lasts. They get the girls, but we're smarter." - Lester Bangs
posted: 1/7/2009 at 3:43 PM
Quote from Lank on 1/7/2009 at 3:39 PM:
And Scout, why are you doing this to yourself?


Mental cross-training. Improves irritability.
Scout7


CPT Curmudgeon

posted: 1/7/2009 at 3:43 PM
Because I'm bored.

And for the record, the last time had as much to do with work as it did anything you boobs did. That, and a lack of running.
Scout7


CPT Curmudgeon

posted: 1/7/2009 at 3:44 PM
Quote from TanyaS on 1/7/2009 at 3:43 PM:
Mental cross-training. Improves irritability.


*snerk*
Jeff


fu don't kung think

posted: 1/7/2009 at 3:58 PM
Quote from MrH on 1/7/2009 at 3:18 PM:
Jeff - you're right, my son is irrelevant to this discussion, but my point was the importance of flexibility and core strength as well as mileage. Especially for us older folks and those who aren't in fantastic shape when they begin this endeavor.

Miles are necessary, but there comes a point when even the best athletes are better served by cross training to ensure there is adequate recovery.

Bill Rodgers on the subject: http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=13424


Your point was that the complexity of running scares off runners. My point is that it shouldn't because running is not complex, no matter what the internet know it alls with their jargon and psuedo-science want you to think. If you run more, you'll get better. Bill Rodgers is a prime example of this. He was faster: he ran more. I'm not sure where I made the argument that flexibility and core strength were not important (are these things complicated?); if you point that out to me, I'd appreciate it.

You can pretend that our sport is complicated and geek out over exactly what the right workouts might be at the right time or whether 15 reps of the medicine ball beats 400 more meters of running. Or whether your heart rate ought to be 133 or 145 or 169 or whether you are running at LT or whether your VO2max is higher than Frank Shorters or what have you. You can do this if you've got time to kill (obviously, we do). But for the vast vast vast majority of us the solution is not complicated. The solution is simple, but not easy. How can I run more?
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