TB Runners Club!

[Definitely]

Any other avid runners out there in TB land? I just got back from a 7 and a half mile (training for a half marathon) and thought about a thread where we could all share our experiences and accomplishments! I didn't seem to find any so I made one and hereby start the TB runners club! I will be #1.

 

[tplyons]

I'm shooting to do a half marathon in September/October timeframe. I'm not a runner by any means but I'm stubborn. If I don't hurt myself significantly, I'll muddle through.

But now that the weather is nicer, I'm running 2-3 times a week. I'd like to get to the point that I'm running 5K's daily before breakfast.

 

[Definitely]

Tplyons, #2, welcome aboard! Have you done any significant races before? Like a half, relay, etc.?

 

[tplyons]

I'm a couch potato turned cyclist, then onto running, and then the long term goal is to become a triathlete next year if the world doesn't end.

 

[Definitely]

Ambitious! Good luck and fill us in on your progress!

 

[Definitely]

First half marathon for this year, got about 1:43-1:44 and surprised myself! Gotta keep up training for the next one in June.

 

[BullHorn]

I was never much for running even when I was heavily into sports (martial arts, volleyball, etc) but lately I've started gaining weight and plan on starting to run once I get a pair of running shoes.

 

[aborgman]

I run, but for the last couple years I've given up distance running and gone back to sprinting and field events.

I've ran a couple Masters track meets over the last couple years.

My goal for this summer is to go under 1 minute in the 400 meter, over 5'6" in High Jump, and (if it works into my schedule) put up a competitive score in the Pentathlon at the Masters National Championships.

 

[Unrepresented]

I'm shooting to do a half marathon in September/October timeframe. I'm not a runner by any means but I'm stubborn. If I don't hurt myself significantly, I'll muddle through.

But now that the weather is nicer, I'm running 2-3 times a week. I'd like to get to the point that I'm running 5K's daily before breakfast.

Almost my exact same situation.

Stubborn pride convinced me to sign up for my first half marathon coming up in September.

I'm in decent shape, and physically active, but 13.1 miles will be many times further than I've ever run. So far I'm almost comfortable running ~5K. Still have a couple months left to train, and a lot of distance left to cover.

 

[Definitely]

Almost my exact same situation.

Stubborn pride convinced me to sign up for my first half marathon coming up in September.

I'm in decent shape, and physically active, but 13.1 miles will be many times further than I've ever run. So far I'm almost comfortable running ~5K. Still have a couple months left to train, and a lot of distance left to cover.

How exactly do you train? Like what days, average lengths, and what are your longest runs? My training was as follows, gradually increasing in distance over the course of four months, this was steady over the last four weeks leading up:

Tuesday - speed training, 4 miles as fast as possible (should be out of breath)
Wednesday - 4.5 miles as fast as possible
Thursday - 5 miles slightly slower
Saturday - 3 miles slow and steady to prepare for long
Sunday - endurance training, 11 miles at an average pace

And I've been following that for two years an it's worked beautifully.

 

[Unrepresented]

How exactly do you train? Like what days, average lengths, and what are your longest runs? My training was as follows, gradually increasing in distance over the course of four months, this was steady over the last four weeks leading up:

Tuesday - speed training, 4 miles as fast as possible (should be out of breath)
Wednesday - 4.5 miles as fast as possible
Thursday - 5 miles slightly slower
Saturday - 3 miles slow and steady to prepare for long
Sunday - endurance training, 11 miles at an average pace

And I've been following that for two years an it's worked beautifully.

I actually don't have a training schedule.

My girlfriend is the runner in our household, she's run three half marathons so far. She found one online that she adapted when she first decided to start running a couple years ago, but we haven't actually started it yet, so we're mostly just running around 3-4 miles once a week. Probably start ramping up distance in the next few weeks.

 

[EricF]

I raced bicycles for 12 years, but have never been a runner at all...until this year. Since I quit cycling in 2004 (except for the occasional short ride with my kids), my weight has slowly crept up by 40+ lbs. In December of last year, I decided it was time to start doing something about getting back into reasonable condition, and have been trying to squeeze in some exercize into my very full life schedule. With running, I can get a great aerobic workout in a short amount of time. My typical routine is to go to the gym after work once per week, run for 30-40 minutes followed by 30 minutes of weightlifting. I also try to get out for a run on the weekend, but that's been less successful.

Being that I'm not running very often, my improvement is very slow. It took me 3 months just to get to the point where my body wasn't hurting like hell after each run.

Currently, 3 miles is comfortable, and 4 miles is starting to strech my endurance. My max to date is 5 miles.

 

[Definitely]

I actually don't have a training schedule.

My girlfriend is the runner in our household, she's run three half marathons so far. She found one online that she adapted when she first decided to start running a couple years ago, but we haven't actually started it yet, so we're mostly just running around 3-4 miles once a week. Probably start ramping up distance in the next few weeks.

You'll want to try the distance (or at least 12.5mi) once before the big day, probably two weeks in advance just to make sure you're ready. Get on schedule!

 

[Definitely]

I raced bicycles for 12 years, but have never been a runner at all...until this year. Since I quit cycling in 2004 (except for the occasional short ride with my kids), my weight has slowly crept up by 40+ lbs. In December of last year, I decided it was time to start doing something about getting back into reasonable condition, and have been trying to squeeze in some exercize into my very full life schedule. With running, I can get a great aerobic workout in a short amount of time. My typical routine is to go to the gym after work once per week, run for 30-40 minutes followed by 30 minutes of weightlifting. I also try to get out for a run on the weekend, but that's been less successful.

Being that I'm not running very often, my improvement is very slow. It took me 3 months just to get to the point where my body wasn't hurting like hell after each run.

Currently, 3 miles is comfortable, and 4 miles is starting to strech my endurance. My max to date is 5 miles.

Treadmill or road/track? They are very different beasts. I learned the hard way last year having done no more than two miles on the road then attempting a whole 13.1...my knees both almost gave out.

 

[Unrepresented]

You'll want to try the distance (or at least 12.5mi) once before the big day, probably two weeks in advance just to make sure you're ready. Get on schedule!

Update:

First half-marathon was over the weekend, and despite my relative lack of preparation I managed to complete the thing without medical intervention.

I jogged the whole thing with the exception of water stations (I can't run and drink), and a half mile stretch right before the ninth mile marker.

My time wasn't great, I was just a hair over two and a half hours, but honestly, I think that I lost more time to starting in the last corral and having to fight through thousands of walkers blocking me than I did to my own lack of training. My time should at least qualify me for a less frustrating corral position next time, and I won't have to waste so much time and energy trying to get around slower runners and walkers -- big event with nearly 15K competitors means a lot of potential for bottlenecks.

I'm immensely proud of myself for having achieved what I did. I have never been a runner -- horrible memories of struggling through the annual mile run for the physical fitness tests as a kid and merciless lap running for conditioning in volleyball were my only real exposure. It seemed like something that would've eternally been beyond my capability. Obviously it's not an impossible task, but before this weekend, it felt like it'd be impossible for me.

 

[EricF]

Treadmill or road/track? They are very different beasts. I learned the hard way last year having done no more than two miles on the road then attempting a whole 13.1...my knees both almost gave out.

Both. On my days in the gym, I typically run for 30-35 minutes (3+ miles). Otherwise, my running has been on the local streets, or a combination of dirt and pavement on a trail.

Update:

First half-marathon was over the weekend, and despite my relative lack of preparation I managed to complete the thing without medical intervention.

I jogged the whole thing with the exception of water stations (I can't run and drink), and a half mile stretch right before the ninth mile marker.

My time wasn't great, I was just a hair over two and a half hours, but honestly, I think that I lost more time to starting in the last corral and having to fight through thousands of walkers blocking me than I did to my own lack of training. My time should at least qualify me for a less frustrating corral position next time, and I won't have to waste so much time and energy trying to get around slower runners and walkers -- big event with nearly 15K competitors means a lot of potential for bottlenecks.

I'm immensely proud of myself for having achieved what I did. I have never been a runner -- horrible memories of struggling through the annual mile run for the physical fitness tests as a kid and merciless lap running for conditioning in volleyball were my only real exposure. It seemed like something that would've eternally been beyond my capability. Obviously it's not an impossible task, but before this weekend, it felt like it'd be impossible for me.

Congrats!

 

[Bass_Thumper]

Update:

First half-marathon was over the weekend, and despite my relative lack of preparation I managed to complete the thing without medical intervention.

I jogged the whole thing with the exception of water stations (I can't run and drink), and a half mile stretch right before the ninth mile marker.

My time wasn't great, I was just a hair over two and a half hours, but honestly, I think that I lost more time to starting in the last corral and having to fight through thousands of walkers blocking me than I did to my own lack of training. My time should at least qualify me for a less frustrating corral position next time, and I won't have to waste so much time and energy trying to get around slower runners and walkers -- big event with nearly 15K competitors means a lot of potential for bottlenecks.

I'm immensely proud of myself for having achieved what I did. I have never been a runner -- horrible memories of struggling through the annual mile run for the physical fitness tests as a kid and merciless lap running for conditioning in volleyball were my only real exposure. It seemed like something that would've eternally been beyond my capability. Obviously it's not an impossible task, but before this weekend, it felt like it'd be impossible for me.

Congrats! I'm glad that you had a good time and don't worry about the time, just run to run. I run a good bit, usually 4-5 days a week and have run one marathon (Honolulu '09) and it's been a great part of my life and probably always will be.

 

[Unrepresented]

Congrats!

Congrats! I'm glad that you had a good time and don't worry about the time, just run to run. I run a good bit, usually 4-5 days a week and have run one marathon (Honolulu '09) and it's been a great part of my life and probably always will be.

Thanks.

I know more training would improve my time ( prior to race day my personal distance best was 7 miles). It is a challenge to find time to run because of a very busy lifestyle, especially balancing the amount of energy I spend running and the amount of energy I use during the rest of my day.

 

[Definitely]

Update:

First half-marathon was over the weekend, and despite my relative lack of preparation I managed to complete the thing without medical intervention.

I jogged the whole thing with the exception of water stations (I can't run and drink), and a half mile stretch right before the ninth mile marker.

My time wasn't great, I was just a hair over two and a half hours, but honestly, I think that I lost more time to starting in the last corral and having to fight through thousands of walkers blocking me than I did to my own lack of training. My time should at least qualify me for a less frustrating corral position next time, and I won't have to waste so much time and energy trying to get around slower runners and walkers -- big event with nearly 15K competitors means a lot of potential for bottlenecks.

I'm immensely proud of myself for having achieved what I did. I have never been a runner -- horrible memories of struggling through the annual mile run for the physical fitness tests as a kid and merciless lap running for conditioning in volleyball were my only real exposure. It seemed like something that would've eternally been beyond my capability. Obviously it's not an impossible task, but before this weekend, it felt like it'd be impossible for me.

Nice job! With tons of training my first half was still 2:08! My left knee is still giving me trouble so I'm braced up and starting high school cross country Monday.

Are you gonna do another one? It was an addiction for me...I ran the first and hated it (-14°C, blizzard) but as soon as the next January came 'round I felt I had to do another one! Good luck in whatever you attempt and keep us informed! You too Eric!

 

[Unrepresented]

Nice job! With tons of training my first half was still 2:08! My left knee is still giving me trouble so I'm braced up and starting high school cross country Monday.

Are you gonna do another one? It was an addiction for me...I ran the first and hated it (-14°C, blizzard) but as soon as the next January came 'round I felt I had to do another one! Good luck in whatever you attempt and keep us informed! You too Eric!

We (my girlfriend tricked both me and her sister into running) already plan on doing it again next year. I should be in the same corral as my girlfriend, which should make things more exciting.