tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842056190667723857.post1049055749396087562..comments2019-10-30T17:12:17.939+00:00Comments on A bit more of Karen: Weekly running round up - 4 runs, 11 miles and a few tears of elationKaren Strunkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15682743339744852903noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842056190667723857.post-90944752388760162032011-02-06T23:47:57.748+00:002011-02-06T23:47:57.748+00:00Hi - I've not really set a plan. Just go to th...Hi - I've not really set a plan. Just go to the gym and do 20 mins each on the cross trainer and the treadmill, 2-3 times a week. Distance is an aside... I just want to get heart-fit. But now I can run a bit I was thinking of trying to do 5k. I will run outside, when it's a bit nicer weather. :)Katchoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06404342499152928364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842056190667723857.post-64849296681777481062011-02-06T22:11:31.634+00:002011-02-06T22:11:31.634+00:00Hi Fiona! Thanks for your comment. Glad you are in...Hi Fiona! Thanks for your comment. Glad you are inspired by NYC and that you got to the gym today!<br /><br />I'm going to ask a lot of questions. You don't have to answer them, they are more food for thought. <br /><br />Are you trying to go from zero to 3k without building up your distance, strength (muscular and aerobic)and stamina?<br /><br />How often are you trying to run 3k? As I mentioned to Ged, it is recommended to vary the length of your runs during the week, so a couple of shorter runs and then one long run per week - so maybe save your 3k for your long run.<br /><br />Are you following a training plan? Are you taking walk breaks? There are tons of beginners training plans out there - they are really good at getting you started and building up your strength and stamina.<br /><br />http://www.halhigdon.com/5K%20Training/5-Knovice.htm<br /><br />http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/racing/six-week-beginner-5k-schedule/67.html<br /><br />Slow down - what speed do you have the treadmill on? Have you got it on an incline? If you get tired, take a walk break. <br /><br />Your speed and effort are in your control. Don't worry about time. Vary your running lengths and take a day or two's break between each run. <br /><br />Perhaps try an outside run! It is different from running on the treadmill and I'm going to do a post about that sometime....<br /><br />You will feel the wind in your hair! And you will also at times be working against the wind. You will be running on different surfaces and natural inclines and declines. This is seen as better for your muscles as they have to work harder on different surfaces (another blog post there!). You will get changing views which will keep things interesting for you and provide more mental distractions. <br /><br />Anyway, food for thought as I say. I hope that's some help to you. Keep me posted! :)Karen Strunkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15682743339744852903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842056190667723857.post-60339096752888049302011-02-06T21:54:35.009+00:002011-02-06T21:54:35.009+00:00Hi Ged! Thank you. And thanks for your comment too...Hi Ged! Thank you. And thanks for your comment too. I hear you about your favourite time of day to run!<br /><br />When I was running in 2006-07 I had a job that I could start at 11am so did my running before work, and that really suited me. In fact, I don't remember ever doing an evening run. It was morning or not at all.<br /><br />Now I try and fit a couple of week day runs in at lunchtime, but I work from home a few days a week so that helps. If I am in the office, then I would find it hard to get changed, run and SWEAT and then sit in the office for the rest of the afternoon.<br /><br />I have done one evening run this year, it was an evening run or not at all that day, so I tried it and actually it wasn't that bad and I enjoyed it.<br /><br />Everyone has their best running time of day. <br /><br />Mornings are good if you are a natural early bird and want to get an energy kick that will keep you going. Also it will be out of the way for the day too!<br /><br />Lunchtimes are handy if it's the only time of day you have to run and find yourself too tired after the end of the working day.<br /><br />Evenings could be seen as a good time of day to run to runn off any stresses of the day! <br /><br />Do you try and do different distances during your runs? (This is something I'm going to ask Fiona too). Every training programme and running book I have ever read (a lot!) says to vary the length of your runs, and do one long run a week (and even then, vary that) For example, one of my runs this week was 1 mile. But don't try and do your longest run 3 times a week, you need to give your body a break and time to recharge and recover and get stronger. Eventually add a little bit more distance to your long runs. <br /><br />If 3.75m is your longest run, perhaps save that for the weekend. Maybe try a 2.5 mile run one morning a week and a 2 mile run after work after work. I find it helps to go through my diary each week and actually schedule in my runs - plan them like you would anything else. <br /><br />Well done on your run y/day and the Sutton Fun Run! That's quite a challenge. Ben has said that we will go out for a run sometime. I've warned him I'm not very fast lol. <br /><br />Let me know how you get on! :)Karen Strunkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15682743339744852903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842056190667723857.post-23293824651294828582011-02-06T20:11:16.814+00:002011-02-06T20:11:16.814+00:00I was wondering about both the physical and mental...I was wondering about both the physical and mental thing because I really struggle to get to even 3km on the gym treadmill. Not sure what is holding me back but maybe I should have a little talk with myself.<br /><br />Anyways, thanks for the insight. After I read your tweet I got my gymrags on and went for a workout. Knowing someone else is out there cracking on and doing it - and looking rather good in the process- is very inspiring.<br /><br />Also, inspired by your NYC trip. Pondering my options...Katchoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06404342499152928364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842056190667723857.post-57532986303194980812011-02-06T20:11:08.843+00:002011-02-06T20:11:08.843+00:00I think you've done amazingly well Karen. Full...I think you've done amazingly well Karen. Full of admiration for you. I run a bit, but have this thing in my head that I can only run first thing in the morning and with work its difficult to fit it in. (Sounds like an excuse I know - and I suppose it is). I ran 3.75 miles yesterday which is about my average. Need to get over the morning-only fixation. I did Sutton Fun Run with Ben Waddington a few years ago, 8.5 miles, that was the most I've ever run in one go, but that sense of achievement stays with you for a long time. I can see why people get sort of addicted to it. Anyway yes -your progress has been amazing in such a short space of time.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17302861371749898037noreply@blogger.com