I'm new at running.... and have several ?s

MoooveOverFluffy

Super brief background: I used to run track in high school (many, many years ago), but i was never a distance runner. I've recently started taking walk/jogs (sort of similar to Couch to 5K) and want to progress. Ran one mile today without stopping for the first time in 15+ years. Just have some basic questions for you veterans:

1. What is considered good, mediocre, beginner (timewise)?
2. How long did it take you to get from beginner to good?
3. How often did you train in order to improve?
4. Can short people really beat long-legged gazelle-ish women who can run like the wind?

**edit*** 5. also, i would like to know what you do to protect your face from wind/cold (for you outside runners in the colder climates)... one night outside and my face was chapped all to hell....

lucylou9701

1. A good running time for 1 mile for a beginner is about 10 min (that is running 6mph)
2. From beginner to decent has taken me about 6 months running three times a week
3. when i was starting I ran 5 km 2x a week and 2 km 2x a week but i would run atleast 3x a week for a half hour to see improvement
4. ahahhahahha cant answer that question though i dont see myself as a gazelle I am 5'8 and that is pretty tall i think and my shorter friends have to move their legs almost twice as fast to keep up so sorry no lol :P

SergeantSunshine_reused

I'll reply here too since you asked a bit more

1 - good - 7 min mediocre - 10 beginner 12
2 - took me about 3 months
3 - I ran 3 times a week, about 3 miles each time
4 - i'm not sure, but im only 5ft2 - 5ft3 and can run pretty fast

My times were: beginner 13 minutes or so
now: 5:45

Got from 13-7 in 3 months, but took me a while longer to get to 5:45 (didn't time my 1 mile time often)

hpynh2o

Hey Hanna...

I'm rather new to running as an adult too. I don't have specific answers to your questions, but I can offer my recent experience as an example of a fellow new runner...

I used the C25K app (now called "Ease into 5k") starting in early Sept, 2011 on my iPhone. When I was done with that, I switched to Bridge to 10k app and am working to improve my distance and speed.

Two days ago I hit a total distance of 7 miles (I was feeling good and ran past the B210K program). Quite a big day for me! My average speed is 6mph, but I've been tweaking that up a little at a time and try to run every other day according to the program. I use a heart rate monitor to make sure I don't overdo it.

I like the prefigured routines because you can just work to follow the program. The Bridge app gives you a definitive six week goal. It is very important to build on your success slowly over time so as not to overstress your joints and to give your cardiovascular system some time to catch up.

Good luck!
John

Rachel5K

Ok, I am definitely no professional, but here is my best advice...

Several years ago, after having never been a runner in my life, I decided to sign up with MIT and train for a marathon. I learned so much from that crew; from treating shin splints to learning to enjoy conversation on distance runs. I was one of the slowest beginners; my first mile taking me over 13 minutes. One thing I discovered quickly, though, is the first mile is the worst. Once you get beyond that, when your legs feel like jelly and your lungs feel like they are going to explode, suddenly the next few paces don't seem so bad. You develop a rhythm, you "dance" to your music, or you distract yourself with your thoughts. Your body becomes a machine, and as long as it is well oiled (meaning stretched out and given enough energy AND water), it will keep moving.

I thought that starting at a slow pace would be easier on me, but soon found out that if you start too slow you may be actually working harder. I had to shorten my natural stride to make that pace, which in turn took more energy. Once you find your pace, you will find you can run longer with much more ease.

You can build speed over time and in my experience, the best way to do so is by altering distance with speed. Run several days a week and focus on one or the other with each run. In MIT they gave us a schedule to follow; i.e:
Monday - 2 miles Tuesday - break, Wednesday - 3 miles, Thursday - break, Friday - 2 miles, Saturday - break, Sunday - 5 miles...

This was about where we started. The further along we got, though, the fewer "breaks" we received and the longer the distance each day. Half way through our schedule looked more like:

Monday - break, Tuesday - 3 miles, Wednesday - 6 miles, Thursday - 3 miles, Friday - 7 miles, Saturday - 4 miles, Sunday - 16 miles... etc

Now it has been years, so I cannot be certain these schedules are accurate, but you get the idea. Sunday was always our long run, and we would all meet up and run them together. Monday usually became a day of rest. As for pacing, my group would break off into sections so people could group up and run at their own comfortable pace together. I ran with people shorter, taller, heavier, and much much lighter. It does not matter your body type, what ever pace is comfortable for you, run it. A shorter person may have a shorter stride, but keep in mind they are also exterting less energy to throw that limb out there. A longer legged person's stride takes just a little longer to reach. In the end, both people are still clearing the same distance in the same amount of time; 7 mph is 7 mph for either person. Also, shorter people have less extra body length to carry around.

So next time you want to race a gazelle, keep in mind, you can definitely do it. Find your pace first then find a gazelle who runs that same pace. I guarantee you will both end up at the same place at the same time.

P.S. I do know a gazelle who would love to run with you and she certainly doesn't run like the wind.

MoooveOverFluffy

Ok, I am definitely no professional, but here is my best advice...

Several years ago, after having never been a runner in my life, I decided to sign up with MIT and train for a marathon. I learned so much from that crew; from treating shin splints to learning to enjoy conversation on distance runs. I was one of the slowest beginners; my first mile taking me over 13 minutes. One thing I discovered quickly, though, is the first mile is the worst. Once you get beyond that, when your legs feel like jelly and your lungs feel like they are going to explode, suddenly the next few paces don't seem so bad. You develop a rhythm, you "dance" to your music, or you distract yourself with your thoughts. Your body becomes a machine, and as long as it is well oiled (meaning stretched out and given enough energy AND water), it will keep moving.

I thought that starting at a slow pace would be easier on me, but soon found out that if you start too slow you may be actually working harder. I had to shorten my natural stride to make that pace, which in turn took more energy. Once you find your pace, you will find you can run longer with much more ease.

You can build speed over time and in my experience, the best way to do so is by altering distance with speed. Run several days a week and focus on one or the other with each run. In MIT they gave us a schedule to follow; i.e:
Monday - 2 miles Tuesday - break, Wednesday - 3 miles, Thursday - break, Friday - 2 miles, Saturday - break, Sunday - 5 miles...

This was about where we started. The further along we got, though, the fewer "breaks" we received and the longer the distance each day. Half way through our schedule looked more like:

Monday - break, Tuesday - 3 miles, Wednesday - 6 miles, Thursday - 3 miles, Friday - 7 miles, Saturday - 4 miles, Sunday - 16 miles... etc

Now it has been years, so I cannot be certain these schedules are accurate, but you get the idea. Sunday was always our long run, and we would all meet up and run them together. Monday usually became a day of rest. As for pacing, my group would break off into sections so people could group up and run at their own comfortable pace together. I ran with people shorter, taller, heavier, and much much lighter. It does not matter your body type, what ever pace is comfortable for you, run it. A shorter person may have a shorter stride, but keep in mind they are also exterting less energy to throw that limb out there. A longer legged person's stride takes just a little longer to reach. In the end, both people are still clearing the same distance in the same amount of time; 7 mph is 7 mph for either person. Also, shorter people have less extra body length to carry around.

So next time you want to race a gazelle, keep in mind, you can definitely do it. Find your pace first then find a gazelle who runs that same pace. I guarantee you will both end up at the same place at the same time.

P.S. I do know a gazelle who would love to run with you and she certainly doesn't run like the wind.

I'm such a beginner that running 5 miles seems so far away! but i WILL get there. And, my pretty long-legged friend, race we SHALL.......................WARRIOR DASH 2012!!! (And maybe a 5k before that???????????????)

MoooveOverFluffy

1. A good running time for 1 mile for a beginner is about 10 min (that is running 6mph)
2. From beginner to decent has taken me about 6 months running three times a week
3. when i was starting I ran 5 km 2x a week and 2 km 2x a week but i would run atleast 3x a week for a half hour to see improvement
4. ahahhahahha cant answer that question though i dont see myself as a gazelle I am 5'8 and that is pretty tall i think and my shorter friends have to move their legs almost twice as fast to keep up so sorry no lol :P

LOL!! Thank you for your straightforward answers ;0)

MoooveOverFluffy

Hey Hanna...

I'm rather new to running as an adult too. I don't have specific answers to your questions, but I can offer my recent experience as an example of a fellow new runner...

I used the C25K app (now called "Ease into 5k") starting in early Sept, 2011 on my iPhone. When I was done with that, I switched to Bridge to 10k app and am working to improve my distance and speed.

Two days ago I hit a total distance of 7 miles (I was feeling good and ran past the B210K program). Quite a big day for me! My average speed is 6mph, but I've been tweaking that up a little at a time and try to run every other day according to the program. I use a heart rate monitor to make sure I don't overdo it.

I like the prefigured routines because you can just work to follow the program. The Bridge app gives you a definitive six week goal. It is very important to build on your success slowly over time so as not to overstress your joints and to give your cardiovascular system some time to catch up.

Good luck!
John

Solid info, John...THANKS!

TinaDay1114

I'm such a beginner that running 5 miles seems so far away! but i WILL get there.

YES, you will!
I'm no pro, either...but I only started running at 26 yrs. old when I got tired of never being able to run a mile without HATING every step.

It took me a few months to build up to a 5k (3 miles)...but after that, it took me 14 years to get up to 7 miles+!! That's because I got married, had kids, kept running, but not in any concentrated way. I just couldn't break through the 3 - 3/12 mile mark. I really think (like RACHEL5K says) that it was some kind of mental block about those first miles, and finding your style / stride. It just takes time and patience. The biggest thing I struggled with for a while was regulating my breathing -- I tended to breathe shallower and faster when tired, and that just wears you out. Again, more mental concentration than physical "prowess."

Someone who has been running longer than me says that she always writes "The first 2 miles ALWAYS suck" on her forearm before every race just so she remembers -- make those 2 miles, and you'll hit the place where it does NOT suck.

I've actually done 8 miles so far, and signed up for my first half marathon in the fall. Before I could finish training, through, I got injured by wearing the wrong shoes on my longest run. Build up your pace SLOWLY to avoid my mistake.

As for those gazelles....? I used to run w/my sister-in-law who is one -- long, lean, 6 inches taller than me, and 7 years older, and runs like it's EFFORTLESS. I'd hate her if she wasn't so darned SWEET!!!

Hang in there, lady! You can do this.

MoooveOverFluffy

TinaDay.........THANK YOU for that. Very inspirational indeed. And tell your friend, that I may adopt her idea of the forearm grunt words!!!!

MoooveOverFluffy

I really L.O.V.E. hearing all of your personal journies.............keep 'em coming please!!

mcrowe1016

I started running a few months ago. I can run 4 miles in 48 minutes right now with no breaks.

1. What is considered good, mediocre, beginner (timewise)? I run about 5 mph (12 min per mile)
2. How long did it take you to get from beginner to good? I am a beginner who can run 4 miles. If that isn't good, I don't know what is :-)
<side note: most people cant even run a mile, so I would say that you are pretty good right now too!>
3. How often did you train in order to improve? About 3 times per week
4. Can short people really beat long-legged gazelle-ish women who can run like the wind? You can if you put enough work into it. But, I am not trying to beat anyone.

5. Not too sure about this. I run on a treadmill, because one of my dogs (the young hyper one ironically enough) hates running. On cold walks with them though, usually daily moisturizer, a scarf, and over the ear headphones keep me warm and not chapped.

smilebhappy

bump to read later

Shayyy01

I'm not good by any means, but getting there.
I run at night in cleveland ( cold)
Head gear ( head band, and cap) Cover the ears
Scarf around face and neck especially the back of my neck.
I'm working on what to wear to cover my nose, dont want to give my older neighbors a heart attack in a ski mask.

I run daily, a mile each day. every weekend, i run 2+ miles, this weekend going for 4.5
I took my training slowly, i did what i was comfortable with then pushed myself a little more each day.
It's hard to run when its cold/windy, but i feel like you get more out of it when the weather isnt ideal. Just watch for icey, if you are somewhere that snows, dont run on ice...
Good Luck!


Chapstick will be one of your best friends. Carry it in your pocket.

therealangd

I've only been running for a little less than a year. I'm also over 40 so take this for what it's worth. A point I'd like to make is that you shouldn't compare yourself to others. When it comes to running, the person you're trying to beat is yourself. There's always going to be someone faster. Always. Unless you're Apohlo what's his name.

My answers are based on me. Your mileage will vary.

1. What is considered good, mediocre, beginner (timewise)? Beginner, it took me almost an hour to do a 5k (3 miles), My mediocre time for 5k, would be 35 minutes. My good time would be anything under 0:30:00 for a 5k, Anything under 1:05:00 for a 10K, Anything under 2:15:00 for a half and Anything under 4:35:00 for a full. I'll consider myself good when I can qualify for the Boston Marathon.

2. How long did it take you to get from beginner to good? I've been at it a year, and I consider myself mediocre

3. How often did you train in order to improve? I run 3/4 times a week. I'm currently training for a half. My goal for my first half is 2:45:00

4. Can short people really beat long-legged gazelle-ish women who can run like the wind? Nope. All things being equal. ie the same fitness level.

**edit*** 5. also, i would like to know what you do to protect your face from wind/cold (for you outside runners in the colder climates)... one night outside and my face was chapped all to hell.... A scarf or a balaclava

TinaDay1114

I'm also over 40 so take this for what it's worth. A point I'd like to make is that you shouldn't compare yourself to others. When it comes to running, the person you're trying to beat is yourself. There's always going to be someone faster. Always. Unless you're Apohlo what's his name.

^^ SO TRUE. (With age, comes WISDOM! I'm 41, so I feel you!!) That's what's great about running, though. It's just YOU now, and you from last week, and the you from from 10 years ago racing against each other.

MoooveOverFluffy

i just re-read this post... THANK YOU to all who took the time to comment here. Meant alot then, and even more now as i'm progressing....xo