Another Running Question

gdunn55

So I run or walk very fast and pump my arms, whatever you want to call it. People ask my mileage, I can't give them an honest answer because I don't know. I wear a watch and I start it and run for an allotted time. I probably misspelled allotted. I the math in my head from the last 5k and try to figure mileage that way, but who knows. That's not the point nor the question.

So anyways, when I take off on a run, I start out with walking for about 2.5 minutes, then run for so many minutes (this past week it was 50 minute runs on my running days). When I hit my minutes, I walk it out for 2.5 minutes or however long it takes me to get to my truck or back to my apartment. And that's how I train. Buddy of mine that's doing the Warrior Dash with me in April said he talked to a PT that told him it was better to run for so many minutes then walk then run then walk. Keep the heart rate at about 140 bpm, otherwise you're going to burn muscle. I figured I was ok because I weight train too.

My question, have I been training wrong the last couple of years?

BrianSharpe

Buddy of mine that's doing the Warrior Dash with me in April said he talked to a PT that told him it was better to run for so many minutes then walk then run then walk. Keep the heart rate at about 140 bpm, otherwise you're going to burn muscle. I figured I was ok because I weight train too.

My question, have I been training wrong the last couple of years?

No, the PT is misinformed and is repeating a bro-science myth.. Unless you have fully depleted your glycogen stores and have an incredibly low % of body fat you're not going to be metabolizing muscle with a 1 hr run. (Even at 80% MaxHR you're burning about 75% carbs and 25% fat)

mfanyafujo

I say, if you can run for 50 minutes straight, there's nothing wrong with that.

Interval training (the running and then walking, then repeat) has a purpose. It's specific training. But so is running constantly for a certain amount of time. I guess it all just depends on your goals. Marathon runners tend to have really lean bodies, which is entirely a product of the long distance runs. So if that what you want? Or do you prefer more bulk? The important question is, which exercise do you prefer? If you like what you're doing now, don't change it.

gdunn55

Makes sense. I'm a big guy as it is. And in the last month I've decided to train for a half marathon. But at least 2 days a week I want to hit the weights to get back some of the strength I've lost.

scottb81

Your training is fine. If you are going to train for a half marathon then I recommend you extend that 50 minutes to 60 to 90 minutes. The aerobic benefits between 60 and 90 minutes are much greater than they are on runs of less than an hour.

atsteele

One suggestion: If you are going to train for a half marathon, I'd figure out how far you are actually running before race day. hehe

froeschli

If you have a smartphone you can us runkeeper or mapmyrun or something similar to track your route and distance. If not, there's a site called geodistance or similar, where you can paint your route into a google map and it will tell you how far it is.
So far, I run by time also, but like to check how far and fast etc... I'm doing intervals, because I only just started. Once I can run that long without stopping, I'd probably only slow down to have a drink of water (before I trip and knock my teeth out )

gdunn55

One suggestion: If you are going to train for a half marathon, I'd figure out how far you are actually running before race day. hehe

OH don't worry. I have a trail and I know the round about distance.

Scottb, my half won't be until January. Right now I'm focused on WD. Next is a 10k. Then who knows.