Beginners log

RubyK

I've decided to start a log, to keep me motivated. I'm new to this running lark, and a bit clueless about it I did a 10KM run a week ago, and did it in 55.36 mins. Doing another one this weekend and hoping to complete it in the same time.

I do a Spin class on Mondays, and try to run three times a week (Tues/Thurs/Sat) or (Wed/Fri/Sun). Is three times a week enough? Should I be aiming for at least four? Any advice would be great. I'm not ever going to run a marathon, but I would like to be able to manage 10 miles, in a decent time, someday.

luvlylady

Best of luck with your log. I find mine really useful for staying focused and to look back on previous runs. I used struggle with regular 3 mile runs including walk breaks but can now run 4 miles fairly comfortably and have cut out the walks. I'm still slow but I'll never be competing against anyone else, only myself, so as long as I'm improving I'm happy! What distances do you cover on your runs?

Have you received anything about Dungarvan this weekend yet? Hoping to get an info pack early this week.

RubyK

Hey there

I've been doing 5 miles 3 times a week since. Do you think 3 times is enough, or should I be doing at leat 4? I also do 1 spin class a week.

I'm exactly the same as you, the only person I want to compete against is myself

I haven't received the pack yet, but they said they will be posting them out early this week, so hopefully we'll see something soon. I don't know Dungarvan at all really, only the outskirts of the town. I don't really like the idea of not knowing the route well, iykwim. With the last run, at leat I knew once I got over the top of Grange, I'd be ok

RubyK

21/09/09 - 1 hour spin class

22/09/09 - 9km run. Hated the first 3km, but got into it after that and enjoyed it.

23/09/09 - felt a headcold coming on, so I didn't get out for a run. Hope to get out this evening after work.


edited my time, as I think I may have f*cked up on that ;-)

Krusty_Clown

Hae you considered following a structured training plan? Even if you only plan on running against yourself, a structure plan answers question for you, like:
Should I run x mile y number of times per week?
How do I go from 10k to 10 miles?
How do I avoid injury?
How can I get faster?
etc.

Halhigdon.com is a great place to start, and has programs aimed at many levels and disances.

Going from 10k in 55 mins to 9k in 40 is phenomenal (a 10 minute improvement in your 10k time). Best of luck!

RubyK

Thanks very much for that link Krusty I'm off to have a look at it now.

I won't ever be competing against anyone, only myself. I'm doing a 10KM run for charity on Sunday, and want to better my 55mins of two weeks ago!!

RubyK

21/09/09 - 1 hour spin class

22/09/09 - 9km run. Hated the first 3km, but got into it after that and enjoyed it.

24/09/09 - 7km run. I really struggled, and didn't enjoy it at all. I feel I'm going backwards instead of improving. Dreading Sundays 10Km now

rainbow kirby

You'll be fine on Sunday. Good luck

RubyK

rainbow kirby wrote: »

You'll be fine on Sunday. Good luck

Thanks rainbow kirby, I wish I shared your positivity

luvlylady

I'm not really one to be giving advice because I'm really only a beginner to this lark myself but from experience, I get bad days and good days during the week too. On Wednesday of this week I had an awful run, everything hurt right from the beginning but I kept at it. I had a rest day yesterday and feel good again today. Don't let one bad run throw you off, you've been doing really well. Your times are great too. You'll be fine on Sunday. Don't over think it, just get out and enjoy it. That's my plan

RubyK

Thanks luvlylady - I think I will go for an easy 3 mile this evening on the flat, and that might put me in the right frame of mind. I'll rest tomorrow, and hope I'll get through Sunday.

You're training is going really great, you must be getting great sense of achievement from it.

Best of luck for Sunday

RubyK

21/09/09 - 1 hour spin class

22/09/09 - 9km run. Hated the first 3km, but got into it after that and enjoyed it.

24/09/09 - 7km run. I really struggled, and didn't enjoy it at all. I feel I'm going backwards instead of improving. Dreading Sundays 10Km now

25/09/09 - 7km run. Not too bad (didn't hurt as much as the previous day).

27/09/09 - 10km mini marathon - really enjoyed it (mostly) and did it in 53 mins. It has me thinking again about the 10 mile race next month for charity.

showry

Good running, well done.
What was the 10k course like? Did many do it?

RubyK

Thanks, I'm not exactly a fast runner, more like a steady jogger but I did enjoy it.

There seemed to be a decent crowd I'd say about 500. The course started up from the Park Hotel, and went out past the playing field, out the countryside past Kielys horseyard (I think ). We were up and down narrow boreens, and came out on the N25 and we finished up past Microchem in the industrial estate.

My description/directions are bad, but hopefully you get the gist

rainbow kirby

RubyK wrote: »

27/09/09 - 10km mini marathon - really enjoyed it (mostly) and did it in 53 mins. It has me thinking again about the 10 mile race next month for charity.

Well done

You *know* you want to do the 10-miler. If you have a few weeks, just stretch out one run a week beyond the 10km distance - maybe try and get up to about 14-15km before it. You'll be fine, it's not as much of a jump as you think!

RubyK

rainbow kirby wrote: »

You *know* you want to do the 10-miler. If you have a few weeks, just stretch out one run a week beyond the 10km distance - maybe try and get up to about 14-15km before it. You'll be fine, it's not as much of a jump as you think!

yes you're right, I do!!

Now I just have the task of upping my distance, and raising €250.

luvlylady

Well done on improving your time yesterday. I enjoyed the run and was glad to have the weather much cooler than the fun run a couple of weeks ago. So the 10 miler is the next one for you too? The route should be finalised by Wednesday and will be on the WLR website from then. I'll see how scary it looks and will decide then whether or not I'll chance it!

RubyK

Yep, the 10 miles is the next one for me. I'm going to pick up an entry form from AIB later today. It will be the last race I do before the Winter League. The thing that is pushing me towards the 10 miles, is the fact that it is for charity, and there will be plenty of people walking/jogging, so I don't think it will be too presurised iykwim It's more about fundraising.

RubyK

Monday 28/09 - 1 hr spinning class

Tuesday 29/09 - 8.8KM run in 48 mins. Enjoyed it, I didn't struggle like last week and got up a killer hill (just about)

Wednesday 30/09 - rest day.

RubyK

Monday 28/09 - 1 hr spinning class

Tuesday 29/09 - 8.8KM run in 48 mins. Enjoyed it, I didn't struggle like last week and got up a killer hill (just about)

Wednesday 30/09 - rest day

Thursday 01/10 - 8 mile run. The first 5 miles were good and enjoyable, then mile 6 & 7 were the complete opposite, and I had to stop, twice, as I felt awful Mile 8 was fine, but that's because I could see my housing estate, off in the distance, and couldn't wait to get home!!

RubyK

Monday 28/09 - 1 hr spinning class

Tuesday 29/09 - 8.8KM run in 48 mins. Enjoyed it, I didn't struggle like last week and got up a killer hill (just about)

Wednesday 30/09 - rest day

Thursday 01/10 - 8 mile run. The first 5 miles were good and enjoyable, then mile 6 & 7 were the complete opposite, and I had to stop, twice, as I felt awful Mile 8 was fine, but that's because I could see my housing estate, off in the distance, and couldn't wait to get home!!

Saturday 03/10 - 8.5 mile run. Wasn't as bad as Thursday.

Sunday 04/10 - 4.2 miles. Disaster. I was woeful. One step forward, and two steps back.

RubyK

Less than two weeks to the 10 miler, yikes, this week better be easier than last week.

Monday 05/10 - 1 hr spin class.

Tuesday 06/10 - rest day.

RubyK

Less than two weeks to the 10 miler, yikes, this week better be easier than last week.

Monday 05/10 - 1 hr spin class.

Tuesday 06/10 - rest day.

Wednesday 07/10 - 7.5 miles. Enjoyed most of it, the killer hill is still tough, but no as tough as a few weeks ago. Took me 1 hr 10 mins. My speed is not improving at all.

RubyK

Less than two weeks to the 10 miler, yikes, this week better be easier than last week.

Monday 05/10 - 1 hr spin class.

Tuesday 06/10 - rest day.

Wednesday 07/10 - 7.5 miles. Enjoyed most of it, the killer hill is still tough, but no as tough as a few weeks ago. Took me 1 hr 10 mins. My speed is not improving at all.

Thursday 08/10 - 7.75 miles. Slow but not too painful.

Friday 09/10 - rest day.

RubyK

Today - 8 miles. The worst 8 miles of my running life. It was horrendous. My legs just wouldn't work, a voice in my head saying "what the hell are you doing this for" I stopped and started, ran out of water after 5 miles. I feel awful now, and have no idea how I'm going to do 10 miles tomorrow week.

Instead of improving, I am seriously going backwards. I was so looking forward to my run today, and it turns out to be disastrous.

luvlylady

Have you had a look at or are you following any training plans? Any of them that I have looked at, and indeed the one I am following, advise shorter faster runs during the week and one long run at the weekend. You're doing a fair bit of mileage each week when you're only starting off. Maybe shorten the mid week runs for a couple of weeks and you'll have more in the tank for the long runs at the weekend. That's what I'm doing anyway and it works for me!

RubyK

Thanks luvlylady, I'm probably going at it the wrong way alright I just feel under pressure to put in the miles before Sunday.

I'm going to take it handy enough this week, and hope for the best on Sunday (but I am dreading it ).

You're training is going really well, you must be looking forward to the Run for Life.

Weather forecast seems good right up to Sunday, so fingers crossed for a calm clear day.

metamorphosis

Better to be undertrained than overtrained Ruby.

By running 7/8 miles tue and agin the foillowing day and day after that you are not letting your body get used to it and will find it harder. Runnersworld.com do plans for you on any mileage base. Few short runs mid week follwed by a long runn the weekend would be, imo , a smarter way around it, at least untill your body has adapted and remember increasing mileage by more than 10% a week = eventual injury!

luvlylady

RubyK wrote: »

Thanks luvlylady, I'm probably going at it the wrong way alright I just feel under pressure to put in the miles before Sunday.

I'm going to take it handy enough this week, and hope for the best on Sunday (but I am dreading it ).

You're training is going really well, you must be looking forward to the Run for Life.

Weather forecast seems good right up to Sunday, so fingers crossed for a calm clear day.

I'm looking forward to it alright but I'll be nervous at the same time. My run on Friday took in a stretch of the Cork Road, passing the WIT, and Saturday took in most of the Outer Ring Road. Both of these are in the route for Sunday's run and I can tell you they were a challenge! For every uphill there's a downhill, that's what I keep telling myself! Should be a good day. Take it a bit easier this week and you should be fine for Sunday.

RubyK

luvlylady wrote: »

My run on Friday took in a stretch of the Cork Road, passing the WIT, and Saturday took in most of the Outer Ring Road. Both of these are in the route for Sunday's run and I can tell you they were a challenge!

Fair dues to you luvlylady!!

When I heard the route first, I thought it sounded ok, but I've since realised that it's going to be pretty tough. The Cork Rd from the RSC is a right drag, and again the other Ring Road another pain :eek:

I'm not looking foward to it at all. I've banned my husband from coming to see me cross/crawl over the line

RubyK

Monday 12/10 - 1 hr spinning class

Wed 14/10 - 5.85 miles. Thank God it was much more enjoyable than Saturdays abysmal effort. My legs felt good all the way, and so did my head Feel a little better about this Sunday now.

Thurs 15/10 - rest day.

RubyK

Monday 12/10 - 1 hr spinning class

Wed 14/10 - 5.85 miles. Thank God it was much more enjoyable than Saturdays abysmal effort. My legs felt good all the way, and so did my head Feel a little better about this Sunday now.

Thurs 15/10 - rest day.

Friday 16/10 - 4.3 miles. It went ok.

Sat 17/10 - rest day. 10 miles tomorrow :eek:

RubyK

Sunday 18/10 - 10 mile Run for Life.

Completed it in 1 hr 29 mins. I'm very happy, as it's 11 mins faster than I expected. I found the first 1 1/2 miles to be the worst, my legs felt dead. I only got going on the incline. Really enjoyed it (apart from a stich at mile 8 ).

metamorphosis

Well done on yesterday!

showry

good stuff outta you, well done

luvlylady

Well done on your great run yesterday! I always find the first mile or two the worst, as soon as I break a sweat and get into it it's more enjoyable. I found it way more enjoyable than I thought I would. The ORR wasn't as nightmarish as I expected! Go us!

So the Half Marathon in December...I'm half afraid to even admit I'm contemplating it!

rainbow kirby

Great time!

You should be able to go sub-2 for the half with that sort of 10-mile time, and I say that from personal experience.

RubyK

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Great time!

You should be able to go sub-2 for the half with that sort of 10-mile time, and I say that from personal experience.

Thanks for that rainbow kirby - today, post run high, I would love to do it, but maybe it's aiming a bit high

rainbow kirby

3 miles more, 2 months to train, you're practically there.

RubyK

rainbow kirby wrote: »

3 miles more, 2 months to train, you're practically there.

You sound like that little voice in my head I'll see how I get on in the next few weeks, and decide for sure then.

Are half marathons very competitive? I've really enjoyed the atmosphere on the 2 10K's and yesterdays 10 miles, as they've been pretty relaxed. I'd be afraid the half marathon would be different in that way, iykwim.

Sorry if this post sounds ridiculous, it's just it's all pretty new to me.

RubyK

Mon 19/10 - 1 hr spin class. Found it tough, and my legs tired quickly.

Tuesday 20/10 - Rest day.

RubyK

Mon 19/10 - 1 hr spin class. Found it tough, and my legs tired quickly.

Tuesday 20/10 - Rest day.

Thurs 22/10 - 5.85 miles. Went ok, except for the killer hill, which I swear is getting steeper

RubyK

Mon 19/10 - 1 hr spin class. Found it tough, and my legs tired quickly.

Tuesday 20/10 - Rest day.

Thurs 22/10 - 5.85 miles. Went ok, except for the killer hill, which I swear is getting steeper

Friday 23/10 - 4 miles. It was a miserable wet evening, but I figured it would be an easier run than 4 miles in the forecast gales of today, Saturday!

Sat 24/10 - Rest day. Can't even get the dog to come for a walk with me in thjs wind

DustyBin

Hey Rubyk
Just reading through your log there now, that's a great result you got in the 10 miler, congratulations! Looks like we're in and around the same level of running (well you've ran further than me, but planning to break 10 miles tomorrow). I'll be keeping an eye on your log to see if I can pick up any tips.
I'm signed up for the half in Waterford and would love to see you doing it too. The others are dead right, it's well doable for you!
Anyway best of luck with the training and congrats on your achievements so far

RubyK

Ah thanks DustyBin - best of luck with your training, and I hope you enjoyed breaking the 10 mile mark! I don't think you'll get many tips from me though, I seem to have 1 good run, and then 3-4 awful ones I'm not sure yet about the 1/2, but I'll see how things go in the next few weeks!

Sun 25/10 - 4.7 miles. Headed out at 8.30 am - wasn't the best of experiences, but I've learned my lesson. Mexican food + red wine + 5 hrs sleep = very woeful running :eek::o

Monday 26/10 - 6.6 miles. To make up for yesterdays attempt, I ventured out again. 6.6 painful miles. Heavy legs, and my mind was all over the shop! I'm putting it down to bank holiday excesses! I felt pathetic, as I thought of all the marathon runners out there, chasing their goals, as I struggled along!

RubyK

Weds 28/10 - 6.2 miles. Felt good most for most of it. The two steep hills, weren't exactly enjoyable, but not quite torture either The misty rain was actually quiet nice, which I wasn't expecting!

RubyK

Thurs 29/10 - 4.4 miles. Wasn't as enjoyable as last night, windy and pouring rain!

RubyK

Sat 31/10 - 10 miles. Was struggling at mile 4, when two fit guys passed me out, and I sorta tagged along behind them, which gave me a second wind. Lost them after a couple of miles though Felt ok until mile 8, when my stomach started talking to me. Eventually got home, tired but glad I did it.

I don't think I will be able for the 1/2 marathon in 6 weeks time. I don't seem to be improving. Today was a really struggle at times. Not encouraging.

rainbow kirby

RubyK wrote: »

I don't think I will be able for the 1/2 marathon in 6 weeks time. I don't seem to be improving. Today was a really struggle at times. Not encouraging.

If you can do 10 miles now, you will be ready for it. If nothing else, adrenaline on race day will carry you another 3.1 miles!

We all have bad days. Enjoy your weekend and don't let it get to you.

RacoonQueen

Completely agree with RK, six weeks is a LONG time. You don't need to have run 13.1 in training before hand to be able to do it on the day, it may help you psychologically but physically you could probably do it now.

Whats the longest run you've done to date? Is it 10 miles?

RubyK

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Whats the longest run you've done to date? Is it 10 miles?

Yep, 10 is the max, and only twice Two weeks ago, and today. I know it's 6 weeks away, but I just can't see myself actually getting further than the 10.

On the plus though, I'm not shattered after it like I was two weeks ago! Suppose it's something