Beginning Runner wondering about how fast is too fast?

RHRN

Hi all,

Beginning runner here, after 4/5 months after leaving rowing, claiming the time was too much for school (read: I'm lazy) I'm now doing the HH Novice 10k plan for the Great Ireland Run.

He says go at a conversational pace, but running alone, I'm not too sure about how much I should be pushing? Just wondering, cause I've heard a lot of talk about beginning runners going faster than they can manage, getting niggles, then injuries etc. and I don't want to do something stupid.

I know not to be like, wanting to throw up after every training run and lying on the ground for half an hour trying to get my breath back, but if I'm panting a bit coming into the finish, I'm alright, aren't I? I just feel you kind of need to be to get something out of it. I usually just stop after my run, couple of stretches, and a ~10 minute walk back to my house, and I'm grand enough, I can feel it a bit in the legs maybe, but thats it.

Sorry, I realise its a bit of a stupid question or whatever, but having got very sick at the height of racing season last year in rowing due to stupid mistakes in training volume, I don't want to do it again. Its just the way HH talks, I feel its almost like he doesn't want you out of breath at the end?

Thanks guys

RoyMcC

Vary it. The weekend long runs you ought to be doing at an easy pace to ensure that you're getting time on your feet without wrecking your legs. The shorter (2m, 2.5m) midweek runs, push a bit harder if you feel like it - you sound young and fit and up for a bit of harder work.

But as Higdon himself says somewhere - first time out just make sure that you enjoy the race and finish it comfortably - the world record can wait until next time.

macinalli

The key to improving is consistent training. You don't want to push yourself to the extent that you're too tired to go out the next day - be shouldn't be running "eyeballs out" when training. It sounds like you're doing this, but do try to get out most days, even if it's just for a short run.

The other point is that each run should have a purpose and you don't have to work hard every run. For example, if you do an intervals session today, then tomorrow should be a slow recovery run to work the lactic acid out of your legs. It should be slow, but it will have a purpose. Also, look back on each week as a whole - don't judge yourself based on 1 single run. If you do this then you should be able train consistently and see yourself improve. Good luck!

RHRN

Thanks guys, greatly appreciated.
I'm following the HH pretty closely, doing the three runs a week, and some rowing machine as cross. Just kind of unsure, being new to this whole running thing

I'm never wrecked the next day, but like I said, I'm just not too sure how hard I should be going.

But thanks, both of you

AntiVirus

I only run 5km's balls to the wall about 3 times a week. Every time I run I want to stop, I keep making excuses to stop but I don't. I get home, and collaspe in a heap in the back garden even if its raining!

Every time I go out I tell myself to run slowly but my damn Garmin watch tells me I'm running slower than the last time I ran and forces me to run faster just to beat my previous time! :mad:

After 5min lying on the grass with the slugs and then a quick shower I'm fine. I only get sore legs from a leg session with weights in the gym.


You run the way you like, be it slow or fast, me I like pain