What's your distance...?

Hi there all, I am just about to go out to get to my friend's house in good time, walk up to the town centre and do an 8.5 mile Fun Run (Fun? Ha!) and I thought I'd look for a running group on LT. And here you are!

When I was talking to my doctor in the week, who is also a runner and is in fact doing this Fun Run today too, he said "I don't fancy the distance, I'm a 10k man myself". I've only been running a year, so I've built up from 5k last year, a 5 mile in Feb, a 10k in April and now this one... I'm thinking of trying for a half-marathon next year.

So - what's your distance?

I love marathons (full ones), but half-marathons are great fun too with the added benefit that you're not very sore the next day. On a normal day I'll only run 3-8 miles depending on the day, but as many as 15 for a long run.

Speed work is my least favorite, so it's not surprising that I'd rather run slow all day than fast ever.

You'd probably have loads of fun in a half-marathon, Lyzzy. You should definitely look around for one to run. If you can already do 8.5 miles you'd be fine for a mini. The most I had run before my first mini was 9 miles.

Aha - well, I loved doing the 8.5 mile one so much that I'm now determined to go for the Birmingham Half-Marathon at the end of October. Whoo hoo! I come into my own at about 45 mins, did again on Sunday, so I think I'm suited to the longer ones!

Excellent! I'm excited for you! I'd love to hear how training and the event go!

Thankyou!

Signed up for the half yesterday and so did my friend and running partner, Jen.

We went out today with another friend, managed 5 miles after not much training since the big run. Pleased with that. My "bad" (shorter leg) foot twinged a bit after 2 miles so I walked a little, tightened my laces then started running again.

I'm going to download a 3 month training schedule from Runners World and start in earnest ant the end of the month!

What are you training for at the moment? Anyone else?

I just started running in April, didn't start accumulating 20-mile weeks until June. I've a 10-miler tomorrow, a 20K in September and thinking about a 1/2 marathon in October. All these have goals of "just-finish". There's a marathon also in October and a more seasoned runner is suggesting I go and run/walk it at a 7-hour effort pace. If I continue with no injuries and get up to a 20 mile practice run, should I go for it? Or does this sound like an injury waiting to happen? Should the newbie beware?

Good luck for the 10 miler! That's further than I've run so far at all!

It sounds like you're doing a sensible build-up but I'd also listen to the marathon runner. It might be an idea to go on the Runners World forums (runnersworld.com or .co.uk) as they can be really helpful.

Did you start from a position of relative fitness?

I'd maybe suggest doing a later marathon, is there one in Dec or Jan at all where you are? Just doing the 2 in Oct might be pushing it as you do exert more in a race.

Oh - and in the race, try not to start too fast - that's what everyone does and it just tires you out. Start gentle and get faster is the key.

Good luck! Let us know how you get on!

I'm still trainnig for my half, on week 4 now which is an easy week. I started as an overweight unfit 35 year old so it's taking time to build towards my goals, but still rewarding.

/me waves to everyone in the runners group. I knew there had to be a group for this in here! Anyone else into barefoot running?

I used to run 5k's in school a few years back, but since then have stopped running races or even for fun. Last month I decided to get back into running and shoot for the kansas city marathon in october (3 months to train). I have gone from 0 to 11 miles without too much difficulty, but managed to over-work my foot this past weekend. If this injury can heal itself in time my long runs will continue to climb up to marathon distance :D

Barefoot???? Ack! Couldn't be without my trusty Mizunos!

Good luck for the marathon! I'm training for a half, as you can see, but I've been ill this week with a bad cold and cough. Did a 45 min walk just now and hoping to start running again on Tuesday.

>7 LyzzyBee: Thanks for the informative words LyzzyBee. I've been able to devote the hours needed, ie, I'm still at only 20-30 miles a week. So... I'm gonna listen to everyone and wait till next year on that marathon. I just did a 20K today and will line up a 1/2 marathon or two before winter sets in.

How did the 20k go? I've had this cough but I managed 5 (slow) miles yesterday evening with no coughing, so I was pleased I had the physical and mental strength to do that.

3 miles tomorrow and 8 on Sunday - that's the plan!

Like buttah. No problem at all at my poky 10-minute mile pace. I really enjoyed it along with 2,100 of my closest running partners. The New Haven (Connecticut) Road race is legendary. BTW, I was going to run a 1/2 marathon just for fun tomorrow but it got postponed due to tropical storm Hanna. Wouldn't that have been fun running with warm, light ESE winds and torrential rains? I always loved splashing through puddles. I'm sure the race volunteers are relieved however.

Oh, also, message 10 should have obviously read "I've been UNABLE to devote the hours needed" for marathon training. 30 miles a week clearly isn't enough. Next year.

Wow - excellent! I trotted round 3 miles at 11 minute mile pace yesterday but I think my first mile was faster...

I LOVE running in the rain - last night it was really heavy with a cold wind too - real English weather - I popped my running cap on and loved it - really invigorating!

I'm getting towards 20 miles a week for the half-marathon training and hoping that's enough... I run slowly so more miles takes so long!

Barefoot! I love my Sauconys too much. And I can be prone to shin splints in the wrong shoes, so I can only imagine what no shoes would do to me. Oh, and I'm afraid to step on something ... like glass.

Sandy, I've run marathons on just 20-30 miles a week, but it was just to finish it, not for any specific time. And I had run several before, so I knew what I was getting into. It was wise of you to wait! Good point about the volunteers for that race. I love rain-running too, but I would definitely not enjoy rain-volunteering!

Lyzzy, I hope you're better!

Tyro, welcome!!

My distance?...as far as I can run without getting injured! Sometimes it is zero miles and at times it was thirty miles. I always preferred the marathon for many reasons though when I could. I always keep the hope alive that some day I might run another one.

I'm impressed by the marathon runners. I'm scared off marathons for the moment, see how I go.

I tried Saucony shoes and they curl up so much at the toe, they felt like Aladdin shoes and felt just plain odd. I have Mizunos which are much flatter.

I run 9 miles every other day for daily runs.

I did a full marathon in May (I wanted to do one in my life) but I won't be doing that again. (My legs just won't hold up to that kind of abuse any more.) I love mini-marathons. They are long enough to push me, but not so long as to leave me hobbling for weeks.

How long is a mini-marathon?

I am scared of the thing about fuelling when you have to take on board enough *during*the race to keep you going. I've only just learnt how to drink when running along (and I still can't drink from that cup they give you!)

Nice to see these threads with a few more posters!

Minis are usually 13.1 miles.

Mini-marathons are also known as half-marathons -- 26.2 divided by 2 = 13.1! ;)

Lyzzy, I've tried other brands and I just don't like anything as much as I like Saucony. Funny how that works. I agree, Lyzzy, it is nice to have more people here!

Marathons are my favorite! I'm not very injury-prone though, and I typically feel perfectly normal about 3-4 days after running one. But half-marathons are loads of fun too because, like ink says, they're far enough to make you work but no so far as to make you hurt later.

I did always wonder what a mini-marathon was! "Half" sounds more dignified than "mini" I think. Mind you, I don't like "fun run" as a name either; I know running is meant to be fun, but sometimes, even in a race, it just ISN'T!

Do the Sauconys make your toes push off the ground more due to the curve at the front? My running partner Jen has them and really likes them.

lefty33, I used to run with new balance (loved them), asics (not for me, but nice), even adidas and nike, but I fell in love with Vibram Five Fingers. They are essentially barefooting, but you get a little protection from the road. Ever since I started running in these I have not been able to go back to regular shoes (I even wander around in them when I'm not running). You do have to watch out for glass and sharp objects, but who doesn't? In the few steps I have made on bits of glass and big rocks I have not injured myself at all.

Because they look so different I get a lot of questions about them. People ask a lot about the lack of support, or getting hurt, and how comfortable they are but I've had nothing but good things to say. They do work your muscles a bit different, but once you acclimate they are great. In a year of both my girlfriend and I running with them the only injury between the two of us has been me over-training, nothing shoe related.

WOW! I have never heard of Vibram Five Fingers, but I just read up on them on the internet. I always like as little shoe as possible. I remember back in the late 70's Nike made a green and yellow shoe called the "Oregon", or something like that I think, which barely had any sole to it especially in the midfoot. Growing up in San Diego I was barefoot most of the time, but in Phoenix the ground is so hot you can fry an egg on the street. These might be nice for me to try. Thanks.

Just as a side issue, can you *really* fry an egg on the street - people always say this, but is it literally true? Coming from rainy old England where, well, your egg would just wash away...!

Those shoes are cool. There is something here called something like the Masai warrior shoe that is meant to mimic barefoot walking and running... but costs a LOT.

Every summer we hit 115 degrees (46 for you) and every other summer or so we hit 120 degrees (48 to 49 for you). That is the air temperature in the shade. Now move to the direct sun and then to the black street and cook yourself a breakfast egg.

Running shoes kept in the car have the outer-sole shrink right off the mid-sole. Nothing to do but throw the shoes away.

Wow - I'm impressed. Not much you can use the weather for here!

But it must be a bit unpleasant running in that - I started last year and I find I can't stand running in any sun. Heavy rain - fine!

I cannot stand running in the heat. I can tolerate about 80 degrees (26 to you Celcius people), but higher than that it is no fun. So, most mornings I must get up at 5am to beat the heat to run when it is "only" 80.
I think I would prefer rain also.

Oakes, I rarely ever run more than 15 miles in preparation for a marathon. I've never felt that a 20-or-so mile run helped any more than a 15 mile run, and the 20-milers leave me much more tired for training later that week. And you're right -- the time commitment to running for 2-4 hours can be difficult.

Have you run with music? Sometimes this helps me. About half the time, I bring my mp3 player with me, the other half I run in woodsy-type areas that will have birds and other wildlife to listen to, watch, and think about. If you are having to run long runs in a city area, I can certainly understand your boredom!

I agree that music sure can help, but I would also advise to try and get in a couple 20+ runs in the next three weeks. I'd hate to hear you were on 2:50 pace up until mile 22 and then have the last 4 miles take 45 minutes to finish in 3:10 instead.
Good luck in your race. I hope you make your goal.

I have always found it useful to try to clear my mind. Music tends to distract me and can keep me from running well; it leaves me pacing myself differently during each song. Typically if I keep my focus on my running form I eventually look up and realize I have run a decent distance without realizing it. When the going gets rough it becomes a cycle of "I must keep running until the end of the block... till the next light pole... till that bench" After I reach my goal I say "Good job, now keep running until that insert goal here." Baby steps to the finish line.

"If you are having to run long runs in a city area, I can certainly understand your boredom!" - ooh, I disagree with that, there's so much to see in the city - well, OK, I'm in a suburb... I have milestones to watch out for (that pink VW Beetle, particular cats...)

I time every mile (as I'm still getting used to setting particular paces) so that keeps an interest every 12 mins or so (!!) and I find after about 45 mins I get into a zone thing where I just plod along.

I have music on, a load of music in my MP3 that I love, put on random shuffle, and often I adjust my footfalls to the rhythm of each track.

Also like seeing and waving to other runners (there are LOADs of runners out in Birmingham at the moment, wonder if they're all doing the half marathon)

OK at the moment I'm building up miles and only up to 9, but the long runs are fine for me.

Oh, and I go out Sunday mornings - I get up early, have breakfast and go back to sleep again or hang out reading, then go out at 10. I never used to do much with my Sunday mornings anyway.

Hope that helps a bit... or maybe we're all just long OR speed people!

Good luck for the Marathon - be sure to pop back and let us all know how you did!

lefty33, only 15 miles for a long training run before a marathon? Perhaps I could waddle through a marathon after all. I'll train easy for the next few months and get ready to run a marathon next year. Who knows, maybe I could do 6 hours, or maybe even 5?

Sandydog1,
Just my 2 cents here, but I wouldn't recommend it. The last 11 miles (beyond 15 miles) can seem VERY long if ill prepared.

My distance might be "0 miles" soon. I have to make an appt with the doctor to discuss the pay off between running and my old leg problem.

Like with other activities (eg shoe wearing), I seem to be fine running as long as I don't compromise the bad leg. E.g. if I always wear shoes with a strap or laces, or I run and don't trip. If I wear court shoes, or trip and land wrong on that leg, I'm in trouble.

I need to go back through my medical notes cos I was 20 when I first found out I had one longer leg + associated issues, and at 20 I wasn't a sophisticated consumer of health services and just went along with what they said.

Wish me luck! No running while I wait - I walked three miles the other day and still had a bit of pain the next day... :(

I don't mean to pry...and don't answer if it is too personal, but what is the leg length decrepency in inches?

It's about an inch as I recall... enough to make my legs look slightly different esp now they are more muscly, but not noticeably, only when pointed out. but because it was never diagnosed when I was growing, I've adjusted and got a bit wonky.

I'll reiterate though, if there are no other factors, I'm OK, but if it gets damaged, it really fouls things up.

I have a doc appt for Tuesday and my doc is a runner himself, so we'll see what he says...

(In my opinion...)An inch is a lot for an active person and one who runs at all...not so much for an inactive person. I hope your doctor recommends a partial correction of the difference and for you to keep running. One needs to add in the cardiovascular and weight control benefits of running ...but I'm sure you and your doctor have thought about it already. Good luck next Tuesday and let us know what your doctor says.

Well it's not like I run with a limp (or even walk with one) as I never had it diagnosed so I've adjusted... and I didn't get any trouble with the actual running, just with this trip. It's like with shoes, if I don't wear something I shouldn't, I'll be OK. If I don't trip over (or presumably do iron man things or actual marathons) I'll be OK with it.

There is a pull between looking after the leg and keeping weight/ cardiovascular health good. My doc is great and is a runner himself so hopefully he'll understand that I'm writhing in torment thinking that's my running days over...

Anyway thanks for the support which is brilliant. I'll post on here after the appt. Unless I'm on coproxamol again, in which case I'll keep myself to myself for a bit and get Other Half to post a quick update!

Sandy, if your goal is 5-6 hours, you'd probably be fine. I mean, don't just do one or two 15-milers, but really, 20+ mile training runs aren't necessarily that beneficial. My favorite kind of training to be prepared for running while tired is to run 4 or 5 miles at a goal pace, get some water or whatever, and then run the same distance again faster than the first time. I've done several marathons with 15 miles being my longest runs, and my dad has run lots of 3-hour marathons on this kind of training.

When it comes down to it, you're going to be tired at the end of a marathon. You just need to know what it feels like to be truly tired and be ready to run anyway. Any runs that make you understand what it's like to run tired will help you in a marathon. Because of daily time constraints, this is what works for me.

Lyzzy, you are lucky to have a doctor who runs! That makes such a difference in their opinions. I hope it all goes well for you!!

Golly that's good going and so FAST! I dream of under 10 min miles!!

I have the doc appointment tonight at 5pm (UK time), please cross your fingers for me. I managed to walk home (3 miles) last night with no pain then, or in the evening, or today, so I think I'm mending...

Oakesspalding,
Way to go. Sounds like you are right on track and as ready as anyone can be at the starting line. You have given yourself the best possible chance of success and now it is up to the day. One last word...don't go out too fast. Better to have the second half faster than the first, than it is to go out fast and die. Tell us how it goes.

LyzzyBee,
Sounds good. You mend fast.

So, I took my (not) hurt(ing at the moment) foot to the doctor today.

Hm, well - this was all a bit something and nothing and I'm left none the wiser and really to be honest wishing I hadn't gone.

There wasn't much on my computer record which is a summary of my notes, so Dr M went and got my paper notes too. Not much in there either.

I presented at the doctor in Sep 1992 with an "injury" to the soft tissue in my left foot arch. He was concerned I had dislocated or broken something (I must have been in a lot of pain or made a real fuss!) and sent me to Casualty. There is a Casualty report that I had no bone trauma but had tendonitis. There is then a doctor's note to say I went back and reported that I'd been told I had one leg longer than the other, and I was referred to physiotherapy and given diclofenac (an anti-inflammatory which I use still)

No further notes.

I explained what had happened and what had hurt. The hip pain wasn't so bad this time but I mentioned it, also that I'd had a hip episode in about 1997 (I remember getting coproxamol for that but there is nothing on my records about that). He said was there anything to see (no) and was it hurting now (no). Didn't look at it (and I'd rushed home and put jeans and socks on, too).

I asked if I was OK to go running. If I really want to train for the half then I can do as long as I'm careful. And that was that. I asked if I should get a gel insole or anything - no, if I have good trainers they will give the protection I need.

It sounds like Dr M was offhand - he wasn't. He listened and took me seriously. But I think this, really - the health service will only intervene in a serious case, eg if I can't walk. I did explain I'd been in pain for 2 weeks, but of course I've rested and it's OK now. If it gets to the point where it hurts to run, well I shouldn't run. If it gets to the point where it hurts to do anything, well then I might get something out of the NHS. I shouldn't complain, I want them to not waste money.

But I'm left wondering what the heck I should do.

So - I'm going to do some more walking this week, try a short run on Sunday then if that's OK build up the distance but not the speed. I'm going to be careful and I'm going to watch the ground carefully and not take risks with paving stones.

And we'll just have to see.

Sorry about the long post !

Oops - that shut everyone up, didn't it!

Well how about some good news - I managed two 45 min walks home and one 20 min v brisk walk in the week, and 30 mins on my cross-trainer this evening.

I'm going to go out for a *small* run tomorrow morning... then hopefully I can build up relatively quickly and get round the half-marathon before happily retiring from that distance (after one go...)

How is everyone else doing?

But I think this, really - the health service will only intervene in a serious case, eg if I can't walk.

I agree, Lyzzy! Unfortunate, but true.

I coach junior high CC and the season just ended yesterday with the state meet. The boys weren't a strong team this year so we weren't expecting to do well. But the girls finished first!! :D Three were all-state runners, finishing in the top 20 (1st, 2nd, and 16th). It was very exciting.

Now I'll be running alone again instead of with 40 kids. Much more peaceful. ;)

Wow lefty, when I was in cross country decades ago, our coach used to drive his car along side of us!

BTW, I have yet to run a half marathon. Get this, the last one I went to was sold out! I volunteered to buy an extra timing chip or hire an additional cop, but no-go. I settled for the event's 5 K instead. The season is ending but I have a nice, flat, leisurely, small 13.1 "race" coming up in a couple weeks. I'm looking forward to it.

I think they do sell out - I got into the Birmingham one nice and early but they closed entries a month before. Now I just have to work out if my prediction of how quickly I'll do it (made when I signed up about 5 months ago!) is going to come true... I think not but where we start depends on that!

I was in our Up and Running shop today buying some shock absorbing in-sole things and we were all talking about the Half - very exciting!

Sandy, when I ran CC, my coach was more like yours. I think that's part of why I'm not like that now. I hope you "little race" goes well!

Husband and I have started to talk about doing the Boston marathon. This means we both have to take about an hour off our best marathon times to date. We're tentatively planning on qualifying for 2010. We'll see how it goes. The only thing worse than interval training is long intervals.

Oh and by the way I did build up again, did 10.25 miles yesterday and am on track to do the half-marathon on Sunday as originally planned! Hooray!