Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running
- Thread starter platypus
- Start date
Not really, no.
Need some advice.
Been running since April last year 3 or 4 times a week. Completed Silverstone half Marathon on March 2nd in 2:03. Thing is, after that we had a crisis at home and I've only been running 3 times since then. Just 3 x 5 miles and each one felt pretty bad.
I have a place in the Edinburgh Marathon at the end of May. Flights and hotel already paid for.
Can I realistically make a go of it? Motivation has flatlined - partly because I doubt it's possible.
Tips and or encouragement welcome! Or if you think it's too much a mountain I'd also like to know.
Been running since April last year 3 or 4 times a week. Completed Silverstone half Marathon on March 2nd in 2:03. Thing is, after that we had a crisis at home and I've only been running 3 times since then. Just 3 x 5 miles and each one felt pretty bad.
I have a place in the Edinburgh Marathon at the end of May. Flights and hotel already paid for.
Can I realistically make a go of it? Motivation has flatlined - partly because I doubt it's possible.
Tips and or encouragement welcome! Or if you think it's too much a mountain I'd also like to know.
Last edited:
Associate
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- 5 Nov 2004
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^ You ran a half in March, but only three shortruns since. If the marathon is end of May you really should be doing some long runs from around now until the end of April, then tapering down in May.
My guess would be if you can work in 3-4 runs a week for April, including long runs up to ~20 miles by the end of the month, you should have a good chance if finishing your planned race at the end of May. But others more experienced than I may have other views!!
Cheers
D
My guess would be if you can work in 3-4 runs a week for April, including long runs up to ~20 miles by the end of the month, you should have a good chance if finishing your planned race at the end of May. But others more experienced than I may have other views!!
Cheers
D
Having done three myself, two with decent enough training and one where I should have done a lot more I'd say it's possible to complete it on both sides of the fence. But then how fast you'll run and how your recovery will be will vary a fair bit from each other though.
It's doable and as the Darkness said between now and the race you need to keep up what your doing now and also add in a few long runs, only one a week but you could do with not missing any now. Also try and make one of the 3 runs already being done a little longer and maybe drop a mile maybe 2 off the other one and use it as a speed/tempo session?
You have 6 Sundays left now before the race so I'd be looking at either 4 long runs / 2 tapers or 5 long runs / 1 tapers out of those myself.
Option 1:
Long Runs
13 mile / 15 mile / 17 mile / 19 mile
Taper
16 miles / 14 miles
Option 2:
Long Runs
13 mile / 15 mile / 17 mile / 19 mile / 21 mile
Taper
14 miles
Any particular days better too run?
You could do
Monday - Recovery run / Rest
Tuesday - 3/4 mile Tempo Run
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - 6/7 Mile run.
Friday - 4/5 Mile run.
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Long Run
Obviously cater that to when you can run and accommodate the rest days elsewhere if you find it better for recovery.
It's doable and as the Darkness said between now and the race you need to keep up what your doing now and also add in a few long runs, only one a week but you could do with not missing any now. Also try and make one of the 3 runs already being done a little longer and maybe drop a mile maybe 2 off the other one and use it as a speed/tempo session?
You have 6 Sundays left now before the race so I'd be looking at either 4 long runs / 2 tapers or 5 long runs / 1 tapers out of those myself.
Option 1:
Long Runs
13 mile / 15 mile / 17 mile / 19 mile
Taper
16 miles / 14 miles
Option 2:
Long Runs
13 mile / 15 mile / 17 mile / 19 mile / 21 mile
Taper
14 miles
Any particular days better too run?
You could do
Monday - Recovery run / Rest
Tuesday - 3/4 mile Tempo Run
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - 6/7 Mile run.
Friday - 4/5 Mile run.
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Long Run
Obviously cater that to when you can run and accommodate the rest days elsewhere if you find it better for recovery.
Aye, was just wondering if anyone "local" had personal experience of it. Dunno why, as DCRs reviews are usually spot on.
In its current guise it doesn't look like its worth the money. Hohum, back to the drawing board.
In its current guise it doesn't look like its worth the money. Hohum, back to the drawing board.
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Thanks IndigoGorilla (and thanks The Darkness for the encouraging words ).
The plan looks great - right down to the days you suggested. Is it worth incorporating some hill work or do you think I should stick with the temp and long runs?
I'll keep you posted on how it goes
).The plan looks great - right down to the days you suggested. Is it worth incorporating some hill work or do you think I should stick with the temp and long runs?
I'll keep you posted on how it goes
Associate
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Thanks IndigoGorilla (and thanks The Darkness for the encouraging words
The plan looks great - right down to the days you suggested. Is it worth incorporating some hill work or do you think I should stick with the temp and long runs?
I'll keep you posted on how it goes
Good luck! I missed two long runs and a few shorter ones over the last 3 weeks due to illness and work. Did 18 miles yesterday and was pleasantly suprised to find it went fine; perhaps even better than previously due to the enforced rest I've had.
I have 6 weeks to go to mine; 3 more long runs and then taper.....
D
Thanks IndigoGorilla (and thanks The Darkness for the encouraging words
The plan looks great - right down to the days you suggested. Is it worth incorporating some hill work or do you think I should stick with the temp and long runs?
I'll keep you posted on how it goes
Your welcome and all the best.
Hill work would have it's benefits too, I'd do them once a fortnight instead of either the tempo run or slightly longer run.
Week 1: Tempo + 6/7 mile run
Week 2: Tempo + Hills
Week 3: Tempo + 6/7 mile run
Week 4: Hills + 6/7 mile run
So out of 8 sessions it's still 3 Tempo Runs, 3 distance runs and 2 hill sessions.
Soldato
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- 20 Jun 2005
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- Location
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London Marathon on Sunday! YIKES!!
Given up on trying for any kind of time due to injury prevention over last month. Did 8 miles yesterday, 1st run in a month!?
Given up on trying for any kind of time due to injury prevention over last month. Did 8 miles yesterday, 1st run in a month!?
Did the Manchester Marathon last Sunday as a relay with a friend.
Time was 1:40:00, pretty happy with that but around 90 seconds away from my PB of last year. Thinking of going to Amsterdam and doing the half there in October. My aim is too take it under 1:35 and then next year hopefully 1:30.
Good luck too anyone running London tomorrow and any other races too.
Time was 1:40:00, pretty happy with that but around 90 seconds away from my PB of last year. Thinking of going to Amsterdam and doing the half there in October. My aim is too take it under 1:35 and then next year hopefully 1:30.
Good luck too anyone running London tomorrow and any other races too.
So, I signed up for a Duathlon in August and have only just gotten round to training to run.
I've scared myself after looking at peoples times, it's only 3 miles and the fastest does it in 15 minutes (5 minute miles!) the mid-range can do it in 20, I managed it in 25. I suppose looking at it that way it isn't so bad, I've got 3 1/2 months to shave 5-10 minutes off that time, you guys think it's doable?
I've got to run 3m, bike 14m and then run 3m again..
I've scared myself after looking at peoples times, it's only 3 miles and the fastest does it in 15 minutes (5 minute miles!) the mid-range can do it in 20, I managed it in 25. I suppose looking at it that way it isn't so bad, I've got 3 1/2 months to shave 5-10 minutes off that time, you guys think it's doable?
I've got to run 3m, bike 14m and then run 3m again..
If you've never really run before then 25 minutes is still a decent time and I wouldn't worry about what others are doing, it's about yourself and what's possible for you.
Knocking 5-10 minutes off your time 3 1/2 months isn't going to happen if I'm being honest. A couple/few minutes maybe. Don't be disheartened however, just train the best you can, give it your all come race day and then analyse where you think you could be better and try again. Rinse and repeat.
The only person you have too beat is yourself.
The bike leg is also more than twice the distance of the running legs put together so if anything you'd be better off trying too make up time there instead if anything.
Thanks for the reply.
I'm mainly hoping that the first few runs will see some quick beginner gains. You're right however, it is just myself I'll be racing, the staggered starts make that slightly easier as you don't obviously come in last until the times are published!
I'm pretty happy with the cycling part, I think I can already manage a good time. I guess for both parts a structured training plan will help me see more progress and be able to judge the progress better.
I'm looking forward to running on Tuesday, shall see how it goes!
I'm mainly hoping that the first few runs will see some quick beginner gains. You're right however, it is just myself I'll be racing, the staggered starts make that slightly easier as you don't obviously come in last until the times are published!
I'm pretty happy with the cycling part, I think I can already manage a good time. I guess for both parts a structured training plan will help me see more progress and be able to judge the progress better.
I'm looking forward to running on Tuesday, shall see how it goes!
No problem, did worry a little I was a bit too honest. 
That said, even if you manage to knock just a couple of minutes off over two runs that's a good four minutes.
Ever raced before? If not then try not to get carried away and do the first run fast and suffer on the second because of it. One of my running mates goes by the mantra "Don't be a hero in the first half and don't be a pansy in the second"
.
He uses a slightly different word for pansy though.
That said, even if you manage to knock just a couple of minutes off over two runs that's a good four minutes.
Ever raced before? If not then try not to get carried away and do the first run fast and suffer on the second because of it. One of my running mates goes by the mantra "Don't be a hero in the first half and don't be a pansy in the second"
.He uses a slightly different word for pansy though.
Treated myself to a Forerunner 220 for my birthday. Went for a run with it tonight and it took a long time to get a GPS signal, long enough that I got fed up and started running anyway (had my iphone on my arm and that seems to pick up gps a lot faster) so my data is a bit messed up but when it did get gps the data from that point on is pretty much identical to the nike+ data from the phone. I think its supposed to pick up GPS a lot quicker next time as it saves the satellites or something? Doesn't really help that I live in a built up area in the city I guess.
Also bought myself a pair of Jaybird Freedom Sprint Bluetooth headphones which seem to be really good so far.
Also bought myself a pair of Jaybird Freedom Sprint Bluetooth headphones which seem to be really good so far.