Runners
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Any recs for someone looking to get into distance running? (marathons, ultramarathons) I have done a bunch of 5ks and ran of the better part of the last 10 years. Furthest distance is around 10 miles. I know the typical just put in the miles but any small detailed things I should consider? @Nkwkfld @Brock @cander49
I would say for your first marathon take a look at a beginner program. Lots are on line, some good podcasts too. Trail runner nation, ultra runner podcast, ten junk miles etc.
I started out overweight and just ran a mile at a time. Taking my time building mileage up. Never more than 20% more than the week before. That’s a good rule of thumb to keep healthy.
I ran my first marathon 12 years ago and after that caught the bug bug time… did 30 marathons, 12-50k’s, 8-50m and a 100k and 100M. I was definitely in better shape when I did road races vs trail races. It’s just different on the trails. My road marathon pr is 3:42 not fast but still pretty good. I’m also “Marathon Manic” they are a group with requirements for levels for finishing more over a year.
I think the thing that helped me with ultras was always being in shape to drop in a marathon. Not fast but able to finish. Lots of times a road marathon was a good long training run before an ultra.
The first 50k I did was in Iceland and I was pretty sure I was going to die[emoji23] it’s really sweet and I’ve wanted to do it again at some point. It’s on the Landmanalagur trail. I’m sure I spelled that wrong but it’s a point to point race over the highlands of Iceland. So much fun! That’s what ultras are all about the amazing views and some good suffering at the same time.
If you can finish a road marathon a 50k is totally do able. Before I did the 100k and 100M I would try to do at least 50M 3 weeks to month out as the last long run. Always have the last long run a few weeks before the race Gives time to still recover, and taper…
Weekly volume is really important. I break my schedule down like this. A long run on Sunday usually 12-20 miles. Then during the week runs are usually 6miles 3 or 4 times. Try to keep 30-50MPW and still getting a few days off. I was pretty good at getting races done on sorta low mileage. Some people need more some need less..
New shoes are expensive but very important also. Have a few pairs with different mileage but I usually retire around 400 miles.
Sorry to ramble[emoji23] hopefully that’s some help. Anything else feel free to ask.
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Good lord that sounds impressive!
Reading that just made me feel like an anthropomorphic pepperoni pizza
I'll start with the 20% increments…
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Any recs for someone looking to get into distance running? (marathons, ultramarathons) I have done a bunch of 5ks and ran of the better part of the last 10 years. Furthest distance is around 10 miles. I know the typical just put in the miles but any small detailed things I should consider? @Nkwkfld @Brock @cander49
@atm23 – Sounds like @kkibbey23 has quite a lot more experience than me but that's yet to stop me from sharing my POV. I have a run coach which makes things far easier. I really like the structured way he has it set up and I don't have to think all that much about my nutrition, regimen, or volume. I have a marathon coming up in mid-April and he's getting my training program dialed. We start next week. Stoked af.
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My advice is to keep it fun. Run with others, avoid injury caused by overtraining, join strava, get a cool watch and shoes, and sign up for events, get a coach, anything that sounds good to you and that makes the activity a normal part of life.
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@Nkwkfld:
My advice is to keep it fun.
All of that but esp this.
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Yep, that’s always been my approach. I’d like to get a little longer distance going but keeping it fun and enjoyable (and of course healthy) is always the main goal. I do think overtraining has gotten in my way a bit, as I get sort of addicted to the activity (hello, personality!) and go too many days in a row, burning myself out a bit and hurting my progress. Learning a lot of valuable info about that aspect of it here, so thank y’all for that.
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@kkibbey23 Thanks so much for the great advice! I'm starting this week!
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@kkibbey23 Thanks so much for the great advice! I'm starting this week!
Nice!! Any time
feel free to pm me if you have any more specific stuff. The ultra world is so much fun. You will really like it I’m sure -
A slow volume build is definitely key as it seriously minimizes overuse injury. In my opinion it's best to be getting a run in at a minimum 5 days a week to build that callous. More than a day or two off in a row and the body starts noticeably losing some fitness. Breaking down weekly mileage goals/increases into small progressions and making an effort to have at least one longer run included weekly is definitely important if you're moving up to HM and Marathon distance.
The nice thing is it's a very basic sport equipment wise so all you need to pay attention to is your shoes. Depending on your mechanics you may be able to get away with wearing just about anything without issue or you may need to be really careful about the shoe you pick. Don't be afraid to try a lot of different models and brands.
I traded in my running shoes for cycling shoes a few years ago but had spent the prior 15ish years running obscene amounts, and obsessively at that, while racing collegiately and semi-pro post college. Like others have said, keeping it fun is the number 1 most important thing. Running is a meat grinder, but there is no better bang for your buck exercise wise, and it is unbelievably satisfying. I still miss it sometimes but can also attest to how hard it can be on the body if you are really redlining what your body is able to manage, and that mentally can be brutal when injuries creep in. So keep it fun!
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Just finished this week with 18 miles. Looking to do 22 miles this week.
Got these to decrease the strain on the muscles and knees. They feel pretty good so far.
https://www.cepcompression.com/collections/mens-compression-calf-sleeves/products/mens-calf-sleeves-3-0 -
Right on, @atm23
Which plan you go with? -
It's a custom I made using Excel. Ive referenced a few programs but right now its pretty much a 20% increase each week.
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Cool, hope that works out. I did 13 mile runs on Saturday and Sunday this weekend to get a feel for putting more miles on the legs and it went well. The plans I have been looking at recommend that, probably to get used to running on tired legs.
- 2 months later
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Have a new plan from a coach who has me mixing things up more to avoid overuse injury, so now its a long bike on Saturday with a long run Sunday, and this weekend was the first go. 40 miles on the bike yesterday and 20 mile run today. Haven't been biking much so needed to start kind of small, but will work up to it. Still kind of feeling like running 100k seems almost impossible. 3 months from the race, so quite a bit of time to get some more miles on the legs. Ordered a pair of Hoka Speedgoat 5 shoes as my long weekend runs will now be all trail runs to be used to it for the event. Soon will also start doing training runs on the 100k trail. Would be good to get a feel for each section.
- 3 months later
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The Serpent 100k done. My friend who's based in NYC had a job in London that meant he could join. We both finished despite difficulties in the middle of the race. I found something in the tank at about mile 47 and finished strong. Was a great experience.
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Thanks. I managed a pretty good result in the field too. 12th overall, 10th of all men, and 5th in my category of men under 40.
