Mon 8 Feb 2010
Running with the Pack 68: Running Club Meeting, Runners Like Us, Big or Small Marathon, and Action Wipes
Posted by Allan under running
[18] Comments
After giving a quick update about our Vibrams, Stevie and I talk about our first trip to a meeting of the local running club, our focus on runners like us, choosing between running a big or small marathon, and trying out Action Wipes.
Running Club Meeting, Runners Like Us, Big or Small Marathon, and Action Wipes [45:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Allan and Stevie,
Great podcast again, and thought I would mention one other plan for the beginner runner. It is the Couch-2-5K plan from Runner's World. I think that it has taken on a life of it's own, but I highly recommend it for those starting from scratch: http://www.c25k.com/
Thanks again,
Jay
Allan and Stevie,
Great podcast again, and thought I would mention one other plan for the beginner runner. It is the Couch-2-5K plan from Runner's World. I think that it has taken on a life of it's own, but I highly recommend it for those starting from scratch: http://www.c25k.com/
Thanks again,
Jay
Jay,
Excellent point. I have recommended that plan to several folks I know here, too, and think it's a good one. Thanks for posting it here for everyone!
Stevie
Ooops, sorry. The Couch to 5K plan was developed at CoolRunnings, not Runner's World.
Just wanted to say hi–I'm a new runner, and will be training for a half marathon and the Chicago marathon this year. I listen to your podcast on my runs, and it's so helpful as I learn the terminology, etiquette, training tips, etc. (Now I know what "fartlek" means.) And at this point, hearing casual references to easy 10-mile runs gives me hope that I'll be able to say the same thing one day.
Kind of like running name-dropping inserted casually into conversation–"Yeah, on my 18 mile run yesterday…" Seems impossible now, but then, so did running for 20 minutes not that long ago. Thanks for the great podcast!
Hey 12-Month. Welcome aboard. It's actually funny how your perception of distance changes as your long runs increase. You should see the looks that I get from some people when they find out that I walk to work or run home sometimes. It's only about 3 miles, but to people who only walk from from their house to their car and from their car to an office building and then back again, 3 miles seems like a marathon.
Also, if it helps, adding each mile is easier than adding the one before it – meaning that it is easier to go from 6 to 8 mile runs than it was to go from 4 to 6 mile runs. By the time you get to 18 miles, pushing to 20 is really just a matter of making sure that you have enough food and drink in your belly to keep your energy up.
Thanks for the encouragement! It was fun to hear you read my note on the podcast, too.
I love the idea of a meetup at the Chicago Marathon–will stay tuned for details.
Kim
Once again I really enjoyed the podcast! It's great to drive home listening to you guys. You mentioned a little about the Triathlon and I have been interested for awhile about doing one. Now I have not totally lost my mind and think I can do the Iron Man but I have heard of some smaller races I think they call them Tin Man. Just wanted to get your thoughts on smaller Triathlons and any suggestions as to training programs. Thanks and have a great week!
Scott
LOL. Ironman is insane compared to the other semi-standard distances. An Ironman is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run. Below that, you have a half-Ironman or Long Course, which is 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run. The next distance down is the Olympic or International distance, which is a 1500 meter swim, 40K bike, and 10K run. The shortest distances are called Sprint Triathlons. The one I did last year was a half-Olympic distance (750 meter swim, 20K bike, and 5K run), but that distance isn't standard. Many sprints have about the same run and bike lengths, but the swim might only be 400 or 500 meters.
There are sites like trifind.com that will help you find a triathlon near you. You'll learn a lot from doing your first triathlon, so I recommend trying a sprint or olympic distance before jumping in the deep end with a half-Ironman or full Ironman!
I had some friends make a video of my first triathlon that I did last summer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPRbjrri3i8
LOL. Ironman is insane compared to the other semi-standard distances. An Ironman is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run. Below that, you have a half-Ironman or Long Course, which is 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run. The next distance down is the Olympic or International distance, which is a 1500 meter swim, 40K bike, and 10K run. The shortest distances are called Sprint Triathlons. The one I did last year was a half-Olympic distance (750 meter swim, 20K bike, and 5K run), but that distance isn't standard. Many sprints have about the same run and bike lengths, but the swim might only be 400 or 500 meters.
There are sites like trifind.com that will help you find a triathlon near you. You'll learn a lot from doing your first triathlon, so I recommend trying a sprint or olympic distance before jumping in the deep end with a half-Ironman or full Ironman!
I had some friends make a video of my first triathlon that I did last summer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPRbjrri3i8
On the issue of big/small 1st marathon, I ran a 'small-medium' (7000-9000 runners) for my first & found it offered the best of both worlds.
Small enough: no need to wait 1hr+ to cross the start line after the gun; queues for all-important facilities relatively short; you felt people were out supporting YOU, especially with impromptu water/fuel stalls and ability to 'high-5' all the kids along the way-a more personal experience; get your chip removed/bag back fast at the end.
Big enough: Excellent organisation; decent spectator support along most of the route; attract a decent group of international elites so you could see how the big boys and girls play (although that may more related to $ than size).
So my 2cts is take the 'middle road'!
Good luck to Jorie (sp?) with first marathon planning and execution – have a blast!
All the best
Llamadoughgirl
Actually, I'd classify 7000-9000 as a big marathon. Even Jorie's smaller range of 3000 is pretty big. There are some trail marathons in Pennsylvania that have under 300 runners. The God's Country Marathon that Stevie mentioned had 163 finishers last year.
Maybe Chicago, New York, and Boston should be classified as "ginormous".
Hi Allan. Good point! I live in Asia and at risk of getting battered by other listeners (readers?) in the region, I'd say that with the notable exception of Japan (which is where I ran my first), there isn't yet the critical mass of marathoners to support loads of marathons at all levels. There are some small marathons of 700-1000ppl but the logistics/$$$/potential base of runners means that a big marathon out here is 8000-9000 (e.g. Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon). So I think my perception is being skewed by those 'super-sized' events in US/Europe – when I compare races out here with those, they all seem 'small-to-medium sized'!
I remember hearing about that when they had the Olympics in China. The Japanese have caught the running bug, but not so much in the other countries. Most marathons in America are still pretty young (15 years or newer), so China may catch up pretty quickly.
Actually, if you know of other English-speaking Chinese runners, share the podcast with them and let's get their movement cranking!
Hi Allan & Stevie –
Its been about 2 weeks since I bought a pair of Vibrams, and I wanted to tell you that its going very well. I enjoy the freedom and the general fun of running in them! I should say, however, that my mileage is limited. I keep my Vibram runs under 2 miles. Not because I don't enjoy the runs, but because I am training for Boston and am wary (or terrified!) of making any big changes to my running routine. After the race, I am going to try some longer runs. I feel like the Vibrams will help strengthen my ankles, an area I have had problems/injuries with in the past.
The podcast is great! Keep up the good work!
Cheers,
Rebecca
Good choice. Actually, I'd probably stop using them at the end of March, just to make sure that you don't have a last-minute injury and then try going longer with them afterward. Good luck in Boston – that's awesome! I'd really like to do it some day. April, 2015 is probably my best shot.
Vibrams came in the mail today (little hard to find them here in Jax North Carolina)! Is it just me or does anyone else feel like a clumsy three year old trying to put these things on?! I finally got them on (guess I might be smarter than your average three year old) but is it always that difficult or do you just get better at it as you go along? I got the KSO's and I will let you know if I am able to use my Polar foot pod with them (yeah I'm a running geek).
Scott
Yeah, we both had a hard time putting them on the first time. It's getting easier for me. Honestly, I don't know what the individual toe sleeves do. Maybe they'll come out with a mitten version.
Wear that running geek title with pride. We do.