Posts Tagged "Running"

Race Day – Harry Rosen Spring Run-off

Posted by on Apr 3, 2010 in Health

Today is race day and I think back to reflect on my training to this point …

Wait a second … What training?

I have had only a few training runs; none more than 5km and none on any kind of terrain aside from nice flat road.

Here is a look at the race map … It goes in loops around High Park, which is anything but flat road!

I’m in trouble.

My usual 10km time with no training is about 1hr, 10 mins. So about 7 minutes per km on average. If I keep that in mind while I run I should definately be able to finish today in about 56 minutes or less, considering that I don’t have to go as far.

I definitely need to refocus training to be able to do a half marathon by the fall.

I will update this post with results later today.

EDIT:
I ended up being a little slower than expected, but not that far off. I finished the run with a chip time of 58:57 so only a few minutes behind my expected finish.

I realize now that this is pretty bad for my class. I was the fourth slowest runner in Men 25-34.

I was so slow that the final water station on the course was out of water by the time I got there.

It’s time to get serious and start with some more intense and more frequent training runs.

Read More

Running Behind

Posted by on Mar 17, 2010 in Health

I’m now a week into training for the 2010 running season. I’ve been out a total of three times and I am now up to about 5km with intermittent walking and running. I started out trying to time how long I was doing each, but now I’m jogging for as long as my body is comfortable and then walking for only as long as I need to be ready to jog again.

So far, no injuries. I want to try and keep it that way so I can enjoy the process. I forgot about one of my favourite things about running; just listening to an iPod. I don’t think I get enough music in my life.

In any case, now that I’ve gotten out a few times I think I need to add some structure. I need to set some goals to achieve, starting with being able to run 5 km without walking. I think that I will take the next three runs to work on running distance vs walking distance instead of running time vs walking time. I have a perfect loop that I know is exactly 700m and I can let the dogs loose to run with me as I go.

This strategy obviously puts me a little behind in training for the Harry Rosen Spring Run Off 8km on April 3, 2010 considering that race is 3km longer and I haven’t even thought about running up and down hills. Did I mention that I hear it’s really hilly?

I’m going to work out a more formal training schedule and set some stretch goals for myself. Hopefully I will have time this weekend to lay out a proper plan.

Read More

2010 Running Season

Posted by on Mar 10, 2010 in Health

Every year I run the same races. I run the Sporting Life 10km and the Zoo Run 10km. I never train and I don’t have a great time for my age category. And, you really can’t call it running so much as running and walking.

This year I’ve taken a bit of a different approach. I’ve already signed up for a new season opening race: The Harry Rosen Spring Run Off 8km. I’m even thinking about working my way up to a half marathon by the end of the season.

I figure if I’m up to 3-4 races this year I might as well put a little more work in and actually be able to enjoy them. Also, I just found out that a friend is planning to run the Angkor Wat half marathon in Cambodia. It would be so great to run in Cambodia!

It turns out that The Globe and Mail is running a series about 10 Weeks to a 10km.

Running

I participated in an online discussion with a trainer and my question was chosen and answered:

12:53
I just signed up for the Harry Rosen Toronto 8km, but I haven’t run before … where should i start?

12:56
Coach Jenny: It is best to start with a run-walk interval programme. Always warm up with 5 min walking, then alternate 2-3 min of easy paced running with 1-2 min of walking for 20-25 minutes and cool down walking 5 min. Stick with this for 2 weeks and progress to 25-30 min. for two weeks. Then progress to 4 min of running, 1-2 min walking for 30 min. for two weeks. and 5 min run 1 min walk for 35-40 min. and so on. Continue to build slowly and you’ll have a lot of success (and fun)!

So I went out for my first training run the other night and followed Coach Jenny’s advice. It felt like I was going too slowly and resting too much, but by the end I worked up a pretty good sweat. Between 2-3 runs per week and playing some full court basketball I should be in fine shape for the 8km in three weeks.

I have a tendency to go too hard at the start of any new exercise routine so I’m trying to be careful not to go overboard and injure myself.

Read More