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Re: Food Allergy 5k Run/Walk Reviews

guest — Mon, 09 May 2011 15:18:41 GMT

Overall, a very well organized race. Flat, fast run that was very well marked and there were alot of volunteers helping to guide along the coarse as well. Lot's of snacks at the finish line too.

The only thing I would have liked to see done differently would be chip timing instead of just the general "gun" timing, but that was not a big deal.

Re: Will treadmill training hamper me during actual 5k?

guest — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:24:23 GMT

The treadmill is a great training tool, but it cannot be your only means of training.

If you've ever played a sport, than you've probably heard the quote "you practice like you play"...it's true. Unless you are going to run your 5K on a treadmill, you will not be completely prepared. There are alot of factors that can effect the way you run outdoors compared to a treadmill (wind, humidity, running surface, etc.). You need to get out on the road and log some miles to really get a feel for what it's like. Don't get me wrong, I think the treadmill is a good tool, it teaches you how certain paces feel, it gives you an alternative to dealing with winter weather, etc. but you have to hit the road at some point. If your race is in April, you'll have plenty of time to get outside.

Good luck, I hope this helps and just get out there!

Re: New Runner - ready to get movin...(i think...) lol

guest — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:40:48 GMT

Congrats on starting your running experience!

There are some things you should know before you get started, and it mainly has to do with your choice of shoes

First off, I own and love my VFF's, but there are some things about running in them that may be food for thought. I have been running for 18 years in all different levels and facets and I've never had shoes like these before. They are extremely comfortable and I use them regularly as a part of my training but I DO NOT use them as my primary running shoes. I tried training with them for some time and progress was very, very, very slow going and I did suffer an injury (yes, i did my research and I was training "correctly"). I personally did not have the patience to use them as my primary shoes.

I now use them as a "barefoot" training tool, so I use them to run on the grass with or while walking. I very quickly realized that for me to move into "minimalist" running, that it would take me about 1 year to convert myself and I just did not want to make that commitment.

So, for you starting off in VFF's you may be at an advantage having never really run seriously before, but make sure that you have done your research about what these shoes are and are not.

As for other advice, make sure that you start out running nice and easy, if you push too hard too fast you can really get injured. Make sure that when you run you race the clock and yourself, don't worry about anyone else. And finally, HAVE FUN!

Good luck and I hope this helps!

Re: What to do after 5K?

guest — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:21:23 GMT

The beauty of running is that it can be whatever you want it to be, there isn't a rule book that says that after you complete the C25K you must do a 5K and then find a 10K program and complete that and so on and so forth!

Now that you've done a 5K the running world is your oyster, you can keep moving up in distance, or you can run for a better time or you can run to keep your sanity, all of these are viable options and you need to find out what you want from your running...why you started running in the first place.

No matter why you decide to continue, what really matters is that you are doing it for you.

Good luck and I hope you find what you're looking for!

Re: Treadmill?

guest — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:11:07 GMT

Running is running, no matter how or where you do it!

Treadmill training is a great tool, but it is not a direct substitute for outdoor running. I live in a cold weather state, so there are days where running outside is just begging for an injury, so the treadmill becomes a very important tool. The tradmill helps you learn pacing, and it gives your body a break from the pounding of outdoor running. The downside is that it can't mimic running outside and there is a noticable difference when you do hit the road, either way...JUST RUN!

Good luck!

Re: mixing in heavier weights?

guest — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:00:55 GMT

It is very tricky to be able to balance (just right) bulk and endurance.

The biggest part of the balancing act is bulk adds weight and that weight zaps endurance. I am heavier set and gain muscle pretty easy, and I am starting to find my balancing point with my running...I've been running for 18 years now! The most important thing to do is make sure that you are not doing too much of either exercise (too much running will tone you down and too much lifting will bulk you up too much and make moving with the bulk tough). You just have to know your body and see how it reacts to different stimuli.

Good luck finding your balance!

Re: Ankle tendonitis

guest — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:52:03 GMT

I also have tendonitis very close to, if not in the same spot. I developed mine from being a track sprinter and not doing enough "backwards" training, the combination of high speed and tight, constant left turns just burned my ankle up.

I hate to say this, but the pain goes away, but not permanently. The pain can (and will) still come back if you put too much stress on it. The only thing you can do to help move things along is R.I.C.E. and some sort of anti-inflammatory pain medicine.

Good luck, hang in there and keep your chin up!

Re: Sick of hearing about Vibram FF and barefoot running

guest — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 19:00:21 GMT

I do see your frustration with the people that do treat VFF's and barefoot running like a "magic bullet" and I completely agree with your thought that it is "dangerous" for people to look at it that way.

I started out my experience with VFF's trying to make a move into minimalist running, long story short, after a frustrating injury and and even more frustration at the thought of how much time it would take just to get back to my old training distances, I decided to only use them as a tool instead of my primary shoes.

When ever anyone posts on here about buying them and then launch into stories about they have injuries and problems and they want VFF's to fix them, I always respond with my story as kind of a warning, that they need to completely research what they are getting themselves into.

Re: Need 5k advice

guest — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 01:44:17 GMT

Here are some of the ways you get to running faster:

The only way to run faster is to run faster. If you haven't been running at all, get out there and run DUH!
Do both speed and distance training. speed training (like intervals) will train your muscles to put out at a higher capacity when called upon to do so. Distance training will continue to increase your cardiovascular capacity, so you simply aren't as exhausted.
Toned muscle is faster than bulky muscle. Continue to weight train, but make sure that you are doing toning workouts (high reps, low weight). You need to be a lean, mean running machine. I had a coach who used to say "you can only move your legs as fast as you can move your arms"...he's right.

There is plenty of other advice that I'm sure other posters will think of, but, if I'm being honest, you simply won't have enough time to really get your time down. 11 days, with rest days worked in there just isn't enough time to cut a lot of time off. If you start running now, you have to worry about the fatigue and soreness that will come and how that will effect your race.

If I were you, I'd take about a month to train and then do a 5K. This will give you time to acclamate to the training and also get your time down.

Good luck and start running!

Re: Post-5k difficulties, help!

guest — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 01:26:54 GMT

Surfing vol hit it right on the head...sounds like DOMS.

You ran at a faster pace on a surface that was slightly less forgiving than your normal, in return your body isn't too happy with you. Take some time off, use R.I.C.E. and get back to it in a few days.

I always take an extra day or two off after I run a race, my body seems to forgive when I do.

Good luck and hang in there!