HAHAHAHAHA

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Originally posted by pcsronbo:

Well, apology is elsewhere, so I won't acknolwedge this directly.

However, I think it interesting the variety of responses here. Going "long" vs going "fast" is certainly a different specialty.

I ran a 4.2m race today, I was near the end of the pack and by mile 2 I was mid-back of the pack, but mile 3 I was middle of the pack. My pace didn't really change, theirs did. Many went out fast and fizzled, I just ran slow and steady. Solid pace for me (~11min)- which I could have held for 10-15 miles. So I guess although I'd LIKE to go fast, I have an affinity for LONG   I guess 7hr half Ironman training does that to one.

My training partner is quite a bit faster than I am - almost 3 minutes for a 5 mile race. I could totally beat her on 400, 800, maybe even up to the mile. I've been (not too seriously) toying with the idea of trying track, just so I can run fast for a change.

However I have no idea where to start. THere's gazillions of books about road racing and the marathon (currently I'm focusing on the marathon) but I haven't seen much on how to train for track. And, o yea, I love those 7-10 mile training runs way too much.

Hey RichardC - Addygrl is right on about ultra and trail races -
If you really wanted to, you could train to complete one in 2008. I would suggest a mixture of running - other aerobic activity (Eliptical / Stairmaster) and walking + walking hills.

Your in luck - You are blessed with hills in your area!

quote:

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Originally posted by RunForFun:

PS -

Not sure how far you are from Afton Alps area - But they have a decent 25 / 50k in the spring - 25k would be a nice "Get your feet wet" race.

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will have to look into that one...the 25k that is..

your right I am blessed with trails and hills.... Part of my 11.5 the other day included bliss road up to Grand dads bluff after running 7 miles in Hixon forest.... ( i know you will be able to appreciate that)




[http://This message has been edited by RichardC (edited Nov-27-2007).|http://This message has been edited by RichardC (edited Nov-27-2007).]

I may have mispoke - the only race I could find was the "Trail Mix" which is a little further away from you in Bloomington

http://www.raceberryjam.com/mdra.html#April[/URL" target="_blank">

The MDRA puts out a good race calander (Minnesota)

Last year there was this race series, but it started with 7 or 8 and now appears to be dying off

http://trailrun.wors.org/events.htm[/URL" target="_blank">

You might be interested in this thread from another forum: http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/Forum6/HTML/025898.shtml[/URL" target="_blank">

If that link doesn't work, look for Jogger Manifesto in the Basic Training forum.

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Not all who wander are lost.

In response to inquiries to 'How did you do?"  I normally tell them if I met my goals or not  ... so if finish time isn't one of your personal goals, just say, "I met all my goals and am very happy with my race.  How'd you do?"  

Most of the races I've done as an adult were on the way to training for my first marathon ... so my goals were to keep an even pace at my predicted pace and finish strong in hopes that my marathon training was on the right track  ...  I paced, raced, and placed well that summer and fall and was very pleased with my first marathon experience ...   I care about meeting my potential and setting goals to get there  ...  It's nice when I can snag some hardware along the way but it's not essential  ...  so, I guess I really do care about being fast, but mostly about being my fastest, not fast in comparison to others  ...  if I feel I don't have the time to commit to proper training or the mental willingness to do it, I just won't bother with training ... I will always do something to stay fit (sports, swim, teaching fitness classes, etc) but running and racing are very goal oriented for me, at least at this point in my life ... so being fast does matter.

I think fast is relative. What may be fast for me would most likely be slow for others. I guess I rationalize it in that I think I do well for the amount I train. If I train harder (more days, faster runs) I get faster, but then I start to enjoy it less. I don't like feeling like I "have" to run, or "have" to get a certain time. I know that my outlook has served me well in the marathon and half marathons I have run, where my goal was to not die, finish, and get a decent time (in that order).

There are a lot of serious things in life, but this is supposed to be fun, and I like to have very few rules mixed in with my fun.