Getting into shape

[jim]

Softball is pretty laid back, but baseball? No way.

If you want something fun to do, consider those Warrior Dash/Mud Run type races

...or stop being a wuss with this warrior dash/mud run where you have to wait in line to do an obstacle...and start trail running/running long distances.

Anyone that runs more than 3 miles is insane. There is just no sense in that whatsoever.

After 3 miles it gets much easier

If I didn't have to run more than 3 miles to prove you wrong, I would.

[JL21]

Here's a list of the only acceptable reasons to run 3 miles:

1. Dracula or a bear or a bear Dracula is chasing you
2. Kate Upton is naked 3 miles away

[Sutter'sBeard]

I now have the dubious honor of winning my company's "Biggest Loser" contest two years in a row.
2013-265lbs to 222lbs
2014-241lbs to 207lbs
Apparently I have lots of discipline for 1/4 of the year and no discipline at all for 3/4.

I don't want to win it next year.

Is there a prize? It sounds like you have the perfect long con.

$150.

I'm a competitive sumbitch so the contest really helps. Half the turds in the contest gain weight.

[Sutter'sBeard]

A friend of mine's doctor told him that you gain a 1/2 dong length per 20lbs lost. I figure it's more an optical illusion cause I can just see more of it when I look down.

[Smith Corks One]

Dong is an underused word these days.

[lukethedrifter]

Dong is an underused word these days.

So is cans, as in "she's got fake cans".

[jim]

I would like to rub my dong between her cans.

Hmmm .... it does sound nice.

[Freed Roger]

Softball is pretty laid back, but baseball? No way.

If you want something fun to do, consider those Warrior Dash/Mud Run type races

...or stop being a wuss with this warrior dash/mud run where you have to wait in line to do an obstacle...and start trail running/running long distances.

Anyone that runs more than 3 miles is insane. There is just no sense in that whatsoever.

After 3 miles it gets much easier

If I didn't have to run more than 3 miles to prove you wrong, I would.

Have my first marathon in less than a month - on a trail.
I avoided the longer distances for years - figuring if you are a runner - why not just run a shorter distance faster? I can be plenty gassed running a mile.

But longer distances gives me an excuse to be outside more. I've found that I get in much better shape doing something I enjoy, than thru the old "No pain No Gain" mentality I grew up with in the gym/football. I've come to appreciate the longer distances - am always interested how the mind/body adapts to different challenges. As you know from PIR, they can run a hell of lot more than 3 miles on a given training run, even when the race they are training for is a 1600m or 5K. Different energy systems need developed.

Anyway, it's much better than hanging with the hamster wheel crowd in the gym. But ironically, I do like to get to the gym now more, just to make my infrastructure and ability to run outside better.


Meanwhile, Americans are currently doing well at the Boston Marathon (Shalane Flanagan, Meb etc). Almost too well.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

Questions about distance running. It's not really all that good for you unless you're really, really into it, right? I mean, you can't train for a couple months and think you're ready for a marathon, right? You need to slowly, slowly build up that much endurance. Running 26.2 miles is super hard on the body, no?

[Freed Roger]

Questions about distance running. It's not really all that good for you unless you're really, really into it, right? I mean, you can't train for a couple months and think you're ready for a marathon, right? You need to slowly, slowly build up that much endurance. Running 26.2 miles is super hard on the body, no?

I'm far from an expert - so far my longest official run is 25K. A running race of 26.2 miles (or even 10K+) is hard on the body by all accounts. But these people aren't racing 26.2 miles all the time - they are running lots of shorter distances at or faster than their race pace. And running longer distances slower than a race.

My ingrained image of distance runners, from growing up in the old hometown, were two guys I saw out that ran obsessively every day. They did not look healthy at all, and over the years, I saw them start to shuffle, hunch over. I think some things have been figured out over the years. You are seeing some people running very well into old age. Most average runners are getting smarter, more informed about training. Varied-purposed workouts and cross-training is more common than shuffling out pointless miles.

Definitely a long time to build up to that sort of endurance. And various methods and theories on best ways to do this - often one expert person's methods contradict someone else's. Thus, most sample from the methods, and they get to know what works for themselves very well.

The hard part for me, with building up for that distance has been the time aspect- being able recover well enough to get back out there progressing.

So far so good. Cranked up mileage and effort level hasn't caused any physical meltdowns (between 40 to 50 miles per week lately) It's good to see progress, and the training working -though still have be smart. With the distance running - I probably do more shorter distance and anaerobic/tempo type running than the avg bear- not much the Lydiard method. I will start out for a slow long easy run, and before long I'm racing to meet certain paces and benchmarks.

Very soon, I need to do a 25 mile-ish run (hopefully on a trail), just so my mind can wrap itself around that sort of distance and pace.