Jeannie Ha
I've been thinking of signing up for the San Francisco Marathon (half) taking place on July 31, 2011.
The thing is, I am NOT a runner, kind of suck at running because my breathing always seems to suffer, and I probably haven't run more than 200 meters at once in my life.
So my question is, with consistent gradual training over the next 7 months, is it realistic for me to expect to be able to run a 1/2 marathon by then? It sounds like it should be, I just get nervous that I may not have the endurance... If I train PROPERLY, what is the likelihood of me still sucking at running by then?
Answer
Oh, you can *totally* do it in 7 months! Since you're new to running, I would focus mainly on developing the endurance to finish the entire race, rather than setting a specific time goal. Some people use a walk-run strategy for their first long race, and others prefer to train to run the entire distance. Both are perfectly fine options. (Incidentally, are you thinking of running the first half or the second half? I do a lot of racing in the SF area & I'm thinking of running the 1st half across because you get to run across the Golden Gate Bridge - maybe I'll see you there!)
First, be sure you've got a quality pair of fitted running shoes. Wearing improperly fitted shoes is one of the leading causes of injuries, especially for new runners, so be sure to seek out a shop in your area that focuses on runners and running (preferably not a big chain sporting goods store) and ask for a shoe fitting. They should measure your foot in several different directions and also watch you walk and run both barefoot and in shoes. Based on what they see, they can recommend a few different pairs that might work. Take each of them for a jog around the store to help you decide which are most comfortable. (If you're in the city, I can definitely recommend See Jane Run in Noe Valley or Fleet Feet in the Marina - I've had fittings & bought shoes from both places and they're great. I think there's also a See Jane Run in Oakland. On the peninsula, I really like Roadrunner Sports in Menlo Park, and there's a Fleet Feet there too.)
There are a ton of half marathon training programs out there that you can use - as was mentioned above, Runner's World has several good ones in addition to the SmartCoach application. I really like Hal Higdon's half marathon programs too - they're straightforward and practical, but also effective. It's best to save those for when you're 10-12 weeks away from the Half Marathon, though, and in the mean time work on developing your endurance and form.
In terms of how to get started, I would definitely recommend signing up for a 5K that's ~3 months away to give you a short-term goal & keep you motivated to stick to your training schedule. It will also give you a chance to see what racing is all about & what it's like. C25K is great program for new runners - http://www.c25k.com/ - and Coach Jenny Hadfield at Runner's World has some great tips as well -
http://askcoachjenny.runnersworld.com/2010/08/the-secret-to-learning-to-run.html
http://askcoachjenny.runnersworld.com/2010/11/newie-runner-learning-to-run-a-faster-5k.html
http://www.jennyhadfield.com/writing-NewRunnerTips.html
Some good options in the SF area for your first race could be the Chinese New Year Run on Feb 13, the Strawberry Hill 5K on Feb 20, or the St. Patrick's Day 5K on Mar 13. (I really like the Kaiser Permanente 5K through Golden Gate Park as well, but it's Feb 6, so you may want a little more time than that to get ready to race.)
Once you've raced your first 5K, set your sights on a 10K sometime in May (www.active.com is a great way to search for races). Again, there are tons of great training programs out there you can google, and SmartCoach as well. Once you've successfully raced a 10K, you'll be well on your way to being prepared for the SF Half!
Congratulations on your new running career & best of luck! :)
Oh, you can *totally* do it in 7 months! Since you're new to running, I would focus mainly on developing the endurance to finish the entire race, rather than setting a specific time goal. Some people use a walk-run strategy for their first long race, and others prefer to train to run the entire distance. Both are perfectly fine options. (Incidentally, are you thinking of running the first half or the second half? I do a lot of racing in the SF area & I'm thinking of running the 1st half across because you get to run across the Golden Gate Bridge - maybe I'll see you there!)
First, be sure you've got a quality pair of fitted running shoes. Wearing improperly fitted shoes is one of the leading causes of injuries, especially for new runners, so be sure to seek out a shop in your area that focuses on runners and running (preferably not a big chain sporting goods store) and ask for a shoe fitting. They should measure your foot in several different directions and also watch you walk and run both barefoot and in shoes. Based on what they see, they can recommend a few different pairs that might work. Take each of them for a jog around the store to help you decide which are most comfortable. (If you're in the city, I can definitely recommend See Jane Run in Noe Valley or Fleet Feet in the Marina - I've had fittings & bought shoes from both places and they're great. I think there's also a See Jane Run in Oakland. On the peninsula, I really like Roadrunner Sports in Menlo Park, and there's a Fleet Feet there too.)
There are a ton of half marathon training programs out there that you can use - as was mentioned above, Runner's World has several good ones in addition to the SmartCoach application. I really like Hal Higdon's half marathon programs too - they're straightforward and practical, but also effective. It's best to save those for when you're 10-12 weeks away from the Half Marathon, though, and in the mean time work on developing your endurance and form.
In terms of how to get started, I would definitely recommend signing up for a 5K that's ~3 months away to give you a short-term goal & keep you motivated to stick to your training schedule. It will also give you a chance to see what racing is all about & what it's like. C25K is great program for new runners - http://www.c25k.com/ - and Coach Jenny Hadfield at Runner's World has some great tips as well -
http://askcoachjenny.runnersworld.com/2010/08/the-secret-to-learning-to-run.html
http://askcoachjenny.runnersworld.com/2010/11/newie-runner-learning-to-run-a-faster-5k.html
http://www.jennyhadfield.com/writing-NewRunnerTips.html
Some good options in the SF area for your first race could be the Chinese New Year Run on Feb 13, the Strawberry Hill 5K on Feb 20, or the St. Patrick's Day 5K on Mar 13. (I really like the Kaiser Permanente 5K through Golden Gate Park as well, but it's Feb 6, so you may want a little more time than that to get ready to race.)
Once you've raced your first 5K, set your sights on a 10K sometime in May (www.active.com is a great way to search for races). Again, there are tons of great training programs out there you can google, and SmartCoach as well. Once you've successfully raced a 10K, you'll be well on your way to being prepared for the SF Half!
Congratulations on your new running career & best of luck! :)
Barry Bonds lied about using steroids. On July 18th 1989, in front of his three kids, Donnie Moore shot his wi?
Jon Red So
Barry Bonds lied about using steroids. On July 18th 1989, in front of his three kids, Donnie Moore shot his wife Tonya in the neck, abdomen and chest. He then turned the gun on himself, putting a bullet in his head. Which do you find to be more morally reprehensible?
Answer
I understand the contrast that your making between a coward with a gun ruining lives and a ball player just trying too compete against others engaging in the same activity. and the truth of the matter is that a majority of pro athletes have and will engage in performance enhancing substance use in the pursuit of excellence. whether its a football player injected with cortisone or a baseball player asked too numb up his pitching arm w/an injection, they do what it takes too compete and win. the issue of steroids is not a moral issue, its a competition issue when winning and success is all that matters too the fans and organization. The sports fans and general public do not see the big picture and that is their are a large number of pro baseball players on " juice". If you were in bonds shoes? he was expected too lead and take this team too a championship. a pro athlete such as bonds knows his competition and unfortunately that means competing against guys on performance enhancing substances. unfortunately bonds is high profile and his numbers put him under tough scrutiny just as mark mcguire was etc.... what folks dont realize is that there are hundreds of guys in MLB on juice, but the fans and media focus on those that are winning games pitching or hitting home runs. they are overlooking the 2nd string guys on juice that were told they need a year too 2 too before seeing playing time and these same guys cut that time in half with a syringe of juice. my point is this, bonds would not have used roids if the rest of the league did not! why? because hes only competing within the framework and standard set by the rest of the leagues players and unfortunately juice is a common thread too get ahead! bonds and a lot of pro athletes only use juice because too not use juice simply leaves you at a disadvantage when playing against those ( unnoticed players) that have for years. its unfortunate that pro pitchers and home run hitters that put up numbers are the only ones that the league seems too go after as the sudden increase in numbers draw immediate suspicion. this is insane as their are more players on juice ridin the pine than those hitting 50 plus home runs or winning 20 games on the mound.... go figure! so the leagues suspicion is raised when a guy in his 40s hits over 70 home runs or wins 20 games? its hypocrisy as they ignore the other 99 percent of the players that are just as loaded on juice. but its much easier for the league too pin their white glove treatment on the most successful, that way they appear too be solving the problem? I wonder if the league, the teams owners and huge sports networks wanna return all the billions of dollars in revenues generated from guys like mcguire, bonds, clemmons? so whose really guilty here?? if baseball holds routine blood n urine screens for all versus random checks, then the problem is solved. but the union and the league will not allow that too happen as steroids are as much a part of professional baseball as mom n apple pie.....
bonds was smart enough too realize that he had too compete against the rest of the league and he is paid too be ready too overcome that same competition. it used too be spit balls, cork bats and larger gloves, in 2011 its ephidrene, growth hormone and roids...... the experts say that steroids do not enhance athletic ability, their right they do not. but they do increase the strength and endurance of those that already have the athletic ability.... lets get it right folks..... babe ruth drank booze before the game, joe nekro sliced n doctored the ball itself in order too gain the winning edge. in 2011 one loads up a rig with deca or test and eats a few dianabol in order too even the playing field. roids are the spit balls and cork bats of the past, can you blame em?
follow the money......
I understand the contrast that your making between a coward with a gun ruining lives and a ball player just trying too compete against others engaging in the same activity. and the truth of the matter is that a majority of pro athletes have and will engage in performance enhancing substance use in the pursuit of excellence. whether its a football player injected with cortisone or a baseball player asked too numb up his pitching arm w/an injection, they do what it takes too compete and win. the issue of steroids is not a moral issue, its a competition issue when winning and success is all that matters too the fans and organization. The sports fans and general public do not see the big picture and that is their are a large number of pro baseball players on " juice". If you were in bonds shoes? he was expected too lead and take this team too a championship. a pro athlete such as bonds knows his competition and unfortunately that means competing against guys on performance enhancing substances. unfortunately bonds is high profile and his numbers put him under tough scrutiny just as mark mcguire was etc.... what folks dont realize is that there are hundreds of guys in MLB on juice, but the fans and media focus on those that are winning games pitching or hitting home runs. they are overlooking the 2nd string guys on juice that were told they need a year too 2 too before seeing playing time and these same guys cut that time in half with a syringe of juice. my point is this, bonds would not have used roids if the rest of the league did not! why? because hes only competing within the framework and standard set by the rest of the leagues players and unfortunately juice is a common thread too get ahead! bonds and a lot of pro athletes only use juice because too not use juice simply leaves you at a disadvantage when playing against those ( unnoticed players) that have for years. its unfortunate that pro pitchers and home run hitters that put up numbers are the only ones that the league seems too go after as the sudden increase in numbers draw immediate suspicion. this is insane as their are more players on juice ridin the pine than those hitting 50 plus home runs or winning 20 games on the mound.... go figure! so the leagues suspicion is raised when a guy in his 40s hits over 70 home runs or wins 20 games? its hypocrisy as they ignore the other 99 percent of the players that are just as loaded on juice. but its much easier for the league too pin their white glove treatment on the most successful, that way they appear too be solving the problem? I wonder if the league, the teams owners and huge sports networks wanna return all the billions of dollars in revenues generated from guys like mcguire, bonds, clemmons? so whose really guilty here?? if baseball holds routine blood n urine screens for all versus random checks, then the problem is solved. but the union and the league will not allow that too happen as steroids are as much a part of professional baseball as mom n apple pie.....
bonds was smart enough too realize that he had too compete against the rest of the league and he is paid too be ready too overcome that same competition. it used too be spit balls, cork bats and larger gloves, in 2011 its ephidrene, growth hormone and roids...... the experts say that steroids do not enhance athletic ability, their right they do not. but they do increase the strength and endurance of those that already have the athletic ability.... lets get it right folks..... babe ruth drank booze before the game, joe nekro sliced n doctored the ball itself in order too gain the winning edge. in 2011 one loads up a rig with deca or test and eats a few dianabol in order too even the playing field. roids are the spit balls and cork bats of the past, can you blame em?
follow the money......
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Title Post: New runner, NO experience...Is training for a 1/2 Marathon unrealistic?
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Rating: 100% based on 99998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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