I’m training for a half-marathon on 3/31. I’m not a good runner. I’m not a runner at all. It’s a form of mild torture. But, pushing comfort zones is how we get better in life, so I persist.
Every Friday, I’ll post an update on my training. This is Update #4.
At my gym, there is a Sloth Running Team. Here they are on the track:
Sloths are not fast. However, neither am I. While I post stats here in my running updates every week, I have never revealed my pace. I run as slow as you can possibly run and still consider it running. My goal for the half-marathon is to finish in 2 hours or less. For math whizzes, that will require that I run each mile in a little over 9 minutes. If I had to guess, my current pace is between 10 and 11 minutes. I have some work to do. But I digress…
The other day, I was at the gym when the Sloth Running Team (SRT) showed up. On the side of the track, they warmed up and did stretching exercises. As I passed them, a couple started trash talking me:
Pick up the pace slowpoke.
Hey dude, do you have any speed in those shoes?
My grandma runs faster than you!
I brushed it off. They were sloths after all and I could surely run faster than them. And that was mostly true.
The sloths finished their stretching and hit the track. I blew by most of them, but not all.
As my run wore on, a couple started to pick up the pace. Somewhere around mile 3.5, two lapped me. To add to the insult, one of them even flashed me a rude gesture; flipping me the bird with his middle claw thingy. Jerk sloth.
How embarrassing. Where do I go from here?
The sloths must have felt bad about their trash talking and vulgar gestures because after the run, they presented me with a shirt and invited me to participate in the 2018 Sloth Ultra-Marathon. I don’t know if I’ll join them. Those sloths are fast. Or maybe I’m just really slow.
Update: Week #4
So, something cool happened this week. On Sunday, I ran 4 miles and pushed myself really hard. The next day, I had no pain. I’ve always had pain after a run, but now it was mysteriously gone. Good riddance achy legs!
In other good news, I’ve been on a walking rampage. In 2018, I’ve walked almost 500,000 steps and covered 220 miles:
It wasn’t all good though. We’ve been really busy and my sleep suffered. This week, I’ve been averaging only 6 hours and 20 minutes of sleep per night. It gradually wore me down. On Thursday, I was supposed to do my long run, but crapped out after only 3 miles. Better luck next week.
This Week In Running
- Runs: 3
- Miles: 11.5
- Longest run: 4.5
This Year In Running
- Runs: 20
- Miles per run: 3.347
- Miles: 66.94 (goal is > 150)
- Days until half marathon: 57
2018 Activity (walking included)
- Total steps: 463,279
- Total miles: 220.24
Weight, Heart, Beer
- Weight: 160.0 (goal is < 150)
- Low resting heart rate for the week: 67 (goal is < 60)
- Beers consumed this week: 4
- Beers consumed this year: 24
- Beer ratio: 2.79 : 1 (2.79 miles ran per beer). Goal is > 3 : 1
Good man. I am inspired to do something. Course, it’s 10 below this morning in Minneapolis, so I’m content to sit on my ass and sip warm coffee. Maybe in a couple months when my shins thaw out…
Couple of months? I think you have like 7 months of winter left up there in Minnesota!
Jerk.
Obviously, the frozen tundra has put you in a foul mood. Who could blame you?
Don’t worry, only 6.5 months of winter left!
Congrats on pushing through! Even with those jerk sloths…
I’ve always loved running. I haven’t been able to the last couple of years,, but I need to change that soon. Anyway, if you’re worried about pace you should really work in either hills or sprint work. Generally speaking, your pace will improve over time just as you get in shape. If you’re trying to make leaps in pace in a short amount of time, sprint work is the key.
If you’re stuck inside, sprint a lap then take a walking lap (or two). Probably keep it to a mile to start. Have this replace one of your short runs.
If you keep slogging miles at a low pace, your legs and stride tend to build muscle memory. Sprint work forces you to change your stride.
Have fun! Know that I”m jealous of your miles!!
Thanks for the tips! I’m going to start devoting one day a week to sprints just as you’ve suggested. Hopefully, I can finally outrun the sloths soon…
Keep at it man, you will continue to see benefits and you will hate it less. (said a runner who also sometimes hates running)
Accidental FIRE recently posted…Battle Of The Vanguard Titans
Haha! Thanks for the encouragement!
SRT – funny! Let me guess, it’s a team of 8 (or 10)? 😉
Happy Running.
Team CF recently posted…Real Estate Report – January 2018
Dude, there are like 50 of them! I had no idea sloths liked running so much! The sloth stereotypes are totally unfounded!
OK, Mr. 1500… I’m doing something similar in trying to really get into shape. Seriously this time. I mean it. For reals. So… slightly different takes on the same thing, but I’ll see if I can beat ya. If you want, check out my post below. There’s even an old school picture of me when I was, um, bigger. Hope to have real topless photos soon!
I thought of you the other day as I ran a 5K while I was out of town and had nothing else to do. I’m less of a runner than you and it did hurt a bit the next day.
Cheers, man.
Whoah, go get em’ tiger! And a ketogenic diet! I’ve read about these and have been intrigued. I’m curious to see how it works out for you.
Two good things will happen as you build your miles. You will not be breathing hard and you will not be sore.
The long run is the most important. If it works to do your long run on Monday because that is the day you are the most rested, then re-arrange your schedule.
Do not worry as much about your pace on the long run. I label mine “Long/slow run”. If you want to average 9:30 miles, then run Long at 10 or 10:30. But, you do need to work on running faster than 9:30 on 1 of your runs. Even if that means doing 1/2 mile repeats at 8:30 pace. Whatever it takes to get the wheels turning faster.
Keep it up. You will be amazed at what your body can do. One idea would be to walk less during this period. All that walking is using up your energy you need for your runs. Return to long walks after the 1/2.
Thanks for the tips! I’m changing things up for February. One normal short run, one run with interval training (sprints) and a long run after two days of rest. I’m so curious to see how much I can improve. I’ve already come a long way, but I”m not close to where I need to be.
Out here in Oregon, land of rain rain and more rain, I’ve finally been able to resume running after two weeks of pneumonia. I’ve run three times this week — which means I missed a day (yesterday). All this is to say: I’m slowly getting back, but I have some catching up to do! 🙂
I”m glad you’re recovered. No doubt that the training diet I sent you helped in your recovery!
Love this post, keep up the good work!
Thank you!
Keep it up there fella. You will learn a lot by doing this, invaluable information and mostly confidence. Don’t let the bunny intimidate you. Also the beer will be the best you have ever had after the race. The Best!
Thank you for the encouragement Bob! It means a lot. And the Bunnyman terrifies me…
I am thoroughly impressed you got out there and ran yesterday even after the late start. Talk about dedication!! And I’m interested to see how that beer count will be calculated after last night… Does it count if it is only half a can multiple times over?? 😉
Miss Mazuma recently posted…Oh, The Places You’ll Go…
“And I’m interested to see how that beer count will be calculated after last night…”
Um, I quickly lost count. Ooops! And some of those cans were huge! I’ll have to make something up. I’m gonna try to go dry between now and 3/31. We’ll see how well that works out!
Awesome job! The after run pain will subside after your body gets used to it.
Keep it up and you’ll break 2 hours. Did well yesterday, plus you’re training at altitude.
Just remember to protect those nips!!
Which is worse, bloody nipples or shitting yourself? Dunno. Maybe the stars will align and I’ll get to experience both!
This week picked up a bit.
Run 6.2 miles
Swim 4000 yards
Ride: 30 miles
Keep up the good work!
Mr. Free
You should really check out the book by Dr Martin Gibala – One Minute Workout, this training method will change the way you approach any distance. http://martingibala.com/
Thanks for the recommendation!