Now, if I could just be as fast as my new computer. Speed is a funny thing when it comes to running. I have people tell me all the time - speed is just relative to where you are. Well, that's easy to say when you are fast. I am a very SLOW runner. I have been running now for just about two years, so really not very long. And unfortunately I've had a few injury setbacks that have kept me from running consistently during that period. But for the most part I have been running 3 days a week or so for about 2 years, but I never seem to get any faster. I can look back at my race times and see some improvement, but it's easy to improve from a 12ish minute mile. No matter how hard I push myself I just can't seem to go any faster.
Sometimes I think I have some sort of genetic mutation that keeps me from running fast. Like maybe the top half and bottom half of my body don't really go together - when I was on the assembly line maybe my parts were switched for somebody else. Or maybe my legs are really made of lead instead of bone. At least then I would have an excuse for being this slow. Most people I know who pick up running automatically run around a 10:30 or 11:00 minute pace or even faster.....running seems to be easy and natural for most people. Why not me?
I do incorporate speed workouts in my training. I do intervals of 1 to 2 minutes at a faster pace, but usually that wipes me out and then I have to walk for 1 to 2 minutes to recover. I am thinking about taking some speed classes in the Spring. Maybe this will push me farther. How about you guys any thoughts, ideas or suggestions?
Lastly, I thought the title of this post was pretty clever. A play on words - does this dress make my butt look fat - does this post make my butt look fast. That's funny right? My husband didn't understand it, but of course he doesn't understand alot of things :)
Go Jim - Be Great Today in Austin!!!
my husband RARELY gets my humor... and I can be pretty damn funny :D
ReplyDeleteI have no advice, because I was going to say intervals. The only thing I guess I would say is to keep pushing yourself. I don't like to hurt, but I do push myself further than I would like to (and it is not comfortable at all!) and it seems to be helping me to get faster.
I loved your play on words!!
I got it too, but I've got no advice on the speed thing since I'm not fast myself. If you figure it out...let the rest of us know, but I have a feeling the key is going to hurting as Julie said. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved the play on words. I wish I had advice on speed. I just try and add speed a little bit of time. So if I am on the treadmill I will increase the speed every 5 mins of my run for the 1st half and then decrease on the 2nd half. I guess it works.
ReplyDeleteHA! The first thing I thought was "what a clever title for her post"! And, I'm a sucker for a good post title. Maybe you have to be a woman to really get the play on words?
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time commenting on your blog, so, hi there! I'm Lisa. I found out about your blog because I started following 50 after 40 a little while ago. I figured out right away that we live in the same town and go to the same gym! Small world, huh?
I wish I had some sort of advice on the speed issue, but I'm a relative running novice myself. Speedy or not, I admire you since I cannot even imagine myself doing a tri. I'm not a biker or a swimmer (unless you count Doggy Paddling). But, I say, who cares how fast you go--at least you're out there!!
haha, now you both have a computer to feed your blogging addictions with!??
ReplyDeletei noticed that my speed picked up when i started running with faster people. it forced me to pick up my pace. she wasnt drastically faster than me maybe 30-45min/mile but it was enough to make an improvement. once i caught up to her pace we both started to get a little bit faster. i dont know if we were subconsciously trying to run faster than the other. but over all i would say im a full min to 1.5 min faster than i was this time last year.
Um, well, I'm with Jim :-(
ReplyDeletePerhaps some tempo runs would help. Not intervals of 1-2 minutes bursts, but start with 3-4 miles at tempo pace (Jim can explain).
So the old computer is mine, huh? Did that get voted on while I was in Austin or something???
ReplyDeleteHi there, I just stumbled upon your blog today - I'm a new triathlete as well. I started running first, and something that really helped speed me up was reading (and following!!!) the book, "Run Less Run Faster". I'm sorry, I can't remember who wrote it at the moment. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteDawn
I loved this title. Very funny.
ReplyDeleteAs for speed...no advice there. I just keep comparing myself to my own history (I held down the couch for two decades). But you could also compare your speed to most people who never make it out the front door.
I am hoping once I add some speed work, I will get faster, but I really don't know if I will. I am totally with you on just wishing to be at a 10:30 pace. Maybe someday.
ReplyDelete