Paying to run?

dj06482 wrote: I'm trying to do more lifting than cardio, and am curious if gaining strength (but not weight) will help in the half.

No, it won't. Yes, you need strong leg and core muscles for running, but weight training and distance running are very, very different disciplines. The training is very different. Like I said, I'm a lifter, I just use roughly 15 minutes of cardio to finish off my workout. Years ago, my wife and I signed up to do a half marathon. The training we would have needed to do in order to really be competitive in it would have killed all the work we did in lifting. My wife is ripped, and had no interest in burning that up. I didn't want to burn what I had built either. So we did some "training" for it by simply extending our cardio, but didn't truly "train" for it. Of course, as luck would have it, the first hurricane forecast to hit the mid-Atlantic in 50 years was the same day as the half, so it got cancelled and we didn't get to run. We didn't bother signing up for the next one.

I'm keeping everything 5 reps or under for weight training, and I'm not increasing my food intake, so I don't expect to add huge amounts of muscle in the next two months. I tried a version of this last year before my half, and it worked well compared to an all-cardio routine two years before. I'm not challenging anyone for any class wins, but I'd like to get down to some more respectable finish times.

I try to run 2-3 times a week (one long, one hilly, and one recovery run), and lift twice a week.

I've done two charity 5k's (one walking). Meh. Made me run at least. I hate it.

I'm thinking about signing up for a tri (1/4 mile swim, 18 mile bike, 5k). But I'll have to get a bike for that.

My current goal is to be able to do 100 pushups without stopping. Last night I easily got to 50 in sets of 17 and my last set I did 24. Could have kept pushing but the dog was barking and I had to get him. My other goal is to be able to do 5 pullups and 5 chinups, but I haven't started working to that one yet. A) I can't even get one in, and B) I don't have a bar to try them. A) is the bigger issue. How do you train for them? Just keep struggling until you can do it?

mtn wrote: How do you train for them? Just keep struggling until you can do it?

Pull up band.

My co-worker who does lunch workouts with me started not being able to do one about 2 years ago. I started him with one of these. Now he will knock out 10 or 15 in a single set without issue (unassisted).

mtn wrote: I'm thinking about signing up for a tri (1/4 mile swim, 18 mile bike, 5k). But I'll have to get a bike for that.

Don't need much of a bike for that. I did a couple of sprint tris on a fat tire cruiser a few years ago. I wouldn't do more than 20m on one, but if you just want to get out there...

In reply to dj06482:

Core and posture are very important for longer runs. When you tire and lose form at the shoulder and hip you push work into your calves that they are not able to handle and cramping/injury occur. A lot of running's rep for taking a toll on the knees comes from fatiguing the wrong things. Cycling is about the best compliment but I know a lot of guys who are lifters and big up top who run all kinds of distance so I don't think it hurts unless you go all crazy with bulk.

To keep in shape for half distance I run 5 for race pace, 7 hills, 10 at however I feel every week and put a day between each run and that's it. The other days it's 12km rowing then half an hour ~ 10mi on the bike set to Hill+.

The only strength training I do lately is push and pull ups and I need to change that.

dj06482 wrote: I'm keeping everything 5 reps or under for weight training, and I'm not increasing my food intake, so I don't expect to add huge amounts of muscle in the next two months.

Be very careful with that. Calories burned > calories in do not make for good results when lifting. I know your goal isn't to add a ton of muscle, but you may find you get results you didn't want. Nutrition is more important than lifting when it comes to fitness.

Per Schroeder wrote:

mtn wrote: I'm thinking about signing up for a tri (1/4 mile swim, 18 mile bike, 5k). But I'll have to get a bike for that.

Don't need much of a bike for that. I did a couple of sprint tris on a fat tire cruiser a few years ago. I wouldn't do more than 20m on one, but if you just want to get out there...

Doesn't change my original statement--I don't have a bike! Which seems insane, but my childhood/teenage bike was in disrepair and sold at a garage sale; my 2 college bikes were stolen. Never replaced them since I was never in a position to bike to work.

mtn wrote:

Per Schroeder wrote:

mtn wrote: I'm thinking about signing up for a tri (1/4 mile swim, 18 mile bike, 5k). But I'll have to get a bike for that.

Don't need much of a bike for that. I did a couple of sprint tris on a fat tire cruiser a few years ago. I wouldn't do more than 20m on one, but if you just want to get out there...

Doesn't change my original statement--I don't have a bike! Which seems insane, but my childhood/teenage bike was in disrepair and sold at a garage sale; my 2 college bikes were stolen. Never replaced them since I was never in a position to bike to work.

I picked up a nice used bike this fall for $200 from someone who had to have the carbon fiber stuff and was moving up rather than fixing a worn out derailleur. I've done a bunch of 20-40 mile rides and it might not be cutting edge but it will work for a race at my level (meaning I ain't gonna win anyway). I'm into it for another $50 for that, a chain and some drink bottle holders. I plan to try a tri at some point but I need to get in a pool. I'm not the least bit worried about the bike or the run but swimming any distance is going to be a challenge for me.

Klayfish wrote:

dj06482 wrote: I'm keeping everything 5 reps or under for weight training, and I'm not increasing my food intake, so I don't expect to add huge amounts of muscle in the next two months.

Be very careful with that. Calories burned > calories in do not make for good results when lifting. I know your goal isn't to add a ton of muscle, but you may find you get results you didn't want. Nutrition is more important than lifting when it comes to fitness.

Assuming he has a little extra weight that he should lose, as long as he is hitting his protein needs he should be good.

(Yes this is an extreme oversimplification, but really not far from the truth)

Gotcha--So I'll amend that and say just get something that you can/will use regularly, don't worry about speed.

That's an odd Tri distance, btw....long on the bike. Typical sprints are more like 750yds, 20k, 5k.

As a world class couch athlete (my fitbit died of boredom) the wife kept bugging me to go to the gym with her.

So I went.

Got out of the car and walked home. Can't see spending the $$$ to walk on a treadmill!

Wife said I need psychiatric help. No longer ask me to go to gym

Per Schroeder wrote: Gotcha--So I'll amend that and say just get something that you can/will use regularly, don't worry about speed. That's an odd Tri distance, btw....long on the bike. Typical sprints are more like 750yds, 20k, 5k.

Just looked it up to be sure-- ¼ mile swim
18 mile bike
3.1 mile run

That would also make the swim shorter than normal, but some of that is probably due to the fact that it is in Lake Michigan.

I look at a lot of things in life as cost/benefit. These days, so many social events are outrageously expensive. I don't participate in many races, despite being a life-long MTB rider simply because what's the point? I don't care if a I win or lose. I'm out there to have fun, and I can do that as a volunteer.

My wife did an Obstacle Course Run a few months ago. She hadn't trained and it was very difficult for her. That being said, for the $40 she paid it was well worth it. Free beer, good atmosphere, and the obstacle setup must've taken a small army.

mtn wrote: How do you train for them? Just keep struggling until you can do it?

Best is to get some sort of assistance: pull up band, or have someone cradle your ankles to help just a bit.

Barring that, cheat your way to the top and lower yourself down as controlled and slow as possible.

Beer Baron wrote:

mtn wrote: How do you train for them? Just keep struggling until you can do it?

Best is to get some sort of assistance: pull up band, or have someone cradle your ankles to help just a bit. Barring that, cheat your way to the top and lower yourself down as controlled and slow as possible.

Make sure the pipe is high enough that you can hang and not touch the ground.

Start with a chair nearby and use as little effort with one leg as you need to get your chin over the bar.

Have a friend screaming encouragement in the form of a string of expletves

Blast Nine Inch Nails - Head Like A Hole thru a wall of Marshall stacks turned up to 11.

Advil.

I just made a pull up bar and a plyo box for my wife. She can use the box or her giant rubber bands for pull-up assistance, and she can use the box for jumping games.

Or, use a 9' fence in a blind alley and have an assistant release viscous dogs at the other end.

We do it because there are sometimes you just can't run that part of town or area without it. For example, It was pretty cool to run over the golden gate bridge. I also really enjoyed the canyonlands run down 121 in Moab. I do an event or 2 a year. My wife likes to do a lot more. For me I'll do a half or full a year. Next year it'll be a 50K. I do it for the fitness.

I've helped to organize an event and there is a lot that goes into it. It's not just an easy thing. The permitting itself can be a real PITA.

In reply to bmw88rider:

A 50K might be a sign of mental illness! A friend of mine who helped me do speed work last year just finished 77k in 24hrs. I consider her to be certifiable. People think I'm nuts for welding my own car together in the garage... and (a lot of other reasons). Then they go on an epic death march to see if they live. Who does that? Lunatics!

I would love to run Canyonlands. Maybe I should become a destination runner. I know people who do that - it's a thing now. Fly, run, party. Mostly women. Not my wife though. That could cause problems.

I'm one of those destination runners. Did San Francisco, Canyonlands, Yellowstone, an interesting Ozark trail marathon, Pike's peak ascent. The 50K is in Iceland. It breaks it up and gives a good change of pace.

mtn wrote: That would also make the swim shorter than normal, but some of that is probably due to the fact that it is in Lake Michigan.

That's not all that will be shorter than normal.

slantvaliant wrote:

mtn wrote: That would also make the swim shorter than normal, but some of that is probably due to the fact that it is in Lake Michigan.

That's not all that will be shorter than normal.

Not sure that I'd describe it as "shorter than normal". Probably more like "no longer visible to the naked eye" or "completely disappeared". That water is berkin cold.

My now-wife didn't understand why I didn't want to go skinny dipping with her in Lake Michigan after we'd been dating for under a year. I had her watch the Seinfeld episode and didn't say anything else.

Huckleberry wrote:

Ian F wrote: When I want to do a tough mudder, I'll start racing cyclocross.

Is that a real thing? It sounds cool enough.

Pretty sure that is how the Tour de France started out.

Enough with the half measures, you guys need to get serious about this. Western States is on the old Pony Express route from Tahoe to Auburn. Started out as horseback race, where you would walk to rest your mount. Guy got a bunch of grief that he should just leave the horse home, as much as he walked, so he did.

I really enjoyed running up until I got hurt in a car wreck about 5 years ago. Have not been able to really run since. Sort of frustrating, because prior to that I could really fly.

My wife and I run and she is more serious than I am. She's training for her third marathon and I am happy with just one. I think without signing up for a race there's NO way she (or I for that matter) would train to that extent. Just a goal to put out there, that seems silly at times, to just GO DO IT.

We'll run a few smaller races here and there but not obsessively. Just if something pops up local, cheap or seems fun. There's a little 5k in Wilmington we do every year because the kids can run it for free. We normally do another 5k that's right around the corner from us that's really cheap and benefits the local Rotary. I would like to do another marathon someday but it's not at the top of my to-do list. I need that extra push to run more than 15mi ;)