My one and only commenter, Katy, wanted me to answer a few questions. The formatting ended up weird and I couldn't fix it, so you're just going to have to deal with it.
How in the world did you go from non-runner to an insanely fast runner in two years?
Ignorance. I really didn’t know what I was doing when I first started running. I headed out on every run thinking I would run as fast as I could for as long as I could. After building up to two miles I jumped to ten miles, I’m lucky I didn’t injure myself. I did my first marathon nine months after I started running.
Also, I think I have a high tolerance for pain. I was in excruciating pain for almost two years after I herniated a disc in my back. I learned to ignore it, then I had back surgery and it helped with the pain. I’m sure I have some natural talent for running, but not much.
Running fast is hugely mental. I think a lot of people run at a pace that is comfortable for them, which is slow, slow, slow. You’ve got to get out of your comfort zone. While running you should mentally picture someone running at a fast pace, then focus on your own form. Do you match your mental picture?
I can’t believe I’m about to say this. Let me preface this by saying, if I hear one more “Run, Forrest, Run” comment yelled out of some redneck’s truck, I might go on a murderous rampage in my short-shorts. That said; remember that part in the movie when Forrest discovers he can run? Remember his leg braces busting off and all of a sudden he was sprinting across a field? I think a lot of people have it in their head that they’re slow, they need to brake those mental leg braces they're wearing around and just go for it.
Do you ever get tired/bored with running? Is this something you think you'll want to do forever?
I never get bored with running; I get bored with doing the same route or workout over and over.
Before I started running I was overweight and suffered from serious back pain (I’ve had back surgery). Now I feel like I’m at the weight nature intended me to be and the back pain is pretty much gone. Running makes me feel great, I want to do it the rest of my life.
Do you actually like running when you are doing it, or do you like the competitive nature of it and the feeling after-the-fact?
Do you actually like running when you are doing it, or do you like the competitive nature of it and the feeling after-the-fact?
I like everything about it, well almost everything. The blisters and the chafing aren’t the greatest things ever.
I often get asked by people if running feels easier to me than it does to them. I don’t know what it’s like to be someone else, but when I first started running it felt hard and painful at times when pushing myself. It feels pretty much the same when I push myself now. So I would have to say, I probably feel the same things that people running at a slower pace feel.
Running relaxes me, so I actually do like it while I’m doing it. I feel bad if I don’t run.
I never thought of myself as competitive, but some of my friends would say I’m full of it and that I’m very competitive. I know that whether training or in a race, if someone is in front of me I feel a need to pass him or her.
You've mentioned running blogs and books here and there, what are your favorites?
You've mentioned running blogs and books here and there, what are your favorites?
This may work best in list form. I can’t list them all. Some of the books I’ve checked out of the library and I don’t remember their names or authors.
A few blogs:
Most running books are boring so I’ll only list two and one is not exclusively about running:
Marathon, The Ultimate Training Guide by Hal Higdon
The 4-Hour Body by Tim Ferriss (great section on running fast)
Do your regular commenters (Katy) annoy you?
No, you do not annoy me. I think it’s amazing that anyone even reads my blog. I wish more people would comment. Thank you.
Wow, I am really disappointed with the formatting of this. Just kidding, this is soooo great! Thank you for answering all my questions.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely disagree that you don't have much natural talent. Though it does inspire me to think that someone doesn't necessarily HAVE to have it to keep improving. Maybe I will give myself an extra mental push at the next race.
Other thoughts:
- I can't believe you were overweight, we may need you to post some fat pics.
- Speaking of Forrest Gump. Just yesterday, I read this post by one of my favorite bloggers. The picture of Forrest there actually did make me think of the picture you use for your blog profile.
Here's the link:
http://www.neverhomemaker.com/2010/11/running-advice-from-television.html
Off to check out those other blogs!
THANKS!
I've been reading your blog for about a month now. I got hooked on running in April when my neighbor talked me into running a 5K race. We started out doing the run/walk interval thing...3 minutes running/1 minute recovery. I have now completed 3 races and want to move on to the 10K race by Fall. I can run 4 miles without stopping now. It's a slow pace (I think I have the mental leg braces on). I'm following a mileage build-up plan from Runner's World magazine, but do you have any advice for incorporating speed workouts? Should I be thinking about speed or just focusing on building mileage for the 10K distance?
ReplyDeleteSorry for sharing my running life story...just wanted to give you some background. Also, the lovely Anna-Maria Lane is a good friend of mine...that's how I heard about you.
Ashley, that all depends on what your goals are. If you just want to finish a 10k, I would say just continue building your mileage by 10% a week. That said, I feel that speed work is quite valuable. Almost every training plan contains 3 basic components; speed, tempo, long run.
ReplyDeleteFrom what you’ve told me I think you’re ready for some speed. Speed work increases the efficiency of your stride, which means it makes running feel easier. I just want to say that I am in no way a professional, so follow my advice at your own risk.
One of the easiest things you could do is add stride-outs to your routine. Basically, a stride-out is a 60-80 meter sprint. Build your speed to 90-100% effort at the midpoint of the distance, and then gradually taper off. Do 6-8 of these at the end of one of your regular runs.
You can set aside one day a week for speed. If you have a track nearby you can do some 200s and 400s. 200 is half a lap, 400 is a whole lap, 4 laps equals 1 mile (sorry if you already know that). The workout would look like this; ½ mile warm-up jog, 1 to 1 ½ miles of 200 and 400s at your goal 5k pace (which should be faster than your 10k pace), ½ mile cool-down jog.
One more thing; you could always meet the Lakeland Runners Club at the Lakeland High Track Tuesday evenings. There are people of every skill level and children are welcome. They do a children’s lesson at 5:30 and adults start at 6:15pm.
Hope this helps. Thanks for commenting.
Hey Charlie,
ReplyDeleteI have ran 1 5k, I did not give myself training time, I thought, Well I'm a good walker, cnat be that hard. Well I was wrong... I finished the 5k and I was not last, but close.... Next time ill train !!!!!!!!!
Kathy Lane Rau
Look how famous Charlie has become! Woohoo for commenters.
ReplyDeleteAshley, it sounds like we have similar stories and have been bitten by the running bug! I started about then also and I am planning for the Lake to Lake 10k this Nov. and a half marathon in February. You should definitely come to the Tuesday night track workouts. I can assure you not everyone out there is "a Charlie." Lots of paces! PS - I know the lovely Anna-Maria!
What a small world! My goal is to do a half-marathon for my 30th birthday (January 2013)! I live in Frostproof, so I can't make the Lakeland track workouts. I so wish someone in Frostproof or even Lake Wales would start a running group. I have a 3 year old son, so I definitely have to schedule my training around him. Could you email me info. on the Lake to Lake 10K in November? (gaffneyae@yahoo.com)
ReplyDeleteCharlie--thank you so much for the advice! Keep those posts coming! :-)