Marathons

[NPO_Aaron]

The wife and I committed to a couple running events this summer. We have done a few Tough Mudders in the past, but have never done anything strictly running. I figure it can do nothing but help me for chasing mulies next year. We are doing the Glacier Half Marathon and depending on how that goes, either the badlands half or full.

Anyone here enjoy endurance events or have any tips? Those of you who know me know I'm not exactly a little fella, so I'm going to have lots of work to do in the next 30ish weeks.

 

[KDM]

I've done a few half marathons in my life, but I walked those most of the way. I did run for small parts of it, but then again a ruck, rifle, and ammo kind of slows a guy down. As far as your event goes, slow and steady. Drink and eat stuff on the way. Your body will need it. DON"T wear worn out shoes or brand new shoes either. Most of all.........don't stop. Stopping is KRYPTONITE on a long distance deal. Once you tell yourself it's OK to stop, it becomes OK to not start again. Enjoy the event. You will see all kinds of folks getting out there and getting after it. Have Fun!!

 

[savage270]

Tape or bandaids on your nipples.

 

[KDM]

Tape or bandaids on your nipples.[/QUOTE

Thank You savage270. You JUST made my day!!

 

[Bed Wetter]

Before kids, I ran a few halfs. here are a few things I can remember:

- Don’t wear anything cotton.
- Don’t skip workouts prior to the race unless it’s the week before and you’re on a scheduled taper or you’re nursing/avoiding an injury.
- Don’t run road races within a month of a planned hunt. “I had no idea running 13/26 miles could result in a break/tear/rupture/strain of my [insert body part].”

 

[Duckslayer100]

I've ran a few half. Never a full. I never got to the end of a half marathon and thought to myself "boy, I'd love to turn around and run that all over again." To me, 13.1 is plenty.

Get yourself a good 12-week plan. Get your mileage up. Don't worry about speed, just worry about getting in all themeless in a given week. Long runs are important. Get through those even if you have to run-walk to complete. It's all about building that endurance muscle and prepping the body for long fuel-burning episodes.

 

[DirtyMike]

Did a few half’s in college and chiro school. Watched the wife do a full while I chased her on my bike.

Most of whats been said is great info. I’m not a little guy either so I took my time in training. Shin splints held me back quite a bit so do your recovery work. $100+ for a set of shoes might seem outrageous but you’ll thank yourself. You’re only going to get about 300 miles out of a pair before the sole starts breaking down. good tech clothing is worth its weight in gold.

And the nipples thing, I’ve seen the two bloody trails. Hilarious as it may be, don’t wait for race day to figure out if that new shirt is irritating or not.

 

[NPO_Aaron]

I'm pretty excited to do this. I'm a Keto dude, so I'll be running them fat adapted, so fuel shouldn't be a problem. I was really counting on filling my bow tag for some quality protein, but my tag sandwich won't help much.

Running is probably my weakest physical skill, so that's why we're doing it. My first priority is to actually learn how to run correctly. Besides that, I'll need to lose some weight I suppose. Not looking forward to raw nips though...

 

[BrokenBackJack]

Tape or bandaids on your nipples.

This can definitely be your friend. Nipples, thighs, under arms:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00288L2N6/?tag=nodakangler10-20

 

[USMCDI]

Get on a treadmill every other day until you can do it every day, I've ran over 30 fulls and probably 50 half marathons. PM me for any details, a solid Polar heart rate monitor is your best friend, train your heart and lungs and the rest will follow. I did this shit for 25 years every day and don't really miss it but my livlihood depended upon it so I got pretty good at it.

 

[Traxion]

Put in the time, period. Start small, make mileage gains each week. For me, seeing that distance on the watch get longer and longer is fulfilling. Put in the long slow runs, but add in some speed here and there too. A four miler faster than you have ever gone beats and average 8 miler on any given day. Not every day, but here and there. I also believe in setting a realistic goal pace and really zoning your body in to that pace. While I may diverge from many people's thinking on this, you can't expect to run 8 minute miles for 13.1 if your body has been running never ending 9 minute miles. I would make sure I am comfortable at 8:15 pace for near race distance a couple weeks before the event. Add in the race day adrenalin and you'll meet your goal if you train like that AND not be mentally fried because you're worrying about running a pace that your body has never felt before. Yeah, take care of the nipples. Use Body Glide on everything else. I would also recommend doing SEVERAL half marathons before jumping to the full. Not being a natural runner means a long, long road to get to that point. The time commitment is also much, much more intense.

Unfortunately I ran my half PR about four years ago. I have been within a minute or two since, but I have not spent the time training to beat it. Age is a biotch! Enjoy it!

 

[camoman]

If you have 30 weeks, take some time to get yourself a good base of running, something like 5-6 miles. For a first timer a 15 week training plan might be a better idea for you. Hal Higdon has a lot of free training plans online. Decide if you want to run it in entirety or do a run-walk plan. I know quite a few people who have successfully complete half/marathons via run-walk. Learn to fuel yourself while you are running as well. Nothing new on race day. Don’t do just running. Strength training and cross training are important aspects of running as well and you’ll be in 1000x better shape.

 

[Duckslayer100]

Put in the time, period. Start small, make mileage gains each week. For me, seeing that distance on the watch get longer and longer is fulfilling. Put in the long slow runs, but add in some speed here and there too. A four miler faster than you have ever gone beats and average 8 miler on any given day. Not every day, but here and there. I also believe in setting a realistic goal pace and really zoning your body in to that pace. While I may diverge from many people's thinking on this, you can't expect to run 8 minute miles for 13.1 if your body has been running never ending 9 minute miles. I would make sure I am comfortable at 8:15 pace for near race distance a couple weeks before the event. Add in the race day adrenalin and you'll meet your goal if you train like that AND not be mentally fried because you're worrying about running a pace that your body has never felt before. Yeah, take care of the nipples. Use Body Glide on everything else. I would also recommend doing SEVERAL half marathons before jumping to the full. Not being a natural runner means a long, long road to get to that point. The time commitment is also much, much more intense.

Unfortunately I ran my half PR about four years ago. I have been within a minute or two since, but I have not spent the time training to beat it. Age is a biotch! Enjoy it!

^^^^ This!

I PR'd the Grandma's half in 2012 in 1:33:12. It was the best shape I've been in my entire life. Then kids came along and I totally fell off the wagon. Now I'm signed up again for the Fargo Half. It's WAY harder now than it was five years, two kids and about 15 pounds ago. But it feels good to run again. Good luck to everyone running this year!

 

[fnznfwl]

Wow, If you've never been a runner you are picking a hell of a first race in the Glacier. You had better plan on acclimating at least day or better yet two, before the race. I applaud the ambition, but those are some pretty lofty goals for your first two races.

 

[Bowhunter_24]

Wow, If you've never been a runner you are picking a hell of a first race in the Glacier. You had better plan on acclimating at least day or better yet two, before the race. I applaud the ambition, but those are some pretty lofty goals for your first two races.

Ha this is true

 

[Captain Ahab]

Tape or bandaids on your nipples.

I remember an old set of basketball jerseys that made this a REQUIREMENT! Ha

 

[njsimonson]

1) Do not progress too fast. If you've never run consistently, or haven't for a while, ease into it. 10% mileage increase each week - MAX. Set your schedule based on that, I second the Higdon plans. They're great for whatever shape you're in -- you can always adjust -- and they follow that rule pretty closely as I recall.
2) Cross train with leg days and abs. On your off days, build leg strength via lifting, or doing something like Plyometrics in addition to your runs, and adding in an ab routine. Lifting will make your stride more powerful, and various core exercises will make your support muscles (hip flexors, glutes, obliques and abs) stronger, to keep you stable and tire less easily. Plus that's where you get the POWER and STABILITY to take on those badlands next fall.
3) If it's your first -- just finish (or just finish without walking) -- you can build from there!
4) Yeah...Body Glide.

Best wishes for a successful training season and a great run! Let us know how it goes!

 

[Kurtr]

Any one ever listen to David Goggins on podcasts that is one bad ass mother f er

 

[Taylorman55]

Like you, I committed to a couple of longer races for this spring and summer. My wife runs multiple half and full marathons each year, and she pretty much said, get off your ass, you're going running with me. haha The last couple years haven't been friendly to me as I've put on some pounds (30-40). I've been doing a simple 10k trainer off an app on my iphone. I'm a month in now. First day it was tough to jog for 30-45 seconds. Now I'm running a mile to mile and a half at 6.75-7 mph pace with no issue. Down about 15 pounds so far too with eating more healthy. I highly recommend the simple 10k trainer for an app. You run 3 days a week, and each week it slowly gets harder, but by the end of the week it feels like the week before and not bad at all. Quite entertaining to watch how your body will adjust to more and more. Good luck!

- - - Updated - - -

Oh I forgot to mention. This app is a 14 week program, so it really works you up slowly.

 

[guywhofishes]

running makes me hurt