13 replies to this topic

[RedDirtRunner]

Hi guys,

I bet you're not sick of these!!

Ok, I'm wanting to complete the HM in the Perth City to Surf on 30th of August this year and am into week 2 of the corresponding training schedule.

Here's a little background.

I'm 26, have been running on and off (mostly off) for a couple of years. I've started this process more times than I'd like to admit, but this time I'm a little more determined as I'm hoping I've left enough time for myself. The things that have stopped my training in the past have been a niggling knee (too much too fast too soon - usual story), or some personal issue. Anyway, it's never been that I'm not enjoying the training. I'm like everyone else on here...running is my bag, no matter how good I am at it, I'm pretty slow but still get the soaring feeling which I'm addicted to!

Anyway, what does everyone think...too much? ok? definitely doable?

I'm pretty sure it's basically 17 weeks away.

Ugh, ok, fessing up time...

At the moment (as I've just got back in...excuse excuse) I timed my 3km run the other day at about 20 minutes. However I did this pretty easily and over an undulating course on gravel...I'll use whatever I can! Although I know that I can do about 6km without killing myself at the moment - it's a challenge but definitely within my limits.

Alright, it's all out there...let's hear it!

Thanks

[JustinS007]

RedDirtRunner, on May 5 2009, 08:32 AM, said:

Anyway, what does everyone think...too much? ok? definitely doable?
I'm pretty sure it's basically 17 weeks away.

You're only limited by what you 'believe' you can do.

If you're not after a super-fast time and think about it rationally, then 21.1km is really not that far. If you go out for a walk in the evening you will probably find that you cover 6km within an hour without really thinking about it. So an HM is only 3.5 hours of easy walking. You could certainly do that. Now consider how much running you feel you can or want to do and at what pace you believe you can sustain during those run periods. Estimated time for the HM can be worked out from there.

Getting through the event is about knowing your capabilities and not trying to exceed them excessively. Clearly if you are currently running at about 6:00-7:00pace and head off at the start at 5:00pace then you're in trouble. But it you manage your pace sensibly then you shouldn't have many problems.

I say go for it.

[Melruns]

Definately doable. Maybe you could reassess halfway through the program. If you're not feeling confident about the HM, do the 12k event instead. You win either way by achieving a goal.

[millymoo]

I am just about to do the same sort of thing. I started running 12 months ago and then quit for 6 months. So I started again a couple of months ago. I am now running 3km twice a week and 7km once a week. My times are awful 58mins for the 7km. But today I am starting the Hal Higdon HM training program to do the HM in 12 weeks at the Hunter valley festival. But my plan B is the 10k in 12 weeks and the HM in September.

So YES! I definately think it is do-able, or else I wouldn't be doing it. But I am expecting it to be hard work and I am sure there will be more than a couple of occasions when I feel like giving it up.

But we can do it. We can because we want to. Good luck.

[wombatoutofhell]

Doable. I did my first 1/2 about 20 weeks after i took up running and my training regime was pretty ordinary. If I can then pretty much anyone can! I was 39 so a little older than you. Just don't overdo it and make it to teh start with no inruries and all will be well!

[emjay]

definitely worth a shot. you never know unless you try. just check what the cutoff times are. some races also have an intermediate cutoff, meaning you must reach the mid-way point by a certain time. as long as you can do that, you'll be ok.

as others have said, keep your goals flexible. and most of all, just go out there and enjoy your running.

[Gadfly]

RedDirtRunner, on May 5 2009, 08:32 AM, said:

Anyway, what does everyone think...too much? ok? definitely doable?

Doable!

millymoo, on May 5 2009, 09:33 AM, said:

My times are awful 58mins for the 7km. But today I am starting the Hal Higdon HM training program to do the HM in 12 weeks at the Hunter valley festival. But my plan B is the 10k in 12 weeks and the HM in September.

They are not awful Millymoo - just not as fast as a fast runner. Not all of us are fast, and you are up and about, running and improving, so it's a great time!

Like the idea of a 'back up' plan too if needed - sensible.

I have just done my first HM in 2:35:10 (another slow runner) and it was certainly an achievement. We followed the Hal Higdon program and found it to be good.

Can I suggest that as you head into your training programs for the next x weeks - that you make sure you have goals along the way. Preferably 'race' goals or something that takes you out on a run with others. It can get boring just 'training' and not much else.

Good luck, keep us posted, and why not drop into the first HM thread - although don't get disheartened by all the fast times in there - there are some fast runners amongst them.

You can do it

[RedDirtRunner]

Very encouraging advice! Thanks guys!

I'm definitely keen for it, but I'm certainly not after any sort of timed thing...just getting through will be such an amazing achievement!

However, the thing I keep hearing over and over and over (which is so important) is to take it slow with the training to prevent injury. I know after having to stop a few years ago cause I went out too hard was absolutely heart breaking after so much work and so for quite a while I thought I couldn't be a runner (which would make me cry sometimes!) because I would just injure myself. I've only worked out recently that if I look after my body and not push it, it will look after me by letting me run.

Wombat, I've read so many of your posts over the last year, you guys are such an inspiration, you've come soooo far!
Milly, I've been reading a couple of yours in the last few days from late last year and am really impressed with your journey, and your wisdom to take things sensibly too.

Thanks again guys, keep the advice coming!

[RedDirtRunner]

Gadfly, on May 5 2009, 08:09 AM, said:

Doable!


Can I suggest that as you head into your training programs for the next x weeks - that you make sure you have goals along the way. Preferably 'race' goals or something that takes you out on a run with others. It can get boring just 'training' and not much else.

You can do it

Oh man, I'd love to be able to do that...however I'm in the Kimberley in a remote community, so it's a little tricky. Although, I could race the emus and the camp dogs - not so much race as get chased...that would certainly pick my time up!

I'm heading home to Tassie in a month or so, so I might look to see if there's anything then, it's such a good idea...

[Ellie80]

Which community are you in RedDirtRunner? I was wondering about the camp dogs - I think that would freak me out!

[Melruns]

Ellie08, camp dogs aren't all bad, they can add an unexpected interval session to an otherwise easy run!

[RedDirtRunner]

I'm in one called Jarlmadangah, about 3 hours east of Broome...it's on the news/4 corners/60 minutes quite a bit (for all the RIGHT reasons!!). It's an amazing place, I'm very lucky to be here.
Actually, the camp dogs here are really great, they're given shots every year by the shire and they're pretty healthy. I just take a stick with me just in case. I've been chased by an emu before which was actually pretty scary as they go straight for your sternum with their claw...I heard this thumping behind me and turned around just in time to duck out of the way of this emu running full speed at me. I grabbed a long tree branch and held it up in the air (that's the key, so you seem taller to them, it's supposed to intimidate them) and we had a stand off for about 3 minutes. Then he put his head back down and started to walk off. Needless to say, my time back home was the quickest I've ever done!!
Ah the dramas of outback living!

[Melruns]

Haha RDR, I had a similar experience a few years ago in Innisfail. The differences being a) I wasn't running, I was carrying a carton of beer into a mate's place, b ) it was a cassowary not an emu, and c) I left the carton as a distraction and ran into the house!

(The cassowary kicked kicked the carton but didn't damage anything, phew.)

Great idea to check out a shorter race in the next few months if you are in a position to get to one, btw.

Edited by Melruns, 05 May 2009 - 10:49 AM.

[RedDirtRunner]

Lol melruns!!

I've been in one or two communities where they roam in packs and you need a little more than a stick if you're going to go out on your own!

ETA: double phew for the carton!

Edited by RedDirtRunner, 05 May 2009 - 10:48 AM.