DFW Running Club!!

becky_rtw

(Land_of)_Maz wrote: »

i forget that you are a relative newbie to running cause you seem to have just taken to it easily and have really commited to the lifestyle change.... a good example of someone who is already fit so naturally going to be able to manage a decent level and has the lifestyle/time to devote to the run....

You'll be great at your race cause you have prepared well and seem to have natural aptitude for it.... (this is the point where Rich chips in and says no such thing as natural aptitude etc etc... just to shoot holes in what i say!)

Hmmm I've been thinking about this all afternoon as it happens (alongside my stats of course )...

I played footie twice a week before I started running, but only five a side and only in goal so not actually as fit as you might imagine.

I used to do my runs to and from work (well to the train anyway) which is how I was able to build up the mileage so easily - 2.5 times twice a day is 25 miles a week. The first one was awful - my chest was horrendous, I was red from step one, sweaty and disgusting and I walked at least half of it

I guess what I'm trying to say is - there was no lifestyle change at first - running was a free way for me to get to where I needed to be and was a whole lot quicker than walking - I hated it for the first month but did it because I had to to get to work or make my train!

I only started to enjoy it about 2 months in and now I have changed my lifestyle because of the marathon and this thread, so now I get up a 6 or 5.30 in the morning because I enjoy it - mad I know :eek::eek::eek:

Oh by the way if you'd have said to me a year ago I would be running 30 miles or more a week I would have laughed off my chair...I think anyone can run the distances I and others do, but not everyone has the inclination to - which is totally fine, but its not natural appitude on my part.

(Sorry if thats a little fuzzy still feeling a bit under the weather ).

(Land_of)_Maz

Rich - i'm not getting into a discussion about it as you can throw many more facts, figures and theories about than i ever could. I was just saying you'd already said there was no such thing as natural ability once in repsonse to something i wrote, and i knew by my repeating it in relation to Becky i would expect you to pick up on it again.......

and as for being overweight and this being a barrier to running, i don't know what it had to do with my original point (or better still your last post).... but that very comment is probably more likely to put anyone off than anything i might have said.... it certainly puts me off coming on here......

redsquirrel80

Rich, I don't think that Maz is using "selfish" as a negative comment about anyone, just that if you are single/ no kids/ less commitments/ less busy job/ whatever, you do have less restrictions on doing what you want, when you want - you can be selfish, i.e. think more/ only about yourself.

RichOneday_2

(Land_of)_Maz wrote: »

and as for being overweight and this being a barrier to running, i don't know what it had to do with my original point (or better still your last post).... but that very comment is probably more likely to put anyone off than anything i might have said.... it certainly puts me off coming on here......

I don't know where this is going.

Being overweight is a very big barrier to running. Your original post could easily have led new starters to believe if they're struggling its because they have no 'natural ability' and therefore don't have much hope of developing very far.

The point was that weight factors are far more significant (which is good, because weight can be lost) on improving fitness than any lack of natural ability (which can't be changed). The lack of natural ability is not much of a barrier at all until getting towards the very top end.

So how can a positive comment like that be 'off putting'?

redsquirrel80

Oh and I am hampered by my lack of natural ability to get motivated on cold dark evenings and get my lazy *rse out of the door

becky_rtw

Red - thats why I run in the mornings...be evening time by lazy self wants to be in bed under the duvet with a hot chocolate mmmmmm - the best bit about running is - no guilt about being lazy

Idiophreak

RichOneday wrote: »

The point was that weight factors are far more significant (which is good, because weight can be lost) on improving fitness than any lack of natural ability (which can't be changed). The lack of natural ability is not much of a barrier at all until getting towards the very top end.

Have to agree with Rich on this (although obviously there's been some breakdown in communication somewhere along the road).

I really do believe *anyone* can run...and I believe *anyone*, given the time and the inclination, can run "well", "far", or whatever else. "Natural ability" is only really going to come into the equation at the *very* highest end of the thing...much like anyone can drive a car, but only those with "a gift" will end up in F1 - everyone has their talents.

That said, there are 3 basic things I'd (as expert as I am ) identify as barriers to running:
1) Basic lack of fitness...thankfully, running fixes this.
2) Being overweight - the weight puts extra stress on joints, muscles, cardio system etc...thankfully, running fixes this too.
3) Trying to "run" before you can "walk"...as twere. Thankfully, this thread, and others on here, can fix this.

The end result being *any* barriers to running can be overcome and our job here, as a mini-community/running club is to help and support people in overcoming those barriers. Which is what we do...and damn well in my experience, too

RichOneday_2

A very good summary from the articulate Mr Idio, if I may say so!

30dirtybirds

Hi All,

This may be the daftest question every asked but...Does walking benefit or hinder runners (more specifically newbies)?

My plan means running every other day (M,W,F) but I was thinking of going for a long walk the alternate days(T,TH,S) and total rest sunday.

I guess the physical exercise must be good but then will it mess with any natural rhythm I am getting from the unbroken repetition of running? also will it prevent me getting adequate rest days?

I'd love to know peoples thoughts. Thanks

RichOneday_2

30dirtybirds wrote: »

Hi All,

This may be the daftest question every asked but...Does walking benefit or hinder runners (more specifically newbies)?

My plan means running every other day (M,W,F) but I was thinking of going for a long walk the alternate days(T,TH,S) and total rest sunday.

I guess the physical exercise must be good but then will it mess with any natural rhythm I am getting from the unbroken repetition of running? also will it prevent me getting adequate rest days?

I'd love to know peoples thoughts. Thanks

30DB,

Its absolutely the right thing to do for a few reasons, but mainly:

1. Walking develops core strength, particularly in the buttocks, so that when your running picks up you are more stable.

2. 1 mile of walking burns the same calories as 1 mile of running.

3. 1 mile of walking burns MORE fat than 1 mile of running.

4. By stengthening the various leg muscles, walking will speed up running, by enabling a longer stride length to be maintained.

There are other benefits as well, but yes the more walking the better!:D