Advice Please For An Enthusiastic Plodder

Mike McGowan said:

Hi, Folks!

I have a question regarding training, but here's a little history:

I have been dieting and running for weight loss purposes. So far I have lost
45 lbs, and hope to lose another 55. At present, I am 5' 10" and 205 lbs. I
have been adding a quarter mile to my runs each week and am now up to three
miles. I try to run at least five days each week. My weight loss has been
steady (2-3 lbs per week) and I am striving for distance in my runs, not
time. By the way, I am 48 years old.

There is a 5K race I would like to run in September, but I am uncertain as
how I should best prepare for it. Should I keep adding quarter mile
increments each week as I have been doing, or should I try to have a longer
run on one of my running days?

My vote is to consolidate and have a longer run. 3 miles is already long enough
for the shorter runs, so just lengthen your longest run.

Quoted message said:

I know that I can complete the 5K in September, but I would like to be a
little faster 🙂

Keep doing what you're doing -- do the runs consistently, and increase the
length of your longest run. Then you'll lose weight, and your endurance will
improve. Both of these will make you faster.

Quoted message said:

I know I am just a plodder, but

..... you've got to start somewhere. Many of us were out of shape when we
started. You're already doing great to have gone from 250lb to being 45lb
lighter *and* fit enough to run 15 miles a week or so. You're not a speedster
yet partly because endurance takes time to build, and partly because 205 is
still heavy for a runner. But keep at it and who knows how fast you'll get ?
You can be sure that your fitness will improve, and when it does, you may
well be able to run faster than people half your age.

Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi
http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

Mike, Congratulations on your efforts to date! I wish I could have your
success at losing weight! LOL But YOU are doing great!!

Donovan is a scource of excellent advice and I tend to concur with what
he says... I've been plodding the roads of Michigan since about 1981
and have found that incresing the length of one of my runs does lead to
an improvement in my race results... Now I just need the time and a
regular work schedule so I can continue my training plan!

Again Mike, you're doing great and you're well on your way!

Donovan Rebbechi said:

Mike McGowan said:

Hi, Folks!

I have a question regarding training, but here's a little history:

I have been dieting and running for weight loss purposes. So far I have lost
45 lbs, and hope to lose another 55. At present, I am 5' 10" and 205 lbs. I
have been adding a quarter mile to my runs each week and am now up to three
miles. I try to run at least five days each week. My weight loss has been
steady (2-3 lbs per week) and I am striving for distance in my runs, not
time. By the way, I am 48 years old.

There is a 5K race I would like to run in September, but I am uncertain as
how I should best prepare for it. Should I keep adding quarter mile
increments each week as I have been doing, or should I try to have a longer
run on one of my running days?

My vote is to consolidate and have a longer run. 3 miles is already long enough
for the shorter runs, so just lengthen your longest run.

Quoted message said:

I know that I can complete the 5K in September, but I would like to be a
little faster 🙂

Keep doing what you're doing -- do the runs consistently, and increase the
length of your longest run. Then you'll lose weight, and your endurance will
improve. Both of these will make you faster.

Quoted message said:

I know I am just a plodder, but

.... you've got to start somewhere. Many of us were out of shape when we
started. You're already doing great to have gone from 250lb to being 45lb
lighter *and* fit enough to run 15 miles a week or so. You're not a speedster
yet partly because endurance takes time to build, and partly because 205 is
still heavy for a runner. But keep at it and who knows how fast you'll get ?
You can be sure that your fitness will improve, and when it does, you may
well be able to run faster than people half your age.

Cheers,

Mike,
Way to go! You are doing this the intelligent way too, something lost
on newbies on here quite a bit. I particularly like how you run for
time (how long you run for, not how fast), most try to rabbitt.
Juat add a long run in, keep on doing exactly what you're doing, and
you'll do fine.

"Mike McGowan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hi, Folks!

I have a question regarding training, but here's a little history:

I have been dieting and running for weight loss purposes. So far I have lost
45 lbs, and hope to lose another 55. At present, I am 5' 10" and 205 lbs. I
have been adding a quarter mile to my runs each week and am now up to three
miles. I try to run at least five days each week. My weight loss has been
steady (2-3 lbs per week) and I am striving for distance in my runs, not
time. By the way, I am 48 years old.

There is a 5K race I would like to run in September, but I am uncertain as
how I should best prepare for it. Should I keep adding quarter mile
increments each week as I have been doing, or should I try to have a longer
run on one of my running days? I know that I can complete the 5K in
September, but I would like to be a little faster 🙂

I know I am just a plodder, but I am in awe by the ability levels in this
group. I read all the FAQ's for this group, but I thought I would seek some
advice.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Mike McGowan

as a fellow plodder 9 (see name) your distance is great
plodzilla

Mike McGowan said:

Hi, Folks!

I have a question regarding training, but here's a little history:

I have been dieting and running for weight loss purposes. So far I have lost
45 lbs, and hope to lose another 55. At present, I am 5' 10" and 205 lbs. I
have been adding a quarter mile to my runs each week and am now up to three
miles. I try to run at least five days each week. My weight loss has been
steady (2-3 lbs per week) and I am striving for distance in my runs, not
time. By the way, I am 48 years old.

There is a 5K race I would like to run in September, but I am uncertain as
how I should best prepare for it. Should I keep adding quarter mile
increments each week as I have been doing, or should I try to have a longer
run on one of my running days? I know that I can complete the 5K in
September, but I would like to be a little faster 🙂

I know I am just a plodder, but I am in awe by the ability levels in this
group. I read all the FAQ's for this group, but I thought I would seek some
advice.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Mike McGowan

as a fellow plodder 9 (see name) your distance is great
plodzilla

Mike McGowan said:

Hi, Folks!

I have a question regarding training, but here's a little history:

I have been dieting and running for weight loss purposes. So far I have lost
45 lbs, and hope to lose another 55. At present, I am 5' 10" and 205 lbs. I
have been adding a quarter mile to my runs each week and am now up to three
miles. I try to run at least five days each week. My weight loss has been
steady (2-3 lbs per week) and I am striving for distance in my runs, not
time. By the way, I am 48 years old.

There is a 5K race I would like to run in September, but I am uncertain as
how I should best prepare for it. Should I keep adding quarter mile
increments each week as I have been doing, or should I try to have a longer
run on one of my running days? I know that I can complete the 5K in
September, but I would like to be a little faster 🙂

I know I am just a plodder, but I am in awe by the ability levels in this
group. I read all the FAQ's for this group, but I thought I would seek some
advice.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Mike McGowan