Long Run Nick: A Gift to Newbies--and even veteran runners. (Read 2781 times)

count me as another.

Wow Nick! Some of these people tore you apart. I, for one, believe in the "slow down" theory. I started too fast and was not enjoying running. When I read a post by you, I did what you said. I slowed my pace (over 12mm) and found I could last longer and actually enjoyed myself. To the others, yes speed is sometimes necessary. When training for a race or specific personal speed goals then sure. Fast is good. But Long Run Nick is usually talking to the newbies who go for the gusto and burn out quick. On our last board (CR) we had many newbies following the Couch to 5K program (myself included). We often started out fast because the program starts with short intrvals of running mixed with walking. As we increased our running we would keep our speed and find we couldn't keep up till the end. LRN's "slow down then go slower" philosophy worked wonders for us and now we are working toward becoming lifelong runners like LRN. Another thing he's right about? Have fun with your run. It should be something you look forward to each time you set foot out the door. I am still a newbie myself and learn quite a bit from Nick. My goal is not to be the fastest but one who continues running till I die. THANKS LRN!!

Well put, Kris! That was the case with me, also. I got stuck at running 20 minutes non-stop and just couldn't get past that point. My husband said he would run with me to see if he could help. We started out, at my usual snail's pace, and he said, "SLOW DOWN!" I thought he was kidding, but he wasn't. So I slowed down even more, and we ran 53 minutes! Since then, I've gotten faster, but now I don't worry about speed. I, too, want to run for the rest of my life. Thanks for the advice, Nick!

Nice to see ya here Nick!, Glad to keep finding people.

I totally believe in the slowing-down theory. I've been running on and off for the past 14 years or so. When I first started, I had no idea how to run. I had been doing aerobics classes and strength training for years at that point, so I was already fit, cardiovascularly and muscularly. I knew I had to build up my stamina in this new activity, so I gave myself time, with my goal of going as long as I could and as fast as I could for each and every run. If I could run a certain speed, I should run that speed all the time, just because I could. Talk about stoopid.... Anyway, I just restarted running yet again, at the beginning of November, and that was around the same time I stumbled on CR. I read and I read, including LRN's very informative posts. Who knew you had to slow down in order to get better at it? Running outside definitely makes a difference, because then you're not "trapped" into some mental game with the numbers on the treadmill. I decided I would try to match my running to my breathing, and not the other way around. Wow. Running has now become almost as effortless as breathing for me. I'm running 4x/week, and without feeling like I'm killing myself, my average pace is 9:40 min/mile. True, I used to run faster (just because I could), close to a minute faster, but I'd never be able to make any longer distances. My previous longest runs would be 5.5 miles, but they'd be torture, an ordeal from start to finish. Now my 8+ mile runs are almost relaxing. Amazing. Thanks Nick. Glad I finally grew up and learned how to run. E.

I also have benefited greatly from slowing waaaay down. I went from running 5 to 8 miles as hard as I could each run, maybe 2 or 3 days a week, and was hurting and sore all the time. Then injury after injury ruined my running. After slowing down on most runs, I now run 50 to 60 miles a week, and have not had an injury for a long time now, and I can run 6 or 7 days a week now, which is great because I LOVE to run. And I do train to race and add 1 or 2 track or speed sessions every week or 10 days....which that's when I fulfill my need to run really fast Also, remember Nick is speaking mostly to newbies that normally start out too fast, and end up quitting running due to soreness, injuries, and lack of progression in the quality and quanity of runs. I'm another CR refugee looking for a forum home....which this one seems good. Tim

Define "slow". While I agree that running at an easier pace is a key ingredient, that pace can vary based on many factors. Not all workouts need to be done at this pace, just like not all workouts should be races. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a beginner running hard from time to time. If they didn't, they would never do a race, since they are, by definition, intense and fast. The biggest keys for a new runner are consistency, listening to your body, and consistency.

And hills Scout. Don't forget the hills.

Those, too. Best way to work on stride mechanics, and strength.