Coming back from a few weeks off in the fall and have been following your mileage recommendations. I am slower than your time approximations, however, so I think I’ll keep doing the mileage. For me doing 3 miles in 30 minutes would be a dream come true however, I’m 73, so I’ll give myself that extra time….
I really don't have a set schedule because sometimes things come up unexpectedly so I run when I can, usually I run 4 miles a day about 4x a week and on weekends I run 8 to 10 miles.
Im content with my runs, I lift weights on the sides, I'm not on any diet, I eat what I eat, I'm still moving forward to losing more weight and gain muscles also. So whatever your goals are and have schedules stick with it, if you don't you end up drifting away from your runs, if you can't run than walk those miles, still the same miles.
May you continue with your walks, runs, always pray also, it helps to talk to God also. God bless you all. Happy running and watch your steps.🏃♀️🙏❤😊
Love to have found this Newsletter. Recently I have been wanting to take on the identity of a "runner." I hesitate because I Hobby Hop. But running has been giving me answers to life questions. The Minutes vs Miles concept is new to me. One I can't definitely try to implement.
I am currently training for a Half Marathon in May & what I am having trouble with is SLOWING my pace. Because I studies Sports Medicine in college I knew this was something that needed to be addressed before my body became overloaded with stress, thus leading to injury.
So insightful, Terrell. I do that subconscious calculation of my speed every time I see both time and distance. But over the past year I made a small subtle change to the notifications of my running app (NRC). Instead of announcing details everytime I finished a mile or half a mile, I make it announce numbers after every 5 minutes. While I still backcalculate my speed, and that thought underpins my running most days, it also helps me center the time I spend running. That time I spend is so important!
Thanks so much, Nishant! That's actually a pretty brilliant way to change the way you look at it. How do you like the NRC vs. Strava? Are you training for anything in particular?
I haven't had a chance to use Strava yet. I have been sticking around with NRC simply because it has all my data from 2017, and I want to hold on to that record. I am aiming to run two half marathons this year, one in the spring, and another in the fall.
Since I started with Fitness Protection Program (you interviewed M.K. a couple of years back) I don’t run for miles, but for minutes. That’s her coaching style. She also has us run at an easy effort pace a majority of the time. It felt weird at first, but now I love it & have seen my half marathons go from desperation to finish to feeling good at the finish. I think there’s something to the idea of minutes over miles at a slower pace.
This is awesome, Corrina! And MK is so great, isn't she? I didn't understand this fully myself until recently, when I read (I think) Kara Goucher talk about how most of our runs should be easy runs. And you're right, there is something that clicks in our minds when we think in terms of minutes instead of miles. Glad to hear it's working for you!
Got my 11 miles done on Sunday. It was cold and slow. I always considered my long mileage to be about endurance and shorter 3 or 4 milers about speed. In those off times when not training for a race, I think I could do workouts based on time, instead of distance. I’ll give it a try.
I've always thought of the value of training as a preventive for post-race pain. I like the idea of a timed run instead of a distance run. I'm going to try it out. The pollen is real bad here Tampa now. I had an 11 miler on my plan for yesterday, and only got in 7 broken and chaotic miles before texting my wife for a sag wagon extraction from my route.
Years ago I'd run hard in one direction for 15 minutes, with the goal of getting a little farther each time. I'd then not push myself on the way back.
Another thing I do on long runs, is run away from home for half of the distance. If I do a route near home with lots of opportunities to bail and go home, I have to fight my mind the whole time so I can get my run in. Once I'm at my turnaround point, then the only challenge is to keep moving.
I have to laugh. I Always run long runs out and back. My head will take 6.5 miles out, then 6.5 back. It would balk if I told it to run 13.1 miles! Mind games, but it sure works for me! I don't think I've ever quit yet. . .sometimes walked a bit, but then the run takes over.! :)
I love this idea of running for time! When I ran my very first half, the training plan called for time instead of miles run. That was my fastest half ever! I’m sure a lot of it was due to the fact that as the first half, I had no expectations of how I would finish or what I was supposed to feel in each mile. When friends asked what my time was I would happily tell them. They would be surprised how fast I was for my first longer race and I believe to this day that those thoughts got in my head. I have never been able to run a PR since that very first race and that has definitely taken a toll on my psyche over the years. I wish more training plans would put in time v miles. I like the idea presented earlier of translating the miles into minutes(3 miles =30 minutes). I am going to try this!
It's so interesting how well that worked for you, Karen. The more stories I hear like yours, the more I'm realizing it probably does work really well -- it's kinda the running version of "50,000 Elvis fans can't be wrong" 😃
I love that idea. I actually started doing it that way recently. If I’m supposed to run 6 miles, I translate to 60 minutes. It’s less scary that way…more doable…as long as I’m still moving forward and do 60 minutes, I reached my goal.
Actually it was on a training plan I had. Sunday was always in the form of time. The rest of the days were miles. I really liked that because then there was no pressure, especially since Saturday was always long miles. I could chill or fly on Sundays, just as long as I was on my feet, that was the only requirement.
My goal coming back into training again was 30 minutes for first couplevof weeks, three runs a week, then 45 minutes, then 1 hour on my 3rd run of the week. Once I get to an hour I worry about miles. I did this with myself to achieve my goal of getting feet to pavement, the most important part of getting my habit and routine back. Then I worry about miles. And it's working!
Those first couple of weeks can be really tough, can't they? Especially if we've laid off from running for a while. So glad you got over the jump and have kept it up. Glad to hear it's working!! 😊
Interesting. In looking at minutes vs miles on the chart they roughly correspond with what I've been running during the week, though I must admit I have never associated the two in my head! I run minutes during the week;the LSD run is in miles on the weekend. This week's Saturday is 6 miles or a 10K race without trying to race--which will be about an hour.
My mileage time is not an exact figure in my head. It is approximate--much like I follow a recipe. If it looks right, it's OK--unlike some people who insist on ingredients to the gram which drives me nuts!!
I do agree with the authors that you have to take it easy--really easy and have fun. If it is cold, like it is now, I tend to run slow. As it warms up and I can shed winter garb, I feel like running. Yesterday was a slow one. Today, I'm grateful for a rest day where I don't have to carry groceries home from the store like I spend many of my "rest days."--and it is cold, so I'm even more grateful!
She's so inspiring! Really love her story, and her emphasis on making it fun and just having a good time with running all-around. I never want running to become a death march, which is sometimes what it can look like when I see the way some people talk about it. As long as it's fun, I'll keep coming back! 😊
Love the attitude she has about running and life! Reminds me of myself when I was much younger. Fortunately, the attitude has stayed, the miles are slower, but running is still a creative outlet.
Finally , I've gotten over the guilt trip I had when I first started running--of not stopping to look or talk because I was a "serious runner." Now, I take it as it comes and enjoy the ride! :)
I'm 63 years old, for me my goal is to average less then 10 minutes a mile. If I am not reaching that mark, I put a lot of pressure on my self to make up the time. I am on day 4 after testing positive for Covid-19 and all though I am not symptom free, I would say my symptoms are mild (first 2 1/2 days sucked). I really needed to get out of the house this morning and after reading this article decided to try minutes in stead of miles. Still not feeling 100% I set my mind to run for 30 minutes, and off I went in the rain. My pace is ingrained in my mind, at 5 minutes I thought I should be more then 1/2 a mile; without my running aid telling me my pace, there was no pressure. I made the 30 minute mark and ran 2.9 miles, it is not hard to figure out I was above the 10 minute/mile mark - but I don't care. It felt good to get out and run without the pressure of a self imposed pace. Will I do this all the time, no, but it sure seems like a good option on those "off" days. Thanks Terrell, great article.
Coming back from a few weeks off in the fall and have been following your mileage recommendations. I am slower than your time approximations, however, so I think I’ll keep doing the mileage. For me doing 3 miles in 30 minutes would be a dream come true however, I’m 73, so I’ll give myself that extra time….
Please do, Paula! Whatever works for you, is what you should do -- please don't feel like these are rigid rules that can't be changed.
I really don't have a set schedule because sometimes things come up unexpectedly so I run when I can, usually I run 4 miles a day about 4x a week and on weekends I run 8 to 10 miles.
Im content with my runs, I lift weights on the sides, I'm not on any diet, I eat what I eat, I'm still moving forward to losing more weight and gain muscles also. So whatever your goals are and have schedules stick with it, if you don't you end up drifting away from your runs, if you can't run than walk those miles, still the same miles.
May you continue with your walks, runs, always pray also, it helps to talk to God also. God bless you all. Happy running and watch your steps.🏃♀️🙏❤😊
I love this, Elva -- you're running 30 to 35 miles a week then, right? May you continue also! 😊
Good morning, yes I run 24 miles on weekdays and 10 miles on the weekends so yes 30 to 34 miles altogether. 👍🏃♀️
Love to have found this Newsletter. Recently I have been wanting to take on the identity of a "runner." I hesitate because I Hobby Hop. But running has been giving me answers to life questions. The Minutes vs Miles concept is new to me. One I can't definitely try to implement.
I am currently training for a Half Marathon in May & what I am having trouble with is SLOWING my pace. Because I studies Sports Medicine in college I knew this was something that needed to be addressed before my body became overloaded with stress, thus leading to injury.
Anyways, great insight, great read. Thank you
Thank you so much, Jessica! So glad you’re here 😀
So insightful, Terrell. I do that subconscious calculation of my speed every time I see both time and distance. But over the past year I made a small subtle change to the notifications of my running app (NRC). Instead of announcing details everytime I finished a mile or half a mile, I make it announce numbers after every 5 minutes. While I still backcalculate my speed, and that thought underpins my running most days, it also helps me center the time I spend running. That time I spend is so important!
Thanks so much, Nishant! That's actually a pretty brilliant way to change the way you look at it. How do you like the NRC vs. Strava? Are you training for anything in particular?
I haven't had a chance to use Strava yet. I have been sticking around with NRC simply because it has all my data from 2017, and I want to hold on to that record. I am aiming to run two half marathons this year, one in the spring, and another in the fall.
Since I started with Fitness Protection Program (you interviewed M.K. a couple of years back) I don’t run for miles, but for minutes. That’s her coaching style. She also has us run at an easy effort pace a majority of the time. It felt weird at first, but now I love it & have seen my half marathons go from desperation to finish to feeling good at the finish. I think there’s something to the idea of minutes over miles at a slower pace.
This is awesome, Corrina! And MK is so great, isn't she? I didn't understand this fully myself until recently, when I read (I think) Kara Goucher talk about how most of our runs should be easy runs. And you're right, there is something that clicks in our minds when we think in terms of minutes instead of miles. Glad to hear it's working for you!
Got my 11 miles done on Sunday. It was cold and slow. I always considered my long mileage to be about endurance and shorter 3 or 4 milers about speed. In those off times when not training for a race, I think I could do workouts based on time, instead of distance. I’ll give it a try.
Awesome! Let me know how it works for you 😊
My ego is way to big for that lol. I know i would calculate how far i ran after i got done. I like the idea though. Thank you.
Ha! I totally understand, Brian!
I've always thought of the value of training as a preventive for post-race pain. I like the idea of a timed run instead of a distance run. I'm going to try it out. The pollen is real bad here Tampa now. I had an 11 miler on my plan for yesterday, and only got in 7 broken and chaotic miles before texting my wife for a sag wagon extraction from my route.
Years ago I'd run hard in one direction for 15 minutes, with the goal of getting a little farther each time. I'd then not push myself on the way back.
Another thing I do on long runs, is run away from home for half of the distance. If I do a route near home with lots of opportunities to bail and go home, I have to fight my mind the whole time so I can get my run in. Once I'm at my turnaround point, then the only challenge is to keep moving.
I have to laugh. I Always run long runs out and back. My head will take 6.5 miles out, then 6.5 back. It would balk if I told it to run 13.1 miles! Mind games, but it sure works for me! I don't think I've ever quit yet. . .sometimes walked a bit, but then the run takes over.! :)
I love this idea of running for time! When I ran my very first half, the training plan called for time instead of miles run. That was my fastest half ever! I’m sure a lot of it was due to the fact that as the first half, I had no expectations of how I would finish or what I was supposed to feel in each mile. When friends asked what my time was I would happily tell them. They would be surprised how fast I was for my first longer race and I believe to this day that those thoughts got in my head. I have never been able to run a PR since that very first race and that has definitely taken a toll on my psyche over the years. I wish more training plans would put in time v miles. I like the idea presented earlier of translating the miles into minutes(3 miles =30 minutes). I am going to try this!
It's so interesting how well that worked for you, Karen. The more stories I hear like yours, the more I'm realizing it probably does work really well -- it's kinda the running version of "50,000 Elvis fans can't be wrong" 😃
I love that idea. I actually started doing it that way recently. If I’m supposed to run 6 miles, I translate to 60 minutes. It’s less scary that way…more doable…as long as I’m still moving forward and do 60 minutes, I reached my goal.
This is great, Jennie! What prompted you to make that change?
Actually it was on a training plan I had. Sunday was always in the form of time. The rest of the days were miles. I really liked that because then there was no pressure, especially since Saturday was always long miles. I could chill or fly on Sundays, just as long as I was on my feet, that was the only requirement.
My goal coming back into training again was 30 minutes for first couplevof weeks, three runs a week, then 45 minutes, then 1 hour on my 3rd run of the week. Once I get to an hour I worry about miles. I did this with myself to achieve my goal of getting feet to pavement, the most important part of getting my habit and routine back. Then I worry about miles. And it's working!
Those first couple of weeks can be really tough, can't they? Especially if we've laid off from running for a while. So glad you got over the jump and have kept it up. Glad to hear it's working!! 😊
Interesting. In looking at minutes vs miles on the chart they roughly correspond with what I've been running during the week, though I must admit I have never associated the two in my head! I run minutes during the week;the LSD run is in miles on the weekend. This week's Saturday is 6 miles or a 10K race without trying to race--which will be about an hour.
My mileage time is not an exact figure in my head. It is approximate--much like I follow a recipe. If it looks right, it's OK--unlike some people who insist on ingredients to the gram which drives me nuts!!
I do agree with the authors that you have to take it easy--really easy and have fun. If it is cold, like it is now, I tend to run slow. As it warms up and I can shed winter garb, I feel like running. Yesterday was a slow one. Today, I'm grateful for a rest day where I don't have to carry groceries home from the store like I spend many of my "rest days."--and it is cold, so I'm even more grateful!
Loved the quote from Barthlomew. She's right on!
She's so inspiring! Really love her story, and her emphasis on making it fun and just having a good time with running all-around. I never want running to become a death march, which is sometimes what it can look like when I see the way some people talk about it. As long as it's fun, I'll keep coming back! 😊
Love the attitude she has about running and life! Reminds me of myself when I was much younger. Fortunately, the attitude has stayed, the miles are slower, but running is still a creative outlet.
Finally , I've gotten over the guilt trip I had when I first started running--of not stopping to look or talk because I was a "serious runner." Now, I take it as it comes and enjoy the ride! :)
I'm 63 years old, for me my goal is to average less then 10 minutes a mile. If I am not reaching that mark, I put a lot of pressure on my self to make up the time. I am on day 4 after testing positive for Covid-19 and all though I am not symptom free, I would say my symptoms are mild (first 2 1/2 days sucked). I really needed to get out of the house this morning and after reading this article decided to try minutes in stead of miles. Still not feeling 100% I set my mind to run for 30 minutes, and off I went in the rain. My pace is ingrained in my mind, at 5 minutes I thought I should be more then 1/2 a mile; without my running aid telling me my pace, there was no pressure. I made the 30 minute mark and ran 2.9 miles, it is not hard to figure out I was above the 10 minute/mile mark - but I don't care. It felt good to get out and run without the pressure of a self imposed pace. Will I do this all the time, no, but it sure seems like a good option on those "off" days. Thanks Terrell, great article.