<p>For those of you hankering to see an ol’ (formerly) fat guy bent over panting like a dog, here’s a YouTube of a dreaded Airdyne interval this afternoon. 1 mile intervals. They take about 3 minutes. This video starts just as my heart rate has fallen to the specified level (70% of my max) after the previous interval and away I go on the final one. </p>
<p>The screen shows pedal cadence (RPM) and heart rate (BPM). I try to stay between 60 rpm and 70 rpm on these mile intervals – I aim for a pace I can maintain for the full interval rather than starting fast, hitting the wall, and slowing down at the end (which is just agony). </p>
<p>I hit a heart rate of 165 bpm at the end of this interval. My max is 172 so that’s 96% of my max. Definitely bent over panting like a dog territory – although I had kind of settled into a controlled panting zone.</p>
<p>[Airdyne</a> video: Going down the road, feelin’ bad…](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube)</p>
<p>abasket: As to what I’d do differently, I’d probably pick up my stuff the day before and not get to the race as early as I did. But I might feel differently depending on the race. For the next one, I’d like to find a race that’s a little more fun – where people dress up, where there are more supporters cheering you on. I have a lot of friends who do the Disney races, and ones where they are always dressing up in fun costumes, and they look like they are having a blast. I’m proud of what I did, but I can’t say that I had fun. </p>
<p>^^^^ I’m the opposite. I loathe the dressing-up races, color runs etc. races are for running (or walking) and are about challenging yourself in some way (whatever that may be for each person) and not about wearing tutus. But I come from a different place. Thankfully, there are plenty of events from which to choose.</p>
<p>Racing isn’t fun while it’s happening. The way I race it is not comfortable and gets to the point of misery. The fun part is having the company of other runners, and, often, many people I know. Afterwards, I have a feeling of accomplishment (of finishing, of achieving a certain time goal, of beating some bad conditions- whatever) and THAT is fun. Back in the day, executing a race well, passing people and doing the best I could do on that day was fun. </p>
<p>Nice run fireandrain! For those racers out there that want to improve times I can’t emphasize enough the importance of running warmup prior to the race. Running a mile warmup along with some fast strides before racing may seem counter intuitive. But you need to have a slightly elevated heart rate at the start. </p>
<p>Fireandrain, I can’t say that my first race was a lot of fun either - but I did feel people were supportive and felt HUGELY accomplished at the end! And like MOWC say, the minute the gun/buzzer goes off, I don’t think it will ever be fun till you hit the finish line!! I almost ALWAYS have a few moments where I’m saying “WTH am I doing this for??!” I’m sure you will find a race that suits your fancy!! And people who suit your fancy too!</p>
<p>I look for something middle-ish. Like MOWC, I have no real interest in a Color Run. Last year I did a “Dance Dash” - every mile or so you stopped and had to learn and perform a short dance move sequence. Obviously it wasn’t timed and at the end of the day, I found it a little annoying to have the starting and stopping and no time at the end. But it was a fundraiser and it was “alright”. </p>
<p>The great thing is, it seems, there are PLENTY of races - especially the 5k variety to choose from and fit your needs. No one is better than another except that it fits your desires and leaves you feeling that you’d like to do another one sometime!! :)</p>
<p>I have no desire to do a color run, I can tell you that. I did have a great sense of accomplishment, and I can see setting goals and working to meet them. However, the misery component is something I’m not looking for. But MoWC, you are on a whole different level than me! </p>
<p>As a first-time racer, I was surprised by the number of people who walked. I had always thought a run was a run – but I guess they really are races, and many people just do what they are comfortable doing to get to the end. That’s why I now realize I can race a 10K. I can’t run the entire race, but since I’ve gone on 15+ mile hikes with no problems, I have no doubt I can finish a 10K. I probably could finish a half-marathon, too, although I would end up walking a lot more of that. </p>
<p>Yeah, I think the actual running part of a race can be kind of a struggle. Sometimes it feels horrible and sometimes it feels good, it’s just a matter of whether the all the necessary stars align that day. But I do love the race atmosphere. I love the pre race expos, especially for really big races, I love seeing people all costumed up having a great time, and I love the post race comaraderie. I personally probably wouldn’t do a tutu (never say never!) but I’m not opposed to wearing a turkey drumstick tiara, or perhaps a light-up accessory if the mood strikes…</p>
<p>There are all levels of race “events”. Some are entirely about the party (Color Run) and not even really timed. Some are smaller running-club sponsored events with no frills that attract mainly serious runners. The best races for most people, in my opinion, are the middle-ground between these two categories. These races might be for a charity, or at least have some theme. Our Dairy Dash race is this coming Saturday. It’s a 5K and 10K, but they are back to back so if you are fast enough in the 5K you can turn around and do the 10K, too. (last year I barely made it in time…) It is sponsored by a local dairy, so there are lots of cows (not real ones) standing around. It is well-run and popular and a good family event. No one is intimidated, but it still attracts serious age group runners since it is an accurate and flat course. Yes, there are PLENTY of walkers these days all the way up to marathon distance. I have my own feelings about walking marathons- in part due to the demands it puts on course volunteers, but I think it’s great that shorter races encourage walkers. As long as the course is designed in a way that the walkers aren’t interfering with runners in either direction, and the participants know where they are supposed to be on the road, it’s a great way to increase participation and get people outside and moving. Back in the early 80s when I started running competitively (well, late 70s) NO ONE walked a 5K or 10K. If you showed up, it was because you were a pretty committed runner. This has all changed due to the number of charity events like Susan Komen, Team in Training etc.</p>
<p>Fireandrain, I used to be an athlete in HS and in college, but it was nothing like the Division I competing. I never ran long distances either. Then I had a more than 2 decade break from running, until my then employer decided to participate in a triathlon. I volunteered for the run. What I experienced then was pretty similar to how you felt about your race: pain and misery. Never, ever again, I thought immediately after the race. As the time passed, I felt better about running it and started training on a regular basis, trying to better my 5k times on my home treadmill (this thread motivated me to buy a treadmill) I decided that I had to give a half a shot. After running 10 miles and experiencing no problems, I thought that a marathon was not out of reach either and began to train for that. Long story short, I learned to like racing. I still feel pain and misery, but it is temporary - what’s permanent is the happiness from being a part of the running community and being able to push myself and race. Have fun training!</p>
<p>BB: Actually, I felt no pain or misery. I’d trained really well, and this was like a jog in the park for me. There’s a difference between feeling pain and not have a blast. The pre- and post-run environment wasn’t that uplifting or exciting or fun, and I think I’d prefer a more high-energy environment. But – I really don’t want to come across as a complainer – this was my first race, I am thrilled I did it, happy with my time, happy with the conditions, etc. And I plan on racing again. I also need to figure out how to get involved in the running/racing community where I live – I know these communities are very supportive, and I think I’d like that.</p>
<p>MoWC: As a beginner, how do I figure out which races are for serious runners, because I need to avoid those. </p>
<p>Frankly, most races are for all levels of runners/walkers. If a race is not associated with any charity or event (like a fair or community day etc) and is put on by a running club- no tshirts etc.- take a closer look because it might be a time-trial series for serious runners or high school athletes. Also, you can go look at prior year’s results (if it is not a first time race) and see how many finishers there were and how the times were distributed. If it is the US 10 mile Championship, you can assume it is for serious runners. That does NOT mean that others are not welcomed and encouraged, but the atmosphere might be a little different.</p>
<p>Your local running club probably has a website with a race calendar and message forum. That’s a good place to ask about a particular race. Also, if it is a big race (like the Hot Chocolate race I recently did), there is all sorts of information out there if you google it. That was a VERY high energy race, by the way, and would have been fun for a first-timer. It’s also fun to go with a group of friends so you have someone else to hang with afterwards. Most 5Ks and 10Ks are really welcoming of all levels, in part because they need the participants for the economics of putting on the event. It costs quite a bit of money to put on a road race, especially if you are using public roads and need permits and police protection for the course. I was on the board of a major marathon for over 20 years, and I can tell you that there is SO much that goes into it. It is a year-long process and the budget is large.</p>
<p>I am trying to give you information here without soap-boxing, since I do have some biases. I am NOT a fan of Rock N Roll series races, although many people love them for intro to half marathon (the Rock N Roll marathon distance is usually an afterthought). Competitor Group, which owns that series as well as owning the Women’s Running Series, is a for-profit company that does not always have the best interests of the runners in mind. There have been some disasters, and the entry fees are very high. </p>
<p>I do two charity walks a year–long ones that are over 10 miles. Don’t feel the need to walk in running events. </p>
<p>Took the day off but made my step goal. DH and I went to the Red Sox game and he’s too cheap to park nearby so we end up walking about 3 miles back and forth from lot to the ball park.</p>
Congratulations on your 5K, fireandrain! You’ve done something many people don’t get to do…or even don’t have the courage to do. </p>
<p>I’ve found that more fun and cheery events that you describe makes it easier for me to actually complete an athletic event. I just can’t keep myself motivated long enough if I don’t have something keeping me distracted. That’s one reason why I can’t run. It’s just too repetitive if I’m doing it alone. :D</p>
<p>We had the BEST walk today–DH, son, and I hiked from the riverfront all the way up to the top of the tallest neighborhood near it. (Mt. Adams). There are steps, then a pedestrian bridge over a highway, then many more steps. Great view at the top on this sunny day. On the way down we passed a boy scout troupe hiking up with large backpacks, evidently getting ready for a mountainous hike! Funny, it seemed a lot shorter walk going down. ;)</p>
<p>Momannoyed- Did you see DadII running up that hill training for his marathon? Sounds like a good walk! I remember running up to Mt. Adams in The a Pig.</p>
<p>Note on the Vivofit. Do not get one if you tend toward obsessiveness… Just saying. My neighbors must think I’ve lost it! When the red bar shows up telling me to move, I go outside and walk up and down the sidewalk! </p>
<p>“Back in the early 80s when I started running competitively (well, late 70s) NO ONE walked a 5K or 10K. If you showed up, it was because you were a pretty committed runner. This has all changed due to the number of charity events like Susan Komen, Team in Training etc”</p>
<p>I think that’s what made it inaccessible. I always thought of runners as a “whole 'nother breed” and it was a HUGE mindset for me to think that unathletic, last-one-picked-in-gym-class me could participate in any way in that. I have been pleasantly surprised by how nice and welcoming the running community is to those of us who started late, in our forties, and who started by doing walk-a-minute-run-a-minute types of programs. It’s funny, I’ve done 5 color runs and a handful of community 5K’s (the kind where many people are running, but there are walkers too) - and it’s not so much the “gimmick” (I don’t wear tutus!) but it’s the idea that no one is judging you. I cannot emphasize enough how much that means for those of us who always felt like complete and utter athletic failures, to feel that everyone’s just with us in spirit on these runs and it’s all good. Feeling “competitive” (other than for / by myself) just brings my motivation down to zero. Which is good that there are different things to choose from! If it were still like it was in 30 years ago - where only serious runners need apply - I’d NEVER do a run. As it is, I find my little (plodding and slow) 5Ks to be very motivating for me!</p>
<p>Checking in from the tail end of a 2.5 week business trip. Lots of walking - haven’t been able to work out all that much and eating is HARD when you have to keep up your energy and don’t know when your next meal will be (I lead workshops, and can’t always take a break for lunch). I’ve probably gained a few pounds, but I feel like - I have one more trip in a week (Brazil), then I’m done for a while, and I feel like - I did it before, I can do it again!! Glad I did do strength training, though - I feel having muscle has been my “savior.”</p>
I decided that I had to give a half a shot. After running 10 miles and experiencing no problems, I thought that a marathon was not out of reach either and began to train for that. Long story short, I learned to like racing. I still feel pain and misery, but it is temporary - what’s permanent is the happiness from being a part of the running community and being able to push myself and race. Have fun training!</p>
That does NOT mean that others are not welcomed and encouraged, but the atmosphere might be a little different.</p>