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OT: A question for runners

catgirl

Veteran

Good news - I figured out the source of my weird cramps: the DOG! I was running with her leash tied to a pack at my waist and she was causing me to torque by pulling to the right. It was not enough to notice consciously, but when I went to the local running store to get new sneakers, they put you on a treadmill and film you running. The gal immediately noticed it and sold me a cool specially designed leash that goes around the waist but has a bungee and moves with you. Problem solved!

It's this if anyone is interested:

http://www.wag.com/dog/p/stunt.....038;ca_kw={keyword}

My question is, what do you consider a normal maintenance running distance? Not training for an event, but just staying in shape... All my friends are mad runners and think nothing of spotting someone a half-marathon. I'm pretty happy with 5 miles three times a week. Is this just different for everyone?

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53 replies

Latest reply was from cjh

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I'll be honest - I only seem to manage about 3 miles 2 or 3 times per week since I screwed up my ankle. And I'm sad to say my pace is now 10 min/ mi instead of closer to 9. Don't know if that's due to the injury or being pre or post 40 LOL.

Makrame

Veteran

Wow, glad you were able to solve the problem with the leash!

I am curious about the answers to this question - to me, 3 x 5 miles at a reasonable pace sounds perfect (I normally run less than that if not training). It seems close to the recommended minimum amount of aerobic/strenuous exercise (about half an hour per day). I find that running more than 3-4 days per week exacerbates my back problems so I would not want to run more than that.

On the other hand, I was just reading Murakami's "What I talk about when I talk about running" and noticed he mentioned 6 x 6 miles per week as his normal regimen. I think he is about 60 years old. This really got me thinking about what is a reasonable running regimen. I think the advantage of his approach is that the amount of exercise is sufficient to prevent weight gain without worrying too much about the diet. If I run 3 x 5, it is not enough for weight control.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Glad you solved the problem!

I'm generally a 3 miles 2-3x a week, plus a longer run on the weekend (5-6 miles). I ramp it up when I'm training for an event.

Although these days I'm pathetic in the heat. Maybe one run a week, but swimming 45 minutes 3x a week instead.

Sylvie

Veteran

My goal is 3 miles 3x/week. I think 5 miles 3x/week is very reasonable.

Glad you figured out it was the dog!

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

Mine is about 4-5 miles 3x a week. I always think 45 minutes to get maximum cardio for the day.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I'm about 3 miles 3 times and then once on the weekend I go for about 8 miles. But I think I need to ramp that up for weight losing mode - that seems to just maintain me

catgirl

Veteran

Wow, Shannon - 8 miles? You're a trooper! I think the dog would quit after 6 or so.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Yeah, but it doesn't seem to be doing a darned thing for me!
Wonder if Gain or Dusty would enjoy a run with me sometime???

catgirl

Veteran

Are those your dogs? You should definitely take them - Kona is my best buddy now that I take her out all the time!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Nope - my cats (ha ha ha)!

catgirl

Veteran

Oh, that's a little different. My cat lounges on the deck while we run.

RunnerChick

Wow, so interesting about your dog, and the leash! Although I fantasize about the day when I will have a dog that I can run with, I've never run with a dog so far (we have two cats too - they watch bemusedly as we pant up our hilly driveway :)). It sounds like fun!

I think my running profile is like Janet's. When I am not training for an event, I run 3-4 times a week. 2-3 times during the week, each run between 3 and 4 miles. On the weekend, I run for time and go between 60 and 90 minutes and cover 6 - 9 miles depending on how hilly it is, and how long (time) I am running. I'm not good about this but I also try to get to a weight training twice a week.

Queen Mum

Veteran

5 miles 3x per week sounds like a great maintenance running plan. 5 miles is long enough to get a good cardio session in. You do other stuff too, right?

Echo

Veteran

I am so glad you were able to solve the weird cramping issue. And I am a big wimp when it comes to running; I usually do the 3 X 5 as well - I just do 3 miles about five times a week! Maybe I need to reduce the number of times I run and increase the mileage. I can easily cover 20+ miles on a bike without it seeming like a lot, but I have a mental block when it comes to running and I am just DONE after about 3 miles!

christy

Veteran

Yay for discovering the cause of the cramping!

When I'm not training for a race, I try for the minimum of 3 mile runs 3 times during the week, but if time permits I prefer 4-5 miles. My longer runs on the weekend are at least 5 miles - again when not training.

On another note, after all my complaining on your other thread, I did my 11 mile run on Saturday and felt as close to great as I can feel while running 11 miles! Yay! The half marathon is on the 8th and I feel like I might actually be able to get it done. I should have started tapering already, but I'd had such a tough time training that I really needed to hit that 11 miles to feel confident going into the race. I know I won't meet my goal pace, but I keep telling myself that all that really matters is getting it done. Right? At this point I'll just be happy with at least a PB, which I think I can do.

Aziraphale

Veteran

7 K three times a week seems to be enough for me. I don't race; I just run to maintain cardiovascular fitness and fit into my pants.

catgirl

Veteran

Thanks, all you fab runners! Sounds like I'm right in range and frankly, I don't feel any urge to push further until next summer when I'm hoping to do a half-marathon.

Christy, so happy you did well in your event! Adrenalin plays a big part, and as my husband wisely pointed out, not all days can be good days when you're working out.

Kim

Veteran

I try and run 5-6 km (about 3miles?) 2 times during the week (takes about half an hour or so) and then about 10k on the weekend for my maintenance long run. I still only do the shorter runs during the week and ramp up only the long run on the weekend when I'm training for a half.

I strength train on "rest" days and leave a real rest day around both sides of my long run day.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I run 5K or so two or three times a week, and I try to add some weight training too. I am thinking about starting to do intervals instead of one of the runs, but I really dislike interval training, so.... It seems like you are on a very good plan to stay fit and shaped, AG!

Scarlet

Veteran

Back when I did such things I ran 3.5 miles every other day at a good clip.

Jem

Veteran

I run 5K 3x week. I'm with Ingunn thinking about switching to Interval training with weight training, too, but agree that intervals are no fun!

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

OT question here for you runners. How do you know how far you run (# of miles) and also what your rate (min/mi.) is? Do you have pedometer or something to tell you this or did you previously mark the distance with a car? Just curious. Thanks.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I've used MapMyRun.com and now use my Fitbit to track my workouts. pic below is an activity log from my Fitbit from Sunday's run.

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Scarlet

Veteran

Measured with the car.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Vicki-
Many of the trails I run are marked so it's easy peasy to keep track. Otherwise, I check my mileage on mapmyrun.com. If I were wanting to map out a new route, I'd go to mapmyrun before to check the mileage. If I'm running a route I'm familiar with and push further than normal, then I come home and check my mileage so that I can give myself credit for every tenth of a mile
I have a friend who has a GPS watch thingy. It is a really cool toy!

Jem

Veteran

i have used http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ to plot out distances, but I have a Garmin watch that will tell me the distance and pace real time (and heart rate, if I want) I was using my DH's Garmin 205, but he just got me this one: http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-F.....rds=garmin, which is smaller and cuter (grey and pink)

RunnerChick

Vicki - I used a Nike+ running app with my iPod to track my running. There's a little do-hickey that you lace onto your shoe and another do-hickey you plug into the bottom of your iPod shuffle or nano; if you turn it on when you run, it tracks all kinds of stats (time, distance, speed, splits, calories burned, etc.). At the end of my run, I plug my iPod into my computer and all the stats get uploaded into my personal Nike+ website, making it easy to track my progress (or the lack of it) over time. It's a little OTT, but I love me some data

Sometimes, I map my run before I head out (especially if I am in an unfamiliar place). If I am running in my usual neck of the woods, I usually know what's approximately 3 miles and how I can add an extra spur to kick it up to 4.

catgirl

Veteran

I drive it beforehand, since I run in my 'hood. I need to vary it a bit because I feel I'm in a rut with my mental process - need an unexpected hill now and then to keep me motivated!

Makrame

Veteran

I used to always use gmaps (link above in Jem's post) to map out my routes since I need to have a variety of distances for training. Now I use runkeeper online (free) - it allows you to plot a route, similar to gmaps (just make sure to select "snap to roads" option) but you can also save routes. Then you plug in your route and time after each run, and it calculates your pace for you and saves the info.

One advantage of using runkeeper is that it allows me to figure out my total mileage over a few months' period, which can be useful for figuring out when running shoes need to be replaced. It is also a good motivational tool.

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