For centuries, this question has haunted beginning runners. How fast should you run? How far?
My answer at one time was as fast and far as possible. But when I injured myself, I was forced to rethink this method. Years ago when I ran, I used to forbid myself to walk. Walking was for walkers, and I was a runner, not a walker!
Now I say:
If you feel the need to walk at first–then walk!
If you’ve never run before, it’s probably best not to sprint out your door at full speed. If you’re like most people, within minutes you’ll be huffing and puffing and crawling your way back home. Which is what I did. Many times.
When running, the conventional wisdom is to be able to hold a conversation.
While I’d always heard this “rumor,” I never took it to heart. I felt that if I wasn’t breathing hard, I wasn’t really working out. The other day, I blogged about breathing trouble. I think part of my problem was that I was simply running too fast for my fitness level. Of course, if it keeps bothering me, I need to go to the doctor (as the commenter suggested), but the past few days–since slowing down–I haven’t had any trouble.
Of course, the most important thing is to be in tune with your body.
If you feel like your shins are about to burst open, this is not a good sign. I learned this the hard way. I thought pain meant I was a real runner when really all it meant was I was about to be injured. Naturally, there is also a time you’ll want to speed up. Listen to your body, and you’ll know when to do this as well.
Last week, I had what you might call a “running epiphany.” Before, I never stopped to walk. But last week, I tried it. In the middle of my run, I stopped for about a minute. Normally, I would have “pushed through” until I made it home, but this time I allowed myself the break.
And the amazing thing was that after that minute, I ran so much better on the way home.
This doesn’t mean I won’t push myself. I will. Just in a different way–a smarter way, really.
I realize this may be common sense to many people, but to me it was common sense I never put into practice.
If you’re new to running, I hope this helps you. If you’re more experienced than I am–and many of you are–feel free to
a) tell me I’m a wimp, or
b) even better–let me know how you decide how fast to run!