Sunday, May 19, 2013

Distance or Time?

Hey hey hey!  How's your Sunday?
 
Today I have some questions for all you runners (or anyone that would like to chime in!)
 
This morning I ran 5 miles or about 45 minutes... I did the first 1.5 miles with Jax at a 10 minute pace and then dropped that cutie off to go back to sleep (which he promptly did), and then I continued on by myself for another 3.5 miles at a 8:22 pace.  I was going to run just 3 miles with Jax, but he slows me down a bit and I really wanted to see how my body was feeling running at my own pace, so I took him on my warm-up. 
 
Here he is refusing to look at the camera pre-run this morning...such attitude ;)
 
 
My first question is do you run for miles or time?
 
When I really got into running 4 years ago, I ran for time.  The book I had bought on marathon training was all about the minutes of running - not about the miles.  At the time I didn't know any other way of running so that's the method I followed.  I'd take my watch and go out for a 26 minute run like my plan stated and thought nothing of how far I had actually gone which is mind boggling to me now because I've become so attached to the miles.  When I started to connect with other runners, through my experience I saw that most (at least the runners I encountered) ran based on miles...  The only time I go more for time is when treadmill running, but even then I often focus on miles.
 
My second question is what do you eat before running?
 
This morning I had a banana and a glass of water.  After the first 1.5 miles, I had a cliff gel and some more water.  I'll often eat a bowl of oatmeal if it's a longer run.  Sometimes even a bowl of rice krispies, but that hasn't been great fuel in the past.

 
My third question is do you stretch before and/or after running?
 
I need to work on this.  I rarely stretch before running.  Basically just a good morning stretch because I'm normally just crawling out of bed before my runs.  I used to stretch a lot after running, but lately I've completely abandoned stretching.  I guess my only reasoning is laziness or I just haven't gotten in the routine.  In all honestly though, I'm not really sure when I should be stretching.  Please share your thoughts :)
 
 
And my last question is do you generally start your runs slower than you finish?
 
I had a 45 second difference between my first mile and last mile today.  I was with Jax in the beginning so that makes a bigger difference, but even so, between mile 2 and 5 was a 30 second difference in mile times. 
  
Those are my questions!  I love hearing from other runners because I'm always learning more... Thanks for any of your responses to 1, 2, or all of my questions. 
 
Hope your weekend finishes wonderfully!

11 comments:

  1. I typically run for distance, not time. Sometimes I will see I'm close to a time and keep going, or sometimes I know I only have so much time so I make it work!

    Before running.. hmm if it is in the morning, typically I don't eat anything, or a banana if so.

    Stretching before running isn't good. You shouldn't stretch muscles until they are warmed up. I typically don't stretch ever.. it's terrible and it's something I need to work on! I did stretch after my run this morning and feel tons better! I would say stretch after, though!

    I have a feeling my runs are typically faster then slower. In races I strive for the slower then faster because I tend to start out too fast with the adrenaline!

    Hope that helps! :)

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    1. I've been trying to stretch more lately! Thanks for your comments!!

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  2. Let's see:
    -I run for distance, but that's because I need round numbers in my life. :) I actually find that breaking things down runs by time makes them easier to mentally handle though.
    -If I have over an hour before a run, I usually eat a toaster waffle or a poptart. Otherwise I forgo the food.
    -I stretch both - a little before and more afterwards. If I'm super tight, I will stretch after the first mile of a run when your muscles are more limber.
    -And yes, I always try to "warm-up" the first bit, then pick it up from there.
    Sounds like a fun run with you and the pooch though! He's so cute!

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    1. Thanks so much for your comments! I know you're an awesome runner! :)

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  3. I started running about 4 years ago too and I started running based on time. About a year in, it changed to kilometers though and has been that way ever since. Although, sometimes I only want to go for a half hour run... but it's the same as 5km for me really.
    I prefer running in the mornings so I will just have a piece of fruit (like a banana or half an orange or something) and maybe a few nuts. I normally don't have a gel unless I run 10km+ and only do 1/2 gel for every 10km. If I run in the afternoon, I tend to have half a larabar an hour or so before I go.
    Love your socks btw =) And I so wish I had a furry companion to run with!

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    1. Thank you! Gotta have fun socks! Thanks for your comments! =)

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  4. ?1.) Depends ~ if I'm on a treadmill, I run for time. If I am outside I run for miles.

    ?2.) A Banana or half a larabar

    ?3.) I stretch a little before and a lot after

    ?4.) I do start off slower than when I finish. Maybe I just need to find my "groove." :)

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  5. I totally was like you - I USED to go for time instead of distance which is so silly. I remember I would run for an hour, but it was at an extremely slow(er) pace, so really not as effective as how I run now! I'm ALL about the miles now!

    I NEED to get better at stretching too. When I used to stretch (ugh, like 2 years ago), I was much more flexible, so I want to improve on both again. Great post!

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    1. Thanks char! I used to be more flexible too... I'm trying to stretch more after running!

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  6. I run for distance and normally have a pace goal depending on what I have planned for the rest of the week.

    I normally end up running faster than I meant to (I'm still slow!)

    Depending on how far I run I either fuel or don't. Less than five miles I don't worry about eating anything. More than five miles I eat a small snack. More than 7 miles I eat a GU at mile six or I get sick.

    I stretch afterwards. I've heard twenty million rumors on when you should stretch. Sometimes my stretching looks more like laying on the floor.

    I pretty much always finish faster than I start. I like to start slow as a warm up then finish strong (I hate not being able to finish my daily goal)

    Lots of questions lots of answers! Especially from running nerds like me!

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  7. I'm not a runner at all, but I feel ya on the stretching. I know I should do it, but I always seem to be slacking on it. Now I make sure I give myself enough time to stretch before and after workouts.

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