I've completely converted...(running experts please come in)

into one of "those" people - a (dare I say) active person

I am sitting here trying to plan out my week and am beginning to realize there are not enough hours in the week for what I want to do!

In the last couple of months I have really stepped up my running. I am trying to fit in a few good runs a week but I am finding this hard since I:

-just joined a rugby team. We practice 2 nights a week for 2 hours and have games every Saturday.
-play ultimate frisbee once a week with friends for about an hour and a half
-have fallen in love with off-road biking and am aiming to do that one night a week

I feel like running in addition will be overkill since I do a lot of running with rugby and ultimate frisbee.

Do you think one long run a week would be enough? I am really only looking to improve my time. I feel like ultimate and rugby are sort of like interval running and that I should do a slower paced long run once a week.

Thoughts?

Re: I've completely converted...(running experts please come in)

Wow....can I be you?!

Re: I've completely converted...(running experts please come in)

You are truly amazing

As far as picking up your speed, I am not an expert by any means but from experience, my coaches, and what I have read I think you will need at least 2 days of running in order to pick up your pace...ideally 3. Your other activities are awesome cross training workouts which will keep you in shape...as long as you have uninterrupted activity for I believe it's 30 minutes. Now, if you don't want to run more, I would say pick up the strength training and see what happens.

I did pick up my pace by running less (3x a week instead of 5), my crosstraining is spin class...so i replaced 2 short runs with 2, hour long spin classes. I also started doing, strenghth training mostly my core and lower body and some upper and I have picked my pace up from a 9:30/mile to about a 8:30-9/mile.

So I would try it and see.

Message edited 9/8/2008 5:14:31 PM.

Re: I've completely converted...(running experts please come in)

I don't know what you are saying when you mean 'long' b/c I've seen people use it to describe 3 mile runs and I've seen people use it for 18 mile runs. I would do, like robin said, 3 runs a week, 2 being 30-45 minutes, and a longer one in the hour + range.

Re: I've completely converted...(running experts please come in)

GO YOU! I wish I had that time, and energy!!

Re: I've completely converted...(running experts please come in)

Go Azad!!!!! I'm so happy you've found activities you're passionate about.

As for running, I've been training for Cow Harbor for the past 9 weeks and run 3 days per week. 2 shorter runs (3-4 miles) and one longer run (5+ miles). My pace has increased so I'd say from experience the more you run, the better. I don't think you need to do 3 long runs but I'm still a novice myself. I can just say from experience that doing 2 shorter and 1 longer run has helped me tremendously.

I also do pilates and a ballet workout 3X per week to increase my core and leg strength and I do yoga once a week for stretching and toning.

Keep up the good work!!

Message edited 9/9/2008 10:42:00 AM.

Re: I've completely converted...(running experts please come in)

Thanks for the advice ladies!

I don't think rugby really has much uninterrupted running. It's a lot of sprinting (and hitting ), nothing really continuous I think I am going to have to count these as my short runs because I just don't have time nor the energy to do more

Maybe I'll just have to keep my schedule like this until rugby season is over.

M - Rugby practice (2 hours)
T - Long run (5+ miles - 1+ hour)
W - Frisbee (~1.5 hours)
Th - Rugby practice (2 hours)
F - Rest
Sa - Rugby game (1.5-2 hours)
Su - Mountain biking or Rest (depends on how beat up I am )

Mentally I want to do everything, but physically I know my body will be mad at me

Message edited 9/9/2008 11:11:06 AM.

Re: I've completely converted...(running experts please come in)

That schedule looks awesome Azad! I am in awe of all your awesome activities and exercise!

Re: I've completely converted...(running experts please come in)

I can't answer the question - but great job! You look fab