Since getting hit by a bike a few months back, I've been running in loops in my own housing community. It's not that paranoia of getting hit the second time, but I think the air is easier to breath in. Running the usual 11.7km uphill and downhill is along mainstream traffic, and you can easily guess how much exhaust fumes that goes into the lungs. Not good.
Another thing I soon found out. Running hills and flats is very different. The fact is you are using different muscle groups to tackle different terrain. The 1.5km loop I've been running in has a bit of elevation, but 80% is flat, which gives good workout on running flats.
At times it becomes boring, but if you treat it as though you need to complete a job, it'll work out fine. I did the impossible (sort of), by running 14 loops of 1.5km, totaling 21km. Want a marathon? just run 28 loops. I think it's easier running hartamas 20km that this. At least the scenery changes.
My game plan now would be trying to run at least 6 times of 21km, and 2 times of 40km in order to prepare for the 200km run. It won't be easy, but I'll need high mileage to get the body used to it. With no races at all, I could now really focus on getting this goal wrapped up, before doing more cycling for ironman. Actually I have to do more cycling in parallel. But one thing at a time.
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On another note, I sometimes find that we could shock non runners by saying how much we ran. Just say "I ran 10km this morning..." and they'll look awed. Then I have to explain that 10km is pretty short for most runners. Try putting in marathon distance and I think they could faint.
Well, if you don't do anything for your body, you'll end up with clogged arteries.
Study: Obese Children, Teens Have the Arteries of 45-Year-Olds
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4 comments:
I once witnessed CB Leow a great marathon runner in Klang doing his long run at our local Taman Rakyat. The park's biggest loop is 1.5km, but I'm pretty sure he was only circling the smaller loop. Once I asked him how long he was running and he said 20km. The longest I can go is 10km, then boredorm takes over. Yes, I'd agree with you that running in short loops actually trains mental strength more than anything, esp if the loop is as unpleasing as our loop.
1.5km loop.. i dun think i can last a half 4 dat..
my place, 2.5km loop, de most i can do is 6 loops, after dat i'll go over 2 curve or 1u 4a half marathon distance =)
haza,
It's truly boring...but I will try to think of something else like work...what to do at office.
San,
your place nice to run lah.
Don't I love regaling my friends - all non-runners - with my ordinary running exploits. I don't use distance; I prefer to describe the landmarks along my run route since I don't track distances properly. Hate loops. I make a point to search for low-traffic, well-shaded routes that don't repeat much.
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