"I Can't Run!"
Today's post is going to focus on three little words that I would imagine most runners have heard more than once when discussing our sport with non-runners: I can't run!
In general, can't is a word that I try to avoid, as we often tend to use it in situations where it is quite inaccurate. And when I hear people state that they can't run, it usually fits that definition. There are people who actually cannot run, whether it is due to injury, illness, or disability, but they are not the people I generally hear this statement from.
So, what makes someone who is not prevented from running by any physical condition say that they can't run? Especially considering the fact that running is one of the most natural forms of exercise that we can do. Our bodies are designed to run, and our species has been doing it for a LONG time!
I think that many who say this really mean that they can't run far. They have tried to run at some point, but found themselves out of breath very quickly. This can be quite discouraging, and if you allow it to, it can certainly convince you that running isn't for you, that you are not capable of doing it.
For others, I think when they say this they mean that they can't run fast. If you happen to stand on Topsail Road every July and watch the leaders of the Tely 10 fly by, it can definitely leave you feeling like there is no way you could ever approach what they are doing. Why even bother to start if you're going to be struggling along an hour or more behind the leaders?
There may be other reasons that I am overlooking, but I think those two cover a decent percentage of the people who say they "can't" run. And while I can understand and appreciate where they are coming from, the truth remains: neither of those situations means you can't run.
When it comes to running far, it takes practice. For some, especially those who are already active, they will be able to cover a fair amount of distance right from the start. For others, simply being able to run for 1 minute at a time is a struggle. We all start somewhere. The important thing to know is that if you put the time in, you will improve. One minute will become two and next thing you know you'll be running 30 minutes or more without a break. I've seen it on a number of occasions with runners in our Learn to Run program, and I'm sure I have come across people in those groups who once said "I can't run!". And now, many of them are runners, and good luck trying to get them to stop!
As far as running fast, I've got a secret for those of you who aren't runners: fast is a very relative term when it comes to distance running. At most races here locally, the man and woman who win the race are the exact people that most of the field would pick before the start. There is very little variance, and the vast majority of people lining up on that start line know that the only way they are going to win is if a whole bunch of people mysteriously topple over in the middle of the race. Haha
That is the great thing about running. Most of us aren't running to win; we are running against ourselves. Sure, there is friendly competition among those who are around the same pace as you, but for the most part your goals are personal, and the person you are most trying to beat is last year's version of yourself.
Running can be quite difficult at times, but the rewards are very much worth the effort. And while I would love for everyone to be able to benefit from the sport the way that I have, I understand that it's not for everybody. But if you are reading this and you've never even given it a chance, if you've found yourself saying "I can't run!" in the past, I hope that this might give you something to think about. Maybe running isn't for you, but the least you can do is give it a fair shot; because while you might decide you don't WANT to run, I am convinced that almost all of you CAN run. :)
Weekly Summary (May 7-May 13)
Mon.: Off
Tue. (Evening): 10 min warmup, 5 x 1500m (3:57/km / 4:09/km / 4:03/km / 4:16/km / 3:58/km) w/ 2.5 min recovery, 10 min cooldown (Workout total: 12.7 km, 1:05:21, 5:08/km pace)
Wed. (Evening): 6.5 km, 32:45, 5:02/km pace
Thu. (Evening): 10 min warmup, 1 x 10 min + 3 x 5 min (4:19/km / 4:10/km / 4:11/km / 4:05/km) w/ 3.5/2.5 min recovery, 5 min cooldown (Workout total: 10.3 km, 51:32, 5:00/km pace)
Fri. (Evening): 6.0 km, 32:05, 5:20/km pace
Sat. (Morning): 16.6 km, 1:24:51, 5:06/km pace
Sun.: Off
Total: 52.1 km
I only got 5 runs in this week, as my schedule on Sunday just didn't allow any time for a run. I was still able to crack 50 km for the week, and I don't mind an extra day off every now and then. :)
My workouts this week were back with the group, and they ended up being a perfect illustration of how effort level is more important than the pace on your watch when doing workouts in variable conditions.
On Tuesday, we were doing 5x1500m intervals on Three Island Pond Road. The goal was 10k race pace, so for me right now I was aiming to be around 4:00/km. If you look at the results above, I was right in the ballpark for intervals 1/3/5, and I was noticeably slower on intervals 2/4. This is because the odd intervals were slightly downhill with a little bit of a tailwind, and the even intervals were slightly uphill with a little bit of a headwind. Overall, I would say my effort was relatively consistent throughout, and true effort was probably in the 4:05/km range. A little slower than planned, but not too bad.
Thursday, we did a 10 minute tempo followed by 3x5 minutes tempos, with the goal being Tely race pace, or as close as we can manage right now. My plan for this workout was to be around 4:10/km. We did these looping Topsail Pond, with the start being up Topsail Pond Road. That meant the 10 minute tempo ran uphill for almost the first half, and even when we turned to go down Buckingham there wasn't much of a reprieve, as we faced a serious headwind. That explains the 4:19/km on the first tempo, where my effort was likely right around my planned 4:10/km. The remaining three tempos managed to split the hills/wind pretty good, and combined with the shorter duration I was able to be right around where I wanted to be pace wise, and for the 2nd and 3rd ones I might have actually been faster than the watch said as far as effort.
All things considered, it was a good week. Unfortunately, my run with the group on Thursday was my last one until at least May 27, and I won't do another workout with them until June. That means my next 6 workouts will all be done solo. Time for some serious grinding!
That's all for this week. I won't have a post next week due to vacation, but I should be back again with a post in two weeks. As always, thanks for reading. Cheers!
In general, can't is a word that I try to avoid, as we often tend to use it in situations where it is quite inaccurate. And when I hear people state that they can't run, it usually fits that definition. There are people who actually cannot run, whether it is due to injury, illness, or disability, but they are not the people I generally hear this statement from.
So, what makes someone who is not prevented from running by any physical condition say that they can't run? Especially considering the fact that running is one of the most natural forms of exercise that we can do. Our bodies are designed to run, and our species has been doing it for a LONG time!
I think that many who say this really mean that they can't run far. They have tried to run at some point, but found themselves out of breath very quickly. This can be quite discouraging, and if you allow it to, it can certainly convince you that running isn't for you, that you are not capable of doing it.
For others, I think when they say this they mean that they can't run fast. If you happen to stand on Topsail Road every July and watch the leaders of the Tely 10 fly by, it can definitely leave you feeling like there is no way you could ever approach what they are doing. Why even bother to start if you're going to be struggling along an hour or more behind the leaders?
There may be other reasons that I am overlooking, but I think those two cover a decent percentage of the people who say they "can't" run. And while I can understand and appreciate where they are coming from, the truth remains: neither of those situations means you can't run.
When it comes to running far, it takes practice. For some, especially those who are already active, they will be able to cover a fair amount of distance right from the start. For others, simply being able to run for 1 minute at a time is a struggle. We all start somewhere. The important thing to know is that if you put the time in, you will improve. One minute will become two and next thing you know you'll be running 30 minutes or more without a break. I've seen it on a number of occasions with runners in our Learn to Run program, and I'm sure I have come across people in those groups who once said "I can't run!". And now, many of them are runners, and good luck trying to get them to stop!
As far as running fast, I've got a secret for those of you who aren't runners: fast is a very relative term when it comes to distance running. At most races here locally, the man and woman who win the race are the exact people that most of the field would pick before the start. There is very little variance, and the vast majority of people lining up on that start line know that the only way they are going to win is if a whole bunch of people mysteriously topple over in the middle of the race. Haha
That is the great thing about running. Most of us aren't running to win; we are running against ourselves. Sure, there is friendly competition among those who are around the same pace as you, but for the most part your goals are personal, and the person you are most trying to beat is last year's version of yourself.
Running can be quite difficult at times, but the rewards are very much worth the effort. And while I would love for everyone to be able to benefit from the sport the way that I have, I understand that it's not for everybody. But if you are reading this and you've never even given it a chance, if you've found yourself saying "I can't run!" in the past, I hope that this might give you something to think about. Maybe running isn't for you, but the least you can do is give it a fair shot; because while you might decide you don't WANT to run, I am convinced that almost all of you CAN run. :)
Weekly Summary (May 7-May 13)
Mon.: Off
Tue. (Evening): 10 min warmup, 5 x 1500m (3:57/km / 4:09/km / 4:03/km / 4:16/km / 3:58/km) w/ 2.5 min recovery, 10 min cooldown (Workout total: 12.7 km, 1:05:21, 5:08/km pace)
Wed. (Evening): 6.5 km, 32:45, 5:02/km pace
Thu. (Evening): 10 min warmup, 1 x 10 min + 3 x 5 min (4:19/km / 4:10/km / 4:11/km / 4:05/km) w/ 3.5/2.5 min recovery, 5 min cooldown (Workout total: 10.3 km, 51:32, 5:00/km pace)
Fri. (Evening): 6.0 km, 32:05, 5:20/km pace
Sat. (Morning): 16.6 km, 1:24:51, 5:06/km pace
Sun.: Off
Total: 52.1 km
I only got 5 runs in this week, as my schedule on Sunday just didn't allow any time for a run. I was still able to crack 50 km for the week, and I don't mind an extra day off every now and then. :)
My workouts this week were back with the group, and they ended up being a perfect illustration of how effort level is more important than the pace on your watch when doing workouts in variable conditions.
On Tuesday, we were doing 5x1500m intervals on Three Island Pond Road. The goal was 10k race pace, so for me right now I was aiming to be around 4:00/km. If you look at the results above, I was right in the ballpark for intervals 1/3/5, and I was noticeably slower on intervals 2/4. This is because the odd intervals were slightly downhill with a little bit of a tailwind, and the even intervals were slightly uphill with a little bit of a headwind. Overall, I would say my effort was relatively consistent throughout, and true effort was probably in the 4:05/km range. A little slower than planned, but not too bad.
Thursday, we did a 10 minute tempo followed by 3x5 minutes tempos, with the goal being Tely race pace, or as close as we can manage right now. My plan for this workout was to be around 4:10/km. We did these looping Topsail Pond, with the start being up Topsail Pond Road. That meant the 10 minute tempo ran uphill for almost the first half, and even when we turned to go down Buckingham there wasn't much of a reprieve, as we faced a serious headwind. That explains the 4:19/km on the first tempo, where my effort was likely right around my planned 4:10/km. The remaining three tempos managed to split the hills/wind pretty good, and combined with the shorter duration I was able to be right around where I wanted to be pace wise, and for the 2nd and 3rd ones I might have actually been faster than the watch said as far as effort.
All things considered, it was a good week. Unfortunately, my run with the group on Thursday was my last one until at least May 27, and I won't do another workout with them until June. That means my next 6 workouts will all be done solo. Time for some serious grinding!
That's all for this week. I won't have a post next week due to vacation, but I should be back again with a post in two weeks. As always, thanks for reading. Cheers!
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