Runners (old, new, getting back to it) looking to increase their mileage

Hi everyone!

I started running this summer, and could barely make it 1/4 mile without feeling exhausted.  Now I'm running 10+ miles/wk.  I don't go very fast (though I'm working on that), but I make it through my goals each time I run.

I'm running a 5k next weekend--my first--and after that I'm looking to increase my mileage/endurance.  For the first time in my life, I'm considering running a marathon someday (though I'd want to train for a *very* long time before I did).  I'd love to get to a point where I could go for a 10 mile run without feeling exhausted, and do that on a regular basis (4-5 times/wk).

I imagine I'm not the only person here looking to increase endurance.  So this thread is for runners at any point in their running "careers" seeking to improve their mileage.  I don't care if you can only run 1 block - let's keep each other motivated so that we all keep improving.  Post your runs all week long and your weekly total (and avg. mile time if that interests you) and goals for the next week each Sunday night/Monday morning.

This week, I'm at:

Tuesday: 5 miles

Thursday: 3 miles

Saturday: 4.2 miles

Total: 11.2 miles

Next week's goal: 13 miles.

hi there!

just wanted to say a "go for it"! im no champion runner (haha far from it)- i only started running early this year after my walking speed got too fast and i just looked silly haha. but i enrolled in a half marathon, coming up REAL soon (nov 2) (which im actually freaking out about, but its a great motivator to push yourself that bit more. on saturday i ran 12.47km, which is no half marathon, but along way from struggling to walk 5km! but im totally with you in increasing endurance and bettering out last person bests!!!!

Good job 3lle!  You're more than halfway to your race distance!!  That's great for just starting this year!  When in the year did you start?

Gratz on starting running.  My goal is to keep up with running during the winter and increase my mileage to about 40 miles per week.  I can't make any promises that I'll be consistent with posting every week, but I'll try.

Sunday - 3.5M

Monday - 3.5M

Tuesday - Off Day

Wednesday - 3.5M

Thursday - Off Day

Friday - 3.5M

Saturday - 4M (9:40 Pace)

Total: 18M

Next Week's Goal: 20M

Hi there,

I just started running this summer, too.  I just finished couch to 5K and ran my celebratory 5K yesterday.  Now I'm wondering what my next step should be.  A 10K?  A half-marathon in the spring?  I am definitely down for increasing my endurance - and my speed, too.  With winter coming on, though, this could be a struggle.

Last week I ran 3.1 miles on Sunday, 3.1 miles on wednesday and 5.1 miles on Friday for a total of 11.3 miles.

So far this week I have run 3.6 miles on Sunday.

Cool, glad to have a few more joiners!

pumpkin, I will (shortly!) be in the same position.  I'm big on long training periods because I think if you've done a distance 50 times, it's easier to do it at a faster pace once.  And as for winter, get thee some warm clothes!  And if you're really struggling outdoors, you can always run on a treadmill while varying your elevation.  It's not perfect, but it'll do in a pinch.

Good luck!

Today: 2 miles, 9'32"/mile

Hi all!

I started running 2 years ago. Did couch to 5K then to 10K then my first half marathon was in April then just did the Philly Half this September. I love it and increasing my milage training for the 10K really helped me over a plateau I had reached to help losing weight. The winter is tough because I do a lot more treadmill running, once I hit 4 miles I also hit total boredum, any suggestions??

Jess

i cant wait untill i can start running,im still very heavy 222 and only started at the gym 2 weeks ago,today i tried the couch 2 5k and was so upset as i couldnt manage to do the 1st day i was meant to do 1 min running i min walking for 20 mins but i only managed 10mins!! i dont no if its beacause im soo unfit or because im to heavy to run,

omastaji - I LOVE listening to audiobooks while I run.  I have all 7 Harry Potter audiobooks, The Phantom Tollbooth, and a slew of comedy podcasts.  Since audiobooks are narrative, they keep me going, and since they're long, I don't run out of material during my run.

xxjanexx - Plenty of people can't run a block when they first start out, so don't be discouraged!  Take it slow and do what you can.  Repeat the days until you feel comfortable with them before moving on.  So what if you only managed 10 minutes?  That's still 5 full minutes (or, depending on your speed, around 1/2 a mile) of running, and that's awesome.  You'll get there if you just keep trying!

I finished the C25K program a few weeks ago and am scheduled for my first 5k this Sat, a charity fun run/walk that I consider training for my first 5k race with a runners club on Sun 10/26 - my 62nd bday!

I'm planning on using Hal Higdon's training approach to increase my distance and speed. For me its more reasonable than the Smart Coach on Runners World. I'll probably migrate to his 8K, then 10k training programs eventually as well.

Have been able to run 3.8 mi at different paces w/o slowing to a walk so far. Longest run has been 5.6 run/walk mi. Did get an injury from it tho - irritated a nerve in my left foot. Have had to lay off running for a week until this past Sun. Am planning to do 3 mi of tempo runs tomorrow then lay off until 5K this Sat. Will probably run tue/thur next week in prep for Sun 10/26 race.

There is a long running chat for runners over in

http://caloriecount.about.com/victory-lap-run -around-g382

About a dozen regulars who have been posting more than a year.  Feel free to join up!

Hi there! I just ran a 5k last weekend and it was amazing!

I always ran on the treadmill which was probably not the best plan but I ran better than I thought when I did the marathon. Normally it would take me about 40 minutes but last weekend I finished in 29 minutes. It felt so great :)

I never thought in my life that I would ever ever run a marathon but I did and if I can run marathon anyone can do it seriouslyy so great job on running everyday. GOOD LUCK! :)

It's TTOTM, so I got a bit derailed, but I ran 1 1/2 miles today!

i have a question for you folks.  i'm currently running 5 or 6k every second or third day and trying to increase that to ~ 20k/week.  most days the second kilometer is the hardest, and after than i get into a groove and feel like i could keep going forever.  my speed is pretty consistent after the first two, as well (i don't watch the clock too closely, but it gives me something to think about and helps me push myself a little). 

on sunday, i headed out planning to do 5 and it just felt awful.  i was dehydrated (too much alcohol over the weekend).  i ended up cutting it short, running 3 and then walking home.  then on tuesday, i felt much better but my legs just weren't responding the way they usually do.  i was planning to do 6; the 6th k in that particular route is a long gradual downhill followed by a flat stretch, so it's pretty easy.  if i can do 5, i can do 6, you know?  but in the 5th i was having trouble getting my feet of the ground.  it didn't hurt; i was just fatigued.  i quit after 5 and walked home, because i was afraid i'd trip going down the hill!

which brings me to my question: what do you do when you're having a bad day?  do you force it or do you assume that your body needs rest?

I haven't run enough to know how to answer you pgeorgian. Hope someone else can jump in.

well, thanks for the bump, bob!

When I'm having a bad day, I force it.  I tell myself that I may not be happy about it right then and I may not be happy about it for a little while after I get done, but I'll be happy about it later and the next day.

To some extent, it depends on *why* I'm having that bad day.  If I'm dehydrated, pushing it just seems like a bad idea, so I cut it short.  If it's my legs that are bugging me, though, I just push through it.  I "recover" quickly now, so often what I do is either put on a good powersong or take a 10 second walking break before getting back to it.

Also, whenever I try to increase my mileage, I sacrifice speed.  When I did my first 5 mile run, I ran about 11'20"/mile, where I usually run 9'20"/mile.  I'd rather complete the distance than go fast but not finish, and I often find that just slowing down will help.

Today, I ran my first 5k!  I didn't make my mileage goal for this week, but I'm still pleased because I only stopped to walk once at the *very* end (it ended on a ginormous hill of death...not fair at all) and ran at a decent pace the whole time.

It was a good running week.  I wasn't planning on upping my runs to 5 miles until the end of the month but I just decided to go for it and it worked out alright.  I even ran in the pouring rain one day this week, which in the past would have been an automatic 'off day'.

Sunday - 4 miles (35 mins)

Monday - 4 miles (36:38 mins)

Tuesday - Off Day

Wednesday - 5 miles (48:17mins)

Thursday - 5 miles (46:37mins)

Friday - Off Day

Saturday - 4.7?? miles (47 mins

Total: 22.7 miles

Next Week's Goal: 25 miles

Good job on your 5K Nevarren!  Less than 29 minutes is awesome!  Way better than I did on my first 5K.  The one I did last week was better, about 9'40"/mile, but I still have work to do.

To answer your question, pgeorgian, when I am having an off-day, I usually push through it.  Often I will reduce my speed and even try to increase my distance and usually by the end I feel much better and happy that I pushed through.  It does depend on why I feel crummy, though.  If I am just tired and grumpy, I push through.  The only reason I really cut my runs short is if my knee is hurting.  I supinate horribly and my left knee gets really, really beaten up by running.  If it is hurting me, I usually just finish whatever mile I am on and call it quits.  The last thing I want is to ruin my knees.  That's also why I never run 2 days in a row.

This week I ran 3.6 miles on Sunday, 4 on wednesday, and 3.5 on Friday for a total of 11.1 miles.  A little les than last week...but not terrible.