Is there any point in running if.....

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13 years ago 08/15/2010 10:00am EDT

you do not plan on racing anymore?

I graduated college and I decided its time for me to say good bye to the competitive side of the sport. I tried to stay just running for health for awhile but it was boring. Now I lift a few times a week, do something fast 200's or even play a sport like basketball a couple times a week. And the remaining days I run like 5-6miles. All in all, I feel like the actual "runs" do the least for my fitness. So my question is does long slow distance do anything major in terms of health or is it only really helpful for building endurance and racing.

13 years ago 08/15/2010 12:39pm EDT

re: thequestionman

I knew this guy once when younger. Everyday I see him do his 7 min miles jogging for fitness for an hour. we became friends. he won a lot of races after college on a full time job. amazing. this other guy D1 school. ran twice a day for 20 mi a day on a full time job. trying to get his dream back. watched him get injured year after year. mind you these guys all graduated a couple of years. Do what comes naturally and makes you happy. perhaps a balanced approach is needed. Glad to hear you doing weights. I love running, but there is more to life than running.

13 years ago 08/15/2010 12:40pm EDT

re: thequestionman

NEVER quit running. You will regret it, put on weight, feel depressed etc... Why long and slow? Do 2 or 3 runs a week at 85-90% effort, they will feel great, you can really enjoy the running at that speed. I am 20 years past competitive running, and still absolutely love putting in a 90% effort 3k every couple of days with some sprints afterwards to keep mobility and speed up. 3.5 miles easy on the days in between. Love it. Never quit.

13 years ago 08/15/2010 12:56pm EDT

re: smakdab

I agree!! Do not stop running and let yourself go! You may think that the running is not doing much for your fitness but that's because you are young. I took a year off when I was 25 and it took months to gain any weight and still it wasn't that much. 10 years later and 10 weeks off... well... thankfully I was able to get back to 90-mile weeks because that's what it takes to be in the same shape you were when you were younger.

Run just to run! Why not join a running club, or get people in your neighborhood to run with you? Don't talk about how fast you once were or how slow you are running now. Just enjoy being outdoors with other people, keeping your fitness up.

If you NEED races, target 2 half marathons a year and work for a decent time.Or don't, but seriously if you stop running you will get old fast.

13 years ago 08/15/2010 2:44pm EDT

re: thequestionman

I thought this when I was younger but it;s worth it down the stretch

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