Expert Panel Questions???

“Ok. I’m just starting the couch to 5k program. I think if I plan for August 1st I will be ready for any coming run during that time. Already thinking ahead now; I’m worried about what is next? How do I increase training for a 10 K and how much time needed.”

(ask your questions to the UtahRunning.com Experts)

Answer!!!

First off, congratulations on taking the first step . . . making the decision to do it! My suggestion to you, if you haven’t already, is to pick a specific 5k race that you want to do and register/sign up for it. This gives you a deadline and helps your training become more specific and purposeful.

Once you’ve done a 5k and you’re ready to tackle a 10k, really the only thing that will change in your training is you’ll gradually increase your mileage. I personally think that if you’ve put in the training for a 5k you could do a 10k as early as 2 or 3 weeks after the 5k. The key is the increase in mileage, maybe a half a mile at a time (more or less depending on how you’re feeling).

I would suggest getting your regular distance runs up to a distance further than 6 miles so that when the 10k does come around you’ll be confident knowing that you’ve done it before! Good luck and have fun!

by Lindsey Anderson – Olympian | Professional Athlete

Expert Panel Questions???

“I have been running since September. I run almost every day but Sundays. I ran a race 5k last week in Salt Lake and did good, but I run a lot around my city and find it’s hard to keep a good pace. How can I do that?”

(ask your questions to the UtahRunning.com Experts)

Answer!!!

City running can definitely be tough because you’re forced to stop much more often so you feel like you’re not getting in a solid run. Fortunately I don’t have to run in the city too often, but when I do I find myself worrying about the quality of the run, the pace, the stop and go, etc.

Here’s a few suggestions: if possible run early in the morning or later in the evening to try and avoid some of the traffic; find a park you can run in and even though you’ll probably be making lots of loops it will give you the opportunity for a constant run; if all else fails, don’t beat yourself up if you do have to stop throughout your run, you’re still gaining cardiovascular benefits so try not to worry about it.

by Lindsey Anderson – Olympian | Professional Athlete

Expert Panel Question???

“I have gained 30 pounds since my last 10k or 5k, how does extra weight effect race performance?”

Answer!!!

If the gained weight is only fat, then the most obvious effect that weight gain will have on performance is the impending slow down in pace due to the effort it takes to move the extra weight down the road. In general, for extra fat weight, then one can expect to slow down about a second per mile per pound. So for every 10 pounds in fat someone is carrying, they will run 10 seconds or so a mile slower than before given the same effort. The extra body fat also throws the body’s hydration and cooling mechanisms out of wack, so one must take that into consideration as well.

However, if a runner has added some functional muscle tissue, then that won’t be the case. For some individuals, adding 5 lbs of muscle helps their running. They run faster, have healthier immune systems and recover faster. It is recommended, for those not racing at very elite levels, to push for maintaining functional muscle tissue as part of their year round fitness routine. Not that elites don’t need muscle tissue, but they do have to whittle down to the bare minimum. Everyone else can and should carry more.

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Expert Panel Question???

Question: “I have been doing tempo work and was wondering how I gauge my race day pace off of tempo pace? (e.g., 30k and Marathon)”

Answer!!!

As I mentioned in the Tempo Time article, usually tempo pace will be about 20 seconds slower per mile than 10k race pace and 30 seconds slower than 5k race pace. As you try to gauge race day pace off of your tempo runs it can become quite tricky. Again, the faster the runner you are, usually the less time between your marathon race pace and your tempo pace. For example, my marathon best is 2:10:59 which is slightly under 5:00 mile pace. I usually ran my tempo runs at about 4:50 per mile, so my tempo pace was usually about 10 seconds faster per mile than my marathon race pace. However, slower runners will usually need to run relatively faster to hit their tempo zone. Jack Daniels agrees and he places tempo paces at approximately the following relative to marathon pace:

2:30 marathon 5:45 pace=tempo pace will be about 17 seconds faster or about 5:28 tempo pace
3:00 marathon 6:55 pace=tempo pace will be about 23 seconds faster or about 6:32 tempo pace
4:00 marathon 9:08 pace=tempo pace will be about 30 seconds faster or about 8:38 tempo pace
5:00 marathon 11:30 pace=tempo pace will be about 40 seconds faster or about 10:50 tempo pace

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Expert Panel Question???

I want to start out slow but I want to get into some races. How do you find a race that fits a person that’s overweight and wants to start racing?

(ask your questions to the UtahRunning.com Experts here)

Answer!!!

My suggestion would be to start preparing to run a 5K. A 5K is 3.1 miles and is a good race distance to start at. Take a look at UtahRunning.com’s race calendar and find a 5K that works with your schedule. I would pick a race that is at least 2-3 months away to give yourself time to train, especially if you have just started running. Then begin training. Start out running a couple of days a week and gradually build up the number of days you are running and the miles you are running.

A few training rules to live by:

1) Increase your weekly mileage by no more than about 10 percent each week (i.e. if week 1’s mileage is 10 miles then 10 percent of that would be 1 mile. So, week 2’s mileage should be around 11 miles).

2) Your longest run during a week should only be 25-30 percent of your total weekly mileage (i.e. if your weekly mileage is 20 miles then 25 percent of 20 would be a 5 mile run).

3) Decrease your weekly mileage every 3rd week to rest and recover.

Consistency in your training is key. You will be surprised at the changes you will see in your body as you put in some time running. That being said, it is also important to be patient with yourself and with your training. Don’t be afraid to inter-mix some walking into your runs, especially if you are just starting to run. This will allow you to workout longer and help you build up your cardio time.

Racing is a great way to stay motivated, so pick your race and go for it!

Send me an email at janae (at) utahrunning.com if you are interested in personalized coaching. I would love to help you train for a 5K.

by Janae Richardson – Runner | High School Cross Country & Track Coach

When you are out on the road, running, it is just you and the forces of nature. Running is personal. It helps you face some of your greatest physical and psychological challenges. It is something that sets you apart and gives you something common to share with every runner who is training hard for the Utah 5K.

Utah running offers its residents and visitors tremendous opportunities. The terrain is varied and the climate excellent for running. There are more Utah running races on offer than you could ever imagine. A glance at the state’s race calendar is sure to confirm this. Whether you are interested in a Utah half marathon, in Utah half marathons or family races, you will find them all through the year. So whether you participate in a race as part of training or register for one of the many Utah 5k races, there is something for you to look forward to.
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