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As I wrote about a few weeks ago, one of my buddies is having a bachelor party that involves running a 10k. Well, I decided that it probably isn’t too bad of an idea to get in shape and this is some good motivation for doing so. Yesterday, I managed to pump out a 10k run after 3 weeks of training. For anyone interested in picking up running (I don’t advise it) here is my training regimen so far after three weeks of training.
Week 1
Monday
Huffed and puffed my way to 2.75miles. Average pace of 9:30/mile. I figured it was safe to take it slow and not over exert myself.
Tuesday
Took it up a notch to 3.5miles. Ave Pace of 9:30/mile. It’s important to not get too ambitious too early.
Wednesday
Off day.
Thursday
Another off day. It’s also important to get plenty of rest.
Friday
Woke up bright and early to get a 3 mile run in. Average pace of 9:00/mile
Saturday
Attempted to run in 8 degree weather and 30mph winds. Was nearly suffocated by gusts of wind and gave up after 2.5 miles. Too ashamed to divulge the pace I was “running” at.
Sunday
Sunday is a day of rest.
Week 2
Monday
I had a 12 hour work day so I decided I needed another rest day.
Tuesday
Pounded out 4 miles at an 8:45/mile pace. This was a surprising accomplishment as I was slamming Irish Coffees most of the morning due to the snow day I was blessed with.
Wednesday
I did 4 miles the day before. I deserved a cheat day. Had an all you can eat Brazilian BBQ to celebrate my successful training thus far.
Thursday
3.5 mile run at an 8:30/mile pace.
Friday
Travelled to Boston for St. Patrick’s Day to slam beers with my brother and our women, and watch one of our favorite bands. No time for training on St. Paddy’s.
Saturday
Hungover most of the day but we did walk a total of 2 miles to and from my brother’s apartment trying to find somewhere everyone agreed on for breakfast. I’m counting it.
Sunday
4.5 miles at an 8:30/mile pace. Target pace acquired, so now it became a matter of increasing the distance.
Week 3
Monday
Attempted to run after eating tacos. Terrible move. Got to 3 miles and decided to stop after a burp turned into slight regurgitation.
Tuesday
Took a day off. Decided to grill burgers and drink beer instead of running. A training body needs plenty of calories.
Wednesday
Had to pick up the distance a little bit to prevent a plateau. 5.25miles at an 8:30 pace.
Thursday
After running the longest distance to date, I deserved a day off.
Friday
I decided another day off was needed so that I could hit it hard over the weekend.
Saturday
For some reason I was out of my mind that day and ran 6.5 miles at an 8:30/mile pace. Goal achieved. To be completely honest, I did have to stop after 4.5 to catch my breath for a minute. I’m just assuming the extra distance I did in this run covered that moment of slacking off.
Sunday
3 miles at an 8:00/mile pace. Wasn’t planning on going but I was looking for any excuse to take a break from painting the master bedroom. Painting is the one thing worse than running.
Keys to my success so far:
1.) Plenty of rest. I’ve avoided muscle strains and pains by not over exerting myself. You’ll notice multiple blocks of 2 day breaks. Sometimes one day isn’t enough.
2.) Stretching post-run is key.
3.) A fire playlist. A solid playlist is necessary for getting you in, and keeping you in the zone. Running is boring as fuck and you need something to distract you from the fact that you are breathing heavy, sweating balls, and developing cramps and shin splints will help the situation.
4.) I have a small sum of money on the line for the race so it’s not just bragging rights I’m fighting for.
There is no doubt in my mind I’ll quit running after this race but at least for the next couple of months I won’t be a total piece of shit..
Image via Shutterstock
Respond
@207Cush
If one of my friends made me run a 10k just because they’re getting married, I’d get a new friend
Could not agree more and this is coming from someone who runs half-marathons once a year.
Running gets immensely easier if you keep at it more than a month or so. I was laughably (like 50 pounds) out of shape at the beginning of the year, started training for a half marathon and I’ve dropped 30 pounds in 11 weeks and just ran a 7:56/mile 10k on Saturday. I know it gets shit on a lot but it’s undeniably an excellent workout and gets way easier when you make it a routine.
Preach
I ran a 10K over the weekend that ended at a bar with bottomless mimosas. Would highly recommend as part of your race day strategy.
I thought we discussed this and you weren’t going to do the race, why do you ask for our advise if you don’t take it man?
The problem is you run a 10k and then you’re dehydrated AF…
beer 1
beer 2
shot 1
beer 3
bee…. blackout!!
Or you run a marathon and get stuck on the subway
Feeling like an outcast at the moment because it would take me at least three weeks of training to attempt to achieve your day one.
Started running a couple months ago and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Lost some of those unwanted lbs and joined a running club. I know a “running club” sounds like dreadful yuppie trash, but met tons of people who are reasonably attractive and mostly have their life together.
what city do you live in, in my city the running clubs consist of clicky doushebaggery
I actually did that and a word of advice I learned the hard way – make sure you strength train in addition to running because I didn’t and killed my knees.
Too many rest days in there