Any Runners out there?

And by runners I mean all types. I've recently dropped 60 pounds and am gearing up for the DM half-marathon. I've done it 3 times before, but its not that easy at just under 300 pounds.
I wondering what time and distances guys (maybe a few ladies too) train at. I was pumped when I average 8:03 over 5 miles and I realize for most of you that's probably no big deal, but when I first ran it I was over 11 minutes/mile.
So-What should I be shooting for? I'd like to do that half at 8:30 but there's a lot of work to do yet.

Count me as a runner. The half marathon used to be my favorite distance. I could run a half at sub-six minute pace and it wouldn't tear my body up like a marathon.

If you are serious about running putting in miles and speed work both need to be done.

Nice, 8:00 is impressive, that is my 5k speed and I have been running for 4 years. I am doing the 1/2 this fall as a pace leader, but my group is the 2:10 group, so we will finish about 20 min behind you.

I run just for fitness and my goal is 7:30-8:00 miles. I'm only running about 3 miles at a time though. I just want a good pace to keep my heart rate up. And when it gets hotter out, my times really start to drop. I have terrible hot weather endurance. But again, I'm doing it only for fitness and I've never really tried to set a personal record or anything.

PS...That is a great time if you are just under 300 lbs. I'm 160 soaking wet.

I do jump rope and sprint work twice a week. I played Offensive line in college so this distance stuff is relatively new to me and I still have a tough time being patient when I get started. I think part of cutting my time down is to figure out what pace I can run consistently. I ran my first mile today at 6:50 and got progressively slower after that. I ran 800s in HS track but that's not even close to this

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Originally Posted by CyinCo

PS...That is a great time if you are just under 300 lbs. I'm 160 soaking wet.

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I WAS just under 300. Now down to 233.
I need something to push me when I'm out there and right now it setting PR's.

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Originally Posted by wartknight

I WAS just under 300. Now down to 233.
I need something to push me when I'm out there and right now it setting PR's.

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Just an idea: Have you considered getting one of those heart rate monitoring wristwatch systems. That way, you can set a target heartrate rather than just guessing if you are pushing it too hard or not enough. Maybe you already have one, IDK.

wartknight.... I've been a runner since my teenage years (HS track& xcountry) but unfortunately wasn't D-I caliber, so I've done various distances in the road race world.. from 5Ks to marathons. I'm kinda burned out with the monotony of running and focus on other activities to keep fit now. I do try to run a couple times a week just for cardio fitness. One thing for sure I've noticed here in CO, is there are TONS of runners, many who pick up the sport in their later 20s, 30s, even 40s, and become pretty decent runners with the right training. Congrats on reaching a new level of fitness!

Join a running group, there is a group that meet pretty much every night in dsm. The thurs night speed group is pretty good, and the sat distance group is fun.

Maybe a little off topic but this is what came to my mind. I once bet my friend 50 bucks he couln't run a marathon in the weekend with no training in under 6 hours. He actually ran it in 4 1/2


but he messed up his growth plates so kids- dont try this at home

$50? That is severe torture for only $50.

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Originally Posted by rahtotheames

Maybe a little off topic but this is what came to my mind. I once bet my friend 50 bucks he couln't run a marathon in the weekend with no training in under 6 hours. He actually ran it in 4 1/2


but he messed up his growth plates so kids- dont try this at home

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[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX2KEHUk7_s"]YouTube - Alan "Randy" Julius runs a marathon[/ame]

that movie would be the bet i made :wink0st:

My tip . . . get Jack Daniels running book. It has all the info you need.

I am planning a qualifier for Boston and have to run 7:17 miles. I do most of my training at marathon pace + ~1 minute, which is what is recommened in the book. Running slower makes almost the same impact in terms of fitness improvements, but is much easier to recover from.

I cannot even do 1 mile at 7:17, well maybe 1. I guess I never get to run boston. I am thinking of doing chicago next year, I am kinda burned out doing dsm every year.