Everyone is always telling me that long distance running is a long-term sport, which I believe and agree with. But how long did it take you guys to see all those countless miles actually help you?
Everyone is always telling me that long distance running is a long-term sport, which I believe and agree with. But how long did it take you guys to see all those countless miles actually help you?
A GREAT question dizzy-dub.
Would you believe 6 weeks? Your body will allow you to do ANYTHING you will of it. But you have to go through the pain and agony of making it happen. Most runners slow down enough that there is no pain. For them it will take 10 years to get anything good to happen. Some runners mentally interpret 'running' to be a fast thing. They take off too fast, run too hard, and get into the limelite quickly. It all depends on the intensity you put into it.
It takes roughly 2-3 weeks for your body to 'adjust' to running. Those first weeks will live forever in your mind. But one day you will be out running, trying to ignore the pain, and you will notice there is no pain. It has gone away.
If it has subsided because you are going slower or pacing yourself better, it will take 2 years to get anywhere. But if you force the pace even harder, FORCE your legs to protest in pain, MAKE your body do what you want it to do, then you can be winning races within 6 weeks of starting to run.
It is all in the way you approach it.
about 3 years to finally have that super breakthrough performance...steady improvement before that point, however.
untrained - 5:35 1600m
1st yr up to 50m/w with work sessions - 4:36
2nd yr up to 65m/w with work sessions - 4:21
3rd yr with "serious" training - 4:13
After that, I started racing longer races (but kind of wished I spent another year or two on the mile to maybe get a sub4:10).
They say in gardening that the 1st year sleeps, 2nd year creeps, and the 3rd year leaps. Similarly, I think if you put in solid consistent work, you'll see pretty good running by your third year even if you're not that talented. (Caveat: you have to be willing to go long, go fast enough to breath hard on occasion, and sweat some. 3 years of what I see people doing in the gym doesn't counts... well maybe it's like 3 weeks worth.)
A few months from now most likely.
Most international elite guys start running at 12 -13 years and reach ultimate peak at age 23-24 yrs . Thats alot of miles, sweat and guts. Their patience is awesome and lack of any other life but running for all those years during their teens is unbelievable!
Thats total dedication to running!
when i realized i was faster than 99% of everyone here
modesty personified wrote:
when i realized i was faster than 99% of everyone here
My guess is that you're not faster than Gerrythejogger.
Oh you mean once all my summer base miles start to kick in?
Elements of Style wrote:
A few months from now most likely.
Hasnt happened yet and it probably never will. When you have no talent its tough.