Help Me Get Rich Running Challenge

Okay, no help so far. That's okay. Sometimes you need to put the work in yourself.

After spending some time researching this it looks like the 800m might fit the bill.

Here is some info about my likely opponent. 27 yo. Runs only about once per week but typically puts in 5 slow miles (roughly 10:00 minute pace). He has a nice age advantage on me but I think we probably have roughly the same fast twitch/slow twitch ratios. If anything I'm probably slightly more fast twitch.

I've decided I probably don't want to challenge him to long distance because he's got a nice head start and I'd have to put in some serious mileage to have a healthy advantage. This adds too much chance of injury to do it quickly.

The 800m challenges both aerobic and the anaerobic systems which would really give me the advantage since he isnt trained in sprints. Also, i enjoy interval training so that helps in terms of compliance.

I also think this would be a terrific race to take advantage of a "Best 2 out of 3" type rules setup.

I'd love to get an exact idea of what I can run. Let's say its not very good like a 2:30... if I was capable of repeating that 2:30 on three consecutive runs with short rest times in between I may be able to crush him if he runs more of a 2:28, 2:40, 2:40 type split between the races.

Any suggestions or recommendations on this format? I've found some pretty good training suggestions for the race and it looks like 6 weeks is ample time to get pretty good results.

Honestly if you think you are more towards slow twitch and are doing the races back to back I'd say do a 1500 or a 3000. Not super long so you can do them back to back. But not short enough that you can be outsprinted. Just my thoughts though

3/10

You got some bites

If they run 5 miles once a week and you are going to train consistently for 8 weeks, then the longer distance the better. Pick a 15 miler or a half marathon. Work on making your long run longer than his.

But if you're not serious about training consistently for 8 weeks, then a 100 or 400 would be best. It's mostly genetic, so if you're more fast twitch then you will win no matter what.

I think this is fake.

But anyway, if you are racing a 27 yo man who runs 5 mi in 50 minutes- even if it is an easy pace- you don't have anything to worry about.

Definitely not fake, why would i go to the trouble to train at age 34 for fake money?

Anyway, I went by to play cards today and apparently ever since i won the basketball money he's been running more consistently.

Which is great news. Since most of the bets should come from that mutual circle of friends. The more prepared he feels he is and the more prepared his friends believe he is the more potentially could be wagered on this.

Got my running shoes in the mail. Training starts in the morning.

I definitely don't want to challenge him to a longer distance. I have an extensive history of knee damage and I absolutely loathe running. Putting in 50 miles a week is my personal he!! and would take several weeks to catch up to him.

I'm looking for a good safe distance where I can absolutely smoke him guaranteed with a somewhat relaxed effort.

The last thing I want to do is lose by running a length of distance where an injury hits me or some type of heat exhaustion causes me not to give a full performance. I figure 800m is long enough that you really can't just get lucky.

I figure a 2:20 would absolutely smoke an untrained runner. Does anyone have any good reference times as to what a typical person runs at the start of track season with minimal training prior?

Like is it 2:55? 2:45? 2:35? I just want to get this over with as quick as possible so I can re-focus on other pursuits.

If he is 27 and even if he just runs 5 miles per week at an easy pace of 10, he still is aerobic. He might be able to do a 2:35 right now, and in 6-8 weeks (since he is training more now) he will probably be able to do a 2:15-2:20

okay i put my first session in today because my knee was bothering me and ive had a bad sinus infection.

Anyway, it went pretty poorly. I basically felt like I was dragging my knee on every step.

I think any sort of longer distance is out the window because I'm simply not going to be able to put the miles in.

I basically did intervals of 0.2 mi followed by 0.05 walking until I got to 2 miles. Had to keep it small because I didnt want my form to break down and get injured the first few days. Man it is hot out there.

I think if I just get out there each and every day and do SOMETHING thats the most important thing right now. Will attempt to keep increasing the distance of the intervals until I get to 2-3 mi without stopping before I train anymore specifically.

Too many words. Summary?

I vote for a 5k. It is a fan favorite since just about everyone has done at least one or can guestimate around what they could run. If you were to just run every single day for the next 6-8 weeks, working your mileage up and then peaking for the race, you'll be so anaerobically fit at that point that I would doubt you would lose.

If you are just starting out, I say you do something similar to as what I have posted bellow. If you are really out of shape starting up, do this:

Week 1: 14 miles (2 a day)

week 2: 21 miles (3 a day)

week 3: 21 miles (3 a day)

week 4: 30 miles (do a "long run" of about 6, then like 4 a day or so)

week 5: 35 miles (do a "long run" of about 8, then like 5 a day or so)

week 6: 14 miles (no long run)

If you can handle a larger work load:

Week 1: 21 miles

week 2: 30 miles

week 3: 35 miles

week 4: 40 miles

week 5: 33 miles

week 6: 20 miles/race

In weeks 3, 4, 5 do 80m strides after your runs to remind your body that it can go faster. And do long runs once a week during the same weeks

In weeks 3, 4, and 5 do about 4 sets 80m strides after your run about 3 times a week. Remind the body that it can move quicker.

I really dont forsee myself being able to put that type of volume in without sustaining injury I'm almost 34 years old with bad knees and very low muscle mass in my legs from being inactive the past few months and for long stretches over the last few years.

I don't think I can beat him in a distance run if he's used to running 5 miles once or twice a week. He's already at a pretty huge advantage on that type of conditioning.

I can only do about 1/4 of a mile right now slowly before I'm pretty tired. Going to see how much I improve by the end of the week and then start specifying my training more.

Okay, so i had to wait for my knees to feel better and i had some personal issues pop up that prevented me from starting until now.

I put in my first non-stop mile today at 10:20 which I assume is pretty decent for right off the couch. I'm guessing that puts my 800 time slightly under 5 minutes.

I wasn't destroyed at the end of the run, I probably could have shaved about 10-30 seconds off but I wanted to make sure I made it the entire mile without stopping or getting injured.

Going to slam down 10g of fish oil and some glucosamine and put in a nice long walk this afternoon.

I have a nasty sinus infection, am i better off treating that now or training with the sinus infection? I feel like if i train with it Im getting less oxygen so maybe it actually improves my cardio faster? And saves my legs from having to push as hard for a few weeks?

Sounds like you're well on your way to losing $2-5k.

Do a marathon

huh? Why would you say that? Obviously i wont make the bet if i think for any reason i will lose. I bet to win

Steeplechase. It will be painful for everyone, but if you're in the best shape, you'll win.

And it's just odd enough that you'll get people who want to try it.

I think the 800m makes the most sense. I'm not going to be able to beat someone in a long endurance race because I dont like running and I cant put that many miles in he already does 5 mi runs about once a week.

Can anyone answer my question about the steeplechase???

WHOOPS

i meant sinus infection NOT steeplechase