So, I’ve started running for my health. I do feel like I have more energy since I started almost 6 months ago. But I’m wondering where to go from here.
The backstory: 6 months ago a coworkers talked me into doing a Tough Mudder with him. That means this question is probably moot, as I am most likely going to die in April. But anyway…
So I started running on the sidewalk down my street. Some big hills, but after a couple of months, I was doing about 1.75 miles in about 20 minutes. Of course, the concrete sidewalks were killing my ankles and knees, plus an acquaintance got a stress fracture running on sidewalks.
So I switched to a local park that has a 24/7 trail available. I started out with a mile and a half, then worked my way up half a mile a month until I’m now doing the 3 mile course, which is still pretty hilly. My times started out in the 10:30/mile to 11:00/mile range, but now I can pretty consistently get between 9:15/mile and 9:45/mile on that route. I think once it warms up and I can go running in something other that sweats and a hoodie I can get under a 9:00/mile average (I did that once, on a warm day).
I try to go running 3 times a week, although sometimes only twice if I have a lot of social engagements, and more rarely 4 times. Never two days in a row.
So the question I have for the board runners: Should I be running longer distances, should I be running a similar distance but in less time, or running more days of the week?
I did look at some runner forums on the net, but they had people saying things like “I run 6 miles a day, every day, in an hour, why do I suck so bad?” and getting responses like “You need to up it until you’re doing 8 miles an hour each day, at LEAST”, to which my response was :eek::eek::eek:
So, for us normal humans, what should I be working on for the next few months (and beyond, I intend to keep running as it’s good for my cardio).