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Running Speeds

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Re: Running Speeds

#111

Post by js2 »

tomjakubowski wrote: post #93
Lukas_Skywalker wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was a coach once. There are two mistakes where most people can benefit a lot if they fix them. They are somewhat connected. 1) Foot strike to far in the front as in [1] and [2]. This mostly happens because people want to run fast, and therefore take longer steps. It is very counterproductive though. A longer steps lowers your center of gravity, and because the foot strikes the ground very far in front of the COG, y…

kudos using that guy who lost to The Freeze as an example it seems link [3] with Bolt's extension is broken

Mo Farah for leg extension:

https://imgur.com/a/skGEN

Ed Whitlock in his 80s:

https://mindmotionmatter.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/ed-runn...

Re: Running Speeds

#112

Post by nlh »

lr4444lr wrote: post #88
nlh wrote: post #68

I have what may be a silly (or even ridiculous) question: Why do recreational distance runners care about speed so much? Background: I went through a phase of long-distance recreational running - I ran lots of half-marathons, marathons, and even the Disney Goofy Challenge for a few years (half marathon on Saturday, full marathon on Sunday). It was all fun! Training was satisfying, the running itself was tough but rew…

People gain a natural satisfaction out of seeing progress in pretty much allof their pursuits, leisure or otherwise. Catching a bigger fish, closing a bigger deal, growing bigger muscles, cooking a more elaborate meal, etc.

I think this is it. It is indeed satisfying to see and feel progress. For me, that progress was being in less misery with each subsequent run (and losing weight). I can see how time improvement would give others that same satisfaction. Thanks!

Re: Running Speeds

#113

Post by tomjakubowski »

nlh wrote: post #68

I have what may be a silly (or even ridiculous) question: Why do recreational distance runners care about speed so much? Background: I went through a phase of long-distance recreational running - I ran lots of half-marathons, marathons, and even the Disney Goofy Challenge for a few years (half marathon on Saturday, full marathon on Sunday). It was all fun! Training was satisfying, the running itself was tough but rew…

For hikers and trail runners, going faster means getting to see more stuff, and being able to take longer breaks to enjoy the scenery

Re: Running Speeds

#114

Post by photochemsyn »

nlh wrote: post #68

I have what may be a silly (or even ridiculous) question: Why do recreational distance runners care about speed so much? Background: I went through a phase of long-distance recreational running - I ran lots of half-marathons, marathons, and even the Disney Goofy Challenge for a few years (half marathon on Saturday, full marathon on Sunday). It was all fun! Training was satisfying, the running itself was tough but rew…

Well, some people are competitive about distance and some people are competitive about speed. Also there are theories about slow-twitch and fast-twitch muscle fibers that lead some people to do better with endurance sports and some to do better with sprinting, so there may be a natural bias involved.

However, as an ex-competitive swimmer who specialized in the sprint events, going fast is just fun, and training so you can go faster increases the fun. This can be a little dangerous on a bicycle however, caution is advised, especially as one grows older and injuries take longer to heal.

Re: Running Speeds

#115

Post by voisin »

WkndTriathlete wrote: post #107
voisin wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> practice barefoot occasionally I would add that “barefoot” means, literally “barefoot”. I had convinced myself that “barefoot shoes” would be sufficiently the same because I was running outdoors and didn’t have the guts to do actual barefoot. I recently bought a new Assault AirRunner (curved motorless / manual treadmill) and run on it actually barefoot. The difference in my running form and sudden introduction of n…

Apple Watch is probably Apple falls to Garmin in two areas: battery life and software. Sleep affects recovery, so planting a watch on a charger every night is a non-starter. Garmin's performance analysis software is also years ahead of Apple's. Apple could fix both of those things but that would require investment which I'm not sure they are willing to make.

> Apple Watch is probably Well, maybe (though I highly doubt it is 1% of the runner market) but it is by far the biggest player in smart watches generally now, and they are quickly eroding the feature advantage gap with those other brands. And most of the users of the brands you mentioned are serious runners whereas the average person walking into a gym bought their smart watch for a broader set of reasons than a serious runner buying a Garmin. It would make sense for a manufacturer of equipment to appeal to the average person walking into a gym.

> Apple falls to Garmin in two areas: battery life and software. Sleep affects recovery, so planting a watch on a charger every night is a non-starter. Garmin's performance analysis software is also years ahead of Apple's. Apple could fix both of those things but that would require investment which I'm not sure they are willing to make.

I wear mine all night and get the sleep info. I plop it on the charger while I shower and eat breakfast and it is full by the time I am ready to start my day.

Re: Running Speeds

#116

Post by nlh »

brigadier132 wrote: post #108
nlh wrote: post #68

I have what may be a silly (or even ridiculous) question: Why do recreational distance runners care about speed so much? Background: I went through a phase of long-distance recreational running - I ran lots of half-marathons, marathons, and even the Disney Goofy Challenge for a few years (half marathon on Saturday, full marathon on Sunday). It was all fun! Training was satisfying, the running itself was tough but rew…

You can only increase distance so much before something breaks. I think it's weird that you have such a strong opinion about this. Clearly you care about distance more but speed is another performance measure that is just as important. Also if we are purely talking about health, doing 26 mile runs regularly is not healthy.

I don't know that I have a strong opinion on this. I'm just curious why such a large majority of people are so focused on speed. I don't generally care about increasing distance either -- I'm just focused on general health and the enjoyment of the experience more than how fast I do the thing. A long bike ride with friends at a fast-enough-to-get-exercise pace is delightful. I never care about how long it takes us to do it.

Re: Running Speeds

#117

Post by nlh »

mhb wrote: post #95
nlh wrote: post #68

I have what may be a silly (or even ridiculous) question: Why do recreational distance runners care about speed so much? Background: I went through a phase of long-distance recreational running - I ran lots of half-marathons, marathons, and even the Disney Goofy Challenge for a few years (half marathon on Saturday, full marathon on Sunday). It was all fun! Training was satisfying, the running itself was tough but rew…

Why did you care about the distance so much?

I should probably clarify -- I don't really care about distance that much. I care about the experience, the joy of being outside, and the benefits of getting cardio exercise. In general, I find that decent distance at a reasonable pace is a great way to spend a few hours. I just don't care about how long it takes or doing it faster.

Re: Running Speeds

#118

Post by nlh »

ssgodderidge wrote: post #81
nlh wrote: post #68

I have what may be a silly (or even ridiculous) question: Why do recreational distance runners care about speed so much? Background: I went through a phase of long-distance recreational running - I ran lots of half-marathons, marathons, and even the Disney Goofy Challenge for a few years (half marathon on Saturday, full marathon on Sunday). It was all fun! Training was satisfying, the running itself was tough but rew…

For me, time (and therefore speed) is a measure of fitness. I don’t care about beating others. I like to see that I am getting more fit than I previously was. The notion of “could I run 26 miles?” is the same to me as “could I run 26 miles in 4 hours?”

That makes a ton of sense. My measure of improvement has always been "how much pain am I feeling" ;) but that does correlate to speed I suppose.

Re: Running Speeds

#119

Post by nlh »

cmiller1 wrote: post #102
nlh wrote: post #68

I have what may be a silly (or even ridiculous) question: Why do recreational distance runners care about speed so much? Background: I went through a phase of long-distance recreational running - I ran lots of half-marathons, marathons, and even the Disney Goofy Challenge for a few years (half marathon on Saturday, full marathon on Sunday). It was all fun! Training was satisfying, the running itself was tough but rew…

Currently trying to get my 10km time down running 40 mpw and here's my perspective: general performance: I love the idea that if I pick up a random sport to play with friends or am in some emergency situation I know I can move faster personal achievement: it feels great to break a new personal best time constraints: I can hit my distance goals with less time spent during training if I'm moving faster, I only have abo…

Makes a ton of sense - thanks for the thoughtful answer!

Re: Running Speeds

#120

Post by WXLCKNO »

bobbylarrybobby wrote: post #109
nlh wrote: post #68

I have what may be a silly (or even ridiculous) question: Why do recreational distance runners care about speed so much? Background: I went through a phase of long-distance recreational running - I ran lots of half-marathons, marathons, and even the Disney Goofy Challenge for a few years (half marathon on Saturday, full marathon on Sunday). It was all fun! Training was satisfying, the running itself was tough but rew…

The faster you run, the less time you have to spend running

Unless you cross the Rubicon like one of my friends and then go into ultra marathons.
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