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March 28, 2024

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Location:

Mesa,AZ,

Member Since:

Apr 04, 2007

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Marathon Finish

Running Accomplishments:

Prs:

1 mile:  6:31

5K:  23:37

Half Marathon: 2:04

My first post-high school 5K, in which I thought I was going to die

The first time I won my age division.  Yippee!

My first half marathon, in which I attack Sasha

The time I beat my high school PR for the 5K (as a 31 year-old mommy of 3!)

My first 5K barefooted

 

Short-Term Running Goals:

I'm just getting back into running after a long break to have my last child.  I would like to race some 10Ks, a half, and a marathon in the next 2 years.

Long-Term Running Goals:

Be the oldest woman to complete a marathon.  Yea!  But hopefully I will also complete some BEFORE I geezer up, like, before I'm 40 for sure.  I think it would be fun to dress up really strange for marathons, like impersonating celebrities and stuff.  Except I don't really like celebrities, as a rule, so maybe I'll have to stick to the age old question of ninja, or pirate.  I say ninja. *Hyah!*

Personal:

I am happily married to James W (Cool Runnings). We have 3 boys and 1 opinionated little girl.  I love reading and I'm also a news junkie.  I am a stinker.

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
3.000.003.00

Today I drove home from New Mexico with the kids.  I was planning an evening run on the treadmill, but it had a major issue which made it impossible.  The treadmill seemed to be skipping--the belt would slip and catch and slip and catch.  (Either that or it was trying to buck me off!)  It was good for a laugh, anyway.  I almost fell off the darn thing even at walking speed.   I hope we can get it fixed!  Anyone else's treadmill ever done this?

Anyway, I ended up outside in the heat for 3 miles.  I enjoyed this run.  I tried to focus on keeping my turnover faster than usual, and I have to say, it really is easier for me to go faster this way, rather than just pushing off the ground harder with each stride. 

My splits were:  10:05, 9:39, 9:40 for a total time of 29:25.  My average pace was 9:48.  For those of you who are not familiar with my training, let me just say that this is much faster than I usually run.  A more common pace for a 3 miler for me would be 11:10 or so.  For not much more effort!  I am really excited about this. 

OK geeks:  I've got a challenge for you.  There must be a mathematical way to find the optimal mix of stride length (x) in feet and turnover (y) in bpm.   I think the best way to look at it is to find the way to expend the least ATP (energy).  OK, so let's say that stride length varies between 2 ft and 6 ft.  Let's say that at 2 ft per stroke you expend z ATP per....oh forget it!  I can't even figure out how to get started on making this into a math problem.   But I bet somebody on this blog can. I know we are trying to optimize speed and conserve ATP.  10 points to anyone who can figure out how to make even an extremely rudimentary mathmatical equation out of this problem.  Nevermind realistic data.  20 points to whoever comes up with the best equation possible.  30 points can be redeemed for ... a snow cone?  How about status as top nerd of the blog?

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00
Comments
From Heber on Wed, Jul 11, 2007 at 12:23:22

I'm not going to try the math but here is what I have heard. Most elite runners run with a faster turnover than less well trained runners. The good runners run at 90 steps per minute (or 180 depending on if you count each footfall or just your left). To count it out imagine hearing a waltz in your head (one-two-three one-two-three). Of course that only works if you don't pick a very slow waltz.

You are right about the turnover vs pushoff thing. Pushing off shouldn't be the feeling you feel when you run (unless you are sprinting or doing hills). Your foot should hit almost directly under you and then you should bring your heels up behind you. Don't keep your foot on the ground a long time. Watch your little boys run and run like them. Kids naturally have good form. Look at how high their heels kick up behind them when they run and how their feet hit under them rather than in front.

From Sasha Pachev on Wed, Jul 11, 2007 at 14:00:11

I would not worry too much about the math so much as the feel. Your stride should feel as light as possible, and do what it takes to make it happen. Overtime as you put in the miles your body will learn the best turnover for the way it is. I think it is a mistake to aim for a certain stride length or turnover. However, for most runners the feet naturally linger on the ground, and visualizing that the ground is hot and you do not want to stay on it for too long usually helps.

From Kristina on Wed, Jul 11, 2007 at 15:37:32

Wow Lybi! I can't believe you still had enough energy to go running after driving your kids home yesterday! I'm way impressed. Good job!

From Brent on Wed, Jul 11, 2007 at 21:22:39

Math is too tough a way to earn commando points. Welcome back. Sasha is always right, light on your feet whatever the pace is the goal. Lumbering with a heavy footstrike is not the way, hard on the road. A few of my running buddies, we listen for silent feet. It also means less chance of injury and more longevity in running. By the way, being light on your feet is easier said than done, it often takes months or years to perfect.

Funny night at dinner. I took my two daughters to dinner. They were both showing off the "guns" bi and tricepts from working out. I had to show mine from working out the last two months. They are great girls. My oldest is an RN and the youngest is a radiation therapist.

From Lybi on Thu, Jul 12, 2007 at 00:41:58

What? Am I the only one who thinks about math during my runs? Fractions if I'm on the track, calculus if I'm on the road. Yuck, you guys are right, I need to start running with my music.

From Jon on Thu, Jul 12, 2007 at 00:56:04

Don't worry, I crunch numbers all the time on my runs, though usually calculating pace, etc. And for strides, you usually don't want to fall much below 180 steps per minute, like Heber said. To run faster, increase your steps per minute. When I am racing I will be as high as 195.

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