Beginners running dare

[no-cake?!?]

I was going for a run the other day and thought of a dare to hopefully make people a little more active. This dare will involve running but only over a 1 mile distance.

So what's going to happen is that I will put a benchmark time down and you won't be allowed to have an orgasm until you can match/beat it. The time isn't going to be something unattainable, it's my average pace over a mile from when I ran from Bristol to Bath a few weeks ago, a distance of 25.5 miles, and all you have to do is a standing mile of the same time.

You won't need to be a fitness freak, this will just get you to an adequate level of fitness from which you should be able to continue and improve from. The hope is that it will provide you with an incentive to start running regularly.

From when you look at the spoiler box below you won't be allowed to orgasm until you beat the time over a mile.

If you can already do it then set yourself a target of say averaging it over a 10 mile distance. Something that you can't do at the moment.

A good way to track your progress is through apps on your phone, Map my run is good but I prefer Nike+ because it gives more data on time & distance. You can pick up an armband holder for your phone for a few £'s.

By tracking your own progress you will hopefully find it more enjoyable than pounding the pavement without a sense of direction.

I suggest running outside rather than on a treadmill, it develops your leg muscles more and actually makes you feel like your doing something when you run.

Spoiler:

8:58/mile

Obviously don't push yourself to the point where you break yourself, if you have existing medical conditions that may interfere, consult a doctor first. The point is to show that running can be fun, not to cause injury.

Also remember nutrition is important, you need carbs approx. 1-3 hours before cardio and protein afterwards. Take a steaming hot bath after to relax your muscles and drink plenty of water. It's best not to go for 'exercise drinks' because they usually contain high amounts of sugar which can cause your body to release insulin, which hampers fat loss.

Please post how you do below, and if you have any questions/comments then either post them here or pm me.

Good luck

[JacobsField]

This is a great idea. It's always good to put a goal to things. For example, I set a goal for the year of 250 miles running. It's something attainable but something I have to work at.

[Mr-Lover-Lover]

I'm not a beginner runner. I was doing 13 miles, on my long runs, before I injured my knee. 6 months later I haven't gotten back into running and added 15 extra pounds. I except your dare but I my first goal is to beat your benchmark over a 3 mile run. Then over 5 miles, 10 miles, 15 miles and finally looking ahead about 3 years I'll plan to run a marathon faster. Thanks for the kick in the butt.

My first 3 mile run was:

Spoiler:

28:55 or 9:34 per mile pace

[mrpropel]

Great idea, for me that time I can easily beat and I'm no pro runner. I'll do this with maybe a more challenging goal but like you said nothing too unattainable.

[no-cake?!?]

Maybe I had low expectations but I'm glad you all are relatively fit so don't have trouble with it and have adapted it to fit you. Can you do me a favour and let me know what sort of benchmark you would have found difficult, so I know what is & isn't reasonable if I make a harder one in the future?

[Mr-Lover-Lover]

Originally Posted by no-cake?!?

Maybe I had low expectations but I'm glad you all are relatively fit so don't have trouble with it and have adapted it to fit you. Can you do me a favour and let me know what sort of benchmark you would have found difficult, so I know what is & isn't reasonable if I make a harder one in the future?

I think for a beginner, your goal is spot on but the next step should be running a 5k at that pace.

[mrpropel]

Originally Posted by no-cake?!?

Maybe I had low expectations but I'm glad you all are relatively fit so don't have trouble with it and have adapted it to fit you. Can you do me a favour and let me know what sort of benchmark you would have found difficult, so I know what is & isn't reasonable if I make a harder one in the future?

For just one mile i'd say about...

Spoiler:

7:00

is a good challenge for me.

[Mr-Lover-Lover]

As I stated before, my goal was to beat your time over a 3 mile training run.
My time today was

Spoiler:

25:43 or 8:32 min/mi

I'll report back in a few weeks when I break your time again; this time during a 5 mile training run.

[grantadams197]

Blimey, I've got some training to do!!

Spoiler:

12:06!

[no-cake?!?]

Originally Posted by grantadams197

Blimey, I've got some training to do!!

Spoiler:

12:06!

Sorry for the late reply, been busy lately. But how are you coming along?

[Diego.Kuhn]

I started to run this month, for me it will be really hard...

[KittenLicks]

I really like this idea. Though I admit I am a rather unfit runner so I'm too terrified to look at any of the spoilers. xD