'Running and I just...don't get along!'

[Phantasm]

That's what I have been telling people who find it odd that I can only manage to make 6 laps in 20 mins instead of the normal 8. Now we are having our final run for the year where 6 laps would be a big fat F!!!!:( :eek:

I cannot let that happen!I need to make 8 laps because a C in, P.E final is not bad when taking my...running history into account.:ack:

So for all you runners out there...any tips or info that could help?

[Kurtman]

I never run but I walk very fast. Everyday I have to walk 4 1/2 miles home from school and it only takes me 1 hour at most. But sometimes my parents pick me up.

[Natey]

you nuts run your heart out until the day before the race. then rest that day and the next. i mean run as fast as you can for an hour, for training.

~Nate~

[Czar Gato]

I ran cross country in high school, but I was never a fast runner; it usually took me 25 min. to run 5 kilometers over varied terrain , while most runners were making it in 10-12 min. I wasn't out of shape, either- I just wasn't a fast middle-distance runner, though I could sprint fine. Some people just aren't built for it, unfortunatly.

Do you happen to know what the circumference of the track is, or how much one lap equals at your school? It may help me gauge it better. To be honest with you, though, your best bet is to run a little bit every day until the final run; even walking fast is good, since it's better than slugging around. That's the best advise I can give you. :)

[solarflere]

Don’t run, jog and pace yourself. By conserving energy you will last longer. Trust me, I hate running because my lungs give out before my muscles. I run out of breath. Inhale with your nose and exhale with your mouth. It should regulate your berthing. It’s easy to go off-track with the breathing when you get tired but try to keep focused on your breathing. And it’s not the speed that matters, it’s the endurance.

[90'sCartoonMan]

I ran cross country in high school, but I was never a fast runner; it usually took me 25 min. to run 5 kilometers over varied terrain , while most runners were making it in 10-12 min. I wasn't out of shape, either- I just wasn't a fast middle-distance runner, though I could sprint fine. Some people just aren't built for it, unfortunatly.
You're right about that, Czar. I, however, am built for it, and my best 5K time is around 20 minutes (although it's gotten a little worse).

Solarflere's got some good tips. I also reccomend not focusing on running too much. Let it come naturally, and take your mind off it (you'll feel it less if you're elsewhere). I like to run because it lets my thoughts flow freely. It's sort of like those "Get Up, Get Active" promos on Cartoon Network where that kid is racing Batman and Flash. Only...not as idiotic.

[Beguiled]

Hmm.. I jog a few miles pretty much every day. Some things that help me are bringing my music (like portable cd player, ipod whatever) and listening to it. It's distracting. It's also good to make sure you're breathing deeply because otherwise you can get cramps and stuff. It'd probably be a good idea to jog at least every other day until the test. :) Good luck.

[Kagetsu]

I'm a terrible slow runner. The jocks distance run speed is about my sprint speed. I would think that PE class would actually try to "TEACH" you to do better rather than just make you sweaty and look ridiculous for an hour. If you're coming down to the wire on this final,,, well I wish you luck. It takes a long while to build endurance. Practice everyday for at least a half hour, much more than that isn't really helpful unless you're running a marathon. The best I ever could do was 2 miles in about 20 min. My cadence sucks, and I just don't breath very well.

[Sailor Chibi Otaku]

Walk for a bit then jog a distance. Stop and walk again and the jog. Keep that pace up until you're ready to gogoGO!!

[Punisher]

If you just run out of energy I suggest eating something like pasta they day before to give you the extra boost. And you should never think about running while running, that will kill you. I usually think of how good my legs will feel after it's over, or hum a song to myself.

I'm a pretty good runner, I don't remember my mile time but it was one of the best in my PE class. But what I'm great at is short distance running, I could run 90 feet(the distance between two bases in baseball. I play baseball) in a short time, I usually beat out hits to the left side of the infield. What gets people is that I don't look fast at all. But I am.

[solarflere]

If you just run out of energy I suggest eating something like pasta they day before to give you the extra boost. And you should never think about running while running, that will kill you. I usually think of how good my legs will feel after it's over, or hum a song to myself.

I'm a pretty good runner, I don't remember my mile time but it was one of the best in my PE class. But what I'm great at is short distance running, I could run 90 feet(the distance between two bases in baseball. I play baseball) in a short time, I usually beat out hits to the left side of the infield. What gets people is that I don't look fast at all. But I am. Doesn't pasta fill you up and make you slower, you know full stomach? I would actualy sugest chocolate or rasins, something to give yourself some sugar boost. And don't worry about sugar craching, if you finish the test you can rest all you want.

[Sailor Chibi Otaku]

Pasta is carbs and carbs fill you up quickly but turn into sugar later on, long after you don't need the energy anymore.

[James Bester]

If you just run out of energy I suggest eating something like pasta they day before to give you the extra boost. And you should never think about running while running, that will kill you. I usually think of how good my legs will feel after it's over, or hum a song to myself.Eating pasta the day before really doesn't do anything for you. As a matter of fact, what you eat the day before has no influence on how well you run.

And what do you mean by "running while running"?(EDIT: Oh, never mind. I get it.)

Whatever you do, don't eat a whole lot the day that you run. Even if you wait three hours after, it will still have an effect on your performance. Also, train each morning, and make goals of how much distance to run without stopping. Keep on increasing the distance, and you will do much better. It worked for me anyway. My mile time in 7th grade was around 10:30(pathetic for my standards), and I decreased it to 7:15 by 9th grade.

[Punisher]

Doesn't pasta fill you up and make you slower, you know full stomach? I would actualy sugest chocolate or rasins, something to give yourself some sugar boost. And don't worry about sugar craching, if you finish the test you can rest all you want.Chocolate is quick energy and doesn't last nearly long enough for me. Pasta and other whole grains stick around the day after you eat them to give you extra energy you need. So, whenever I have a baseball tournament, I fill up on my pasta the day before. I have the energy the next day to play both games, and at 100%. i assume this would would work for running also, or any excersise at all.

[Juu-kuchi]

Start running. Pace yourself so that way you are at a comfortable running speed and seek to improve from there. Although I am rather confused as to why grades are a factor in the case of PE and how running a certain distance under 20 minutes has to require a grade.

If all else fails start thinking about your training as part of a montage and follow that montage until you're the best that you can be. You gotta have a montage.

[90'sCartoonMan]

I can only manage to make 6 laps in 20 mins instead of the normal 8.
I ran cross country in high school, but I was never a fast runner; it usually took me 25 min. to run 5 kilometers over varied terrain
I jog a few miles pretty much every day
The best I ever could do was 2 miles in about 20 min.
But what I'm great at is short distance running, I could run 90 feet(the distance between two bases in baseball. I play baseball) in a short time
My mile time in 7th grade was around 10:30(pathetic for my standards), and I decreased it to 7:15 by 9th grade.
Hm...interesting stats, very interesting...

Let's put on a race! Fastest (Wo)Man At Toon Zone! Woo-hoo! It'd be fun. Now, I'm not saying I'd win, but I'd love the challenge!

[Phantasm]

Thanks for the advice guys. I can't believe whenever I had a big running thing to do,that morning I'd eat a wholesome breakfast...which somehow would never boost me with the energy I need.

I get tired before my body is really tired...I mean, I just want to stop.Is this due to lack of energy?How would I fix it?

[Sailor Chibi Otaku]

Pasta and other whole grains stick around the day after you eat them to give you extra energy you need.
Who told you that?

[Mog]

Eat a light breakfast. Some toast and milk or a nutri-grain bar will suffice. For running, some Gatorade may help. That's more of a long-term sort of thing, but it may give you a slight short-term boost. Don't drink anysoda. It will eat you away from the inside.

If you start running out of breath, place your hands behind your head a breathe through your mouth.

Make sure you have some good shoes. When you run, try to step on your heel. I've seen some people only use the front portion of their foot, which takes too much energy and doesn't really provide much speed unless sprinting.

And last but not least, mentallity. Remind yourself how much you want to pass. Don't think about running too much. Keep your mind focused on something besides running, as it will prevent you from noticing how tired you are and may implant thoughts of failing. As a psychologist once put it, "You are as you feel." I fully believe that. Good luck.

[Kagetsu]

I get tired before my body is really tired...I mean, I just want to stop.Is this due to lack of energy?How would I fix it? That's endurance, and there's only one way to increase that. Sailor Chiby Otaku said it best. Walk for a bit then jog a distance. Stop and walk again and the jog. Keep that pace up until you're ready to gogoGO!! yo're trying for about 85% of your max heart rate for around 30 minutes. I don't think the burning in your lungs and legs ever goes away, you just learn to ignore it,,, some learn to like it :sad: they do marathons. The hard part of actually getting better is that your body gets comfortable with a certian pace, then it's hard to gage what you need to increase it without someone to pace you. a person on a bike with a speedometer can help.

Unless your going to do an activity all day, what you eat before won't help much. Just don't eat alot an hour or so before. Any caffine will help, but don't load up too soon and crash or too late and have soda sloshing inside you.

[audiecugi]

I've found that trying to increase your stride helps. That way you cover more ground per stride which should cause you to go a little bit faster. I would prectice it first before you go into your big final though.

Back in high school I was on the swim team and I always ate pasta before a big race. It really did help give me more energy.

Always remeber:
Pain is temperary; pride is forever.
That which does not kill you only makes you stronger.

Those were just a few of our mottos from the swim team. Good luck and let us know how you do.

And may the force be with you!

[Punisher]

Who told you that?I've had a couple different gym teachers in different states who told me when I asked what food gives you energy that lasts but doesn't kick in for a while so I wouldn't be held back because of a full stomach while excersing, and I made sure with my health teachers (I've had Health a lot the past two years, four different teachers). Pasta and whole grains are the way to go. Chocolate is short-burst, works for some people, but not me. I need the energy when I start the day, not in the middle of it.