Running

[carfraec]

Hi,

Can anyone help me with my running - I get soo bored when i run, it doesn't stop me i would just love to be in the frame of mind to be able to do it easily. I 'think' i have my technique right - back straight arms moving slowly.

Also i might find it harder becuase i am very small - i dont think this hinders me to much,,

At the moment i do about 1-2 miles at a relaxed pace - i am not training for POC/PRMC becuase i'm fourteen but i would like to join the marines. I would like my running to improve

Also, it would be better if there where more activites for kids to go on, like mountain climbing and stuff, so much cr@p about health & saftey at the moment


Charlie

[Eddie]

Scouts climb/mountaineer/kayak etc, or at least I did, I'm sure Cadets do adventure training too, you need to look around your area to see what's available mate, yes H&S can be an issue, but it shouldn't rule out adventure activities.

[carfraec]

I'm in cadets mate - but things like mountaineering and kayaking are rare and hard to get places on..

[Chris Gray]

Hello carfraec have you thought about looking around your local area for a running club. That way you get to make new friends and improve your running in a more relaxed and fun atmosphere.

[carfraec]

cheers -- thats a good idea, i might try it. Maybe run a few marathons in the meantime

[MrC]

As said above, a running club is a good idea...

Running with a partner or in a group will make it a little more enjoyable, and will help you push yourself furtherin a semi-competative scene.

[Sully]

Also i might find it harder becuase i am very small - i dont think this hinders me to much

Some of the best runners I came across were small. You might think that yomping would be a problem but I've seen lads much smaller than me have no problems. Bob Consiglio (of Bravo Two Zero fame) used to be a signaller in the Corps and at about 5'1" (only going by a mate who was at 40 with him so not sure the exact height) carried it all off.

[JumpFreak]

Also i might find it harder becuase i am very small - i dont think this hinders me to much

Some of the best runners I came across were small. You might think that yomping would be a problem but I've seen lads much smaller than me have no problems. Bob Consiglio (of Bravo Two Zero fame) used to be a signaller in the Corps and at about 5'1" (only going by a mate who was at 40 with him so not sure the exact height) carried it all off.

Thats certainly good encouragement for all of us short arses!!

Mikey

[Macca]

Hi carfraec, like grey chris said joining a running club would be very benificial as thats what i did and i can tell you now i have never been much of a runner, always been good at sprinting but when it came to the long distances i was very unconfident and crap basically. but 3 months at a running club and i am now a running freak compared to what i was and iv become a runner up in a few cross-country runs wich for me is mental!! but great .

Also are you with the Royal Marine cadets as they are a very good bunch to get involved with. Sea cadets normally have a Royal Marine cadet attachment so if you not with them mate then i'd advise having a look because seeing as your wanting to join the Marines then there is nothing better than to join the Marine cadets at your age pal

all the best

Macca

[eagleeye]

If you cant join a club change your routes every so often say every 2 weeks or use a different route for different days use www.mapmyrun.com and about cadets if your unit aint doing adventure training then its a poor unit to be honest im with Air cadets done shit loads been to the marines, RAF, army flown in helos, planes and that was with the marines at Chievnor!Done blank firing exercises done climbing, canoeing you name it I've done it (with in reason ) but maybe talk to your CO about not having enough training just a suggestion
Eagle Eye

[Stokey_14]

hey carfraec
that idear of a marathon sounds good... mabye aim to do a half marathon first as there are age restrictions on hole marathons etc but a goal like that is brilliant... as well as geting fit im training for a walk im doing in august 191 miles in ten days and its helping me no end just doing a good hard walk with me mate on sunday really works your legs if you do it at a good pace.
But i would like to do a half marathon some time soon my self after all it will add a goal for you as there is ages befor PRMC/POC so it will save you geting bord and stuck in that same routeen.

stokey

[carfraec]

Cheers for all the encouragement lads,

I am in Army cadets - we're a great unit, we do do adventure training but it aint the kind of stuff i want to do,,, maybe i will train to climb Mont Blanc - my dads an ex climber so i might try that - anyone want to come with me . Also a half marathon sounds like fun.

Initially whn i first joined Army cadets I was p!ssed of becuase i wanted to join RM cadets (to far away) , and {GASP!} theyre a parachute regiment unit,,, but i'm really enjoying it and i think unit distinguation doesn't matter to much at my level..

I'm gonna work on my running but i still get bored and i've been round all the routes where i live hundreds of times.

Stokey told me about the RM pressups yesterdyay - theyre quite dawnting but obviously much harder than normal ones...

Does anyone have any good running 'technique' suggestions..? Might try to randomly do bursts of speed to get used to the unexpected changes that may happen in the Marines.

[Stokey_14]

with the running i find that keeping your shoulders and arms fairly relaxed (obuisly not floping around ever where) is good and when you get to those hill try sprinting full effor up leaning forward and pumping those arms... i also breath deeply in through my nose and then two quick bursts out through my mouth, this helps me with a rythem and geting enough oxygen becasue anyone whos tryed running with a blocked nose will tell you not haveing enough oxygen is a killer and you will burn up ten times as quick.

there are tones of training tequnices so find watch best for you. put a surch in on google for Fartlek, intervul (spelling?) and hill training. if anyone eles knows some good tequnices please say they are just a few from the top of my head

stokey

[chris_]

try running on a small meal.

people rant about having millions of carbs and calories before you train, but have a bannana and a sports drink for breakfast and then go for a run a few hours later.

with little food to burn, almost all your energy will come have to come from oxygen, meaning it will work you cv system harder, as well as your muscles.
also, exercising multiple times a day once you reach a good base of fitness.

for example, my routine for today was:
small breakfast,
1.75 mile run, and 1.25 mile run with walking
nice lunch
circuit of 1 minute of alternate legs squat thrusts, burpees, skip, squat thrusts, a couple of times.
finished with a 1 mile fartlek sprint inc. hills.

follow all exercise sessions with a cold shower, lots of water, vit c, iron and protein.
doing a day like this just once a week will have you noticing massive differences quickly.

also, try not moving your arms much.

being small can be a bit of a problem. its not so much height, as leg and stride length. i find it perfectly illustrated by watching a chinese woman who goes to my gym (shes tiny). whenever shes on the treadmill, her legs are going like the clappers, but if i run on the same speed its maybe a moderate jog for me. its because she has to take like 1/3 more strides then me to cover the same distance.

now you have the time to train past that, but yes you may be starting at a bit of a disadvantage.
however, your only 14, so your probably going to grow more before you can grow a beard, so dont sweat it, unless your like 4 foot 3.

[carfraec]

I'm 4 8