| Running Research News Online Article Index: Updated November 30, 2005 |
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Science of Sport: "Ask Owen" Weekly Feature
December 27, 2005: Due to time constraints (including writing a new book) Owen is unable to continue with his Ask Owen feature Owen is the editor and founder of Running Research News and the author of several books on training. He currently writes a weekly column for the Runner's Web. Questions can be emailed to Owen via Form Mail. Each week, Owen will pick the most interesting question(s) and publish his answer(s) on the Runner's Web. |
| Questions and Answers - Click the "Science of Sport: Question (#) for the answer. |
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Science of Sport: Q and A with Owen Anderson, Ph.D - 5 Months to a Marathon?
I am from London and 22 years old and I have just given up smoking about one month ago, and I would like to run the London Marathon in April as I have just come back from New York and watched the New York marathon and I have got bug for running(if that is the right word to use). I am not unfit due to my job, and I am above average fitness for someone my age, I am not used to running but have been going down the gym for a few months this is what I really want to do but do you think this is a good idea/can it be done in 5 months, any advice or tips on training would really be appreciated. Thanks Kev
Science of Sport: Q and A with Owen Anderson, Ph.D. - Double Workouts
Thank You, R.S. Blair.
Science of Sport: Q and A with Owen Anderson, Ph.D - Cross Training/A>
Darleen Sandoval, Cincinnati
Science of Sport: Q and A with Owen Anderson, Ph.D - Improving Endurance
Best Regards.
Dr. Armenta
Science of Sport: Q and A with Owen Anderson, Ph.D - Adding Speed Training Workouts
Thanks you,
I have already purchased gel inserts which helped a bit but I still have the problem. My feet feel bruised when I am finished running 25km or 29 km. The soreness is in the heels and the foot bed.
At first I thought it was because the shoe was still cold from the weather and so didn't provide the cushioning?
Vy
If you do answer this question, could you drop me an email?
Science of Sport: Q and A with Owen Anderson, Ph.D - Training with a Head Cold Hi; Question: Help! I have a wicked head cold and have read conflicting things about how to get through it while training. One thought - cut back on the intensity of your runs/swims/bikes and GET HEALTHY..it is okay to cut back - you'll only make it worse and nastier by trying to train tough through it....other thought - okay to cut back alittle bit but hang in there with your training -don't be a wimp.... I have been working so hard all winter and don't want to lose what I have worked so hard to achieve! Any insights you have are greatly appreciated! Lisa (LR) Science of Sport: Q and A with Owen Anderson, Ph.D - Overtraining Hi; I'm new to the site. At first glance it looks as if it will be very informative. I am starting to train after a 10 year break. During this time I have run a few miles per month and rode sometimes 50 miles per month. I have not done a 10k or a biathlon in over 12 years. I am 43 and a few pounds overweight. Nothing that won't disappear after I get started. My problem is that each time I've started to get in shape I get sick. I spent one-half hour on my trainer each day for a week then increased it to one hour per day. My basement is somewhat cold and damp during the winter but not really bad enough to cause a problem. Also it has been cold and damp when I run and ride outside. A week after getting started I developed a mild cold. I have noticed this trend in the past. Many times during the past few years I remember suffering a setback and subsequent retreat from training because of a mild illness. Maybe I am wrong but could I have a problem with my initial training methods? Should I start training during warm weather? Any suggestions? Any advice or links to informative web sites would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Science of Sport: Question 8 I have a question to Owen Anderson. Though my question is about asthma, it is in the realm of sports medicine as the number of athletes with reactive airway disease is very high… I have exercise induced asthma. I’ve heard that athletes that compete with this condition often run before a competition to induce an attack. Once they have an asthma attack, they won’t get it again the same day. Thus they will be able to race without an attack. My questions are as follows. Does this work for most athletes? Some athletes? What percentage of athletes? If one tries to induce an attack before an important race, how long before the race should they do it? A few times I worked out in the morning and had mild/moderate chest tightness and a mild wheeze. Unfortunately, I still had chest tightness/ wheeze during my evening workout as well (same day, of course). Thanks for your help. Science of Sport: Question 7 I am an Italian runner of 46: I did run almost 1000 races of 400 hundred meters till the age of 39 when I run in 49.9 seconds. My PR is 47.8 in 1979 when I was 20 years old but I never trained a lot: I am 180cm for 70 kg still now. I would like to run again a 400 now at the age of 46: I am in good condition and I run 3 times a week on grass, on the road for 40 minutes to 1 hour. I used to do skip exercises and little jumps but if I try to run fast on track after few runs I have little contractures on the soleus of both legs. It’s a pity because I think I could run in less than 51 seconds: when I was young I did runs of 50 meters in less than 5 seconds easily vstarting with 30mt of acceleration. I did run 22” on 200 but I could run in 20.5 without contractures that I had also at 20 years old Do you have any suggestions? I tried stretching, slow warming, long repeats of 30 or 40 mt sprint but it’s hard. Science of Sport: Question 6 February 4, 2005 I am a 46 year old male. I generally run 34.10 - 34.40 for 10k. 16.30 - 16.45 for 5k. I run on average 55 mpw. Long run 14 to 17 miles. My speedwork can be hit and miss. I do tempo runs, 1000s and 400s but nothing really structured. My problem is that I often get caught by other runners in the last 800 - 1000 metres of races, especially races up to 10k. I am probably very one paced but is there anything I can do to give myself a finishing "kick". In my last race ( a 7k cross country ) I was passed by 10 runners in the last 800 metres. It isnt that I "die" but I just cant seem to pick it up. I would be very grateful for any advice. Thanks. Athletics: Question 5 February 1, 2005 I have been running off and on for a year. I was getting serious and had gotten up to five miles in the summer and I had to have jaw surgery. That kept me from running for 4 weeks, then I had dental surgery which kept me out another three weeks. I am finding it harder to get back what I was up to. If I can make 2 or 2 1/2 miles now it is quite an accomplishment. What should I do? I have been back at it for a couple of months.... Please help!! Athletics: Question 4 January 23, 2005 I was recently diagnosed with bilateral medial tibial stress fractures and was told to take about 6 weeks off from running. If I make adjustments to biomechanical issues and follow a more structured training plan, should I be able to safely train for a marathon at the end of May once I start running again? I am a little apprehensive about reinjury but don't wish to compromise performance. I feel that if I remain healthy I can run a sub 2:40, so my training will consist of high intensity and high volume. Athletics: Question 3 January 22, 2005 I actually have two questions for you, and I am hoping that you could answer them for me. >I started running in a running group, walk/run 5k three months after I had my baby. After the third week when we started increasing time and distance, I noticed my left hip has an annoying pain. Would this be because my hips are not back in place. I still have it after 10 weeks and have moved on to the 5k maintenance. Can you advise if I should stop as I do not want to do any damage to my body. 2nd question. Since I started running I noticed that my periods have gone from 5 days to less than one day. Should I consult my physician, as is this normal for runners. Question 2 January 19, 2005 I weigh about 150 lbs. and am 5'6. I am beginning to train for my 1st marathon, and I want to lose about 15 lbs. I feel like at that weight I would run better and put less stress on my body. I want to know how best to eat when I am training so that I lose weight and have energy to do my runs. I am not a strong runner and I am only running about 3 mi a day and 5 mi on my long run- so energy and losing weight are really important to me. I know that low-carb diets are not the best when doing this rate of physical activity, so how should I eat to lose weight? Question 1 January 10, 2005 I am an 18 year old female distance runner who previously ran a 1:23 half marathon and a 61:38 10 mile race and was successfully running 75 miles per week for over two years. However, last summer I suffered a pubic ramus stress fracture on my right side and have been out for nearly 6 months. I am just getting back to running now, and am very scared of re-injuring the area. I have consulted a physical therapist, who says my legs are the same length, and I see a massage therapist for work on the adductor and gluteus medius group twice a week. However, I was wondering if you could suggest an 8 week plan of return to mileage, as well as how to keep this stress fracture from happening again, as I know it is of relative obscurity. I have checked my bone health (normal) and take a calcium supplement, but I wonder what else I should do. Thanks. |
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