To The Runners

[saximus]

I'm training for the 20km Spartan race in November and it obviously won't be a nice flat 20km but my aim by then is to comfortably be able to do 15-20km at a slow jog. That way, with the addition of the terrain and the obstacles, it should be bloody hard but still doable. The problem is I don't really know how to train for it. The other night I did 9km (about 6 of that jogging and the rest with walking rest periods) and it was painful but endurable. However, is it smart to do that distance a couple of times a week or should I only be doing it once a week and doing shorter ones in between?

 

[andynic07]

I'm training for the 20km Spartan race in November and it obviously won't be a nice flat 20km but my aim by then is to comfortably be able to do 15-20km at a slow jog. That way, with the addition of the terrain and the obstacles, it should be bloody hard but still doable. The problem is I don't really know how to train for it. The other night I did 9km (about 6 of that jogging and the rest with walking rest periods) and it was painful but endurable. However, is it smart to do that distance a couple of times a week or should I only be doing it once a week and doing shorter ones in between?

I think that you should do interval training. I found that the most effective form of training and there is app's for you phone that help or lots of programs on the net.

 

[Sel]

Id do it a couple of times a week for sure, and slowly build up until you can do 20km non stop. Id also build up some leg muscle, youre going to need it

Ive never done one with Obstacles, but have done a couple of Fun Runs and it is HARD! Make sure u dont do too much the week leading up to the race, just light stuff and lots of stretching! The main thing my PT always tells me to focus on is my breathing, sometimes when i run i hold my breathe (LOL?) and that is NOT a good thing..hehe.
Good luck.. i kinda want to do it too! lol

 

[cement]

The type of event you are training for should determine the type of training you do. It is an endurance event so base your training on building up your endurance, or slow twitch muscle, and raising your heart rate to a point where you can maintain a lifted heart rate for longer periods.
Cardio vascular will be important, and if you want to break it up, swimming would be an excellant cross training to do. Long, slow swims to get your system used to endurance, with out the pounding on the knees and ankles.
Start training with runs that are short, but build in length culminating in your 20 km event.
Do an excercise program that is gentle but aims at toning the muscles rather then building them.
Find a good coach.
And last but most importantly, eat very selectively. Cut out all the crap food and eat heaps of fruit and vegetables, drink plenty of clean filtered water and fresh vege juices.
Good luck.

 

[saximus]

Awesome thanks everyone.
Cement, I've completely changed my diet over the last four months to be more in line with what you described and it's been incredible how much of an impact it has on just about everything else.

 

[cement]

yeah, trust me Saximus i live what I say.
You will get mixed opinions on this from various people with varying experiences, but my philosophies are very simple.
1.Food, or more correctly, diet, is absolutely everything.
2.And everything that you put in your body, or on your body will only ever do one of two things.Nourish you, or poison you.
3.If it comes in a package, it ain't food. Supplements like wheat grass or spirulina excluded.

I also highly recommend finding a good trainer or coach. Preferably someone who has done well in the exact event you are entering.cheers

 

[andynic07]

yeah, trust me Saximus i live what I say.
You will get mixed opinions on this from various people with varying experiences, but my philosophies are very simple.
1.Food, or more correctly, diet, is absolutely everything.
2.And everything that you put in your body, or on your body will only ever do one of two things.Nourish you, or poison you.
3.If it comes in a package, it ain't food. Supplements like wheat grass or spirulina excluded.

I also highly recommend finding a good trainer or coach. Preferably someone who has done well in the exact event you are entering.cheers

I found that a diet called the "alkaline diet" was very good when I was playing soccer the past few years. It was based on "whole foods" as well and has the theory that too many foods that are consumed are to acidic and the body functions better alkaline. I am not claiming that the science behind this is right or wrong but I felt awesome and being over 35 I actually felt like I was in as good shape as I was in my early twenties or even fitter. I was playing with mostly 22-23 year olds and was one of the fittest in my team.