Running - Someone has got to tell the Kenyans about all this technology!

Triathlon Forum
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HR monitor on the right wrist and a strap around the chest to tell you when you are running too fast or too slow GPS unit on the left wrist to tell you if you are on target run pace Headphones on blaring music into your ears at 180 beats per minute for proper stride count per minute Running shoes that have lateral, medial, extra super-pronation support with gel cushioning because we all know the running forces when you land are far too great for the feet which have taken millions of years to evolve.

FYI, for the most part they do #4 and their coaches take care of #'s 1-3 when needed.

I know many elite level runners that never touch #1 → #3. They just run, and they run consistently day in and day out. On #4, there is ample evidence to support the belief that running shoes do not allow the feet to do what they do best - supination, pronation, dorsi and plantar flexion, amd flexion of the toes. I am not promoting barefoot running, but I am suggesting that most of these running shoes are overkill.

Bare in mind, I am just having a little fun with this.

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Bare in mind, I am just having a little fun with this.

I know. As I said, I didn’t get my coffee either.

Honestly I think one of the problems that us non-Kenayans face is that we live very sedintary lives (unnaturaly) and then, at some point, decide to start running…even though we’ve conditioned ourselves for sitting down.

Re: HR monitor - I’m no “elite” runner, but I am pretty good. I rarely us the HRM becasue I pretty much know how to train by feel. However, since I’m new to the bike, I find it invaluable. I had a really hard time pushing myself on the bike until I started forcing myself to stay above a certain number in workouts. Literaly I would try to maintain 160 bpm for 10 minutes and think “there’s no way in hell and can push this hard the whole time.” Then, “Wow. I managed to stay in that zone the whole time.”

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“They warm up super slow…for 10-15min…but after that, it’s war everyday…it’s fast all the time. Slow pace for them (talking about sub 14’ 5k runners etc…) is 5’45’'/mi at 4000ft…”

Yup, sounds just like me. Now I know why I model all my training after what the Kenyans do, seeing as how we’re so similar.

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I showed them my shoes that I bought 3 years ago (probably 3,000 miles) and not one injury to speak of.

Just cause someone runs through a dynamite factory with a torch and doesn’t get blown up, doesn’t mean s/he isn’t an idiot.

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whatever gets me out the door and off my ass is an approved training aid. However, I am sure if I was born in Kenya and did not wait to pick up running for the first time when I was 35 yrs old then I may have a different view. :stuck_out_tongue:

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**Just cause someone runs through a dynamite factory with a torch and doesn’t get blown up, doesn’t mean s/he isn’t an idiot. **

Good point.

However, I am leery when people selling running shoes tell me I need a new pair every 300-400 miles. If I do 40 mile weeks, that’s every 8 - 10 weeks, which is ridiculous. That’s just when they get worked in.

I think if you look at running injuries, you will see far more running injuries from someone doing too many miles too soon, than from someone running their 401st mile.

It’s just a great way to sell shoes.

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I don’t go to the same extreme as you do, and I do hold onto a couple pairs of shoes at a time so I can cycle through them. But I agree, 300 miles is ridiculous. I have a couple pairs of 600 mile shoes that are nowhere near as comfortable/dampening as my newers shoes on concrete. But I’d be fooling myself if I could tell the difference on trails.

So I burn out a set of shoes on the road, then they become my trail runners. Works for me.

I only wear a watch on days where the length of my run is constrained by other activities.
I gave my HRM to my mom. GPS would only be nice on occasions where I’m interested in distance/elevation.
I like being free of distractions while I run, so headphones are a definite no-no. You can’t hear the outdoors if you do that!

It’s really a lot more fun just to do a trail run without distractions.

Cheers,
Daniel

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**Someone has got to tell the Kenyans about all this technology! **

Someone has got to tell the Kenyans whatever it is that the Ethiopians are doing!

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Adrian you forgot the 6 supersized gel flask 3 of which filled with special hydration and 3 with special gel. Plus the addtional pouch for some solid food in case they get hungry during their 13mile run.

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HR monitor on the right wrist and a strap around the chest to tell you when you are running too fast or too slow GPS unit on the left wrist to tell you if you are on target run pace Headphones on blaring music into your ears at 180 beats per minute for proper stride count per minute Running shoes that have lateral, medial, extra super-pronation support with gel cushioning because we all know the running forces when you land are far too great for the feet which have taken millions of years to evolve.

FYI, for the most part they do #4 and their coaches take care of #'s 1-3 when needed.

I know many elite level runners that never touch #1 → #3. They just run, and they run consistently day in and day out. On #4, there is ample evidence to support the belief that running shoes do not allow the feet to do what they do best - supination, pronation, dorsi and plantar flexion, amd flexion of the toes. I am not promoting barefoot running, but I am suggesting that most of these running shoes are overkill.

Bare in mind, I am just having a little fun with this.

Understanding your response is tongue and cheek, but to compare the Kenyans to use mere mortals is apples/oranges.

With regard to #1 and 2, a coach shouting out times during intervals on the track accomplishes the same. It doesn’t take too long for a runner to develop a good sense of perceived exertion and speed. I would be willing to bet that most elite runners have no need to the technology, as they know the effort their putting in and have developed a damn good feel for pace. If you ask them to go out and run 6 min miles and then timed them, you’d find that they consistently put in 6 min miles, give or take maybe a second.

A heart rate monitor helps get the ordinary runners there. I rarely wear one while running as I run by pace. On a track, I’ll time my splits. On the open road, I’ll wear a Garmin. I’ve found that I can often correctly guess may pace, but I’m not there yet. (I’m getting much better on the track, thus just a watch with a second hand there.)

As far as #3, it’s likely only helpful to runner who’s making a concerted effort to increase cadence, probably because someone advised them that their current cadence is too slow. How many Kenyan’s have that problem (assuming it’s even a problem)?