Climbing and Running

Just starting out with Get Running? Chat about the basics of running, what clothes to wear, where to run... anything you like!
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jspiro
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2010 11:24 am

Climbing and Running

Post by jspiro »

Growing up with asthma, I never ran a mile in my life without a break -- and the 8/5/8 run in week five was brutal on me, worse than any other run I have done. I intended to repeat it, but...

I was at the climbing gym bouldering with my friend for about two hours. Usually, the last thing I could imagine doing afterward would be anything other than nothing. But the gym was closing in twenty minutes so I thought, what the heck, I wonder how long into the 20 minute run I can go. I was already warmed up so off I went!

It passed like a BREEZE. 2.1 miles without breaking a sweat (well, metaphorically!). I probably could have gone on for another five or ten minutes.

There IS a correlation between the cardio of running and the stamina and strength of climbing -- I've never found a solid physiological link, but it's definitely there. The best routine I've found is a warmup on a treadmill, climbing, and then running until you're completely spent.

Word of caution: If you do this late at night, the endorphin rush will keep you up ALL NIGHT!
benjohn
Posts: 453
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 4:03 pm

Re: Climbing and Running

Post by benjohn »

I was doing some freelance work over in Dusseldorf when I did my 20 minute run. I was almost totally convinced that I wouldn't finish it. The run I did out there took me around and around this big block of houses and at the end was a pub and restaurant. I think I ran past the diners there about four times, each time just a little slower and just a little more exhausted.

At the end, I reckon I could have gone on a little bit more, but I was really happy to grab a shower and then go and drink a lovely German beer and eat a huge schnitzel and these amazing super thin and crispy French fries they serve over there.

It was amazing finishing that 20 minute run. I knew then I would be able to do the 30 minutes. In fact, I was pretty sure I could run any distance I wanted – not right away, but I knew I could run it with a little more training. Until then I didn't quite believe that.
jspiro
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2010 11:24 am

Re: Climbing and Running

Post by jspiro »

Totally true. Like the voice, you end up feeling like you have the potential to be a real runner -- and hopefully faster by this point in time than it took to get to this point.
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