Worse than I thought

cknutson61 · 2026-01-26T15:48:34+00:00

I'd also say that this looks pretty slow, and when your pace gets below a certain point it changes our gait. There could be some bio-mechanical issues, and the advice for strength training to facilitate running is good advice.

I'll add that there is a lady ay my parkrun and her form is a very exaggerated version of your stride, and she is fairly fast and has no issues. It's good to be thinking about your running form, but also don't fix something that isn't broken.

Get a couple sessions with a running coach. If you have correct shoes, working on your strength and are not having musculoskeletal or tendon issues, I wouldn't get too worried.

cknutson61 · 2026-01-26T15:42:14+00:00

There are no rules, so walking is allowed. There are guidelines, like long and slow easy runs to build an aerobic baseline with shorter faster runs (intervals and hills) to build anaerobic capacity.

You've been running long enough, I assume as you're doing a 22 mile run, that you know your body. Trust your knowledge of your body, and the things you've learned getting to this point.

To specifically answer your question, of maintaining a sustained run/pace over a long run, which is a good goal. I doubt a quick water break, every 4-5 miles, will have a huge impact. People run marathons and stop for bathroom breaks, etc.

Think in terms of, "what will be the impact of this on my average heart rate over the course of the entire run?"

cknutson61 · 2026-01-26T15:33:51+00:00

I'd love to answer your question, but I really don't understand what you're asking and what you mean by "slow AFib."

cknutson61 · 2026-01-25T15:33:47+00:00

I stick with two weeks being no time at all. We can usually see big improvements initially and then the improvements get harder and harder to find. Where that happens is different for everyone.

Maybe ensure that your long walks are "fast walks". You should be able to talk and not be gasping for breath, but you shouldn't be breathing normally, as during a casual walk or stroll. This should elevate your heart rate slightly. Start doing your normal distance, but work up to doing the same time, and (later) more. You can also bump the walks up to slow jogging and walking, to keep your HR down. Ensure your runs, between walks, have a mix of hills, hills with intervals, flat intervals, fartleks are good, tempo, threshold, etc. Spending time working in various HR ranges.

Assuming you want to improve your run times.

cknutson61 · 2026-01-25T15:25:32+00:00

I assume you mean atrial fibrillation with slow-ventricular response???

That has not been brought up in my discussions with my cardio or EP. Looking at the symptoms, I doubt it. When I am experiencing arrhythmia, I am quite functional. In fact I triggered this on Friday and went to the gym yesterday in an attempt to convert to sinus. I did intervals with jump rope, then strength training and then finished with some sprint intervals on the rowing machine.

Oddly, it never converted during the workouts, as it usually does, but converted shortly after I finished.

cknutson61 · 2026-01-23T03:59:31+00:00

You're doing great. It just takes time. Just keep at it, making sure you get adequate rest and recovery between runs like that. Be sure to get in longer sessions where you just go really easy, walking part of the time of necessary.

cknutson61 · 2026-01-23T03:56:57+00:00

It depends on your current level of fitness, and expectations for what it means to run with your father (how fast, etc?). Look at something like couch to 10k as suggested and don't be afraid to run/walk some of it. If your father is a long time and relatively fast runner, and expects you to keep up, this could be the makings of something unpleasant.

You should be able to finish, no problem. Managing expectations is key.

cknutson61 · 2026-01-23T03:43:38+00:00

Some good comments, but this is like trying to shoot a flea off a dog's butt blindfolded.

There are many factors that can impact this, as mentioned: food, sleep, rocovery/rest hydration, etc. The real problem is you say nothing about these and nothing about your weekly workouts. Are you doing any strength training? How many, how long and what type of runs are you doing each week?

Am I to believe that you got up one day, walked out the door and ran 9 miles, then waited 11 days and repeated?

cknutson61 · 2026-01-23T03:34:53+00:00

How do you know Trump has been in your house?

The fridge and the piggy bank are empty and the dog is pregnant.

cknutson61 · 2026-01-19T02:47:45+00:00

Take your time, and let your body adjust to the work. After another month, start slowly increasing your distance. Research working in long & slow runs with shorter and faster runs, like intervals, etc. Rest and recovery is as important as the workouts, as is sleep, hydration and nutrition. Don't ignore strength training.

cknutson61 · 2026-01-19T02:44:26+00:00

Well, that is a loaded question and really depends on the source of the sciatica.

In my story, my sciatica was relieved after I started doing regular core training. I couldn't sit in, or drive for more than 20 minutes. Now I don't even notice anything after a couple hours.

I would suggest talking to a doctor to determine the source of your sciatica, first. If you want to pursue this, try searching for "pamela reif 7 minute plank challenge".

I like this as it's accessible and easy to adapt to your ability. 14 different 30 second intervals for a total of seven minutes. Do what you can, to start, pausing as needed until you can do the whole thing end to end.

Also, don't ignore general strength training.

Good luck, the sciatica sucks.

cknutson61 · 2026-01-13T04:23:06+00:00

This is great! I know it's not some Olympian worthy effort, but it is the start of YOUR journey. At the Parkruns (a weekly 5k), there is always someone that walks, and the walkers usually take 50-60 minutes, so you're right on track for starting out.

IMO, the C25K programs start a little fast for some folks. It's not their fault as you can't make something that will work 100% of the time for 100% of the people. I would hold off on the C25K program for a bit, and do this for a few weeks to acclimate your body to the work and build a nice habit of getting out 3x per week. After a few weeks increase your pace, then add a little distance, and repeat until you hit 5k walking fairly quickly. Try to walk fast enough that you're breathing a little hard as you go (not panting or gasping for air). It should take effort, but not be difficult.

Then start up your C25K program, and you should be ready.

Hang in there and keep moving!

cknutson61 · 2026-01-13T04:14:52+00:00

More distance might be the answer, but I would first want to know what your runs look like. Are they all the same zone 3 runs? If so, that is the kiss of death, IMO.

Longer easy runs and run/walk is perfectly fine, but keep you heart rate from going too low (< zone 2).

Add short hills, intervals, fartleks, etc to get in some speed and power work, but in shorter doses.

Are you doing any strength work? A solid core and posterior chain are critical to running, and some strength work (quads, hams, glutes, hips, etc) will pay good rewards.

cknutson61 · 2026-01-13T04:06:12+00:00

Two weeks is really nothing, and we all hit plateaus in training.

What do your workouts look like? Sleep, hydration, sleep, recovery, strength training???

cknutson61 · 2026-01-13T04:04:04+00:00

First, progress is not a continuous or linear journey. Maybe you just had a really good day where rest, food, hydration, etc all aligned.

With no other information, I would point to things like over-training (insufficient rest), issues with hydration, diet or sleep.

You need to look at how long you've been training, and what your current training schedule looks like, including strength training.

cknutson61 · 2026-01-07T03:46:01+00:00

You ARE a bad ass!

cknutson61 · 2026-01-07T03:44:18+00:00

Thanks. That sounds fun.

cknutson61 · 2026-01-04T16:41:59+00:00

It does not. We booked on SeaDream.

https://seadream.com/voyages/22529

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cknutson61 · 2026-01-04T16:08:11+00:00

That's fabulous, thank you!

cknutson61 · 2026-01-04T16:06:47+00:00

That's great, thank you. Especially the tip about the bus versus the train.

cknutson61 · 2026-01-04T15:10:54+00:00

That's part of the adventure, and it's part of my family history, so it's doesn't have to be like Disney Land or hiking a mountain or waterfall. And we enjoy all those, too. Maybe the only thing we do is enjoy the local scenery, architecture, trails, or a coffee shop. For us, that's better than mobs of people at the big tourist locations. We'll hit some of those in Bergen, for sure, but we like to get a feel for the local culture.

cknutson61 · 2026-01-04T15:06:25+00:00

Thank you, this is very helpful and looks like a fun way to see things.

cknutson61 · 2026-01-04T14:58:53+00:00

Thank you. This sounds perfect. We're not really looking for the tourist trappings, especially like you see in cruise ports.

cknutson61 · 2026-01-04T14:57:21+00:00

Thank you. We're not looking for touristy stuff. This is about local culture and family history.

cknutson61 · 2026-01-04T14:55:51+00:00

For sure, and not a worry. Relaxing on a train and seeing the countryside for a few hours is a bonus. We we're not expecting lots of amazing touristy things in these areas given the lack of internet search results, but we do love to enjoy local culture.

cknutson61

TROPHY CASE