Fitness

I am aim to run for 30-40 minutes a day at 6.2 mph. Sometimes I take ONE day off a week.

I usually do some weights/abs after this, but i'm just wondering if I'm not running long enough? I mean, it tires me out, I sweat buckets, and my heart rate is at around 155 the whole time.

I feel like runners on here are running like 10 miles a day, and I just can't do that!

You can't judge yourself by what other people do.  You do what you're comfortable with.  Some people are in great shape and have lots of experience.

I don't run at all, just walk.  Yet, I'm losing weight just the same.  We're all different.

that sounds like quite a bit of work you're doing, especially if you're going to be taking only taking day offs at times, and if do weights after... ideally, you should be having one rest day a week and another day of no running but cross training (something like swimming or cycling) to reduce the impact on your joints and prevent related injuries.

increase the length that you're running only when you find that you're more comfortable with this time and distance... i don't think anyone here who runs 10miles a day suddenly just got off the couch that he/she had been lounging on for the past 20 years, picked up his (or her) running shoes and decided that he/she would run 10 miles today and every single day thereafter (discounting the possible forrest gump equivalents in our midst).

 Personally, I only run when chased by wolves or I'm late for the bus, so what you're doing is already way better than me ;)

 It's generally said that you should only increase your total mileage or time by 10% a week, more than that you risk overtraining and injury.

yay positive replies!

I do feel like I'm working hard enough, but I never even considered doing some sort of crosstraining. It sounds like a really beneficial thing to do

thanks guys!

if what you're doing is working for you ... you're losing weight, or your maintaining where you want to be ... then it's all good!

I go trail running for 60-75 minutes, 3-4 times per week; elliptical 2 days per week, one day for 40 mins, the other for 20, and on those days I'll do full sets of weight machines for upper & lower body. At home, I'll do abs (crunches) on the exercise ball every other day and if I really don't feel like leaving the house on the weekends, I'll use my treadmill at home to get in some exercise ... and all of this works for ME. Is it what anyone else who is in shape is doing? I have no idea, and I don't care!  

My point is that you have to do what works for YOU, without overdoing it and getting burned out or injured.

Again, do what works for you, and don't waste a thought on whether what someone else is doing is what you should be doing. Just keep up the effort, and good luck!

why would you think you are not running long enough if you are tired, sweaty and get your heart pumping?

try warming up then hitting the weights. run after your weights. see how it feels. personally i find i have a way better cardio session after weights - not to mention all the physical benefits of lifting first.

I agree with spookychick. I find my cardio is much better after a weight training session, and my weight lifting goes better if I'm not worn out from cardio. Just be sure to warm up before hitting the weights.

alright well i'm heading to the gym now, and i'm planning on hitting weights before i do my cardio

i'm exciiiited!