Sounds like a good plan. What I often see is runners doing the same thing, same route, same distance all the time. Good way to plateau and to induce injury.

 

I wish I could own that statement. While deployed I had no schedule, it was work when there was work to be done and stay close when not working because I could be needed anytime anywhere or anyplace. I wasnt going to bed at 9 and waking up at 4 to run it was more like I was up until 4, would run and then go to bed or I had to be awake at 5 so I would just wake up at 4 instead and run.

On a side note by far the best cardio I have ever done which also helps your running a tremendous amount is lap swimming. Start out with 500s and work your way up. Do 1500 a few times per week and you will find muscles where you didnt know you had them. It is great on the arms and obliques.

I also second what someone said about splitting it up. Always run a new route, new terrain, new distance, new pace and as a new runner be careful not to increase your distance more than 10 percent each week to avoid injury.

HSLD...biking is my next endeavor as I want to dive into the world of sprint triathlons and also see more of my local area by bike. Im scared for two reasons though. 1, the cost of the bike set up and being a pilot and gadget nerd you know id have a hard time buying a rusty schwinn off ebay. 2, would be that I am honestly a little scared cruising at 30 mph on a narrow street and getting myself run over.

 

Hard swimming and rowing are about as good as it gets for max aerobic training. Running, biking, etc you don't get as much upper body action.

But swimming isn't the greatest for weight loss...the cool water triggers your seafood instinct, you will be hungry when you are done. Even relatively warm water will do this, unless it is near body temp which would not be fun for exercise purposes.

 

You can get a good bike for $1K-$2K. Wait until the end of the model year and buy last year's. Some of the Specialized and Giant's are good bangs-for-the- bucks. It may take some extra cash to make it a tri-bike, though. Also, I recommend nashbar.com. ALWAYS have sales going. Their own brand items are always good buys.

 

I started running in 1968 as preparation for Marine Corps OCS and have been at it, with occasional down time for injuries, ever since. I run for 45 minutes 4 to 5 times a week and have to juggle my runs around my schedule. I no longer can go out and run with the mad dogs and Englishmen; the low 90s are my limit.
My big mistake was not stretching enough and I am just recovering from an Achilles injury and that was very painful. I tried to run through the pain but that wasn't a wise strategy. Fortunately I'm on the mend and am able to get back to my PT schedule.
We have a lifestyle that can fast turn you into a rolling blivet and jogging is a valuable part of an effective health plan.

 

I may have to put that off for a while..upgrade is 6-12 months away and even then I wont make any money. Thanks for the advice though, I checked out nashbar and will probably go with them. I know biking is not as good a cardio workout as some but it will be great to supplement my training and break up the monotony.

 

Ya' know, it's kinda funny because everyone says that cycling doesn't give a good total body workout but I was talking to a triathlete buddy and he swears it's one of the best overall workouts you can get. I don't really know enough to have an opinion on that but it sure is a ton of fun.