Posted: 4/8/2009 1:58:13 PM EDT
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I just started running last fall. I never thought I could be a runner before, I could never run, it was frickn hard! But last Fall I said screw it and started just running 1-2mins at a time, slowly working up to 5 then 7 then 10 mins. In between I would walk and then just try to again for however many mins. I realized I was giving out too early, I didn't HAVE to stop running, nothing was hurting I could somewhat breath, just keep going. I watch Biggest Loser, it inspires me in that sense. So now I'm running for 30 mins straight no problem, this week I have ran every day so far and plan to the rest of the week minus the weekend. No breaks at all. I run on a treadmill at a 3-4 incline at 4.7 mph. I started at 4.5 mph and have gone to 5 or 5.2 but am trying to slowly build my endurance rather then going really fast. Sometimes I do intervals and go up and down with the speed for 5 min blocks or whatever.
I haven't tried to run outside yet, spring is just barely arriving but soon I will try. I have some awesome trails behind my house and I think it will be sweet. I get so bored on the treadmill, that's why I want to stop, out of boredom. So I just keep on pushing myself. Who else runs? What do you do to not get bored. Were you always a runner or how did you build. Just curious...I'm just really proud of myself and it feels good. Oh yea and I'm a smoker, so it's amazing to me I can even breath and I breath perfectly fine. I don't smoke a lot but I smoke menthol and have for about 17 years now it's awful. I have been planning to quit and am just really focusing on living a healthier lifestyle, but just taking it one step at a time so I don't overwhelm myself. I have always been huge into working out too, I could do like 50 mins on the elliptical and lift weights or box for 2hrs a day 6 days a week but I could just never run. It's weird. |
| Running is not my strong side. It took me a while to work up to running a mile straight, and then getting faster from there. I am not a strong runner, but at least I can run a 7ish minute mile, a 16 minute 2 mile, and a 27ish minute 3 mile. I am battling being a big guy (6'4" 240lb) and plantar faciitis in my left foot. |
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Quoted:
Running is not my strong side. It took me a while to work up to running a mile straight, and then getting faster from there. I am not a strong runner, but at least I can run a 7ish minute mile, a 16 minute 2 mile, and a 27ish minute 3 mile. I am battling being a big guy (6'4" 240lb) and plantar faciitis in my left foot. I suffered plantar facitius when I was training for boxing. Jumping rope is the best but its killer. I'm running like a 12.5 min mile or so, I could probably go faster but I am just trying to work up my stamina so I can run for longer periods of time. |
| I also used to be a smoker, when I quit smoking for good i had like two adjustment weeks, and then exploded and much higher stamina. I run with an ipod so my minds occupied with music. If you can find someone to run with though that's even better, but make sure to find someone who can keep with you. I also take a few supplements like: protein,glutamine peptide, and a multivitamin. Because i also lift and bike. Also I know it sounds weird but try a glass of chocalate milk a little after running it is surprisingly refreshing, and has a good carb/protein ratio. |
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A week and a half ago I did a 2mile run and did it in 15:31, not to shabby for someone who's not done any cardio in almost 8 years.....however for the next few days my ankles were killing me. Guess my joints aren't used to that kind of pounding yet, though yesterday I did 2 miles total (ran 1 mile, walked a half, ran another mile) and my ankles feel fine today. My calves are a little sore still but they're not to bad.
It's been 8 years since I ran cross country...and I can't remember most of the stuff my coaches told me. Is it better to just run for distance and endurance and then work on speed, or pick a set distance and work at getting faster and faster? I've been picking 2mi because it's the distance of the APFT. My main problem right now is trying to figure out how the hell to breath....I keep getting side stickers or feeling like I can't get enough air in me |
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Quoted:
A week and a half ago I did a 2mile run and did it in 15:31, not to shabby for someone who's not done any cardio in almost 8 years.....however for the next few days my ankles were killing me. Guess my joints aren't used to that kind of pounding yet, though yesterday I did 2 miles total (ran 1 mile, walked a half, ran another mile) and my ankles feel fine today. My calves are a little sore still but they're not to bad. It's been 8 years since I ran cross country...and I can't remember most of the stuff my coaches told me. Is it better to just run for distance and endurance and then work on speed, or pick a set distance and work at getting faster and faster? I've been picking 2mi because it's the distance of the APFT. My main problem right now is trying to figure out how the hell to breath....I keep getting side stickers or feeling like I can't get enough air in me I'd like to know this to. I'm going for distance and endurance right now myself but have been slowly building up my speed too. If you get side stitches take a huge deep belly breath in and hold it, it really helps them go away. Surprisingly I haven't had any real issues with breathing, I try to just keep a steady breath going and that helps me to not get or feel out of breath. I'm planning to quit smoking soon and I really hope I can do it this time cause I know I will be able to run much better. |
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Finally something I can actually give some thoughtful input to (still fairly new to the black rifle thing :-)...
I started running nearly 7 years ago (May 1 will make 7 years). At the time I was about 225 lbs (I'm only 5'5") and couldn't run 1/4 mile at a time. When I started running I would do just that, run 1/4, walk 1/4, run 1/4, etc. Would probably run about a total of 1.5 to 2 miles to start and be absolutely dead tired when I was done. 7 years later I've ran in the neighborhood of 100 races including 9 marathons and I've slimmed myself down to about 145 lbs. As far as speed, don't be concerned with trying to get fast, focus on endurance like you said. You will absolutely gain speed by training for endurance. You will get to a point where distance running no longer helps to lower your 5k/10k/etc. times but that is a good ways down the road. At that point you will need to focus on doing speed sessions at the track and tempo running if you want to keep lowering your times. Another tip... you've probably heard this a million times but proper shoes make a huge difference. Soreness in knees/hamstrings/hips can be fixed by getting a shoe that is matched up to your run gait. Calf soreness and shin splints are something all new runners deal with. Hell, I even get them in January because I normally take the month of December off! Consistent training will strenthen those muscles and get them used to the pounding. Most local running shoe stores have folks that can help fit you to a shoe. They generally offer more size options (like multiple widths) and sell more running specific brands then big box stores. If you have the time, think about finding a local running race to do. Having a race on the calendar is a good way to keep motivated. After you do one I will almost guarantee you will want to do another and try and improve your time... it's a bit addicting. I would suggest something around 5k (3.1 miles), or if you want to really aim high maybe a 10k. Fairly long for the novice runner but absolutely doable with low mileage training. Good luck to all of you... drop me a message if you ever need any running advice. It's a great sport to get into and it can totally change your life (at least it did mine). |
| I started running again last Fall and just ran a 10 mile race two weekends ago and a 10k race last weekend. I am slow but steady and work on my base and endurance. This season I'll begin incorporating speed work and hills to slowly get faster. I also swim and cycle to keep up with sprint and olympic/international distance triathlons. |
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Quoted:
Finally something I can actually give some thoughtful input to (still fairly new to the black rifle thing :-)... I started running nearly 7 years ago (May 1 will make 7 years). At the time I was about 225 lbs (I'm only 5'5") and couldn't run 1/4 mile at a time. When I started running I would do just that, run 1/4, walk 1/4, run 1/4, etc. Would probably run about a total of 1.5 to 2 miles to start and be absolutely dead tired when I was done. 7 years later I've ran in the neighborhood of 100 races including 9 marathons and I've slimmed myself down to about 145 lbs. As far as speed, don't be concerned with trying to get fast, focus on endurance like you said. You will absolutely gain speed by training for endurance. You will get to a point where distance running no longer helps to lower your 5k/10k/etc. times but that is a good ways down the road. At that point you will need to focus on doing speed sessions at the track and tempo running if you want to keep lowering your times. Another tip... you've probably heard this a million times but proper shoes make a huge difference. Soreness in knees/hamstrings/hips can be fixed by getting a shoe that is matched up to your run gait. Calf soreness and shin splints are something all new runners deal with. Hell, I even get them in January because I normally take the month of December off! Consistent training will strenthen those muscles and get them used to the pounding. Most local running shoe stores have folks that can help fit you to a shoe. They generally offer more size options (like multiple widths) and sell more running specific brands then big box stores. If you have the time, think about finding a local running race to do. Having a race on the calendar is a good way to keep motivated. After you do one I will almost guarantee you will want to do another and try and improve your time... it's a bit addicting. I would suggest something around 5k (3.1 miles), or if you want to really aim high maybe a 10k. Fairly long for the novice runner but absolutely doable with low mileage training. Good luck to all of you... drop me a message if you ever need any running advice. It's a great sport to get into and it can totally change your life (at least it did mine). Thanks good info here! I mostly don't have any pain or problems breathing when I run now but I do plan on getting some new shoes soon. I've been running about 2.5+ miles a day 3-4 days a week, just under 3 on some days. With weekends off, but I plan to strat trying to run on the trails behind my house and I may try this weekend if it doesn't rain. My friend is trying to get me to join her in some run/walk fun thing. I am not even getting into running for the fact of races or anything, I just enjoy it and I know it melts the calories. But I am sure I would find the races fun and addicting once I got into it. It's definitely changing my life. |