So guys I have to say, I’m pretty pumped. Yesterday I ran 5K!
Well, not exactly running, but for me it’s pretty damn awesome. I’m not unhealthy or anything, just never been a good runner. I was always really quick as a child (sprinter) so I guess I never quite understood how to jog long distances. I would almost always start out too fast, get too tired and not understand how people managed to run like they did for so long. I guess it never occurred to me that such people had, you know, done it a lot!
So on my first excursion, my first real attempt at running, I decided to take it intentionally slow. I decided to start out slower than I felt comfortable. I accidentally took a sort of hilly trail and that wore me out pretty quick. I probably “ran” about 2 miles with a lot of walking in between. Then I didn’t even get sore until two days after. That’s just how worn out I was.
So yesterday I decide to take the road that most of the other runners take. So this was far better. I don’t know if that first run really helped out a lot, but I did far better this time. I ran the first mile without stopping at all. I got some water, walked a bit and started up again. To be honest I did walk a good bit of it, but certainly not more than 40 percent of the time.
I decided to run all the way around Prospect Park. It’s a nice little run although it can be really hot. I sort of bit off more than I could chew, but I’m doing it again next time as I felt great afterwards. This time there was no soreness, and I feel very happy today. It’s amazing the psychological benefits that can be reaped by it. Plus it’s a very pleasant park to be in as well.
So I feel like I’ve caught the running bug! I really almost wanted to do it again today, but I realized that I should probably go every other day. I realized it’s quite enjoyable when you get to know your pace. I feel that was my main reason for doing better yesterday. I had a much better idea of how fast I needed to go.
That’s great! Don’t let your enthusiasm get the better of you and wind up injured. Just as you need to pace your run so you can finish, you need to pace your running over days and weeks so you can adapt to the effort.
I’ve wanted to be a good runner for awhile now, but I can’t manage to make it happen. My dad was a pretty good runner (5k in 17:45) and says he got “runner’s high” every time. I’ve gotten it while hiking and a couple times on a bike, but the only thing I ever get while running is bored and intense knee pain.
The best advice I can give you is to stay consistent. The few times I’ve managed to string together 4+ runs per week for several weeks in a row, it’s just started to get fun, but then missing just a few runs sets you pretty far back. I was running almost every day last summer and fall, and then I took a vacation near the end of November and I’ve probably ran less than 10 times since then.
As far as soreness goes, I feel pretty much fine today. I have no idea why. I sort of feel that any kind of knee stress is less likely with me because I only weight about 145 to 150 and am 5’9" so it’s not like I’m a big guy.
The first time I remember being out of breath and having burning lungs, but this time it was different. I didn’t get that much at all. I also did kind of feel like I was getting runner’s high too. Honestly it kind of scared me a bit, so I stopped running, but if I encounter it again, I’m sure I’ll recognize that there’s nothing wrong with me. I’ve just never pushed myself all that hard before. But I feel that I probably respond very quickly to this kind of thing.
I recently found out that weak quads are probably my issue. I’m doing leg extensions at the gym to build them up and 15 reps @ 65lbs is tough for me! It’s funny because I used to think I had exceptionally strong legs, until I realized I had nothing to base that belief on and in fact it was wrong.
I want to try running in racing flats. I’ve done some reading of the opinion that with all the heel padding in modern running shoes, it’s nearly impossible not to land on your heels.
I <heart> running, after despising it for the first 37 years of my life. I started out a little over 3 years ago, barely being able to run half a mile. But I kept at it, and have run 2 half-marathons and am hoping to run a marathon later this year.
I am somewhat prone to injuries (had bursitis several times, as well as a tibial stress fracture last year), so my goals always need to accommodate safety. Proper shoes are a must, including replacing them in a timely manner. I tend to have 2 pair going at the same time so that I can rotate.
I’m actually on my way out for a run right now. I took a break from running for about a year (after about 2 years of hard training and three half-marathons). So now I’m back and trying to get into shape to start training for my first full marathon. I love it! I try to run six days a week because I hate rest days - they make me cranky. My normal runs are usually 4-5 miles and then one long run each week. One thing that really motivates me is reading Runner’s World magazine - it just gets me excited to go running.
As for your knees, great shoes make a huge difference. I can always tell when I need new shoes by the pains in my knees.
Your shoes might be of the type that have more control/support in the forefoot than the heel and were designed for faster runners who typically land on the ball of the foot.
An idea to be approached with caution. Racing flats have less padding and support features to save weight. While this will work for racing, training in them is not a good idea as they will not protect you from the stresses of running as well as wearing out faster.
I started running a few years ago when I started losing weight and I’ve really gotten into it. Daily runs about 3.5 miles (that’s just right given my lunch hour) and I was doing long runs on the weekend - made it up to 22 miles and then strained my knees doing a long run in a fierce crosswind the whole way (I was leaning over at an angle). Getting ready to start the long runs again, I’ll work back up.
No organized races but I was happy to find that my long runs were at least a half marathon with no problems. My goals are to hit the full marathon distance and then work on ultras - 30 miles is the next nice round number.
My tips in no particular order:
Have something to pass the miles enjoyably - if you like just cruising along, letting your mind wander that’s perfect. I tend to get a little bored so I bring my MP3 player with music that keeps my tempo up. A running buddy would be great too.
Get good running shoes, which means going to an actual running shoe store (not FootLocker or the local big-box sporting goods store) - they’ll watch how you walk, have you try on various shoes and give you good advice which is well worth your business.
Good socks. I prefer wool, some people synthetics. Just steer clear of cotton.
Take care of your feet and nails.
For longer runs I bought a watch that lets me do intervals - it’ll alternate cycles of, say, 8 min running and then 1 min walking.
Be aware of your stride. Do non-running exercises to strengthen the various muscles in your legs but also your core (abdomen, back) and upper body.
Hydrate properly.
If I find that I’m sore after a run I make sure to go for a brisk walk the next day, it seems to help stretch things out and I recover faster. There’s a difference between “sore” and “in pain” - if my calves feel tight that’s different than shooting pain in my knee.
I just signed up to a 10k charity run for Cancer Research UK in the New Forest in Sept. I have never run, really, but when I got fit and lost some weight this year I started turning my .5m walk to the gym into a .5m run. Then on a non-workout day I just (on the spur of the moment) I set out on a run through the village, and got back 3 miles later.
I can do 6 miles in just over an hour, and regularly do 5m in my lunchbreak or 4 m getting to/from the gym for a workout. My aim now is to get up to a 10km/h pace before the Run10K event.
I really need to get new running shoes, and will go to a specialist store to get my stride looked at - I have uneven leg lengths and poor walking style.
Hey guys, I took your advice and got some real running shoes yesterday. I went to a special store and they put me on the treadmill and looked at my stride. Turns out I sort of land crooked on the inside (or maybe it was outside) of my feet. So they picked out some that accounted for that.
And then yesterday I ran 5k without stopping! It was really cool. I just wish I had remembered what time I started so I could compare with the previous time of 41 minutes! But I must have done somewhat better. I think a lot of it must have something to do with the fact that I didn’t need to stop for water. It was a lot cooler yesterday so I didn’t sweat nearly as much. I felt a LOT better as I passed the water fountain right at the first mile. I usually stop there. But I passed it and then I realized that I was damn near at the second mile.
Then the rough part began, because where I run there’s a big uphill climb towards the end. But I made it and once I got to the home stretch I knew that I could finish it off. I really hadn’t planned on not walking at all yesterday, but when I realized I had it in me I figured I ought to do it.
Congratulations! I am a runner as well, and am doing my first half marathon this coming Sunday. I have been a runner for years, but didn’t get serious about it until this year.
I find that during the summer I need to run earlier in the day, like, 7 am. I went for a 9 mile run last Sunday at 9:30 and almost got heatstroke!
no, no, go to www.runningahead.com for a mind-blowingly awesome running log/community.
I’ve been running about three months and this weekend is my very first 5K! After a lifetime of hating running, I caught the running bug too! I’m ridiculously slow but it’s okay. I’ve never been more healthy in my life.
Wow, good luck to all the racers this weekend (Olives and EmAnJ!) I do not race during the summer. If someone wants to organize a 10K that begins at 5am, then fine, I will be there. Otherwise, it’s too hot when most races start. Like EmAnJ, I do my running early.
ETA: Attack from 3D: It’s that good pain, though, right?
