For those of you who jog daily...

In My Humble Opinion
1

How do you do it? Where do you jog? In a park? around your home? How far?

How did you get started? Didn’t you wonder if your neighbors were thinking “Hey there goes the fatty*, it’s about time (s)he started jogging?”

How do you warm up? How long? What do you do when it rains?

How do you keep it interesting? Jogging isn’t very much fun.

As you can see, I want to start jogging but never did it as a daily thing before! Please let me know!

Thanks.

*Not that I’m implying anything by the use of this word except for the obtuseness of certain neighbors.

2

Put one foot in front of the other repeatedly.

Down some roads (well, country lanes), sometimes over fields and along footpaths. Mostly between 3 and 5 miles, can’t be bothered to do any more.

I heard it made you feel better so I tried it at uni, haven’t stopped since. I’ve never had anyone call me fatty (well, not that I know of, and I’m 6’3 and weigh 140lbs so I doubt they think it)

I never warm up, but I do warm down by walking up and down the road for a few minutes afterwards.

Get wet. Seriously, I just put a waterproof jacket on, but still with shorts and I dry and change as soon as I get home.

I listen to music, mostly Eminem at the moment so I can pay attention to the lyrics but have a steady beat aswell.

Best advice I can give you is don’t overstretch yourself, maybe every day is too much to begin with? I run a two days on, one day off cycle and I have more energy on the run after my day off than the second of 2 days.

3

And here is a thread I started about starting running, I haven’t achieved my goal of running a half marathon due to not wanting to take running too seriously, but all the stuff here is still relavent.

4

I don’t run daily anymore but I used to and still run occasionally so I’ll try answering some of these. And be sure to explore the links in the thread Tuco provided.

I run on the hik and bike trail we have in town. I used to have a route planned out through my neighborhood when I didn’t live as close to the trail as I do now.

[uote]How did you get started? Didn’t you wonder if your neighbors were thinking “Hey there goes the fatty*, it’s about time (s)he started jogging?”
[/quote]

I started running for real when I joined an athletic team. I had tried to start running several times before but never kept it up consistently. Having a goal really helped. I suggest you pick a race a short distance away and train for it. Initially, pick something easy like finishing a 5k without walking and then adjust your goals from there.

I used to worry about the whole “fatty” thing until I realized I admired the overweight people I saw out running. They’re out there doing something to improve their health instead of just sitting around. Good for them!

I warm up by walking a quarter mile and doing some stretches as I’m prone to IT band tightness. When I run I usually do 4 or 5 miles but I had to build up to it. I remember the first time I ran a whole mile without stopping. Eventually, I found a pace I could keep up almost indefinitely. I went from not being able to run a mile to running a half marathon in five months. And that was at age 31.

Truthfully, when it rains, I find something else to do. Unless it’s just a light, drizzly rain, thosee are actually more comfortalble to run in because you stay cooler.

Since I jog on a trail by a lake, I see lots of nature which is kinda interesting. When I ran through a neighborhood, I liked checking out all the houses and noticing things you normally don’t notice from a car. If I’m really getting bored, I work on character development and plotting for stories I intend to write. I don’t listen to music as I find it distracting.

Best running advice I ever got: when starting out, just keep running. Too many beginners try to run too fast and have to slow to a walk after only a minute or so. Start out at a really slow pace and just maintain that running cadence even if you fel like you’re running slower than you could walk. Eventually, you’ll get faster and more stamina. Good luck!

5

How do you do it? Where do you jog? In a park? around your home? How far?
I usually jog on the treadmill at the gym after a workout. In the past month or so I have been running along the Delaware & Raritan Canal near Princeton. It’s great because there is a 35mi or so long well-trimmed towpath (where the mules used to pull the barges) that you can run on to your heart’s content. Since it is a towpath next to a canal, it’s totally flat and mostly straight.
I usually run about 20-25 miles per week. Today I did 6mi at the gym.

How did you get started? Didn’t you wonder if your neighbors were thinking "Hey there goes the fatty, it’s about time (s)he started jogging?"*
One day early last year, the nice nurse at the bloodmobile made me sit in the corner to let my blood pressure get below the limit before she gave me a “go.” I realized that my sedantary lifestyle had to end and I joined my gym and haven’t stopped since. Never was really fat, but I have gone from 230 to 195 at 6’3" in the past year.

How do you warm up? How long? What do you do when it rains?
My warm up is a minimal set of stretches (asked the orthopod what he would have me do if I wanted to to the barest minimum of stretching and he gave me his short list). Usually, if I am running at the gym, it’s after a full workout anyway, so I am pretty warmed up. (I can’t understand how those folks who run first can stand working out while drenched in sweat).

How do you keep it interesting? Jogging isn’t very much fun.
Actually, it gets better. When it ceases to be horribly exhausting work, it actually begins to be fun.
I have a mp3 player that I depend heavily upon when things get dull.

6

OK thank you. I am going to try tomorrow. Just two more questions:

Does anyone drive to a place to jog? Is this silly? See where I live, I’m liable to get hit by a car. There’s a park, but it’s a couple of miles away!

Also, any advice for getting motivated in the morning? I am SO not a morning person and that is the only time I have for jogging.

7

I have a treadmill at home that has been pretty quiet for the last 3 years. I have expanded to a frightening size and my Dr. advised I start walking at least a 1/2 hour every day. What got me to stay on the treadmill this last week was watching I love the 90’s. It was interesting enough and kept my mind occupied while my body stumbled along. I used to jog religiously 3 years ago and what kept me motivated was music.

Just find one thing, whether its books on tape, tv shows, music or planning your day out in your mind- this will help you pass the time.

8

i recommend the couch to 5k plan found at coolrunnings.com. I started week 5 on Saturday, and things are going well for me so far. My first ‘big’ challenge will be on wednesday when I have to do 2 miles. When I first started the thing i was expecting to find the early weeks really easy. I didn’t, which goes some way to defining just how unfit I was. Not that im all that much fitter now, but i wouldn’t have been able to cope with the week 5 workload 5 weeks ago. Onwards and Upwards

9

I walk 20-30 minutes every day, before work.
I bike on weekends.

Long walks have always come naturally to me, so it’s nothing new.

I watch out for little things that Nature throws in my path, so it stays interesting.

10

I jog every workday (Mon. – Fri.) during my 1-hour lunch break. In fact, I’m about ready to go jog right now.

Here’s every excruciating detail:

At noon I change clothes into my jogging stuff. I go to the front lobby and stretch for about 5 minutes. I then go outside and jog. I run through a neighborhood adjacent to the building where I work. I don’t know how far it is, but it takes me about 30 minutes to complete the course. I run rain or shine, summer and winter.

I couldn’t care less what people think of me when I’m jogging. Come to think of it, that applies to just about everything I do. :wink:

We have a rather large men’s restroom w/ private shower, so I (usually) take a shower afterwards.

I jog for two reasons: 1) General fitness and 2) weight control. I do not have a “jogger’s body”: I’m short and stocky, so I probably look kinda funny jogging. But I don’t care.

If you’ve never jogged before, my advice is this: start out slow, and don’t get discouraged. It will eventually get easier.

11

Oops, sorry, you also asked about “boredom.”

I don’t listen to music, and the neighborhood is Averageville, U.S.A. Nothing interesting to see, really.

So yea, I guess it’s kinda boring. But I’m willing to put up with 30 minutes of boredom in exchange for being physically fit.

12

How do you do it? Where do you jog? In a park? around your home? How far?

Move legs, swing arms, dunno it sort of comes naturally. I’m back up to a speed that I regard as running though I was jogging for a while. Round the outside of a local wood on cycle/pedestrian paths, distance 1.5-2 miles very roughly. I’ve devised a route which has street lights all round so I can keep it up through winter. Starting up after a break is tough, it’s much better to keep your legs in even if only one or two runs a week.

How did you get started? Didn’t you wonder if your neighbors were thinking "Hey there goes the fatty, it’s about time (s)he started jogging?"*

Started as a teenager fed up with being chubby. My dad always ran including the occasional marathon so it just seemed the most natural way to get exercise, all you need is a pair of shoes. Never been large enough to be a real fatty. I do see the occasional chunky person out jogging but no regulars.
*
How do you warm up? How long? What do you do when it rains?*

Just a couple of stretches (not enough I know). Rain: light - same as Tuco heavy - forget it

How do you keep it interesting? Jogging isn’t very much fun.
I’m not out long enough to get bored.

13

How do you do it? Where do you jog? In a park? around your home? How far?

There’s a 7 mile paved nature trail within a 5 minute walk of my apartment complex. It intersects 3 small city parks and sees a fair bit of traffic, particularly on sunny days.

How did you get started? Didn’t you wonder if your neighbors were thinking "Hey there goes the fatty, it’s about time (s)he started jogging?"*

4 months ago I noticed that I was starting to outgrow my jeans. When I had to start buying 33 inch waists I decided to nip things in the bud before the problem got out of hand. I’m still fairly thin, and I’d like to keep it that way. Anyway, I used to exercise quite a bit before entering grad school. Since I recently graduated (and thus now have more energy), I decided to start up again.

As for looking silly? Pfah. Who cares what other people think? If you have to worry about things like that, just keep in mind that today is the silliest you will ever look exercising. You’ll be a little more in shape the next time you work out, a little more graceful…pretty soon you’ll be the person that new people will feel neurotic about. :slight_smile:

How do you warm up? How long? What do you do when it rains?

Push-ups, crunches, toe raises and the 5 minute walk to the park. I usually spend a good 10 minutes after running to cool down and another few minutes to stretch. As for what I do when it rains…I get wet. Duh. :wink:

How do you keep it interesting? Jogging isn’t very much fun.

I enjoy people-watching. Particularly those of the double X chromosome persuasion. Hubba hubba. I also listen to music. Usually something slow and steady in beat, like reggae or slow techno (Thrill Kill Kult, for example).

14

I see this all the time, actually. Don’t sweat it.

Hm. If you have a morning routine, don’t let yourself do it until after you’ve done your morning jog. In other words, if you take showers in the morning, only let yourself take them, after you’ve been running.

15

**Slortar ** do you mean you always see people getting hit by cars :eek: , or always see people almost getting hit by cars, or always see people driviing to the park??

The looking silly part: Well I was painfully shy as a child. I have overcome about…93 % of it, but sometimes things like this still crop up. But I am beginning to see this logic:

Be self-conscious because I’m not my ideal weight, every day, all day,

OR

Be self-conscious for 15-30 minutes in the mornings a couple times a week for six months or so AND be healthy into the bargain! So it’s not really much of a choice I guess. :slight_smile:

Oh and I would like to thank everyone for the oh-so-amusing quips on “how to jog”. You guys are a laugh riot.

16

As for how I do it, I do it slowly - most of the time. I run in Forest Park in St. Louis (it’s only about 2 blocks from our condo), and I usually run about 3-5 miles (30-60 minutes, depending upon how spry I’m feeling).

I started running because our 30 50-yard dashes were warm-up for volleyball in high school (about 12-13 years ago). I don’t think anyone thought “hey, there goes the fatty,” though I did feel kind of self-conscious when I started running again after a six-month hiatus a few years ago.

I warm up for about five minutes by running slowly or walking fast. When it rains, I usually go to the gym, unless it’s just sprinkling or a steady, lighter rain - then I run outside anyway.

I really enjoy running. I usually go with a couple of friends. I started running with them because we were all marathon training, and it’s tough running for four hours by yourself. Now I really enjoy my runs because I get to hang out with people I might not get to see much otherwise. I do go by myself sometimes, and I really love that, too - I like the way my body feels when I’m running, and we have some really nice trails nearby.

If you’d like to make running a daily thing, make sure you start out fairly easy - perhaps do run/walk intervals. If you do too much too soon, it’ll hurt and you’ll be less likely to run everyday because you’ll associate running with pain, or you might even injure yourself. Best of luck to you!

17

Just remember, even if you’re out of shape, at least you’re jogging. That makes you better than all the people who are out of shape on their couches.

18

As for driving to find some place to job - yeah, it makes perfect sense to me, especially if you live some place that doesn’t have sidewalks. Or, in my case, some place that can be unsafe. I live in a fairly nice part of St. Louis, but it’s bordered by a fairly dangerous neighborhood. My husband used to make me promise to take the car on to get to the park (which is only 2 blocks away :eek: ) because several of our neighbors have been accosted near our building going for their early morning runs or walks (I used to go at 5 or 6 a.m. when it was still dark). It’s paranoid, and may seem lazy, but I’d prefer to be safe than sorry, and if it puts my husbands mind at ease, I’m happy to do it, even if it is kind of wasteful.

For getting motivated in the morning, are there any friends you can ask to go with you? I find that I’m MUCH more likely to go running really early if I have to meet someone. Especially because my friends tease me if I oversleep.

19

Although everyone knows how to run, not everyone knows how to run as well as they could (I certainly don’t). Some thoughts:

  • Make sure you have shoes that feel right and fit well. IMHO fit is much more important that the latest technology or price. Inexpensive shoes can be just fine.
  • Try to pay attention to how you are landing. Try not to ‘thud’ too much (I did and still do). Remember, the trick is to try and keep your momentum moving forward smoothly.
  • Every day sounds a bit much, at least to start. Maybe alternate jogging/walking. IIRC walking and running burn roughly the same calories, based on distance.
  • Many people swear by music to relieve boredom. I find it distracting unless it has *just the right * tempo, which it never does.
  • Feel free to drive to wherever you want to jog. I occasionaly drive to the local track for specific runs, or to the nearby forest preserve. If the setting will make you more likely to enjoy the run, it’s probably worth it.
  • Can’t help you with the morning thing. I hate running in the morning. However, having done it, I feel very ‘up’ the rest of the day. And no matter how work goes, I feel like I at least accomplished something…
20

Totally agree.

If your legs or feet hurt, “snoggers” (snobby joggers) will sanctimoniously tell you that you need “better shoes.” They will tell you that brand X or Y shoes, which cost $150 a pair, will fix the problem.

So you go out and buy $150 shoes. And lo-and-behold the muscle pains go away! But was it really due to the shoes? Keep in mind that, if you’re new to jogging, your leg muscles will hurt a little for the first week or two. Buying new shoes during the first week or two will make it appear the shoes “fixed” the problem, when in reality the pains would have subsided anyway after your muscles got stretched & worked.

So IMO, the biggest lie in jogging is that you must spend $150 (or whatever) on a pair of jogging shoes. Most people who believe this lie would be surprised to learn that $14 Wal-Mart shoes work fine. That’s what I’ve worn for the last 10 years.