I've started jogging

On storing your stuff – many running pants and shorts have zippered pockets where you can put your keys. However, the two pairs of running pants I have do not have such pockets, and I’m relegated to safety-pinning the backdoor key to my waistband. Alternately, if I run with the dog, I attach the keys to his collar so he’s like a furry running purse. And he jingles!

Khadaji and MsWhatsit (and anyone else), there’s a social group for running on the Giraffe Boards called Running 'Raffers, it was setup by Metallic Squink. It’s good for discussion and motivation and anyone is welcome to join. I’m Captain Daddy over there (waves at MissMossie).

Yep - I just carry the one key I need (usually my car key). This was after an unfortunate episode recently.

I had decided to run in the morning before work, rather than at lunchtime, due to the heat. So I got to work before 7am wearing my running gear. Then I took my car key/fob off the ring, locked the car, and placed the fob on top of the offside front wheel - I figured that the car would be safe like that, it is a secure car park. And I promptly knocked the key off the wheel, where it bounced and disappeared into the guts of the car.
:smack:
I looked, and felt around, and cursed myself for being a fool, and then set off to run off my frustration (with a greasy black arm from reaching round the tyre). When I got back, I tried from a different angle, and finally contacted the key where it had landed on the suspension arm. In to the car, get my gear and off for a shower. Where I discovered the key pocket in the waistband of my running shorts, which I now use.
:smack:

Si

OK, one week ago today my doc asked me to lose 20 pounds. As of today I’ve lost 3 - or 15%. OK, since I think I might extend that to 30 on my own, it is only probably 10% of my final goal.

History has shown that I will likely only lose 1 this week though. :frowning: (When I’m trying like this, I average just around two pounds a week.)

I woke up much less sore today. Of course, I ruined that by jogging today.

I did much better today than Sunday. I can easily see that when my legs adjust (mostly my calves) I will be doing pretty well. Right now I have to fight the weak legs and the hard breathing. When one goes I’ll do better.

I dug out an old pair of sneakers that fit me better than the pair I wore Sunday. This was a great idea since today’s pair did not chafe or blister my toes. I have ordered a better pair and expect it tomorrow.

OK, two runs down. We’ll see how Thursday goes.

I’m inspired, myself. I’m increasing the amount I run to try to challenge myself, too.

Keep up the good work, Khadaji!

Why oh why did I pick the start of the hot season to start this?

To be fair to me, there is no way I could have done this last September and if I wait until fall I will likely be waiting forever. But even though I was on the trail at 6:30 this morning, it was already hot and muggy. I hate summer!

Just another post of support. Running can be tough until you really make it a genuine part of your lifestyle. If I had any words of advice - which I know you didn’t ask for - it would be that just getting out and running regularly for the first 3-6 months is the single most important factor (don’t worry as much about speed, distance, weight, etc.). For me, at least, this is the amount of time it takes to really adopt something new into my lifestyle. Until someone has really adopted the lifestyle, they’ll always be fighting off the excuses that can keep them from continuing their program. Heck - I’ve been running for 30 years, but I still say, the hardest part of my workout is getting up from my desk to go do it.

Great job and good luck.

It really helped me to register and pay for a race. Then you have to do it, whether you feel you’re ready or not. (You can always walk most of it!)

**Kiber **advice is welcome. (I reserve the right to ignore it… :))

The only advice/words of wisdom that seemed kind of useless came from another jogger Sunday. Since it was my first day and I haven’t run in probably 30 years, I was alternating jogging a little, walking a little. This is advocated by the Couch-2-5K plan and also the plan that I’m using.

A “real” jogger went by and said: You’ve gotta stick with it dude!

Wow! Thanks, I’m so inspired now! Had he not imparted those words of wisdom I would have just quit…

I totally agree that starting is the tough part each day. I have been lifting for years (I’ve had many a set-back in the past 6 years, each year I end up giving up 1/3 of my year to recover from an operation) and the hardest part each time is going down and starting it. Once I start it, I always agree that I’m glad I did, and wonder why the heck I had to fight myself to do it. And then next time I have to have the same fight.

I suspect that, just like when I started walking last September, I will keep with it. Of course, only time will tell.

Unless, of course, your weight fits into the normal ranges. Its been 25 years since I’ve had a doctor unhappy with my weight, and that was because I was underweight.

Which doesn’t mean everyone’s ideal weight fits into the weight charts, just that it does happen where your doctor makes only positive comments on your weight.

My doc has good reasons for wanting me to lose weight, even beyond the regular reasons.

My fat, like many people’s, tends to gather around my belly. For a man who has had as many belly operations as I have had, this creates potential for hernias. The slimmer I am, the less likely I will be back on the operating table any time soon.

This is a strong motivator.

I’ve lost 24 lbs so far, down from 226 to 202, so I am no longer “obese” but am still “overweight” in terms of BMI. One thing that surprised me when I started using MapMyRun and calculating the calories burned on my runs was that I’m not really burning that many calories just doing a 5k run. It’s in the region of 500 calories which is the same number of calories packed into a certain brand of chocolate muffin that I sometimes eat. So one 5k run can be entirely undone by one chocolate muffin. That made me realise the value of eating better and keeping an eye on my calorie intake. The great thing about losing weight of course, is as you get lighter, you have less weight to move around and running gets easier. So in the beginning you can move ahead in great leaps and bounds as you not only get fitter but also lighter.

The most useless piece of advice I’ve received was also while I was running. A fat topless man came whizzing down hill on a mountain bike and as he flashed past me he yelled out in a thick German accent “BUY A BICYCLE!”

Ah, when you realize the cost of something in its negative.

Or “I can waste that by putting it in the trash, or I can eat it, and have to put my lazy butt to work taking it off my hips - plus I’ll have to forgo something else later.”

Well, just the calorie loss from running itself (which is shocking in its smallness after you do all that work!) doesn’t tell the whole story - when you build muscle, it takes more energy to just sit around at the computer than it did before. So the more muscle you have, the more energy you need in general.

Also, when I run I am a LOT more likely to eat breakfast, because I try to run in the morning and then you’re supposed to eat something for recovery. So I probably snack a lot less. Running makes me ravenous, though.

I’ve definitely gotten the runner’s high, but it doesn’t happen very often. Especially since I won’t be running for at least another six to seven months (I’m pregnant and had to stop running sooner this time than last), I don’t expect to get that high again for at least a year. I expect that after I have my baby, it’ll be about four to six weeks before I can exercise, another four to six weeks of dedicated jogging/walking to get up to 20-30 minutes straight jogging, then at least a few months to truly start get into the zone again.

Don’t let the cramping get to you - I often got stomach cramps when I started running. Though if you have a history of stomach issues associated with lots of pain, definitely listen to your body and slow down if you experience pain you associated with those problems. And don’t hesitate to call your doc if you can’t tell the difference between running-related pain and pain related to your previous problems.

Congratulations, by the way! Running is a great way to burn some calories, and, though it sucks to get started, once your body is more accustomed, it does feel better. Lots better.

Do they (doctors or medical advice or whatnot) not let you run, or is it that you physically can’t?

I can run if I want to. I actually ran until my eighth month with my first and only stopped recently with this one (I’m just over 4 months now). But after you have a kid your, ahem, internal muscles are a little looser, even though I’ve been doing the exercises to improve that. In other words, I’ll run for about 5-10 minutes and and the slight bouncing motion makes me have to pee. Then I’ll run for 5-10 minutes more and have to pee again. It’s incredibly annoying and makes working out less enjoyable. But if I walk, I don’t have to pee as frequently, so I’m not confined to a treadmill near a bathroom and I’m more likely to work out more often.

I love jogging! I went out for an 8 mile today- in the rain! When I started in September I did the C25K plan and it killed me. But, like you, Khadaji, I’d been walking a lot and I found that it was easier for me because of that. And now I’m an annoying member of the Cult of Runners. I think it’s the best thing ever and want everyone to do it!

Well it was a much improved run today. More after the whine…

It seemed as if fate were conspiring against me running today. Yesterday I woke up with back spasms so bad I could hardly walk. (Something new. Hooray!) If I had them today I would not have gone. I also ached all over and last night had nausea and vomiting. I figured today’s run was toast. But I woke up feeling mostly OK. A little sore in the back, a little, but not too much, nausea. I decided to run.

I went out to the rail-trail and: ROAD CLOSED. Due to flooding.

OK, on to the next nearest entrance. ROAD CLOSED. Due to flooding.

OK, one more shot. Ah, OK, here we go.

As I said, much improved today. I *almost *made it all the way through the training as indicated. That would have been a first. On the very last run before the cool down I got cramps in both calves so bad I wondered if I’d make it back. Wow! Holy @#$!

So, next week I’m going to repeat the first week’s training. I have learned from lifting not to go to the next level until you are comfortable with this one. If I move too quickly I increase the danger of real injury or getting discouraged and quitting. But I think next week the first week’s training should be comfortable for me and so the following week I’ll treat as if it were my second week.

At least the nausea should help me cut weight! :slight_smile: (Never a good way to do it, but hey, if I have to be sick, I guess I’ll take the good with the bad.)

Khadaji, all the trouble you’re having with your calves makes me suspect you’re landing on your toes. You should be landing on your heel directly underneath your body and the foot nearly flat.

This article gives a good explanation.

This photo is a good example.

It may look like the runner is overstriding but the foot has not landed. He’s running rather fast and by the time his heel lands, it will be directly under his body/center-of-gravity.