The Running Thread

Scylla I agree completely with your sentiments about interval training. I’ve been doing the Aerobic Solutions part of the Body for Life workout for about 3 weeks now. For me it’s a walk/jog thing because I’ve got some extra tonnage but the last time I did the BFL training I was able to work up to running/jogging the entire 20-30 minutes in about 4 weeks. After that I was steadily increasing time and distance. It’s much easier to increase speed and distance when you’re doing interval training.

I can’t even imagine a marathon though I once upon a time worked up to 10K. Someday maybe…

Running always makes me feel better for all of the reasons stated in the OP.

Anyone have any advice on shoes? I have wide feet and have a very hard time finding running shoes in anything but B width which is too narrow. I’m tempted to buy men’s shoes which are made wider. Thoughts anyone?

Right now I’m running in my walking shoes because I’m walking as much as running but I really need to upgrade soon.

velvetjones: Try Saucony, they’re made on a wider lathe(?) than most, so their normal shoes are only a bit narrower than most other’s ‘wide’ widths. They’re the only sneaker-type shoe I can wear in a ‘normal’ width. (My feet swim in the wide width!) Most of 'em that I’ve seen also have removable inserts, which is good if you wear othopedics like me.

As for running… I’m afraid that’s out for me these days: my knees are pretty much shot. (Not from running though.) That, and I can’t find a running bra that works well enough in my size. (Going ‘boingy boingy’ is NOT comfortable.) I do walking and hiking instead now, along with dance and weightlifting. Maybe once my knees get their act back together…

Although, any of the female runners here have good leads on running bras that work well for us… er… well-endowed people? The ones that I’ve found that hold me tight enough to keep from bouncing around are too tight to be comfortable: breathing is good! That, and the whole uni-boob thing extends into my armpits… :frowning: And the ones that don’t cause uni-boob don’t hold the bouncing around down enough to be comfortable for running.


<< It just costs you a pair of goddamm shoes! --Robin Williams >>

Nightsonggirlfriend, as a former 38DD (now a 36D), I am all over the running bra thang!

Try Title 9’s awesome brafinder at their website: http://www.title9sports.com

I use the Frog Bra. It frikkin’ rocks. No movement whatsoever.

Canthearya beat me to it on the Frog Bra.

I don’t wear it, but have heard only positive things about it.

I would add, though, that you may also want to look at something like Aquaphor or Body Glide to prevent chafing.

Chafed areas around the jogbra are no fun. Trust me.

velvetjones I love saucony’s. I wear a men’s 8 and they last me forever. Check’em out.

Nightsong I can relate to the sports bras being too tight to breathe. I gave up on them and just wear a regular bra. After about a mile and a half, the bouncing doesn’t bug me anymore.

turner You might try cutting back to doing just one mile as fast as you can for a week. Then try to go for three miles. When I first started running, I would just do a mile trying to run all out. Then when I started running longer distances, there wasn’t a problem.

White Lightening I heard that running more than 28 miles a week was just doing damage to your joints and that you’d be running to get something else out of it than fitness. Hmm… a runner addicted to the Bard? To run or not to run. That is the question. Whether 'tis nobler to dodge the cars and buses of road raged drivers or escape to the woodland path and fight off deer flies…

Does anyone run with pain? And do you consider yourself a runner or jogger? I run through side-aches and hip aches but stop with knee pain. I call myself a runner but I suppose I am really a jogger.

I don’t like to make a distinction between running and jogging because it seems to me that people look down on “joggers.”

It’s a tough sport, period. We run, therefore we are runners.

Three years ago I tried to run through shin splints but after a couple of months I couldn’t take it. I’ve lost a few pounds since then and haven’t had a problem this time up to bat…

Thanks everyone for the word on Saucony. I had a pair back in college (so very many years ago) I remember how much I liked them.

What is the difference between running and jogging besides speed?

I don’t like to make a distinction between running & jogging based on speed. Here’s why:

When I run a marathon, I’m running about a 10 minute mile. Lots of people consider that pace to be jogging.

But in order to run a marathon, I’ve spent six months training, running 30-40 miles a week, 5-6 days a week. I get up at the crack of dawn to run my long runs, which extend to over 3 hours.

Screw it. I’m a runner.

My own mind distinguishes jogging from running on how serious you are about it. I’m serious. I’m a runner. Somebody who just goes out occasionally for the heck of it, well, they might be considered a jogger, even if they are faster than me.

But when someone dedicates the time and energy to something that I have, I have a hard time using a word that is looked down upon.

So I’d say if you’re into it enough to post to a running thread - you’re a runner! :slight_smile:

Yeah! What scout1222 said!

takes a peek at the reccomended bras

Frog bra… Odd, I don’t see it coming up in my cup size… but the other ones there look good. And hey, most of them aren’t the uniboob type! That alone is a good thing.

winces a bit at GKW I’m glad that it works for you, but for me… owwwie. Plus that friction bit from things moving one way, and the fabric of my top moving another…

Ooooh. Since this is a running thread, I can share this tale: My Dad, Mom, and some assorted running friends are particpating in a long-distance relay race. (For the life of me, I can’t remember which one, but it’s one of the ones in the Pacific Northwest.) In the middle of nowhere, or just about, one of the guys on the team starts having a real bad problem with nipple chafing. So, he and Dad walk into this general store in this itty-bitty rural community, talking away about ‘chafing’ and ‘lubricant’ and ‘Vaseline’, and which brand would be better to use (generic vs. brand name)… needless to say, the looks the clerk was giving them was priceless. :smiley:


<< Do-be-do-be-do! >>

Here’s a diet question. I’m getting back into running after a 3 year hiatus. I ran in high school and some post-high school. I’m not what you would call an impressive runner, but I’d like to think I can hold my own.

Anyway, I’m curious as to what you all think is a good long term strategy for eating, if I plan to be running a lot. I’m running a few times a week now, around 4 miles at a 9 minute mile pace. My goal is to be running 10 miles by the end of August. I know I’ve got some biker friends (that’s street bikes, not Harleys) who are very big on lots of protein. Is that a good plan? Right now I’m just trying to be balanced, with a minimum of complex carbohydrates. Educate me, oh Dopers!

Nightsong, was it Hood to Coast?

Eonwe, there are many different schools of thought. I would recommend you check out Runners World online. Specifically they use Liz Applegate as their nutritionist. She’s always doing articles on how much of what you need.

I would say that you do need carbs to fuel you. You also need more protein than a non-runner. But chances are you’re already eating enough protein to meet that recommendation.

All right, I’ll quit now.

I started running a couple years ago when the doctor asked me what kind of excerise I got and my answer was, “Uhh, none.” So anyway, I did a bunch of treadmill running, building up to about 3 miles at around 5.5 mph.

I lost some steam and went on hiatus but now I’m back. I’ve been very regular for the last three months and I’m up to 4 miles at a little over 6 mph or so (and down 20 lbs, woo!).

Here’s my question… For me. running still seems like a chore. I get out there and really, I don’t enjoy it. It’s hard damn work. Now, the following endorphin rush is great, but the actual going out and doing isn’t as much fun.

Is this normal? Do you all go out and feel great while you’re running or is it always hard? What can I expect as I keep up the program?

(Somehow I feel like if I get to a point where I actually fee good while I’m running, I will be more ready to self-identify as a “runner.”)

emulsified, does it feel any different when you slow down?

I just wonder if maybe you’re running too hard. Granted, there are going to be some days when it’s going to suck. And those sometimes happen when you’re not even trying to push it. But since I focus on longer distances, I focus on a pace that’s comfortable for the long haul. Now, when I’m trying to do a speed session, or something like that, I’ll go faster. And yep, it hurts.

But as a general rule, it doesn’t suck. So maybe you need to slow down a bit and see if that’s better?

I love it. I was just talking to my dad the other day (I mentioned that he was a swimmer), and he always has told me that he can’t stand running. I, on the other hand, can’t get enough. I enjoy the whole experience. emulsified, maybe you should try some other exercise that you’d enjoy more?

On the other hand, treadmill running doesn’t seem to me like it’d be much fun. Try getting out of the house and running around the streets and see if that appeals to you more.

Thanks for all the replies and advice, everyone. Much appreciated.

Hey, I didn’t even notice the treadmill part.

I love to run. I can run for a couple of hours and not get bored.

But get my butt on a treadmill…I’m ready to poke myself with a sharp stick before even 15 minutes are up. Give me the open road any day.

What’s everyone’s best run ever?

Mine was in Oregon, on one of my legs of Hood to Coast in 2000. My second leg of the run was at about 4 a.m. It was on some real dark, deserted country highway. It was slightly uphill, dark as pitch, slightly drizzling, and quiet like you wouldn’t believe. Being a city gal, not like any run I’d ever done before. The leg was approximately 5 miles long, and it was the best run I ever had. The coolness, the fresh air, the moisture, PERFECT.

Second to that is probably when we were in DC last year and got to run by all the monuments - what great scenery!

emulsified, when I run - even out on the open road - I kinda go through stages. I feel okay for about 10 minutes, great for 10 minutes, then frikkin’ shitty for 5 minutes. I run S L O W L Y so I don’t think that’s the problem. I think I’m out of shape.

But tomorrow! Buahahahaha! I finally get my very own treadmill! I can watch MTV’s Real World all I want! I can watch porn while I run! (Just kidding on the porn part.)

scoutybaby, my favorite run will always be the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in Washington, D.C. I did it when I was like, 10 years old, and I’ll never forget it. Perfect running weather and one of the most beautiful cities to run it in… Loved every minute of it. Someday I’ll do it again.

minor hijack Canthearya - since you’re posting today, you obviously didn’t die of blood poisoning or anything bad - did you get that bruise checked out? end minor hijack

I think maybe I came off as too negative. I really actually do enjoy the whole running thing in general… I think the stage thing that Canthearya referred to is what I go through.

I just anticipate a time when the whole thing feels good instead of just parts.

I pretty much exclusively run outside now… When you live this close to Lincoln Park, it would be a sin not to.

So do y’all listen to music while you run? Or is that a sacrilege?
Does anyone else’s nose run like a bugger when it’s at all cold out?

My nose runs. And my ears hurt like mad. I need to buy myself a headband for that. I don’t listen to music, because it tends to make me lose my focus. My rhythm gets screwed up pretty easily. Also it makes me much more conscious of time passing, because I pay attention to how long each song takes, for instance. When I run without music the time just passes like magic. I have a small stage where it’s tough, about half a mile after I start my sides start aching. But it goes away very quickly.