ILX running running thread

I seem to be only able to run a few minutes at a time, then walk a few minutes, then run again. What gives?
that's how you have to start, totally normal and good considering how many people injure themselves right from the start from trying too hard

ok thank you Art Afons

I run along the Arroyo Seco, I like it
http://www.csun.edu/~aes15831/graphics/general_photos/la_river/tributaries/arroyo_seco_colorado/images/Lower%20Arroyo%20Seco%20Nature%20Park%2011-4-06%20(3)_jpg.jpg

seriously -- just try to keep doing it and make it a habit. the rest will come once your legs/lungs are accustomed.

i've been really sluggy lately, but have every intention of sleeping better and running back on my old schedule. the cooler weather helps.

that arroyo is not entirely seco, tbf

haha I see what you did there

hi adam. this is a long thread but La Lechera's advice at the beginning of the year stood me in good stead (until my recent back injury).

advice needed (sorry if all of this has already been covered)

i'm going to start running this week. i ran for a bit a few years ago but i was getting terrible migranes at that point so i had to give it up and i didn't get back into it once they had cleared up. my goal is to get a little fitter progressively rather than barge right in and risk overdoing it. fwiw i think i have a pretty good build for running so i'm not too worried about that. i'm hoping it might also help with my depression and focus/clear my head, and also, possibly, with my sleeping pattern. i stay up so late atm just because i have expended so little energy during the day that i don't feel tired until the early hours.

so... it's very cold here at the moment but currently not icey. i have running shoes but no other running gear. should i just wear longish shorts in spite of the cold? a lightweight nylon jacket? also do you /should you drink water when you run? i don't see many serious-looking runners with bottled water but i feel like maybe i need to. how should i start off tomorrow? with a run-walk-run alternating or just run until i feel like i've had enough? also i intend to start the days with a run rather than run later on, is this a good idea? should i breakfast before and let that settle for a while before running or wait until after the run to eat?

thanks in advance!

― jed_, Tuesday, 4 January 2011 00:25 (8 months ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

a good place to start for inexperienced runners (i used this and now i have improved like 600% at least and am not injured, which is a big thing for me) http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-380-381-386-9397-0,00.html

-- i don't think you need water if you are only going out for like 30-40 min at a stretch in the winter

-- wear whatever's comfortable but remember that you're going to get warmer if you're running. i wear 2 shirts + hoodie and tights/shorts

-- take it easy, don't try to push yourself too hard at first, focus on making a habit (this can take a looooong time)

-- running will help with mental health (has for me, at least, big time) and will also help with sleep, so good idea there

-- everyone does what works for him/her, so figure out what works for you. this will take time, don't push it too fast. let it develop.

-- that is my condensed advice for now, but i am extremely conservative, not into tracking data, and not competitive at all

― ergonomically chromium plated fish slice (La Lechera), Tuesday, 4 January 2011 03:13 (8 months ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

Good advice, especially making a habit of it.

― Jeff, Tuesday, 4 January 2011 04:44 (8 months ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

thanks for the advice and the link La Lechera. Hoping to start this tomorrow, weather permitting.

― jed_, Tuesday, 4 January 2011 16:10 (8 months ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

Good luck! Also, I forgot to respond to the part about running before breakfast. I do this all the time, and like it better than running after a long day. Usually it gives me time to think about my day before it happens and then approach it calmly and tired out, rather than being agitated all day and then running it out in the afternoon. I'm the kind of animal who needs to be tired out early or the day can be kind of uncomfortable. It took me a long time to realize this, though. Everyone's different. Do what works for you.

― ergonomically chromium plated fish slice (La Lechera), Tuesday, 4 January 2011 16:15 (8 months ago) Bookmark

La Lechera seems very OTM, eh?

I am really into running before breakfast, I just need to make more of a habit of it. I am lucky to live somewhere with nice weather.

But yeah, I see how people get into it. It can be both a physical and almost spiritual experience, in the right circumstances. I certainly feel that way now I have stopped trying to run the streets around my house and pacing myself block by block and have got out into "nature". I see very few people on my run, but I do have to jog past a stables, it's pretty terrible when you are gulping lungfuls of air and it literally tastes like horseshit.

Agree with the above about running first thing. Have had to do several late afternoon runs lately and def feel a sluggishness. I just have a banana and some coffee before early runs. Good luck to you!

Thank you very much!

i can't stress enough that you should figure out what works for you and do that. it's entirely possible that my troubles sleeping have been compounded by my irregular running schedule. need to get back out there 3x a week and just do what i can do.

good luck! take it easy if you're in it for the long haul.

I am in for the long haul! I always am!

excited!

yes La Lechera, still OTM <3

btw adam it was amazing how quickly my attitude when from reluctance to enjoying my runs then to actually needing my runs. it's kinda driving me crazy not being able to do it at the moment and i know that Ronan felt the same way when he had to take a break recently.

when = went

yeah I feel get suuuuuper grouchy when I don't go to the gym.

Also I want nice clothes to fit me well, maybe having a runner's shape instead of....whatever I have now...would help.

i have to say i got some nice wicking t-shirts and vests, a gilet, a rain jacket (essential here) some stylin' shorts all from the local running shop. it all really made me feel better about going out for a run even though i knew i was being kinda silly about the style thing. whatever works.

i will only wear shorts for running, i don't tend to do shorts

I'm still looking for that elusive runners shape. Most likely not happening for me.

I wear tights in the extreme cold.

ah sorry i misread and thought you were asking about clothes for running. xxpost

I wear tights too -- I feel more sleek than in bloppy pants. Don't know if I have a runner's shape or not, but I've always been kinda wiry.

I am such an odd shape, I don't know.

are you an octagon?

Parallelogram.

I'm like..I don't know...words simply can't describe it. I guess I have issues.

I mean CLEARLY I have issues!

that's how you have to start, totally normal and good considering how many people injure themselves right from the start from trying too hard

I tries too hard and now I'm injured. Deep pain below my right ankle that's been persistent for 2 weeks now. It's the worst in the mornings when I wake up (to the point of making me limp) but I feel it to some degree all the time, and haven't been able to run since.

I've been back running for two months now and so far my knee has held up, but I always get nervous when I feel (hopefully normal!) twinges after a long run or a hard session. I have a marathon lined up in a month; I won't be anywhere near PB shape but my goal is to get round in an ok time and not let my club down.

OK guys I hit the arroyo this morning and I paid careful attention. I did not go to fast. I have figured out that there are two things stopping me - I get pain in my sides and also the ground is a combination of large rocks, sand and loose gravel. It's kind of rough on my Achilles. But I think the side pains are the main thing. Am I not breathing right or is it just something I need to build up to. Anyway I think I went a few miles, don't know how much. And I feel good. BUT ate an apple and a slice of toast about 30 minutes before I ran and I have been RAVENOUS all day. I just keep eating. What to do?

You need to give your lungs time to accustom themselves to this sort of work -- it'll come, be patient.
You're right about the gravel and rocks, be careful -- don't trip! I've tripped.
Keep eating.

I can't stop eatttting

Running makes me eat more too. That's why I've gained weight since I started, despite the greatly increased physical activity. C'est la vie.

I was going to start my fake marathon training last night, but I totally didn't run. Ended up drinking 13% beer and playing video games. I'll try again tonight.

For this plan, I'm actually going to vary my pace and do distinct workouts instead of just always going out there and trying to run fast. Alternate easy/hard workouts. Train for a specific marathon pace instead of going into a race not knowing how I'm going to be able to do.

running is a good way to avoid losing one's appetite

weirdly i never feel like eating after a run? even though i'm almost always hungry before i run, because running after eating = the worst stomach cramps for me, every time. have to run on empty stomach.

i just did this run in blazing sunshine, it was lovely - the loop was totally spontaneous (usually i'd just carry on up the canal), and i ended up running further than i ever have.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5114339

9 miles last night, major heel pain today. Annoying.

Is it like a sharp, stabbing pain in the center of your heel? I had that alot this summer.

Near the very bottom of it.

I ran yesterday after an unusually long fallow period (like almost a week!) and it felt heavenly. I think the colder weather will be good for me.

I signed up for this:

http://media.dailymile.com/photos/242284/eca811c7631bd40086367a6daaadb1b1.jpg

SO EXCITING!

I know, right! I'm beside myself.

That corn maze (been there for the maze, not the race) is really big on corny signage iirc

"corny"

I think I'm running a 5k race tomorrow. Will be useful to calibrate just where I am on the unfitness curve.

Marathon spectating is almost as hard as running one. I'm exhausted.

You're not running? I thought for sure you would be and I felt bad for not wishing you luck, but now I take it all back.

Yeah, didn't sign up because it sold out before I had run Wisconsin. It wouldn't have been pleasant out there today.

good piece http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/11/08/101108fa_fact_kahn?currentPage=all

really got back into fitness last month or two, no shin or knee probs and although it's taken weirdly ages to get myself up to decent distances i'm doing 4/5 miles every second day. want to try a longer run, maybe at the weekend.

been listening to this album while running too, fucking amazing (and the video the person has made for it below is perfect too)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMHJT-0ya-w