ILX running running thread

i don't exactly enjoy the actual process but i figure that if it doesn't hurt it's not having any effect - like there's no point if i don't push myself and end up gasping for air and feeling like i'm about to die. and i REALLY enjoy the clear-headed and physically strong feeling i get afterwards, both immediately and in the next few days, and i'm not going to get to that if i don't go through the pain. plus it's a really virtuous kind of pain anyway.

I'd say I like it around half the time, and the other half is what I have to pay to build up the stamina that allows me to like it. But I never know how I'm going to feel about it until I'm a couple miles in. (Also, I started running to lose weight, and it didn't really work! I lost like 5 pounds 3 years ago but my metabolism has totally adjusted to it.)

this thread is making me feel guilty for how ridiculously long i've been using shin splints as an excuse

has anybody ever heard of/tried Chi Running

i have now done a five mile run. thank you ilx

It's weird, but running actually seems like a middling activity in terms of weight loss -- good insofar as it's easy to get out and do, but maybe not all that big of a calorie-burner for a beginner? I dunno.

I've totally slid backward on this, which is worrying me -- even taking every third day off or so, there are mornings where I can only get a few hundred yards before my knees or ankles go wrong or wobbly and I start worrying about injuring myself. Maybe I just don't have the joints for it. It is so frustrating, though, to go out in the morning, ready to go, and have your knees cut you off before you can even break a sweat, instead of the couple miles you were hoping for.

Should I be doing leg exercises to strengthen and stretch everything in the meantime?

Or get your gait looked at, at the running shoe store?

You should always always stretch, always. Someone who's more of an expert can say when that shd be -- I think stretching is more beneficial in the beginning-middle of a run once there's actually blood flowing to your extremities, but only a quick stretch to get the kinks out in case your hip or knee has locked up or whatever.

Do a full-out stretch for flexibility only AFTER your workout is done; loosening up all your tendons and joints could make you MORE injury-prone if you were going to keep working hard after.

Yeah, gait analysis is on the agenda (and new shoes), though I'd be surprised if it were that far off, since up until recently I could manage a mile or two at a time -- I actually feel like I'm going through and eliminating one weak spot at a time, like first it was shins, then they strengthened up and it was thighs, then they strengthened up and it was foot pain, then that passed and now knees.

(I think I'm okay stretching-wise -- I'm just wondering if I should be doing leg lifts in my spare time or something, to strengthen up around the knees)

new shoes helped me a lot when i was having knee pain--they were just old

also yes, do lunges etc. because weak quads are a source of knee pain also

i think i will pick up running again next week. i am frustrated at myself!

i really really should do gait analysis. every time i start running after eg a 2-week gap, i'm basically limping for at least a day afterwards with that stabbing pain in my right foot that i mentioned upthread - but if i run a few days later and keep it up, it just stops happening. i stretch too but probably not "properly" but nothing too terrible seems to have happened yet :/

q.

are all the ppl who have recurring pain problems with running in this thread all people who have taken it up in their 20s/30s?

I had no pain when I was a regular runner in my early 20s, but now I can't get up and walk to the subway without having foot pain of several different types. Currently battling another recurrence of plantar fasciitis in one foot, but even when that's gone, everything else will still ache.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/25/health/nutrition/25best.html?ref=style

yup only took it up in my 20s. apart from that occasional stabbing pain i don't have any other serious issues though, esp not the knee ones, and i'm not even that professional or careful when i run. that said i don't run much more than 8k twice a week.

took it up/down in my 20's, the last jag in november or so i got persistent but manageable soreness in one foot. i randomly experiment with too many different strides i think

I generally like the solitude of running, but recently I've been thinking about joining a running group. There are a ton of them in Chicago. I'm not interested in any social aspect, but maybe it would give me some extra motivation to run more regularly.

3.65 miles today

Ok, I lost my little running mind today. Got in one of those trances where I couldn't stop. I haven't looked at my gps map yet, but I'm sure I went at least 5 miles. Two things I've been doing differently recently, 1) slowing down. I've found I get more satisfication out of miles rather than pace. It just feels better when I pull up a map and see all the area I covered rather than seeing I can't get any faster than 8-9 min a mile. and 2) have no planned routes. Basically I've started running around just turning down random streets and parks. It keeps things interesting and it is nearly impossible to get lost on the north side of Chicago.

Ended up running 6.24 miles.

that's awesome jeff. i love running to explore, and not worrying about pacing makes it much more fun. i'm trying to do it here in northern iceland this summer, but i am SO not used to running up and down hills and gravel, it's hard on the knees.

argh my shins have started hurting when i run again since this thread was last live :(

3.4 miles today. Felt good and I don't seem to have any nagging injuries.

ran the last 3k today in a fucking torrential thunderstorm

on balance it was a negative experience but definitely ~bracing~~~

ran 4 miles the other day but hadn't run in a few weeks, so i've got a couple days of soreness before i run again. i'll hit the same route again this weekend for sure.

it's kind of amazing to me how being really sore from running doesn't affect biking at all, different muscles etc.

^^^yeah, that's why triathlon bikes are designed the way they are

I'll run through virtually any stiffness/kinks/tightness/exhaustion/discomfort, but if was experiencing the kind of pain that marathon dude in the Times article was feeling, I'd stop immediately and get my ass to a doctor and not fuck around trying to run nine miles gimping away.

After my latest mileage increase, I believe I've developed a case of runner's knee. It's just one knee and I feel ok, just walking along, but as soon as I step up or down stairs, I get this searing pain just below my kneecap. I haven't tried any physical activity beyond walking since it happened. Very discouraging.

ugh yeah running on rocks/gravel is terrible...i found a great secluded & quiet trail area along a river near me but long stretches are rocks and gravel and it destroys my feet + knees and plus u cant go at a very quick pace at all..

ran on the treadmill 2day and feel good

yeah i had a tiny blister for a couple of days this week that was really awkwardly placed - could barely walk - and its was annoying to have to curtail my routine esp since the weathers been so nice

xp

ok i started running again for the first time since moving 2 months ago. i'm trying to do it in the morning, which has always been hard for me but it's so hot and humid here it's impossible to run during the day. it's amazing how fast you can get out of shape but i keep telling myself that means you also get in shape fast. i like running.

Although I haven't ran since I hurt my knee, I am now able to walk up and down stairs without pain. I've also played tennis several times without pain. I think I'm ready to jump back into it tomorrow. The problem is that I need to stop myself from running 6+ miles again, because I'll surely just re-injure myself.

I went to see my podiatrist today to get fitted for new custom insoles. She said I need new running shoes, since I've had my current ones over two years. Doctors orders, I must spend money.

5.07 miles yesterday, with my knees killing me halfway through. They seem to be OK this morning though. We'll see how this turns out.

I want to take up running but how do I start? I am RUBBISH at endurance sports, even breathing properly (one side of nose is fuxored which often means breathing through my mouth),... BUt I rrreally want to take up running. :-(

I did my usual run (11 km or so), then didn't run for about a week, then was out of town for 2.5 weeks, ran once while I was away (but at a slower pace for a shorter distance), and now all of my nagging injuries (left hip in particular) are mysteriously gone! Hopefully I haven't summoned some bad karma by typing this, and won't fall and break my leg tomorrow. In the past, three weeks without serious running wasn't nearly enough to heal anything.

Nath, it's easy, this is how I would start: decide on a route in a location you're familiar with (e.g. the 2.5 km running path in a nearby city park), get a comfortable pair of running/exercise shoes, START RUNNING, begin at a comfortable pace (don't try to be a hero), concentrate on finishing the route and do not worry at all about your speed, STRETCH, go home and drink nice tall glass of water or juice.

training for my first 10k!

My knee was getting pretty fucked for a while so I gave running a rest and it took ages for it to fix itself. Stupidly I started running again while it was still a little iffy trying to use this ChiRunning technique which promises injury free running and, well, it has actually speeded up my recovery I think. I've also found it really good because it gives me a proper posture to focus on when running (I've always had a deranged, loping walk that doesn't translate well into running form) and it means that when I get a little out of breath or tired on long runs I just focus on getting the posture correct instead of worrying about keeping going or focussing on the stitch/cramp/shortness of breath. I've been finding it a really good motivator for the day though, just being able to get up and get out.

Still does anyone have any good tips for improving speed over such a distance, I haven't really been pushing myself but I'm averaging 7 minute miles which would be pretty rubbish for a race, is it unreasonable to be at 6 minute miles in three weeks time. I know I should be running shorter distances than I am to get my speed up but when I'm only going on one run per day It feels like a waste to just be running 3 miles. Is two runs a day pushing it for a novice do you think?

I want to mention how great Ascent is for run tracking. I sync it with Ascent mobile on my iPhone as well.

I haven't really been pushing myself but I'm averaging 7 minute miles which would be pretty rubbish for a race, is it unreasonable to be at 6 minute miles in three weeks time

That's a huge improvement to make in such a short space of time! What I would suggest is for the next two weeks, concentrate on doing one run per week where you're running at your target pace for a decent part of the run. Build in a 2 or 3 miles of hard running into your usual circuit and go at a good 7 minute pace for the rest of it. Take it steady for rest of the week, concentrate on putting your real effort into the one session of fast running so you can give it your best. Take it easy in the days leading up to the race. You'll be surprised how much just the simple fact of being in a race improves your speed too, just as long as you don't go blasting off too hard at the start.

yeah, that's one thing I'm worried about, getting too nervous, tearing out straight away and being out of breath by the time I reach the half-way mark. It would be horrible to be slipping back really badly towards the end.

hav just received a foam roller via ups - so excited - will report back

in the "making friends with your enemy" dept, i am trying to be able to run 2 miles. today was my first day and i feel ok. i am starting with the run 2 min- walk 2 min repeat 10x formula for a week, and then increasing as i can. i am not out of shape nor am i overweight, but running has always been tough for me.

wish me luck.

what is a "foam roller" ice cr?m?

I still have to wait a couple of more weeks for my new insoles to come in. Then I'm getting new shoes. And my podiatrist gave me better anti-inflammatory meds. That coupled with traveling the rest of this week, I'm just going to take time off to rest my knee. Once all of that is done though, I will run. RUN.

And I'll probably over train and hurt myself in a whole different way.