ILX running running thread

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.

went running this afternoon on a back road in rural uganda. the children were completely and utterly baffled. like why the fuck would you do something like that ~on purpose~

cuz there was no treadmill available right

Do despite not running for the last two weeks, having excruciating knee pain, and needing new shoes and orthotics, I signed up for another 5K. This one is on Thursday. I did run today, to the running store to pick up my race packet. 2.95 miles at a very leisurely pace.

Also, I'm trying Kinesio Tape on my knees. It felt good, but came off after 2 miles. I think I just didn't apply it right.

i can run for 3 minutes without stopping or walking now. this is an achievement for me. go ahead, laugh at my milestone. i won't hear you. 5 minutes is my next milestone, then 10. after 10 i imagine it all seems like no big whoop?

I'm thinking of dropping £60+ on shoes at the place with gait analysis - my dodgy knees are beginning to ruin my running, and they have developed this terrifying crrrrunch-click noise.

After three months of running I feel like I've made good progress, but I'm finding it hard to know how much pain to tolerate, when to rest, and when pushing it will actually strengthen rather than damage my legs.

anyone recommend a place in ny to get my feet/gait fitted for the perfect running shoes

I've failed to do knee strengthening exercises every day. I dunno why I find these such bitter medicine compared to running of all things

Six minutes feeling pretty easy the first time and really hard the fourth time. Getting better, though!!

ice cream, are you in brooklyn? if so, i really recommend jack rabbit in park slope - they really know their stuff.

Did 8 miles each in Prospect Park on Sat / Sun, and felt pleased that I've adapted to the heat. As it is prepared to end... still, Fall running is the best.

See:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/jackrabbit-sports-brooklyn

cool man will check it out thx

btw had badd knee tendinitis for the last week n a half suuuuxxxxxx

icein and pill poppin like crazy

read about this thing ChiRunning a couple months ago in a sunday supplement, and as a way of avoiding injuries it seems pretty awesome. I've been practicing it for a couple months (it's tough to learn but it has definitely improved the distances I can run remarkably quickly) its basically a lot of stuff about improving your posture while you run, and while there's a lot of stuff at the beginning relating it to Tai Chi which you could skip if you like I suppose, I think the practical stuff about giving you directions on good posture are really good and anybody starting running it would probably be good for getting you into a good routine straight away. I especially think that because it gives you a big boost of "oh, I didn't think I'd be able to run that far" achievement at the beginning, is a good incentive to get going because it doesn't feel like you're starting at the bottom so much. I know I'm stanning for it but I'd be interested if anyone else has used it.

link?