Running

[bfrikken]

I started running on an indoor track last fall, and then started taking it seriously in the early Summer this year. I graduated from 1.5 mile - 2 mile runs on the track, and have advanced to a series of 3 - 3.5 mile runs outside.

This past Saturday, I finished my first 5k. Soon enough, I will be running another 1-2 5k's and and 8k. This week, my runs get extended to 4 miles.

Anyone else out there running?

I broke down and bought some running gear to be more comfortable in my run. I bought some of those wicking athletic shirts and 2 pairs of running shorts. I also bought a few pairs of socks specifically for running. My new wardrobe has made a dramatic difference in comfort. I'm now looking at updating my shoes. My current pair are a pair of Reebok's that I bought a few years ago for casual workouts. They are running shoes, but I'm getting more serious.

[JR]

Anyone else out there running?

Nope. The old bod' just can't take it any more.

Regardings shoes: I understand a lot of runners go through two pairs a year. Apart from their just wearing out, you might discover a lot less discomfort and potential for injury by replacing them more frequently. Shin splints are no fun, DAMHIKT.

JR

[jaywood]

I started using my treadmill for something other than a clothes hanger a few months ago to try to lose some weight. In that time I've dropped 12 pounds. As an added bonus, I get caught up on the sports news from the day before by watching Sports Center each morning.

Started out walking a mile... then two. Got up to jogging a mile... graduated to jogging 2 miles that took me over 25 minutes to complete. I've now cut my jog time down to running the two miles in a little less than 19 minutes. I've been able to run one mile in about 7 minutes... but can't continue that pace for much longer than a mile. Way slow compared to real runners... but I feel like I'm sprinting at that pace. Amazing what getting old can do to a body!

I don't foresee myself running in any races... I'm just doing it for health reasons. I don't really ENJOY running... but I enjoy the benefits of it. Fortunately, I've seen results from my early morning exercise and that has helped me to maintain the daily drill. Of course, being married to a gorgeous personal trainer / PE teacher that is 10 years younger than I am gives me a little incentive as well!!!

I'm only 4 pounds above what I weighed in high school (34 years ago when I was 16) and hope to be back down to that weight in another few weeks. OH... did I mention... my wife likes the new slimmer look too... WOOHOOOOooooo!!!

I purchased a new pair of Nike running shoes while on vacation and they've made a WORLD of difference!

Glad you mentioned the wet wicking shirt... I looked at those but didn't purchase thinking that it was just a gimmick. Might have to re-think that one!

[crokett]

I run. Monday I do 4 miles in 32 minutes or less, Wednesday I do intervals - 30 seconds at 80% max pace then 30 seconds rest. I do this for at least 34 minutes. Intervals keep your metabolism up longer after you stop exercising than steady-state does. Friday I do 3 miles at whatever pace I feel like (usually 8 minute splits) then 10 minutes of walking hills. Sometimes I will substittute the Monday or Friday exercise with an elliptical machine.

[cgallery]

Ran 30-50 miles/week in college. Rain/sleet/snow/freezing cold, all outdoors. Hurt my leg badly one rainy Sunday (when I wasn't running but was jogging to a store from my car and fell in the parking lot) and had to stop running.

That was 20 years ago.

I walk now. About 20 miles a week. At the end of last year I tried running a little but my knees objected. I will probably try a little again towards the fall this year and see how it goes.

[bfrikken]

Yeah, I thought the shirt was a gimmick. I bought the Champion C9 gear from Target on sale. for about 9 to 10 bucks, it was worth it. I also bought a reebook shirt that i like a little more. Ithink it is called active dry or something like that. It was around 12 bucks at a discount store. My socks and shorts were big improvements as well.

Hey Crokett, I really like the elliptical machine. May start doing that a little more as I fight not running on days it is too hot.

[dbhost]

I'm too far out of shape to even consider running without a gun pointed at my head. But I am working actively to get back into shape enough to take hiking back up. My wife and I want to backpack the Bright Angel Trail @ the Grand Canyon together... We have a goal and are working toward it...

[kirkroy]

I started running in April. I'm butt slow (did 3 miles in just under 30:00 today, my fastest 3 miles so far) but that's ok.

I started in an attempt to get my blood pressure under control so I can stop taking medication and to run with my 14 year old daughter to get her somewhat ready for her first cross country season.

I'm trying to balance the running with lifting weights (have been powerlifting for a few years now), which isn't the easiest thing to figure out. I'm mostly just trying not to get too weak with the lifting while I get to a decent level with the running.

[jAngiel]

I'm a casual runner, I've been doing it off and on since I was a teenager (30 years or so). I've been needing to get back into it but have been way to busy. Maybe I need to go get some wardrobe changes to motivate me, my running shorts are tattered to say the least. I have never tried any special socks or shirts, I need to look for them.

The one thing that I always have tried to do is to have one or two pair of running shoes that I keep only for running. Won't wear them to the store or anything, just running. Then after 3 to 6 months of running in them I move them down the line to casual wear and purchase new ones. Not sure if its psychological or not but it has always kept my knees and ankles feeling better when I do that.

[Thalermade]

I'm now looking at updating my shoes. My current pair are a pair of Reebok's that I bought a few years ago for casual workouts. They are running shoes, but I'm getting more serious.

Definitely take the time and go to a store that caters to runners and get your feet/shoe needs evaluated. Shoes are a very important tool in your running. As James mentioned, 3 to 6 months for shoes.

A few years ago when my wife trained for and ran in a local marathon, the correct shoes helped her tremendously. You have already discovered the benefits of "high tech" clothing.

For me, since the middle of June, I go to the local YMCA at 5 am every weekday.
M-W-F on the elliptical trainer for a couple miles (about 30 minutes) and then some light work lifting weights. T-R, I have worked up to pedaling 45 minutes on the stationary bike.

It's what I have to do to pay for eating my way through the past few years of stress.

Be safe
Russ

[bfrikken]

I'm a casual runner, I've been doing it off and on since I was a teenager (30 years or so). I've been needing to get back into it but have been way to busy. Maybe I need to go get some wardrobe changes to motivate me, my running shorts are tattered to say the least. I have never tried any special socks or shirts, I need to look for them.

The one thing that I always have tried to do is to have one or two pair of running shoes that I keep only for running. Won't wear them to the store or anything, just running. Then after 3 to 6 months of running in them I move them down the line to casual wear and purchase new ones. Not sure if its psychological or not but it has always kept my knees and ankles feeling better when I do that.

That's what I'm seeing a lot of people do as well. As Thalermade mentioned, it is time for me to go get some new shoes. As far as I can tell, I have "normal" feet with normal mechanics, so I have an idea of what type of shoes to get. I'll probably make a trip to a big athletic store to try a few pairs out. I originally was looking at the Nike+ series, as I want the nike+ sensor for my Ipod Nano. But I never pursued that because I didn't run any bit of great lengths, and honestly I didn't run outside much. Now that I am running 3-4 miles 4-5 times a week (or more), I think it would be cool to have the nike+ system or a garmin forerunner to help track my progress. I'm a tech geek that has to have constant feedback and tracking. Right now I just use a website to map then track my runs and log things.

[Black wallnut]

I do not run these days. As you may recall from an earlier topic I was once a runner! Right before I went away to college I was hanging with my HS cross country team. We did a workout on a track where us elite runners were running sub 5 minute miles. The next weekend the team went on a road trip up to a members cabin 50 miles from town. While on a run I stepped in a depression and twisted my ankle. By the time my ankle was healed enough to run dorm food and my appitite had caused me to gain 20 lbs. In my mind I was still a sub 5 minute miler but my body was not. I gave up running.

Only reciently I have started walking daily. Stated out with about a mile and quarter for a few days and then increased to 3 miles a day. I can already feel the benefits.

[JR]

I'm a tech geek that has to have constant feedback and tracking.

You absolutely NEED a heart rate monitor! No gadget freak can do endurance sports without one.

JR

[bfrikken]

You absolutely NEED a heart rate monitor! No gadget freak can do endurance sports without one.

JR

Sigh... I know. Or an all in one that has the pace info, gps, and heart rate.

I went out at lunch and got fitted for some shoes. teh ones I picked were 140.00. OUCH.... I'm doing some online shopping for some comparables.

[kirkroy]

I'd like one of the garmin HR/gps units. I have a weird need to write down data from my workouts. I miss that aspect of cycling (lots of data from bicycle computers).

Black wallnut, it really sucks to let a skill or some fitness get away from you, especially if you let decades go by. I was never a super fast runner (17-18 minutes for a 3 mile cross country race) but, even so, it really sucks to be going half as fast and gasping for air twice as much now. I guess not running for >20 years and weighing 60-70 lbs more than high school doesn't work out too well, running-wise.

As far as shoes go, sandals are apparently popular for ultra marathon runners, to allow a more natural stride than with running shoes. I have been doing one run per week in sandals and am planning to increase that as my feet get stronger. There were some links on another forum regarding this but, of course, that forum is down at the moment...