Running

[Adam Barkley]

About six months ago I decided to get into better shape and chose running as the primary form of cardio exercise. At my heaviest is was 235 which is damn heavy for even a stocky 5'9. In that time period I've lost and kept off about 30 lbs without radical changes in my diet. Mainly just moderation and balance without sweating meals or calorie counting.

I ran a 5k about 3 months ago and just finished a 10k last weekend. My average run is around 5-6 miles at about a 10:00 pace roughly every other day, but I try to fit in swimming and light weight training about twice a week also.

The next race I'm going to run is a half-marathon in January. I'm hoping to be at or under 190 lbs by that time.

Probably will wait for a year or two after that to allow for myself to more than just finish a marathon, i.e. do respectably.

Anyone else running or training for a particular distance or race.

-Adam

[PurpleGiant]

Just started running as a way of quitting smoking and getting into shape. I ran 1 mile and was ready to die, but I made it without stopping. It sucks trying to run when you're out of shape and a smoker.

[odin70]

I really want to start running. Have been on the lazy side for a while now, so i need to get to work.

[bobsacamano]

I love running... even more than playing bass, but I have been struggling with iliotibial band syndrome for the last six months and haven't been on the pavement much.

Then two months ago I broke my fretting hand so I haven't been playing bass either. In living my 22 years of a sports filled life these are only my 2nd and 3rd debilitating injuries. Unlucky

Good for you to make the decision to get into shape, and find a great new hobby. I hope you stick with the running but make sure you are stretching plenty, wearing proper shoes, and adding mileage slowly.

[Joe Gress]

Want to start running right now actually.

[Stanley Design]

I'm at the same weight at 6'1 and I can't even understand how you run so far. Do you mean 5-6miles at 10 minutes a mile? That's the pace I run at and am DEAD at close to the first mile. (treadmill at a 5 incline and I run it every day). I've never smoked in my life and I am so beyond out of breath from it after 7-8 minutes. I don't have asthma, etc. How do your lungs handle it?

[odin70]

Me to.Lets start a club!

[sleepytime]

Running is great, both sprinting and distance, and I miss it a lot. Too much running really beats the crap out of your body, though. I think a healthy mix of lower impact workout is a good idea.

[Stanley Design]

Can't wait until the beach weather picks back up so I can do long distance swimming. I've got bad hips.

[Stu L.]

Originally Posted by PurpleGiant

It sucks trying to run

Fixed it for you.

I jogged a little on Sat, and it felt good. I used to be a mid distance runner, but prefer sprints. I just don't want to look like a fool doing sprints at the park. And 235# at 5'9"? That's pretty big man. Congrats, and good on you for getting into shape

[Adam Barkley]

Originally Posted by bobsacamano

Good for you to make the decision to get into shape, and find a great new hobby. I hope you stick with the running but make sure you are stretching plenty, wearing proper shoes, and adding mileage slowly.

Stretch before and after. I have a wide foot so I'm pretty limited when it comes to shoes, but I still like the Pegasus' I bought when I started. I'd figure they seen 300-350 miles and show very little wear.

The longest run I've taken was 8 miles on a treadmill at about a 12 minute pace. I've made sure to not mix speed with unknown distance. Also it's been just recently that I've kicked the speed up a little bit.

As far as adding distance, the general consensus I found was that a 10% addition a week is okay as long as your body isn't telling you otherwise. I have no delusions about being super fast as I'll never have the body type for that so running is a pure recreational exercise.

[Adam Barkley]

Originally Posted by Stanley Design

I'm at the same weight at 6'1 and I can't even understand how you run so far. Do you mean 5-6miles at 10 minutes a mile? That's the pace I run at and am DEAD at close to the first mile. (treadmill at a 5 incline and I run it every day). I've never smoked in my life and I am so beyond out of breath from it after 7-8 minutes. I don't have asthma, etc. How do your lungs handle it?

Not sure if I'm that authority on the sport you want but;

1. Time breathing with your stride. Breathe out with your left foot strike every other strike.
2. Run properly. The heel is complelely unnessesary for anything other than standing. Landing on the mid foot or ball will give you much better shock absorption.
3. I don't start that fast. I have a small bone spur in my heel that is a little uncomfortable until it gets stretched with a light jog to start. Once everything feels loose then I pick it up.
4. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, this along with the breathing with your stride will help you regulate your breathing. Your legs should go before your lungs. If they aren't you might need to slow down and work up to it.

[maxgrant]

Used to run 3-5 miles 3-4 days a week. All told, I tried to make 20 miles every week. It is an excellent way to stay in shape.

I was also at the time studying Judo (and not playing a lot of bass, let me tell you) so I was in fairly excellent physical condition. I was never going to run a 6 minute mile but I could manage 10 miles at a time if I really set my mind to it.

I'm diabetic and I can say exercise made it almost completely go away. Running seemed to be the most bang for the buck, provided I didn't have knee or foot problems. Of course, 2x a night doing judo was also pretty freaking intense; being bodily thrown to the mat about 100x, and then turning right around and doing the same to everyone else in the class, is one of the most exhausting things I've ever done.

I keep thinking I'll get back into it. I had a complete change of every single thing in my life except the band I was playing in, and it's hard to get back on the wheel after something like that.

[TallLankyBastyd]

It has been about five years since my running obsession ended.

Use to run 6+ miles a day (for over ten years) during lunch... it was great. Did a lot of 10K type "fun" runs and was training to do Seattle Marathon (12 mile days) when my back went to hell on me. I'm a tall guy and even after I got down to under 200 lbs this is still heavy and hard on feet, ankles, knees, back. I haven't been able to get back into it since... too painful.

I always went to specialty running shoe store (Super Jock & Jill) to make sure I was getting the proper footwear and got new shoes about every 4-5 months... stretched religiously before/after running... did light weight training... but... eventually my old body broke down.

My big exercise these days is my hour+ walks down by the river with my dogs... I've fallen a long ways! Well... I DID manage to quit smoking two months ago... so I'm not a total loss... yet.

Good job getting healthy and I hope you have better luck staying athletic injury free than I did!

[jmattbassplaya]

I actually started not too long ago myself with running (about a month ago) and I`m already up to 8.40 minute miles and am averaging between 7-10 miles depending on my mood. It really is more of a mental game for me (not getting bored/lazy than just unable to do it physically).

With that in mind, I also played soccer for 14 years (most of which was competitively) so switching over to running wasn`t too hard once I broke my first few milestones after taking a year off from doing any sort of physical activity.

[ugly_bassplayer]

I think it's pronounced "Yogging". It's a "soft J".

[Mad Russian]

Treadmill does not equal road. Road running is 2x more difficult IMO. Running is a great way to get/stay in shape.

[TallLankyBastyd]

Originally Posted by Mad Russian

Treadmill does not equal road. Road running is 2x more difficult IMO. Running is a great way to get/stay in shape.

Agreed... but the treadmill is a great way to transition from heart attack candidate to true road runner...

beep beep!

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Mad Russian

Treadmill does not equal road. Road running is 2x more difficult IMO. Running is a great way to get/stay in shape.

I`d agree and disagree. I find that the tread is actually more difficult, but that`s only because it`s so boring to run in place for more than 20 minutes

[iamlowsound]

When I am not swamped with school, I run almost every day. Usually 3 miles a day, 8 minute mile.

lowsound