This is a shaping up to be a great thread!

I'm going to take the advice and try to consciously slow down and not worry about my pace.

Thoughts on warming up and stretching, anyone?

There seem to be conflicting beliefs on the effectiveness of stretching before a run. I often have a lot of tightness in my calves and it can make my run painful.

I'm a big, big fan of stretching. I tore my right hamstring when I was in high school, and it bothers me even on long distance *drives*. Seriously. So I don't do anything active without a good 10-15 minute stretching session; I stretch everything with extra attention on my hamstrings and groin.

I've heard/read the recommendation that a light 5-minute jog is all you need.......or is recommended *before* stretching......but I just can't. I do the stretching before anything else and then again after I'm done and after my heart rate gets back to normal.

Interested to hear what others have to say about it.

i love the runner's high, it's like crack to me.
i don't run much at all anymore, an occasional trail run with one of my dogs.
the air down here is extra nasty in the summer. :( come on fall and winter.

We get crisp, cold air here in the winter; I'm a little worried about it being an obstacle for me.....hurting my sinuses. My wife and I talked about getting a face mask; I don't really care to wear such a thing, but I don't want excuses for not getting out there either.

Today was pretty challenging for me. I managed to do 38 minutes total and 27 minutes of jogging, but I felt fatigued from the get-go.......mainly in my quads. They felt weak and tired.

I did extra stretching after and plan to do more this evening. I hope to feel much more fresh in the morning.

It is best to warm up first before you stretch. Brisk walking, like Just G said, is an excellent way to warm up your muscles and then stretch. Remember to not stretch too hard. It is feel tight, but not hurt. After the run it is important to stretch as well. Same rules apply with respect to how hard to stretch, but hold the stretch longer (40 seconds, which feels like for freaking ever, when you are tired and just want to go Starbucks and get a scone.... just sayin')

I will try to look for some stretch videos on You Tube of stretches that I like for hamstrings and in general and post the links.

Id like to get started running again but its been so long that my mind remembers how but my led feet have forgtten...can walk on the tredmill just fine or outside,power walk I can do but still am triping over myself if I go any faster.I have started rideing my redone 1960's bike and can do pretty well on it.

One step at a time, Rockin! :) The more you keep moving, the easier it will become.

Good luck with it!

In response to Saprkle's request for stretch recommendations. Here are a couple of videos of stretches I do.

After about a 0.2-0.25 mile brisk walk warm up, These stretches work well for me:

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmarsM7lEBQ"]Dynamic Stretching for Runners - YouTube[/nomedia]


Then after the run I do a 0.25 mile cool down walk then, these types stretches (sometimes followed by core strength exercises, but more often followed by a trip to Starbuck's.)

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH5_raxOrUs"]Post Run Stretch at Home - YouTube[/nomedia]

I had a good one this morning.

12 min. jog
3 min. walk
15 min. jog (YES, THAT SAYS FIFTEEN MINUTES)
3 min. walk
8 min. jog
4 min. walk

Totally different headspace from yesterday, and my quads felt MUCH better.

Oh I am glad to see I am not the only running/jogging addict here. I can't get enough. I started some time ago with it being something I hated and could only get through with some music in my ears but now I don't even need that.Now I find myself never wanting to stop and can go for a very long time. My running time is my solace. A place and time to clear my head and feel the air against my skin. It is really peaceful and healing for me. I not only get my adrenaline going but it takes away all my stress and leaves me feeling ready to conquer the world with ease.

Aww....time for a run I think LOL

Wow! Awesome!

About how long before you stopped hating it? (Because I still don't love it yet...)

Honestly not long. I am a pretty high strung person and stay very busy with my business so it was kind of a welcome outlet for me. I think about a month. Now you cant get me to stop. I recently got bold and started jogging in some shape up and now running. That is giving me the burn I miss.

I still hate it too, and I try to get "addicted". I was running 3 to 4 miles about 4x a week at about an 11 min mile. My body was in the best shape of my life, and it was all because of running. Then, I got bored and stopped. I went to other things, like joining a soccer team and kickboxing but running had the most benefits. I gained 16 lbs since I stopped running... so here I go again.

Running also intimidates me. I have this weird self-talk going on in my head telling me I can't do it, which is why I never got past 4 miles. It's a weird internal struggle and I am trying to work on that too.

I kind of know what you mean with the self talk. Here is how I got around it. I just let my mind go and start thinking about anything and everything but what I am doing. That worked for me and is how I became utterly addicted

I'll try that tonight! :-D

Great thread! I started running back in Dec of last year .
It certainly has been a learning process.... My best week I had was a 30 mile week I'm averaging about 22 miles a week right now. Although I have slowed down some, on my running time. Due to injuries, feet , chin splints, mostly.
Some advice I have is get some great running shoes , I have been trying to find a great shoe , just got the Adidas climbacool running shoe. What a difference!!!!!!! They are lighter , more flexible and don't have that huge heel, that you find on most shoes. I don't think high heels work for running. I have been using Asics, they are a terrible running shoe, at least for me. I want to gradually break into the five finger shoe for running.

Remember to eat your bananas before a run! and Stretch stretch stretch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My New shoes!

http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/9086/...sm=1.1,0.5,1,0

I agree the Adidas climbacool is an amazing shoe to run in and I learned the hard way as well that Asics are a horrid running shoe at least for me. Not enough support or flexibility if you are running.

The shoes I have found to be the best for my foot though and since I wear heels so frequently is the Brooks Adrenaline GTS they support my arches and real flex

Isn't that something?

I *love* my Asics and, as I mentioned, got a new pair just after I got started more seriously on this jogging thing.

Even while I'm jogging, I am *very* aware of how comfortable they are....especially on my heels.

So far, so good anyway...