For Joggers and Runners

[Amber2010]

I have always been a walker.. Well a power walker. I prefer to go up stairs no matter how many flights to taking the elevator. I also park as far back as I dare and walk and love to watch people who are looking for a parking space follow me then give up. Ha Ha
I did start jogging myself a few years ago to also get rid of that spread in the middle. I am not a big eater but notice with age comes that middle spread. I have felt more energy and more of a positive attitude in my life when I am running. I started doing the run/walk to save my legs. Sometimes they really hurt after. I think it is a great way to listen to yourself think things through and also the best form of exercise at least for me. Inside fitness centers are just not for me.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by Amber2010

I have always been a walker.. Well a power walker. I prefer to go up stairs no matter how many flights to taking the elevator. I also park as far back as I dare and walk and love to watch people who are looking for a parking space follow me then give up. Ha Ha
I did start jogging myself a few years ago to also get rid of that spread in the middle. I am not a big eater but notice with age comes that middle spread. I have felt more energy and more of a positive attitude in my life when I am running. I started doing the run/walk to save my legs. Sometimes they really hurt after. I think it is a great way to listen to yourself think things through and also the best form of exercise at least for me. Inside fitness centers are just not for me.

I have trouble with fitness centers too, Amber. I try, but it's just too much to be in that kind of environment doing BODY work with so many strangers. Just not a fan...

I am looking forward to the time when I can actually think about something other than the jogging!!! I'm still at the point where I look ahead for a marker where I have permission to check the time. Ha! I imagine it will be much more pleasant for me when I'm not worried about how long it has been or how much more I should go.

I guess when I get to where I can go for 20 or 30 minutes without stopping I will feel less stressed about it.

Thanks for your post.

[Sparkle]

I've recently added running to my exercise routine.

I've never particularly enjoyed it and I've not run consistently since I was a teenager and training for sports teams.

I'm currently in week 5 of the C25k programme, but I'll be running week 4 again because I had a miserable time of it last week. Week 4 heralds in the 5minute intervals and I struggled through every single one of them.

I started C25k because I was growing bored with speed walking and I knew I needed to up my aerobic activity to continue to lose weight. I also needed an aerobic activity that required very little money. My house is on a bike path that stretches for miles in either direction, so I bought a decent pair of running shoes and started.

I'm not focused on running a 5k, it would be a great "side effect", but its not my goal.

My goal is to be able to run for 30-45minutes comfortably so that I can feel fit and that I'm doing my best to take care of my heart, so that I can lose/maintain weight, and so I have an aerobic activity that I can do anywhere.

It has been really challenging. And right now I'm feeling very impatient with myself. I want it to hurt less and be easier, and now please.

I had a few runs, two weeks back, when I had that rush of endorphins afterwards and I felt like a million dollars. I'd quite like that feeling again. And I'd love to get to a point where that is how I feel after every run.

Two things I'm currently struggling with and would love to hear other people's experiences of:

Finding a comfortable pace as the running intervals become longer
and breath control, I'm still having a hard time maintaining a good breathing rhythm.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by Sparkle

I've recently added running to my exercise routine.

I've never particularly enjoyed it and I've not run consistently since I was a teenager and training for sports teams.

I'm currently in week 5 of the C25k programme, but I'll be running week 4 again because I had a miserable time of it last week. Week 4 heralds in the 5minute intervals and I struggled through every single one of them.

I started C25k because I was growing bored with speed walking and I knew I needed to up my aerobic activity to continue to lose weight. I also needed an aerobic activity that required very little money. My house is on a bike path that stretches for miles in either direction, so I bought a decent pair of running shoes and started.

I'm not focused on running a 5k, it would be a great "side effect", but its not my goal.

My goal is to be able to run for 30-45minutes comfortably so that I can feel fit and that I'm doing my best to take care of my heart, so that I can lose/maintain weight, and so I have an aerobic activity that I can do anywhere.

It has been really challenging. And right now I'm feeling very impatient with myself. I want it to hurt less and be easier, and now please.

I had a few runs, two weeks back, when I had that rush of endorphins afterwards and I felt like a million dollars. I'd quite like that feeling again. And I'd love to get to a point where that is how I feel after every run.

Two things I'm currently struggling with and would love to hear other people's experiences of:

Finding a comfortable pace as the running intervals become longer
and breath control, I'm still having a hard time maintaining a good breathing rhythm.

Always love your posts! Thanks for sharing your experiences here, Sparkle.

I gotta tell you... I don't have working knowledge of what I am/am not doing right now. I'm just doing it. I will say, though, that I start my little jog at what I would call a snail's pace because I know me and if I start out any faster it will hurt and I will quit.

My wife told me that as she looks around at others, I'm going at their pace or better. I find that hard to believe because I feel like I'm just shuffling along, but I may very well be unaware of exactly how strong my pace is. *shrug*

My breathing feels good, which really is the most shocking part of all for me. And I wish I could tell you what I'm doing, but I really don't know; I just started this, and I gave myself permission to go slow so that I could keep moving at a pace other than a walk for longer and longer periods of time.

Sometimes I'm afraid if I think too much about it, I'll mess myself up. I'm pretty sure I'll get to a point where I want to do better and have more knowledge of what's really going on; until then, I'm freakin' stoked that I haven't quit yet!!

I like your thoughts about having an activity you can do anywhere. I never thought about it that way before.

Kelt, in the weight loss thread, shared this article with me. It's exactly what I needed to reinforce my decision to go this route.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0825105018.htm

[Dominique]

Hi Thinker.

Just like you, I went from moving to moving more. Then up stairs. To some jogging and then some running and some walking. I wasn't enjoying running or jogging, but was getting my heart rate up and knew I was doing my heart good. Like you, kept doing it, every day a little more, and a little longer. One day I RAN long enough to catch what they call the runners high. Wow. I wanted that every time I ran, and it came easier, quicker the more I ran. Within a reasonable amount of time, I became a runner.

I started to enter 5k's, 10'ks, half marathons, full marathons.....it's still my activity of choice-as I get into the *zone* very quickly.

Unfortunately, I have very high arches and do not have the feet to be a runner. I bought the arch supports (orthotics) but still sufferred from planar fascitis. Nothing like waking up every morning and walking on knife blades. Reluctantly, I have had to accept the elliptical machine in the gym. Every once in a while, I'll push the envelope and take off for a couple mile run, knowing darn well I am risking inviting plantar fascitis back into my life.
I am considering a 10 k in October. I will only train on the eliptical. No road work. IF I do this. It is good for you, but it's not for every one.

[Anastasia]

Congratulations on the 10 minute milestone! That is fantastic!

I have been running for about 6 years now, and I finally do not giggle when I call myself a runner.

I love it. When I started I could not run for more than 3 minutes and even then I was staring at my watch convinced that I had encountered a small tear in the time-space continuum. It was awful. It stayed pretty hard for a while, but I lived off the accomplishment I felt at the end of the run. Eventually, I found that if I was consistent it actually got easier and I started to enjoy it even during the run. I thought that only happened for those skinny bitches in their boy shorts and jog bras. Nope, it is for us mortal folk too!

I found that I like doing running events and I have run a lot of them. I am a tad bit obsessive at times. I prefer running on trails, while harder due to hills, are much more enjoyable due to scenery. "Pretty" will distract me from just about anything. I am currently training for my 13th marathon in Portland in October, which is a road marathon, but in a city I have never been to so I am excited.

I love talking to runners, new and experienced and have had the honor of running many first 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and marathons with new runners.

I am UBER excited about this thread. (I will calm down, sorry )

Oh and as for breathing rhythm, slow down. It may feel like you are running WAY too slow and just shuffling, but you can get into a rhythm with your breathing and go longer distances. Eventually, by virtue of increased fitness, you will get faster. There are other tricks to getting faster, but I would focus on getting distance and fitness first and then work on speedwork. Just my 2 cents. I am by NO means an expert, but I have a hell of a lot of fun when I run.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by Anastasia

Congratulations on the 10 minute milestone! That is fantastic!

I have been running for about 6 years now, and I finally do not giggle when I call myself a runner.

I love it. When I started I could not run for more than 3 minutes and even then I was staring at my watch convinced that I had encountered a small tear in the time-space continuum. It was awful. It stayed pretty hard for a while, but I lived off the accomplishment I felt at the end of the run. Eventually, I found that if I was consistent it actually got easier and I started to enjoy it even during the run. I thought that only happened for those skinny bitches in their boy shorts and jog bras. Nope, it is for us mortal folk too!

I found that I like doing running events and I have run a lot of them. I am a tad bit obsessive at times. I prefer running on trails, while harder due to hills, are much more enjoyable due to scenery. "Pretty" will distract me from just about anything. I am currently training for my 13th marathon in Portland in October, which is a road marathon, but in a city I have never been to so I am excited.

I love talking to runners, new and experienced and have had the honor of running many first 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and marathons with new runners.

I am UBER excited about this thread. (I will calm down, sorry )

Oh and as for breathing rhythm, slow down. It may feel like you are running WAY too slow and just shuffling, but you can get into a rhythm with your breathing and go longer distances. Eventually, by virtue of increased fitness, you will get faster. There are other tricks to getting faster, but I would focus on getting distance and fitness first and then work on speedwork. Just my 2 cents. I am by NO means an expert, but I have a hell of a lot of fun when I run.

Thanks for sharing!!! Nice to know I'm starting off much like many others.

I've been dreading going out this morning, but this motivated me to go out and get it done! Thank you!!!

[Dominique]

Originally Posted by Anastasia

SNIP>

I thought that only happened for those skinny bitches in their boy shorts and jog bras.
.

>>SKINNY BITCHES

and they are not boys shorts. They are running skorts

If it makes you feel any better, those running bra's can make you pay a price. A dislocated shoulder to get them off!

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by Yellow band

Hi Thinker.

Just like you, I went from moving to moving more. Then up stairs. To some jogging and then some running and some walking. I wasn't enjoying running or jogging, but was getting my heart rate up and knew I was doing my heart good. Like you, kept doing it, every day a little more, and a little longer. One day I RAN long enough to catch what they call the runners high. Wow. I wanted that every time I ran, and it came easier, quicker the more I ran. Within a reasonable amount of time, I became a runner.

I started to enter 5k's, 10'ks, half marathons, full marathons.....it's still my activity of choice-as I get into the *zone* very quickly.

Unfortunately, I have very high arches and do not have the feet to be a runner. I bought the arch supports (orthotics) but still sufferred from planar fascitis. Nothing like waking up every morning and walking on knife blades. Reluctantly, I have had to accept the elliptical machine in the gym. Every once in a while, I'll push the envelope and take off for a couple mile run, knowing darn well I am risking inviting plantar fascitis back into my life.
I am considering a 10 k in October. I will only train on the eliptical. No road work. IF I do this. It is good for you, but it's not for every one.

Yikes. Sorry about the arch issues.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences; it's motivating for sure.