I wanna learn how to run !

Claudie

Thanks guys

I was just getting myself a bit stressed and worried that I will never do the 10km I am signed up for in Sept. Feeling much better now though after reading this in Runners World.

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=2075&v=1&sp=

Even if I am last I will enjoy it and I will finish sooner than those still at home!

Still haven't been on the treadmill yet but will give it a go.

Claudie

Still out there - did another half hourr yesterday and will try again tomorrow, hope to do 45 minutes on Sunday.

In case you don't see the Freebies board - here's one I posted earlier...it looks like a cute gadget :O)

"With September fast approaching and the wind starting to bite again ASICS are giving away thousands of "Lipz" lip balm pods that attach easily to your watch strap. ASICS aim to keep you lips chap free as the season changes. To receive your free "Lipz" pod simply click here and tell us where you want us to send it?

http://www.asicscompetitions.co.uk/lipz/

A great gadget for us I Wanna Learn to Run Runners :O)

K9cuddles

Thanks Claudie..I missed that free.. looks really good one too!

Kido

Just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone on this site for all your advice. I started the Zest program last Sunday but unfortunately haven't been able to get out since. I'm currently winning (just about) a 3 year battle with ME but have decided I need to get fit in the hope now I'm feeling a bit better it will improve my condition. I must confess I don't feel comfortable running outside on the roads but I've joined a gym with a 200m Running Track and with my MP3 player on I was quite impressed that instead of running 1 minute etc. I ran 1x lap of 200m and continued in laps instead of minutes. Hopefully I'll be able to loose 1/2 a stone and drop a clothes size before I go to London in October. I just need to get to the gym now. Hopefully after work tomorrow.

Arch-Angel

Just wanted to offer my support and give out a few tips - have to do a fair bit of fitness work for my job

- Make sure it's fun: don't turn any fitness regime into a chore. Hill walking, football with the kids, dog walking - every little helps as long as you're enjoying it.

- If you're only getting started try to aim to be breathless at worst at the end of a run. The last thing you'll need is to feel the effects 2-3 days later as this is a sure fire way to stop exercising.

- Team up with a friend or two - the best way to motivate each other when it's cold and wet outside!!

- If you do have a genuine injury then DON'T TRAIN. Give your body a chance to recover after each run. Don't try and cram in a week's physical exercise into a single 15 mile walk on the weekend.

- Cycle to work if you can. Or (if you catch the bus) get off a stop or two early and walk the rest of the way.

But above all - enjoy it! Good luck to you all :T

Claudie

Thank Kido and good luck - keep trying and hopefully you will be able to stay with the plan. I know ME is a harsh illness and I hope you are getting stronger every day.

And thanks Arch -Angel. I have decided I am no Paula Radcliffe and never will be but I never would have thought 6 months ago I would get this far. All encouragement needed and most welcome!

thor

Claudie wrote:

Just back from yet another diasterous run. Managed 30 pain filled minutes yesterday, 20 today. It was so awful I was almost in tears. Couldn't get my breathing, couldn't budge my legs, reckon I just did about a mile and a half or 2 km in 20 minutes...not record breaking by any means and at this rate I will bethe Runners World last finisher for the 10km in Oct!

If you are running only for 20 or 30 minutes you should not be having this much trouble especially as you are running quite a few times per week. Maybe you should have a complete break for a week where you do nothing at all. I have done this when I feet like I have been going through a poor patch and have come back feeling great the next time I have run. Admittedly I only jog once a week but I have been running 11 miles at a time and it does leave you bit a drained(mind you playing football, my first love, 3 times a week does not help either). I can also understand your anxiousness as your 10K closes in on you, I've got the Great North Run to look forward to on Oct 1st and right now I'm immobilised due to a groin injury picked up playing, you guessed it, football. I actually injured it a couple of weeks ago and foolishly tried to rush back into playing by kidding myself it had healed. Big Mistake - I felt a pop in my groin and that's footie out of the question for a month or two. At least this means that I can really concentrate on the race as this injury does allow jogging(as long as I don't try and sprint) so I won't get injured again before taking part in the event.

K9cuddles

Well after my 8k run last Monday which I managed find the week before nearly kribbled me. My tighs felts like the muscles has been overstretched or torn! Ouch!

So.. I only cycled to work once and that it!!! I done 10 mins skipping yesterday but jeeze my feet sting!!!

I'm going for another 8k tonight (if the rain stops!) hopefully it won't be so painfull!!! I really want to go as I've got my weigh in TOMORROW!!! I'm so nervous! Less then 24 hours now!!!

I've defo gone from a big size 24 to a "standard" 22... I've booked a hoilday in Feb (on my Birthday) and I so want to be a 20 by then.. so I can go shopping!

AMO

trinnylilac wrote:

In desperation I have decided that at the grand age of 34 I have always wanted to run but never been able. It sounds odd but even in the early 90's when I could do an hour of step aerobics and 30 minutes on a treadmill I probably still wouldn't be able to do 10 minutes on the road. I just get a really tight feeling on the chest and feel I can't go on ( very pathetic )

Looking for lots of advice.

It depends what is most important to you when running and its different to different people.

Running on the road is more difficult than a treadmill as the road is more uneven as you go up and down pavements and you may feel that the distance you run seems to be less as you cross roads and zig zag all over the place.

However, some people like running on the roads as you are enjoying the outside. Also, with running outside, you run from almost the moment you leave your house to when you return. With going to the gym, you are spending time getting there and back. As a regular activity, this is an inefficient use of time.

Some people like the gym because it gives them motivation looking at others working out as well.

Finally, some people like the third option of having their own exercise machine at home. This only works if you have the motivation and the space. Some people fold the machines under their bed to save space, but in reality they never really use the machine as its too much hassle.

With women other factors have greater influence such as the roads being safe and running at safer times. Whilst men also prefer to run solo and at any time of day or night, women like to run in pairs usually during daylight hours for company, motivation and safety.

The majority of casual runners really just jog for half an hour per day / every other day to keep fit. Distances usually are 1-3 miles.

In general, I would say the first thing you have to work out is whether you're better suited to running in a gym or on the roads and then plan accordingly.

When running, I would have the following general advice:

1) It takes time for your body to realise that you need an increase in energy. When you start on your run, run / job very slowly for 5 minutes before increasing in speed. If you run off very fast, you'll slow to a walk within 5 minutes and every step after that will become torturous.

2) Half an hour before running take a cold drink. If you are not used to running, or are running in the day, put some cordial juice or something into the drink to give yourself a boost of energy. Debateable whether you should do this in the evening as you are trying to work off your energy before you sleep.

3) Don't run every night. Run every other night. If there is too long a gap between runs, you won't improve and its hard to run. If you run every night, then you'll feel tired from the night before - you won't realise this until you start running and find that you can't run as far before you stop for a rest.

4) If you are running on the roads, measure yourself by memorising lamp posts or other landmarks where you start and stop.

In general, the goal is to do something. Do not worry how well you run when compared to others. The main importance is that its the difference between what you are doing compared to what you would otherwise be doing - probably sitting in front of the TV. :beer:

AMO

K9cuddles

K9 Update

Had my weigh in today.. my target was 114.9kg.. I "thought" I might even been as low as 112 but had to bad week last week easy (and eatting rubbish! )

Anyhoo... I was 114.5 kg! So beat my target!!! So I'm kinda happy!!!

I've lost 9kg todate which is around 1st 4lbs!! I've still got along way to go.. I won't be the medical recommended until est. May 2008!!! I think I will be happy with 86kg which should be at (if I carry on as I am!) Nov 2007.

Anyway... my next target is to be 109.8kg for Nov 2006! Will keep you posted!!