MSE Blog: The frustrations of a non-distance runner 26 November 2013 at 1:36PM in Martin's blogs & appearances & MoneySavingExpert in the news 7 replies 2.5K views

Former_MSE_Helen

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's "The frustrations of a non-distance runner'" Blog.

Please click 'post reply' to discuss below.

VT82

I used to run c.12k once or twice a week. I didn't record every run, but while running I would constantly be doing the sums in my head of how much faster I needed to make the treadmill, given the remaining minutes (up to the allowed 65 at the gym), and my distance so far, to break my record. I wasn't as obsessed as Martin, but I was a little obsessed.

I eventually worked up to running the marathon in 2009. I had developed the symptoms of my arthritis shortly before running the marathon, but used the ongoing symptoms, and having completed my goal of running the marathon, as the excuses I needed for taking a break from running. In fact, as my arthritis didn't get any better, I never really restarted. The cross trainer did the job of keeping the weight off, but it's not something you can get quite as fanatical about (although you can still play the same numbers games if you need to!).

Now I'm on some really good drugs, and could go back to running if I wanted to. I still run the odd 5k, but now it's all about doing classes at they gym. It's just as easy to get obsessive, or rather a compulsion, about attending all your classes, as it was about doing the 'required' amount of running. But having the variety is much better on one's body, it's much more social (although that might not be a good thing if you're a 'celebrity'!) and there isn't the chance to get quite so obsessive about the numbers!

It's now classes all the way for me. Go on Martin, give Zumba a chance!

JimmyTheWig

VT82 wrote: »

and there isn't the chance to get quite so obsessive about the numbers!

If you're trying to convince Martin to do it, don't tell him that!

MSE_Martin

VT82 wrote: »

It's now classes all the way for me. Go on Martin, give Zumba a chance!

How do you graph Zumba?

DebbySquare

'Suspected Mechanisms in the Cause of Overuse Running Injuries: A Clinical Review' by Ferber et al (2009) highlights the importance of proximal control in overuse injuries such as shin splints and plantar fasciitis. Refer to the article 'Do Weak Hips Cause Pronation?' from Runner's World (also 2009), which details hip strengthening exercises to perform daily, to aid healing and avoid a recurrence. As for the total, I agree, a tiny little a day, stopping well before the pain sets in, counts towards 'positive daily stress', which actually helps healing.

I can't post links, being a newbie, but both are google-able

VT82

MSE_Martin wrote: »

How do you graph Zumba?

Actually, some people use wrist-worn pedometers to chart how many 'miles' they are doing in a class. That could be graphed!

Shows you how hard you can actually work in a Bokwa class for example (my personal fave).

kiss_me_now9

Swimming may be the answer.

Ken68

Easy Martin..give yourself extra points (km's) for recovery time, or learning a better technique or introducing a new person to running or losing an extra pound in weight, or, as said, swimming or upper body development.
p.s....or you could BORROW some miles at 0% interest