For Joggers and Runners

[JAGG]

Originally Posted by Thinker

Like most people, I've never much cared for jogging or running.

Four months ago, I started using Weight Watchers online and eventually started adding a little exercise to the mix......weights and cardio in the form of stationary bike, stairs, and hills.

I avoided jogging because......well.......because I don't like it.

The weight loss has been promising as well as losing inches around my belly. Truthfully, the belly fat has been my issue. I finally accepted that the only way to rid myself of the last few pounds and inches is to start jogging.

Just last week, on September 1, I started a walk/jog program. I have surprised myself each day at how much of my time has been spent on jogging. I assume that the time I spent running stairs and hills got me in a little better shape than I realized.

So I have to admit that it hasn't been miserable and that I do feel inclined to continue down this path. I'd like to call myself a "jogger" one day, but I know I have to earn those stripes.

For now, I am eternally gratefully that I'm doing this, that nothing is hurting, and that I feel more and more confident each day. Today, for example, one of my "jog sessions" was 10-minutes long!! I jogged 10 consecutive minutes. (I did a total of 28 minutes today; my best was 30:30.)

My walk time between jogging sessions is 3 minutes, and I'm averaging 8 minutes of jogging per jog session. I fully expected to start with jog 1 and walk 4 for about 30 minutes, so you can probably see why I have surprised myself.

Any others here on the Planet who jog or run? How long have you been doing it? What is your workout like?

Hey Thinker good for you!!! I run all the time. Believe it or not you will become addicted. Not in a bad way, just that a day will come when you find yourself longing to run if you don't get to. Or you will be driving down a road thinking, hey this would be a great road to run on. I played basketball , softball. We would always have to run a mile before basketball practice, I would always be the fastest runner on my team. But I never enjoyed running, although I was always real fast, as far as distance running . I didn't like running it seemed painful and boring. But then I joined the Marine Corps and well you run ALOT in the Marine Corps. Not just running with sneakers on either. Running in full combat gear, with boots a pack and a rifle. Hills and sand and mud . So running with sneakers on a paved surface seemed real easy to me after that. HAHA Anyway I run to stay in shape. I know if it's too cold I dread it, so I don't run in the winter. But I run about 2-5 miles tues-sat. and sometimes on Sunday depends on how I feel. I run early in the am before the sun comes up. I'm not running for speed just pleasure. It's how I meditate. I get alot of thinking done then. But the reason I wrote this is to tell you, running is mind over matter. I have helped hundreds of people lose weight and get into shape. Most of them like you never ran before ever. Housewives and teens all age ranges and body types. Running is more in the mind than the body. If you can walk 5 miles you can run 5 miles. I mean run without stopping. If you can walk 2 miles you can run 2 miles with out stopping. It's all in your mind. You have the ability , you just don't think you can or should whatever the reason. In fact most people can run a marathon right now if they wanted to, they just don't think they can. I mean physically they could do it with no adverse effects like stroke , heart attach , slipped discs, etc... Sore muscles yes , pain yes , but they could if they pushed themselves. They just talk themselves out of it. They let their body tell their mind what to do. It should be the other way around. Let your mind tell your body .Talk to yourself, seriously, it works wonders and it will change the way you operate when you run. Say things like, don't stop, don't quit, so what if it hurts, it should hurt. Tell yourself,you're out of shape because you've taken the easy way out for so long. Tell yourself motivating things. Like I'm going to run 2 miles without stopping no matter what. No walking allowed. No whimps allowed. Yesterday I was soft and I've been soft for too long ,no more taking it easy on myself. When you run the 2 miles without stopping and you cross the finish line, don't stop and bend over gasping for air, instead, sprint as fast as you can for as long as you can, then stop running. Then tell yourself, I did that just in case you thought 2 miles was too much for you, in case you thought you were tired , I wanted to show you , you weren't tired, you're just faking it. You are sort of your own personal hard core trainer. Try it, let me know how it works out for you.

[Sparkle]

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.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by Sparkle

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.

[afixer]

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.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by afixer

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.

[Just_G]

I will walk down to the end of my block at a brisk pace and do my stretching there; no rhyme or reason, I just feel like if I get the blood circulating then stretch it will be better for me.

I have a horrible time stretching my hamstrings; they tend to feel tight in the midst of my run...so I stretch them really good before and after.

I also find that if I am scrunching my face up and concentrating on running; it is not enjoyable, so I always try to think of other things instead of my running...though one time I was watching my feet and a low tree branch snagged the hat and headphones right off my head! Scared the shit outta me!

Needless to say, I always watch for low branches now!

Originally Posted by Thinker

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.

I'm not a runner but a cyclist and I find these...
https://www.buffwear.co.uk/catalogue/index.php/cPath/52
...help when it's cold and/or windy.

[Just_G]

I have flat feet...very flat feet....like Barney Rubble kind of flat....and I have been wearing Asics every day, but am finding that they feel very hard when I run in them; it's like they have no cushioning whatsoever or something; I can't put my finger on it.

I am going to head to Gary Gribble's and have them fit me for the best running show for my Rubble feet. I just hope they don't cost a gazillion dollars!

[Novelafemme]

great idea, G! the guys at my local running store will have you walk barefoot while they observe your stride and walking patterns, then they find the shoe that will work best for you. i am in desperate need of new sneakers but spent a small fortune on a pair of barefoot runners last year and need to save some cash for something different (they just aren't for me.)

i started running while going through my divorce as a way to cope with the incredible stress i was feeling. never thought i would fall in love with it the way i did. now i run occasionally but am dedicated to starting back on a regular basis here once the weather cools down a little bit.

i am the opposite of JAGG. i love to run when it's COLD out! starting off in layers that i can shed as i warm up. by the time i'm done i've usually stripped down to a sports bra and my running shorts and the cold air feels sooooo good on my body. running in the heat just makes me grouchy.

[Anastasia]

Originally Posted by Sparkle

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.

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.

[Rockinonahigh]

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.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by Rockinonahigh

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!

[Anastasia]

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]

[Thinker]

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.

[MissItalianDiva]

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

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by MissItalianDiva

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...)

[MissItalianDiva]

Originally Posted by Thinker

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.

[starryeyes]

Originally Posted by Thinker

Wow! Awesome!

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

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.

[MissItalianDiva]

Originally Posted by starryeyes

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

[Miss July]

I'm a runner here, just recovering from a broken ankle.
I was able to start running again after nearly 5 months of healing & rehabing.
I'm working back up to 5 miles a day..................I am currently, barely loggin 2 miles a day.
I just signed up to run Disney in January, I figured that would be a good goal to get me back on track.

Keep on runnin & walkin!