Any pointers on becoming a runner?

[ilovedolphins]

I have wanted to start running the last couple of years. I have only ran a little (like 3 minutes) at a time and end up with shin splints.

I know I am probably not landing right.

I also live in a small town and am self conscious about being seen running, I guess you would say. Probably because I feel like I look silly when everyone else I see running looks a bit more graceful than me.

I just turned 49 today and would love to lose some belly fat and get my legs in shape.

[Frappuccino]

Happy Birthday!! Good thread topic! I jog on the treadmill (I say jog because it is really slow), but I need to get into outdoor jogging. The joggers I see do have the great legs that I want!

[Deleted]

I like running. But walking and jogging are both good excersize as well.

[ilovedolphins]

I only run in place in my house. But I know putting it into motion outside would do wonders.

[Sum Dum Gai]

Get good shoes. They don't have to be crazy expensive, but they do have to fit well and provide support and cushioning. Other than that, stay hydrated and just do it.

[thyme4change]

My husband went to a store that is to buy running shoes - specifically. Not foot locker, not Dick's sporting goods - actually a place that focuses on runners. The guy that fit him was truly and expert and did a more complete fitting than I had ever seen done. My husband loves those shoes and has had significantly less pain because of them. Try really hard to find someone who can help you get a real fitting for good shoes. Second to that advice, definately make sure your shoes are the best you can do. It often can make a huge difference.

[azphx1972]

Happy birthday! Karma!

I agree with the advice regarding the shoes. I highly recommend going to a specialty running store like Roadrunner Sports where they have experienced sales staff who are also runners, and can analyze your feet & pronation style via video while on you run on a treadmill, then give you appropriate shoe recommendations. Just make sure you get a shoe that's at least 1/2 size larger than what you comfortably fit in at the store, because your feet will swell as you run, and they'll feel cramped if there's no room to expand.

I also recommend learning proper running techniques, here's one of many YouTube videos that show you how:



Lastly, learn how to tie your shoes properly (yes, most people tie their shoes incorrectly!):

www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319--13001-0,00.html

Good luck and have fun!

[ilovedolphins]

Do you think running in place is good exercise if you can't get outside?

[Sum Dum Gai]

I'll be damned. I've been tying my shoes wrong all these years.

[thyme4change]

LOL - my husband came home and said the same thing. And every week he says to me "I haven't had a shoe untie since I learned that." He ties our son's cleats that way now. We are still in the stage where moms and dads run out onto the field, or coaches and refs are bending down tying kids shoes.

[Sum Dum Gai]

I'll have to check my daughter's cleats at her game tonight. It's pretty likely that I taught her how to tie her shoes wrong. Man, how sad is that.

[thyme4change]

You grow up and you think you know a few things. Turns out, we are as clueless as teenagers think we are.

[azphx1972]

"Do you think running in place is good exercise if you can't get outside?"

I think running on a treadmill is perfectly good exercise, just make sure you're careful so you don't trip and fall (machine with moving parts, and all that).

"You grow up and you think you know a few things. Turns out, we are as clueless as teenagers think we are."

Sometimes I think the older I get, the stupider I become. ;D

[chiver78]

Mar 25, 2011 16:41:06 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

I'll have to check my daughter's cleats at her game tonight. It's pretty likely that I taught her how to tie her shoes wrong. Man, how sad is that.

I'd be willing to bet that she's OK. I tie mine wrong, but I do the exact mirror opposite of what I watched my dad do when he tied my shoes as a kid. if the only thing that matters is the way you circle the lace around the loop, the mirror of doing it wrong is doing it right.

[Genuine GA Peach]

I've never been a runner either, but I keep trying because it's such an effective cardio activity.

This sight has LOTS of info on running www.active.com/running/ You can work on endurance, speed, training for a 5k, whatever you want. Trust me, if I can do it, so can you.

and don't worry about how you look running. For one thing, nobody's really looking...AND you're doing it for YOU, right? So to heck with anybody who has a negative comment.

I live in a relatively small town too. I do have people tell me they saw me out running. And I've gotten catcalls Honestly...is that the BEST approach these idiots can come up with?

[Sum Dum Gai]

Honestly...is that the BEST approach these idiots can come up with?

You caught me unaware, and you were going by so fast I sort of panicked. I'll come up with something better next time.

[ilovedolphins]

I will look at the site. Thanks. I am hoping this year I will stick to it.

[Genuine GA Peach]

sorry, Dark. I should have recognized your bad-ass ride




<< wow...I think I heard my computer actually laugh at the search term 'pimped out ford focus' >>


Dolphin - good luck! This is a great time of year to start running. I've been trying to do a 5k every month this year. And I've managed to surpass my run time goal by almost TWO MINUTES! I'm a slow runner. Last year was the first time I was ever able to run a 10 minute mile. My last serious try at running was over 10 years ago, and I couldn't get much faster than an 11 minute mile. I have run a few 10k races, but 5k is really plenty for me.

[dividend]

The Couch to 5k beginner plan is AWESOME. It's a 9 week program to take you from zero to 3 miles, and it really worked. It's basically a bunch of walk/run intervals where the running intervals get longer. I did it using a Garmin 405 watch that I could program to tell me the intervals, but there are also iPod playlists you can get for it that will base the intervals on time, and then change the music as your cue. I've been dormant for the winter, and just picked it back up at week 4 to ramp up to summer.

[tractor]

I ran two miles today at the gym. It's not much, but it's a start.

[Genuine GA Peach]

good job, Tractor! I understand too well how difficult that is. I have to appreciate small victories with my running

[cael]

Good luck OP! I'm starting running because of the boot camp class I'm taking. It's kicking my ass but worth it. The running is getting easier & easier... however I'm finding I'm having joint paint from it, knees and ankles. I do have running shoes, but they're old and I bought them at Marshall's, so I didn't get advised on the purchase or anything. I may look into new shoes to help w/ the pain thing because my ankles have really been bothering me. So definitely make sure you have good shoes. I'm not sure I'm "doing it right" either but hopefully I'll get it!