Running!
 

This is the second post in one day! WOW! :) Well, I started running yesterday! I haven't been in over a year, just kinda fell off the wagon after I had my daughter. My Mom called yesterday saying she wanted to start running and train for some marathons (small ones first), so I loaded the kids up in the joggin stroller and was off! I did surpisingly well. I wasn't tooo exhausted and felt soooo good. We'll see how today goes, but I'm soooo excited! Any other runner out there? I know AbsoluteDiva is one, just wondering who else is? :carrot:

I am! (or I wanna be!)

I'm going to start training for a mini-marathon that will take place September 2009. I think I will begin training this September so I have about a year to prepare and get myself ready. I have a list of websites about marathon training and stuff so I will formulate a plan of attack.

I have to say, this idea is VERY exciting to me -- I've always been so heavy and unathletic and I've never competed in anything sports related in my life. I don't expect to win the marathon, but just participating and getting a ribbon at the end is SOOO exciting! The one I'm thinking of running in is the Yonkers Mini-Marathon (Yonkers is right outside of NYC). If I like it, I might think of then running the NYC Mini-Marathon the following year.

I'm a wanna-be! I was training for a 5k but fell off the wagon about a month ago, and didn't do the race (it was last weekend) :(

I still want to do one!

ShrinkingShrink- Keep at it! I can't wait to have the feeling of finally crossing a finish line!

KLK- A year is a good goal time to get into shape. I think I'm gonna start with a 5k and see how that goes, at least while I'm working on my stamina. I read "The Runner's Handbook" a while ago and LOVED it. The program for novice runners is what I am using as a guide to build my stamina. :0)

::raises hand:: But I only like doing 5K runs. I find any more wears on my knees...and I really don't want to need knee replacement surgery in my golden years ;)

I have only been running on streets and tracks... is grass less wearing (though I know it's harder physically) on your joints because it is less solid impact?

Also, does anyone know if you buy knee support if it helps lessen joint damage/wear?

KLK - what distance is a "mini" marathon?

A "mini" marathon is a race shorter than a marathon. Generally a 13 mile race, but can be used when describing a 5 or 10K race in some cases as well.

I'm gonna guess that a mini marathon is either a 10k or a half marathon. Anywho, I love, love, love running till daddy takes my t-bird away. Unfortunately, my knees don't. Heh, I've been an avid runner the past 2 years, but my knees just can't take it anymore so I've taken up biking. MalibuBeachBound, braces definitely help your joints feel better when you run, but I'm not sure if they protect from joint damage or anything. MSM, Chondroitin, and Glucosamine help with joint damage though and flaxseed oil helps keep your joints lubricated. There's a lot of supplements out there specifically for joint repair, I'd look into some of those.

Oh, and running on grass and dirt or a treadmill is better than running on concrete, there's less pressure exerted on your joints per strike

:wave: me! I love to run, but only do it a couple of times a week now. I did a 1/2 marathon a couple of years ago, but I had stress fractures and had to stop for a long time. About 10 miles would be my longest run at this point. I love the challenge, and I love how I feel afterwards, too.

I am a wanna be! I walk about five miles 3-4 times a week but I can't make the transition to running. I used to love running, back when I was in shape. Not sure if it's just my weight that's holding me back right now, in which case I'll be able to run in a few months or what else it might be.

I always hated running, then really got started around the age of 40! :D

Yep, the marathon I have my eye on is 13.1 miles (a standard marathon is, I believe, 26 miles). Which means I have to WORK WORK WORK to get ready for this thing! But I will have a year to prepare and I have many good places to run and practice right by my house.

Originally Posted by MalibuBeachBound:
A "mini" marathon is a race shorter than a marathon. Generally a 13 mile race, but can be used when describing a 5 or 10K race in some cases as well.

I found that my ability to actually run/jog has improved SO much since I started resistance training my legs. I always blamed my inability to run on being overweight, but I see now that my problem was under-developed leg muscles -- my much thinner friend and I were jogging together yesterday night and we had a few "races" and I beat her quite a few times :D. Also, I think I'm finally mastering the fine art of breathing while running (I used to hold my breath :^:).

Originally Posted by cdiem4994:
I am a wanna be! I walk about five miles 3-4 times a week but I can't make the transition to running. I used to love running, back when I was in shape. Not sure if it's just my weight that's holding me back right now, in which case I'll be able to run in a few months or what else it might be.

I've been worrying ab what all this running might do to my legs and knees. So far, I can't complain of any pain caused by running and jogging, but my knees do hurt if I do too many lunges and squats during resistance training.

Originally Posted by griffogrubb:
I'm gonna guess that a mini marathon is either a 10k or a half marathon. Anywho, I love, love, love running till daddy takes my t-bird away. Unfortunately, my knees don't. Heh, I've been an avid runner the past 2 years, but my knees just can't take it anymore so I've taken up biking. MalibuBeachBound, braces definitely help your joints feel better when you run, but I'm not sure if they protect from joint damage or anything. MSM, Chondroitin, and Glucosamine help with joint damage though and flaxseed oil helps keep your joints lubricated. There's a lot of supplements out there specifically for joint repair, I'd look into some of those.

Me, me!! I started the C25K program in April, and ran my first official 5K today!

It has done wonders for my hips and thighs!!

HI guys,

I think it is SO a:bravo:mazing that you are attempting your first 1/2 marathons, especially after never running before in your lives! Congratulations! Your stories are inspiring!

I used to run in 5ks about 1-2 times per month and attempted a few 10ks and loved it. I was never super fast but I never stopped and I always crossed that finish line. That, however, was about 35 pounds ago. I cannot wait to get back into it! If you're considering running definitely pick up Bob Glover's The Runner's Handbook and a good pair of sneakers (I suggest ASICS GT series) with Sorbo insoles.

Someone had asked about pavement/concrete/and grass running. Running on soft surfaces such as grass or sand is the best for your joints. Next would be road pavement (it is designed to give). The WORST is concrete. If you are running stay off of sidewalks they will eat your joints up in no time!

I cannot wait to distance run again. Right now I am only doing 1-mile runs which has bummed me out a bit. However, I doubt I would be even running that far if it wasn't for the training time I put into the elliptical machine at the gym!

One last suggestion to the other runners -- Polar makes a really neat heart rate monitor , foot pod, and training watch trio. The watch is a mini computer where it tracks for you your miles run and weight loss as well as conditioning level. It is REALLY helpful and I am finding it to be a major inspiration!

Good luck, runners!

I absolutely love running! Its my time away from the world :)

I mostly run on footpaths with minimal off road work and apart from when I very first started a couple of years ago have not had any problems with my knees (touch wood!).

I used to suffer terribly from cramps and stitches which was incredibly frustrating because my legs and lungs were fine but I was in masses of pain through the middle. I solved that problem by increasing my ab work and strengthening my core - no more stitches.

I just ran a race on the weekend (16km - 10 mile) which in competitive terms is the longest distance for me - before that it was just a couple of City2Surf runs last year and the year before (14kms). I was very pleased with my time though - 1 hr 25 mins as it was all off road, some over loose rock and scree and up and down and around a mountain!

Generally I run 3 to 5 times a week with distances from 8km (5 mile) to 12km (7.5 mile)