I Can Run!
 

As Ilene already knows, I've been starting up with a little jogging. What first appealed to me about it is its portability... you can always take it with you even if there's no gym in sight! At 265 pounds, I never thought I'd be able to do it, but now it's seeming like a total possibility. My dad was a runner before a knee injury made him stop :(, so sometimes I think I have a genetic predisposition to enjoy it. And consequently 'm careful with those knees!!!!

Anyway, I've been starting out doing 5-minute slow jog (and I mean pretty slow)/walk intervals on the treadmill. Last night I did an hour for the first time ever, and I was so thrilled! I really enjoy the rhythm of running, which is sort of hypnotic/meditative, and it makes me sweat, so I guess that's a good thing. At this point I'm just trying to ignore the calorie counter, as it says I'm burning off so much less than the (probably inflated) counter on the elliptical. Bah... millions of people have lost weight running and walking, so I'm gonna pretend those numbers don't mean anything.

Anyway, I would love to post here from time to time (maybe if I pretend I'm a *real* runner I'll become one?!). You guys rock!

Hi there! I have a bunch of questions about running and I thought you all might know the answer . . . I run 3x/week, at a pace of 13-15 min/mile (today I ran 3 miles for the first time!).

After looking at all the running websites I could find, it made me wonder . . . do all runners train for races? Is it strange that I want to just run for fitness? I don't have time to run more than 45 minutes during my workouts, so a 5k is about the only race I could ever do. How can I keep increasing the difficulty of my workout without running longer than 45 minutes? If you run just for general fitness, and you aren't training for distance or anything, how often and for how long should you run?

Also, what is the benefit of registering for a 5k? If you know that you can run that distance, so you know that you can finish it, is there a point to doing it in an organized race? Is it just so you have something to work toward?

I really like running for my workouts, but I guess I get the feeling from reading websites that if you aren't training for a marathon or something, you aren't a "real" runner, and so nobody has any information for you. Do any of you on this thread run just for fitness without training for races? (BTW, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with training for races, I just don't think it's for me.)

Welcome Teapot!! :wave:

Paperclippy :wave: -- That's such a cute name BTW ... If you 'run', in my book, you're as 'real' a runner as anyone running to train for a marathon... You certainly can run for fitness only that's the whole point of running. Not everyon is competitive, including me, I just like to compete with myself. I've been running for a year and a half now and I'm entering a 10k on April 31 only because it's 'there', KWIM? I've never even run a 5k as a race, I've done a 5k on my own, now I do it on a regular basis. I also run 10k once/week now... I guess I also want to feel what it's like to be in a crowd running, I know there will be a certain electricity and camaraderie...

One way I keep myself motivated during runs is to play mind games with myself. Let's say I'll do a circuit that I've done in 45 mins before , the next time I do that circuit I will try to do it in 40 mins ... Or I'll do sprints, run fast for 1 minute, walk/slow jog for 1 minute... I play MANY mind games when I'm on the dreaded :tread:mill because it's so tedious and boring on that machine...

Hope this helps, I'm sure the seasonned runners will give you some great insight as well.

TTFN :wave:

Clippy - I agree with what Ilene said. There is a difference between a "runner" and a "racer". I started running (OK, jog/walking) in Feb and have my first 5K a week from Sunday. My goal is to prove to myself that I can do this. That makes me a "runner" my friend is walking it - she is an "athlete" in my book, as we all are. The point being, running feels good to me and it is something I can do that is actually good for me, too. So I am a runner and so are you. I am not out for time or a "personal Best", but just to have a goal and that works for me.

TPD - I know what you mean about running and connections. I get into a meditative state and I think that is I enjoy this so much. My speed is 4.2 / 3.5 on the treadmill, so I wouldn't be too concerned about being "slow". I am just happy to be moving and my HRM is telling me I am in the "high" intensity zone and the scale is moving down, so it must be good.

BTW - tomorrow is my first 3:1 10x day and I am actually excited by it. With warm up and cool down (4 min each) this will be 48 minutes and my longest run to date. This will probably be my pace on Race Day, as my trainer has me tapering off next week. I'll check back and let you know how I do.

Welcome and hi ellen and teapot!

Paperclippy, welcome! I third what Ilene said. I decided to train for a half marathon because I wanted a challenge. I'm only going to be racing against myself and the clock though; I'm no where near fast enough to win, but having the race date goal kept me getting outside in January and February. Before I decided to do that, I would run different distances, try to beat my time on my usual routes, alternate going faster and slower, etc to keep things interesting. Or try running up hills (increase % on a treadmill). There's certainly no need to run more than 30-45 minutes for fitness and if it becomes too easy for you, challenge yourself to run faster. If you run, you can call yourself a runner; no race or distance qualifications needed. I supose the benefit of registering in a 5k is to see how fast you can run it and then try and beat yourself. Plus some races have cool t-shirts too. Races are also a way to make running, which is pretty solitary, a more social sport.

Ilene, A 10k race, I'm impressed.

Oh and Ilene, I hate to break this to you, but there is definitely no 10k on April 31. You might want to check the date. ;)

Only Me -- :censored: ..... and :rofl: .... You're absolutely right, there is definitely NO 10k on April 31, it's the 30th :dizzy: ...

TPD -- I've got this old Runners World magazine, April 2004, that I've been reading and re-reading in the last year... At the back there is a page of, comments from an interview with Shawn Colvin, -- I have no idea who that is BTW -- Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, 48, Austin Texas... here is one quote that made me think of you : ... For me this is so true, when I'm running suddenly I realise, nothing hurts, my breathing is on track, I'm not too hot, not cold, everything is in perfect sink, I do feel like I'm standing still...

Here's another one I tried yesterday, and it really helped:
There was also this one, which made me laugh, but I thought it sure was the truth...I particularly liked this one because I can be a wuss to pain sometimes...

Oh, and last one I promise :lol: ... I'm going to try this one during my 10k... I'm gonna catch that person :s: ...

:rofl: Oh Ilene! You are a woman after my own heart! I'm always saying that!

Ah!! Silver great minds think alike :lol:

I like that last quote about trying to catch the person in front of me. I do that ALL the time - try to catch them, I mean - not actually succeed.

Tiki

I just posted this under success not realizing that their was a running thread. Hope you don't mind me sharing this with you all.

Yesterday I ran my first 10K (6 mile) race here in Vancouver and it was amazing! I never thought I could do something like this and I now feel so inspired. The whole experience is something I will never forget, as running with 48 thousand people is totally not something I would do everyday. Another cool thing about it is that I did a mock run two weeks ago and yesterday I beat my time by 2 minutes crossing the finish line in 72 minutes 31 seconds.

I just really wanted to share this with all of you because this is a goal I've been working towards since January. I am still surprized that I actually did it, more so beacuse I stuck with it and never gave up. Though now that it is all over I will have to think of something else to motivate me.

Good luck to everyone and their goals. Thanks for letting me share one of the coolist moments in my life.

Congratulations Ms K - you must feel like a million bucks today. You can hold your head high and say "I did this". You are an inspiration to me - thanks for sharing.

Ms.K,Thank YOU for sharing with us.

Tiki.

Ms.K :high: Congrats on the 10K... I am doing my first at the end of April too... I'm really excited now after reading your post...

Congrats on the 10K Ms. K! And thanks to everyone for your advice re: my last post!

Congrats on the 10K Mrs. K. Since it was your first race, you now have a personal best! And if you were running with 48 000 people, you undoubtably actually ran further than 10k with all the weaving around people and not being able to cut corners closely.

Well I haven't posted in a while but I'm still here and running. My dh and I have getting our house ready to sell and that is taking up most of our spare time.

This spring weather is great for running because it is still cool enough to be comfortable. Although it is over 80F here today, if this keeps up I will definitely have to drag myself out of bed in the morning.

I was reading the back posts on gloucosimine(sp?) and was happy to hear other people who have tried it. I have heard a lot about it recently and thought about trying it since I have one knee that gets "achy" as a result of past injuries/surgery. However, I didn't know anyone who had used it and wasn't sure if it was safe. I'm going to have to run out and get some (no pun intended).

Congrats on the 10K race Ms.K!

SJ

I didn't run today, but hope to have time tomorrow morning, if it rains I'll go to the gym...

Today I spent over $300 at the Running Room in Ottawa and I didn't even buy any runners!! I got 2 pairs of shorts, 2 tops, sports bra, dry weave baseball cap, some gel things for my runners hence not having to buy a new pair ... It was soooo much fun... This was an early mother's day gift to me, I just won't tell anyone I'm not my mother :s: I also won't tell my kids :lol:...

Ok, it's late I'm going to bed...:yawn:

Hi everybody,

Been away for a while, and wanted to pop in and catch up. Mrs. K congrats on your 10K. What an accomplishment!

Paperclippy, I just wanted to tell you too, congrats on being a runner! You certainly do not need to race to be a genuine runner, you just need to put feet out the door (or on the treadmill for that matter). I race because it give me inspiration to keep going on those cold dark mornings when, frankly, I'd rather sleep--it does happen, even to me. And also, because, truth be told, I like a little external validation once in a while. It is all a matter of what motivates us, and sounds like you are on a great path.

I just got back from the Boston marathon! My husband ran this year, and I got to watch everyone, from the pros to the challenged athletes. I saw Catherine Nderebda move into the lead in the women's race, and I saw Team Hoyt run by--if you don't know Team Hoyt, you should take a minute to read about them, such an incredible story. http://www.teamhoyt.com/

So now I'm all psyched up and mentally ready to run again, but after my first trimester layoff, I'm just not physically ready. So I walked. I'm buying a baby jogger this weekend, so I'll be ready in a few more months.

Anne

I ran this morning!!!!
 

Hi Gals,

I'm so excited! After two months of 1st trimester awfulness, I was actually able to get up and run this morning. Well, run/walk anyway. I did my 1.8 mi loop, ran probably 3/4 of it. I feel reborn. Sitting on the couch is just not for me anymore and I feel like I'm emerging from months of sickness. I worked hard, I sweated! WOO HOO!!

Now nobody panic! I took plenty of walk breaks, I was a marathoner and triathlete before I got pregnant, and I have my OB's permission to do this if I feel up to it.

It was a beautiful morning, the prickly pear cactus have started to bloom with their stunning yellow flowers, bunnies and quail are everywhere, and the sun just broke over the mountain as I got home. It was close to perfect.

This calls for a whole row of dancing bananas! Happy running ladies!

:cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb:

I love those dancing bananas :cb: .... Way to go Anne, nice to see you back to your ole self... Oh and I must mention that you must be so proud of DH's Boston marathon!! How cool is that... Was it his first time?

A question for the seasoned runners:

My toes on my left foot are getting numb after running a couple of Ks...When I went to the Running Room in Ottawa this week he recommended some metatarsal arch cushions. I did use for a 5k and by the end of the run they were getting numb again....I have been reading up, on the internet about metatarsal, and it's kinda freakin' me out a bit, I must admit. Should I go see a podiatrist? An orthontist (sp) ? The young guy at the Running Room even recommended taping down a cotton ball in the bottom of my shoe, sounds like a neat trick , but...I dunno about that! I have a 10k at the end of the month, should I back out? I really don't want to... I'm doing a 10k this Sunday with a friend again this week... I'm not sure what to do... My foot does not hurt otherwise...and it only takes a couple of minutes to get back to normal after a run...

Ilene, how many K are on your shoes? Might be time for a new pair. Shoes are usually good for about 300 miles (~500K) before the support structures start to mash down and become ineffective. Check also that you aren't tying your shoelaces too tight (as if you don't already know that, but it happens!) Don't have any other suggestions--my feet get numb on my bike and not usually when running. I tend not to worry about it since it goes away quickly when I'm done. A podiatrist that works with runners is probably a good medical choice if it concerns you.

DH was not so happy about his Boston time--it was quite a bit slower than his qualifying marathon time. But he was sick, and injured, and it got pretty hot. Given all that, I think he did a fabulous job.

Anne

Anne, there are only about 400k on my shoes I've had them since December. This is the reason I went to the Running Room this week, I took the runners with me and the guy looked at them and he didn't really think there was much usage on the underneaths of them to warrant a new pair... I've tried lacing my shoes several ways, loose, tight, medium, I dunno I've run out of options. Deep down I feel that it is the shoes though...

I get numb toes when I bike too... Isn't it annoying? :rolleyes:

Hi all,

I am so GEEKED!!!!! I did over four miles today on the track. I have done 4 on the treadmill but never EVER on a track. 12 laps on the indoor track = 1 mile. For the last mile I alternated sprinting a lap and fast paced walking a lap until I got to lap 10. Then I ran the last two at my regular pace. I walked a cooldown lap and then this guy challenged me to run a few more laps at his pace. I couldn't keep up with him but I didn't let him get too far away. After all I am 5'2 with short legs and this guy is about 6'1 so I blamed it on length of stride. At any rate, I am so EXCITED!!!!

Tiki

:high: Way to go Tiki...

I had a good run today, did 10K on the :tread:, my first time to go so long on that boring machine, but it went by fast enough....

Tiki!! You talk about me (see LWL) - look at what a role model you are - 12 laps plus a challenge. Was he cute?? ;) l