Runners?

[lastlight]

There's not much to learn about me =)

I was a runner in high school about 15 years ago and was pretty good at long distance but I was only about 140lbs. I've tried over the years to get back into it but it lasts maybe 2 weeks and then nothing for months to a year. I bought a treadmill thinking it would be easier to commit to... down in a dark basement... ok there wen't 3 grand.

So I sold the treadmill in september after seeing Kien's running updates that he was posting to facebook. I learned about runkeeper which is an iphone app that logs your run with gps, gives you updates while you're out there and posts to facebook if you want. It motivates me for a number of reasons:

- you can't really lie about your run
- you see your friends' runs once they're on your runkeeper list
- i love stats and tracking trends so it becomes a bit obsessive

We just got Wii fit and no it won't even come CLOSE to what a run can do for you. Even running on a treadmill at a decent incline like I used to was only fooling myself I found out the first time I ran outside in years.

I'm not knocking the Wii, treadmills or whatever it's about doing SOMETHING. I didn't do anything. I'm about 25lbs lighter since mid september and feel great. I also have had bad knees and joints and to combat this I stretch religiously and do squats after my runs which I think builds supporting muscles around the knees. I'm certainly not very knowledgeable about running though this is just what I do.

So the key is a Kien in your life to kickstart the madness =)

Oh and I run on an empty stomach as well. I started with smaller runs and have built up from there. I love my chocolate milk after I'm home!

[cwatkins]

I had a RAPID metabolism change back in Feb 2009 (people used to call me skinny @ 150lbs), and since then have gained slowy up to about 180-185lbs.

(I guess that's what getting married does to a man!)

So I've noticed my knees not feeling as good as they used to. I did the Grouse Grind 32 times this summer, and loved it except for my knees. (didn't lose weight -- I think it's mostly strength training)

I figure I'll start doing indoor treadmill running this december/jan/feb and get back to ourdoor running in March.

Last time I did outdoor running for 6 months, I lost 10-15 lbs (that's how I initially got down to 150-ish).

I find it REALLY helps to have someone (comparable) to run with otherwise I have no motiviation. Also treadmilling and cardio does help prepare you for the outdoors. If you can do 30 minutes of running on a treadmill, then you can do a 15-20 minute outdoor run around the neighbourhood...

If you have an iPhone, iTouch or iPod, look into the Nike running thing that you put in your shoe and it tracks your run. I have one at home.

[lastlight]

For me running is nice alone time. Good music and nature. Funny I think most people would like to have a running partner but I doubt I could do it. They do say if you're running often that it should be at a pace where you *could* carry on little bits of a conversation with someone without too much trouble.

Forgot to mention that in the beginning I was about 225lbs. It was still nice out so I was in a shorts and t-shirt. This meant I shook like Santa. Maybe it's silly but all my initial running this year was done at night as I did feel a bit self-conscious.

If you're going to run in the winter (this has been a first for me) get tights, windproof pants for over the tights, running jacket, mitts, toque and balaclava. This way you can layer up and down (mostly tights or tights and pants... toque or balaclava or once i needed a toque OVER the balaclava) and not worry about freezing out there. I find while it can be slippery right now if it's -10 or colder the snow is crunchy and not slick... and the snow is easier on my knees.

Word of warning about the balaclava...I'm pretty tall and when I meet people out there (fish creek park) dressed all in black with a rapist mask on I don't always get a wave back.

For a cute spin to this thread here's a little gaffer I spotted on one run:

[toxic111]

Ok, back in HS 20+yrs ago I hated gym or running. I was not an athlete at all... loved to ride my bike with my friends, that was it, then I got a car.

Fast forward to last spring. A buddy of mine in the RCMP told me he signed up to run the Victoria marathon. some back and forth on FB he challenged me to start the couch to 5k program ( http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml ) and come out there next spring to run with him in a 5k or 10k if I can get ready.

I worked through the program through the summer, I find for me running right after work but before supper works for me, my body is all stretched out from moving around the day. In August I ran my first 5K, but pushed my self a little too much and got shin splints, it took 6 weeks for them to heal. with the cold weather & a cold & flu that knocked me out for 4 weeks out of 5 I am getting back going. I am hoping to be back running & back to 5k for the end of January.

If you start running, go to the running room & get fitted for shoes. Spend the $$ for a good pair that fit you right, it will pay in the long run.

You can also use the Nike + app for the iphone, if you don't have a iphone, they do have an app that will work for the touch, or a ipod.

The C25K also has a pod cast that has music & promts to let you know to run or walk. It is what I used.

Let us know how it goes.

Also quit smoking, its something I don't regret doing, & I liked smoking when I did quit.

[Trabby]

This is great feedback! Thank you!! I'll give you a bit more about myself....
I'm 32 years old, I am a stay at home mom of 3 great kids. Never been athletic.At age 18 I was walking home late one night and got a bit creeped out..... So I ran home. It was great, so I decided I was going to run more often. I'd run at night because I felt I didn't look so stupid in the dark lol
I ran for about 8 weeks and my knees where trashed, so I quit. Up until 2003 I did not drive, I walked or towed my kids behind me on my bike.
Then I got a car and that's the end of that
March of this year I went out and spent $$$ on some fancy nike shoes and a pod for my shoe. Well... I walked a fair bit.. Did a bit of running and felt rather close to dying but was enjoying it. I felt that my Nike+ pod for the shoe was lying to me ..I was going to buy the couch to 5k app for my touch....Then the two months of wet and snowy crappy weather came... Can and will not wreck my fancy new shoes ahhhh Then I got sick.. Then my focus turned to planting and tending to my garden and pond.
So now that brings me to now.. I sooo need to motivate myself... My peeps
kinda thought I was nuts when I made my failed attempt in the spring.. Proved
them right didn't I, lol plus this isn't the sort of thing that any of them are interested in.
well ultimately I would like to blow all of their socks off and run a marathon.. A fundraising marathon for diabetes, my 13 yr old son is a type 1 diabetic... This in itself is great motivation... But it's not enough... That is the longterm goal... I'd probably have a heart attack running around my block :0 thank you cigarettes .... That's the big hurdle... I need to get in some freaky mindset and
quit... OMG!! I don't even know where to start!!

[lastlight]

I think there is something to good shoes. Mine are over 4 years old and I do battle bad shin splints in my left leg sometimes.

I personally feel that the more you think you have to prove the easier it is. Make stuff up in your head if you have to =) I was always the skinny kid until I moved out from home and it sorta sickens me how I got equally used to being the overweight guy in just 10 or so years. So you have something to prove to yourself and everyone that knows you're running. It's not showing off it's showing people (and most importantly yourself) what you're capable of.

I should mention I never smoked but I have been a lifelong junkfoodaholic. We're talking the big bags of chips in one sitting, fast food all the time etc. Every previous comeback I attempted I never kicked that habit. Both need to happen (at least moderation I still indulge).

I recommend runkeeper because we can be steet team members. Nothing motivates like knowing your buddy was out for a run =)

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by lastlight

I think there is something to good shoes. Mine are over 4 years old and I do battle bad shin splints in my left leg sometimes.

Absolutely!! I'll go through 3 pairs of shoes in a year. Once they get old, your legs are gonna suffer. Go to a running store and get real shoes for your foot posture. Wrong shoes and you'll just set yourself up for failure.