joggging/running/walking only please!

jessbennett1986

Hello everyone!
Well I already tried to post this once before and it didn't work. it was very lengthly too so it really made me mad when it didn't post! Anyhow, I will have to tell my story later but for now I just want support from all of those that run/jog/walk for fun. Share your stories, your Do's and Don'ts, your secrets, and any advice that you think would be beneficial. I am just starting out jogging again, I started last week and I am very slow at it. I am only jogging at about a 11.5 min mile pace at my fastest. Let's all motivate eachother to get active! I live in MN so in my opinion there is only about a fraction of the year that has weather that is enjoyable to jog in. I would love to hear of ways to help me enjoy it in the other colder fraction of the year! Thanks and add me as a friend to motivate and help eachother!

thefreemans28

Hi there! My favorite tool for running is the runkeeper app for my phone! It tracks where you go, your elevation, calories burnt, speed, average speed, time, distance.... everything! If you have a smart phone, I highly recommend checking it out! Or, you can use their website to track your runs, too.

PeachyKeene

I currently learning to run. I am doing the C25k program and it is really working for me. I don't run really fast, but I am still working on distance. I figured distance first, rest will come soon after.

patio1313

I live in MN as well...and I don't do as much of the jogging as I do walking...But when it was too cold out or there was too much snow to go walking, I would go to the basement, crank some music and jog in place. Alot of people poo poo the whole jogging in place but I was able to work up a good sweat in Jan/Feb in a cold basement, get my heart rate up and burn some calories/carbs. I would finish up 40-45 minutes of the jogging in place and then do 2 sets each of 10 squats for my thighs, 10 push ups for the arms and upper body and then also 2 sets of 15 sit ups for the belly flab

I just was not prepared to spend the money on a treadmill or anything like that.

kimmerroze

My favoritebit of advice I ever have found is this:

PREVENTING SIDE CRAMPS:

When Exhaling, Land on your left foot. There is an old wives tale that states that when people run and land on thier right foot while exhaling it Jarrs the liver causing it to tense up, which causes the shooting pain along your sides,.
To prevent this simply exhale when you land on your LEFT foot instead.

I don't know if it is really because exhaling and landing on your right foot really jars your liver or if it has more to do with regulating your breathing. But ever since I started Exhaling and landing on my LEFT foot, I have NEVER I repeat NEVER gotten a side cramp since.

BEST ADVICE I EVER GOT!

AmberLiscous

just started jogging/running about 2 weeks ago and i absolutely love it!!!! The only things that I have noticed that helps me is I breath in through my nose and out of my mouth and I always have to have gum in my mouth so my mouth stays moist (mostly because i don't like to bring a water bottle with me) The next thing i will be doing is getting a MP3 player to keep me motivated. When i first started i ran a mile in 20 min. and stopped alot...now i can run a mile in 9 min. without stopping!!!!! I have even started running 2 miles....the only suggestion that i can give you is slowly try to increase your time each time you run!!!!:flowerforyou:

AmberLiscous

just started jogging/running about 2 weeks ago and i absolutely love it!!!! The only things that I have noticed that helps me is I breath in through my nose and out of my mouth and I always have to have gum in my mouth so my mouth stays moist (mostly because i don't like to bring a water bottle with me) The next thing i will be doing is getting a MP3 player to keep me motivated. When i first started i ran a mile in 20 min. and stopped alot...now i can run a mile in 9 min. without stopping!!!!! I have even started running 2 miles....the only suggestion that i can give you is slowly try to increase your time each time you run!!!!:flowerforyou:

neelia

Hi there! My favorite tool for running is the runkeeper app for my phone! It tracks where you go, your elevation, calories burnt, speed, average speed, time, distance.... everything! If you have a smart phone, I highly recommend checking it out! Or, you can use their website to track your runs, too.

I use RunKeeper, as well, but mostly for cycling. I also use it when I walk, but I'm not much of a runner. My FASTEST mile is 14 min. :-/

raechelandsean

Hi,
I live in ON, I just started jogging last April. I have done a 5k, and maybe I'll do a 10k this year. I run in the snow, rain whatever. It gets very cold here and I hate the cold, but I love running. I wish I starting running sooner, it gives me time to think, and I have never felt better. I run alone most of the time, sometime I convince my husband to join me. That’s a challenge! Over time you will be faster, just have fun with it.

cdskates

I live in Ohio, a bit south of you, but still pretty cold winters. I actually prefer to jog in late winter/early spring and late fall/early winter while it's still frosty but there's no snow or TRUE ice, cause it helps keep me cool.

The thing that helps me when I'm running is to remember that no matter how slow I am, I'm doing it. I set visual goals, as well. Like, last week I made it to that certain lightpost. This week, a mailbox even further, etc etc... It helps to see how far you've come.

The fact that you got up and went out the door is better than a lot of people are doing anymore. You're doing FANTASTIC. If I were on my own computer, I'd have a link to share here... Somebody blogged the "Top 20 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Running"...and every single one of them is true... I'll try to get it on here later today, unless she posts first!

Just keep it up. It DOES get easier. I'm on week...3 or 4. I wanted to give up week 1, but I pressed on and now I feel like crud when I DON'T go run. You'll be fantastic in no time!!! Just remember to breathe and NOT kill yourself by doing too much at once!

CaptainGordo

Share your stories, your Do's and Don'ts, your secrets, and any advice that you think would be beneficial.

I'm a BIG fan (literally and figuratively) of the C25K (Couch to 5K) program. I'm slow, but tenacious. Here's a thread I started a while back, with some of my experiences/lessons learned, plus some great comments from others: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/245276-my-c25k-experience-so-far

I have three 5Ks under my belt now, the last being a mud/obstacle course (thedirtydash.com), plus two more already registered. It's been an incredibly fun experience.

I live in MN so in my opinion there is only about a fraction of the year that has weather that is enjoyable to jog in.

I'm in Utah. Not quite as nasty of winters as MN, but I hear ya. Interested to hear how others cope, since I caught the running bug in the spring.

Best of luck to you, sister!

Gilbrod

You started better than I did. My miles were 13 minutes. I just keept trying to beat my time each week. I also had shin splints. I got me some New Balance sneakers, and made sure my feet were straight when they hit the floor. That helped a great deal. I can now do run 2.3 miles in 19 minutes. But I still hate doing it. I do love the results. Enjoy!

tigerbluefly

Don't worry so much about your speed, just get the distance in, the rest will come eventually. It's about getting your legs used to working for longer periods of time.

I ran all through our cold winter here this past winter because I signed up for a 30K this past March. It made me run on those freezing cold days when I really didn't want to. If it wasn't for that race, I know I wouldn't have ran through the winter. It motivated me to get out there. The 30K distance scared me and I knew I had to get the training in or I wouldn't make it.
I got used to the cold weather and the multiple layers quite quickly, and once I was out and moving, it wasn't so bad. Now I'm trying to adjust to the heat. I think I prefer the cold air. I was able to breathe so much better and I burned more calories.

I started running last spring and I'm aiming at a full marathon this fall. I've learnt a bit over the year, what to do and what not to do, but I'm no expert yet. I'm still learning, lots to learn! Feel free to add me if you like.

flausa

I'm a power walking and can hit 4.5mph when I'm in the zone. Average about 4mph, so would like to work towards maintaining a higher speed. I'm doing a half-marathon for charity this weekend, and since starting training I've lost 49 pounds. My hope is that by this time next year I'll be at goal weight, and averaging 4.5mph but hitting 5mph when I'm in the zone. I'd also like to start doing the C25K program over the summer. There's a free 5K parkrun every Saturday at a park quite close to me, and I'd love to give that a go!

LorinaLynn

I'm in Northeast PA, so we get nasty winters, but not as brutal as MN.

I started running with the C25K plan in December on the treadmill, moving outdoors once the weather broke. My first three races were in pretty darn cold weather (20s and 30s) and to be honest, they were a lot easier than the one I ran with temps in the 80s! So running in the cold doesn't scare me anymore, as long as the sidewalks aren't coated in snow and ice.

Although now that I've started running outside, I *HATE HATE HATE* the treadmill. It just feels so stifling and boring. The air doesn't move. And it feels like time doesn't move, either. :laugh:

SueInAz

I have the opposite problem; I live in the desert and the temps are now in the 100s. I wish it were cooler here. I'd rather run at temps near freezing because running keeps me warm.

I've started getting up at around 5am, just as the sun is rising, to run. It's still in the high 60s at that time of day. Unfortunately, in a few weeks, it won't get down below 75° at all but at least at 5am, the sun isn't so brutal. I'm debating joining the gym located at my company's main site to use the treadmills before work.

jessbennett1986

Thanks for all the advice so far! Especially the breathing one and getting side cramps. I did get side cramps alot and have experimented with trying to not get any. I had found that breathing out on the left foot really does help because the liver on the opp. side of your body has ligaments that pull down which affect your diaphragm. I did my first 5k last Nov. It was negative 18 degrees out. And it was HORRIBLE!! I felt awesome afterward but literally, how can you breathe with that air? It is nice to have cold air to run in instead of unbearable hotness, but the truth is, when it's cold outside, your limbs don't really warm up at all. Your core is super hot, but your legs and arms are still tingly from being so cold outside. The other factor that makes me leery of running in the cold is the snow and ice factor. I'm sure I would be fine, but I would hate to fall down an injure myself. There are basically non existant sidewalks during the winter because people don't plow like I wish they would. So it's the side of the road for most of us! Which I am totally fine with too but you never know with the weather how people will drive. I have to have music motivating me. Does anyone else need this necessity to run? I would love to live without it but it seems to me when I hear how hard I'm panting it makes me want to slow down. What are your thoughts??!!!

emmyvera

HI There! I totally support your enthusiasm to get out there and walk/jog etc.

I am kinda new to running too. My husband had to show me how to properly run!!! :laugh:

Right now I briskly walk/jog. I really like doing it and it really gets my heart rate up. I'd love to learn more and excel. My ultimate goal is to get involved in a run/walk/marathon of some sort. Start small of course, but one day get there.

Great to meet you and Good Luck! I will add you

SueInAz

I have to have music motivating me. Does anyone else need this necessity to run? I would love to live without it but it seems to me when I hear how hard I'm panting it makes me want to slow down. What are your thoughts??!!!

That makes me laugh, mostly because I hate hearing how ragged my breathing gets, too! I like music because it gives me something to focus on besides my own thoughts. I don't need to harp on the issues in my life while I run or think about the fact that I am running. I have a playlist of only fast tempo songs on my iPod. They help to keep my pace up while I'm running.

jessbennett1986

I know a few of you already posted on what kind of tracker you use, but how about everyone else? I use the app called jogstats on my phone. It seems to work for me so far because it keeps track how far I've ran through GPS along with calories burned, plus if you have a twitter or facebook account you can post your stats. It is also good at showing you a map of where you've gone on your run and may help in discovering new trails that you are not aware of. I wish the map is able to be shown while you run but unfortunately it is not. Since I don't have an Iphone or Blackberry (I have a palm pixie) it works for me. It also can tell you wha your average pace is, and what your fastest and slowest speeds were and where.

LorinaLynn

I use runkeeper - the website, not the app - because it's what my friends use and it's fun to compare our activities. But I like the mapping features on mapmyrun.com a little better.

johnwhitent

I live in NE Georgia and while we have some mountains they are hills compared to the Rockies, but I love trail running! The trees block wind and that helps a lot in cold weather. It rarely gets to single digit temps here so I can trail run year round. I can take temps in the teens much better than nineties (or eighties even.) I don't listen any music; the woods are just too magnificent to intrude upon. I run in a secluded area and can let my dogs run off leash which is another reason to avoid music - got to keep track of my girls! Like several others I use the Runkeeper app; it’s not really a necessity for me, but it is neat. My pace is embarrassing but I'm getting a workout and enjoying myself. I do some sprints and such to make up for my normal slow pace. Trail running brings fitness and incredible peace of mind - give it a try if that is an option for you. I do have to drive 20 min to the trail so I could save a lot of time by running out the door, but for me it is well worth it. Enjoy!

SueInAz

I use Cardio Trainer on my Android phone. It tracks a map of your run in real time, shows time, pace, elevation and speed changes and has a voice which will let you know how far you've gone, how many calories you've burned and/or your current speed at set intervals during your work out. You can post your results, including the map, to Facebook or to Twitter. It also has a widget to show how many calories you've burned in the last 7 days and a scheduler so you can schedule your workouts and track which days you've worked out. In addition to easily logging walks, runs and bike rides, you can manually add any other workouts you do (stationary bike, etc.). I love it!

flausa

I tend to just use a pedometre and mapmyrun to track my walking. I can work out the distances and time easily and then I chart them on a handwritten (shock!horror!) training log. I'm still able to chart my progress from month to month and see when my low dips are in the month and how much my speed has improved. It doesn't have to be terribly complicated, but it's probably just one of those areas where I'm a bit of a Luddite!

MissingMinnesota

One thing you do have for you is you live in MN. You have all the state park trails and lakes you can run around. I have found that if I run outside I can not run on/beside a road as they are too distracting. I prefer to find a wooded trail and put my headphones on and just go. I have also found running on grass or dirt saves the knees compared to running on pavement. Also maybe see if you can find someone else in your area to run with, that way you can push eachother that extra little bit.

BerryH

Hi, and congratulations for getting out there running! I've cobbled together all my running advice into this blog entry, "20 things I wish I’d known about running when I started". Hope there's something there that helps:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-about-running-when-i-started-103936

fteale

I started running about a year ago. I started out very slow. Really very very slow! I did my first 10k in Sept last year - got 64 minutes, which was one of the slowest people round the track (I think I was 70th from last in a race of 460, so pretty rubbish). Anyway, I kept going. Am now doing about 30km a week, and have my next 10k in 12 days! I am aiming for 50 mins this time.

Good shoes, start slow, and push yourself when you feel you can would be my advice. And a good bra, that's vital.

cazza_hespie

I'm a very keeen runner, and wear my polar most times to track heart rate and calories burned. I alternate between long runs and HIIT runs, which u do for a shorter time and is quite hard. I will warm up jog for 5/10 mins then alternate jogging and running for 20 minutes, I'll jog for 1 minute 30 seconds then sprint for 30 seconds and so on for 20 mins then cool down! it gets ur heart rate very high! and is ace for burning calories and toning! you can work up to it by doing walking and jogging intervals. HIIT is really good and kkeeeeps your metabolism up and burning calories for hours even after you've stopped working out

fteale

I'm a very keeen runner, and wear my polar most times to track heart rate and calories burned. I alternate between long runs and HIIT runs, which u do for a shorter time and is quite hard. I will warm up jog for 5/10 mins then alternate jogging and running for 20 minutes, I'll jog for 1 minute 30 seconds then sprint for 30 seconds and so on for 20 mins then cool down! it gets ur heart rate very high! and is ace for burning calories and toning! you can work up to it by doing walking and jogging intervals. HIIT is really good and kkeeeeps your metabolism up and burning calories for hours even after you've stopped working out

Can I ask how many cals you burn doing interval training? I have been alternating between long endurance runs and 30 minutes intervals (2 sets of 5 one minute sprints plus slower recovery in between). What is the difference in calorie burn between interval running and steady state? Does it still work out as a certain no of cals per mile, or do the interval sprints burn more?

cazza_hespie

on average for a 20 min interval run i burn between 300/400 calories which is about the same as what i get if i was to do a 30 mninute steady jog. I think alternating between the two is good as you said as interval running if done properly is not something to be done more than 2/3 times a week!! but the interval sprints keep you burning calories after you've stopped working out i heard due to the effect on ur metabolism. I just find it more exciting than one long steady run!

jam3114

I started back jogging last April and have kept it up since which is a miracle for me - I usually end up giving up. I started out jogging 2.5 miles and from there I eventually increased to 6 miles. The only thing I can think of that I've done differently this time round is I plan each weeks jogging & tape it to my wardrobe door. For me its a way of seeing what I have to do each day & how long I should be jogging for. I'm up to running 18 miles a week and sometimes I'm have quicker days over same distance but other days I can be going at a snails pace. The main thing is not to give up - even the bad days I feel so much more relaxed after I've been out jogging as its time to myself to listen to nothing (ok apart from me huffing & puffing:blushing: )

On a positive note - I just completed my 2nd 10k since April and was a whole 4 mins quicker - 63mins 10secs :happy: & I jogged it all :happy: :happy: :happy:

I did set myself a goal back in April - I picked yesterdays race to compete in so it was like have a goal to test myself - I won't be winning any medals but its nice to achieve something I never thought I would ever be able to do :happy: