you don't need to carb load for a 5k & other running wisdom

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Replies

  • Xaspar
    Xaspar Posts: 726 Member
    I am just starting to learn to "jog". Can now do a minute!

    "Joggers" are runners with inferiority complexes. If you can go faster than a walk, you are a runner. Now go work on being a better runner!

    YEAH!!!
  • swanny320
    swanny320 Posts: 169 Member
    As a distance runner the best advice I can give is:

    - Cadence: Watch your stride length. Heel striking is inefficient and harmful. Try to concentrate on striking midfoot. This will increase your cadence and your turn over and eliminate the enormous force that is sent through your legs if you heel strike.

    - Listen to your body. You're an adult. You know the difference between it just hurting because you're challenging yourself versus actual pain due to an injury. If you feel twinges, pangs, etc. just rest. Take the day off.
  • mhotch
    mhotch Posts: 901 Member
    bump
  • lewcompton
    lewcompton Posts: 881 Member
    If you're out on a run it's ok to walk.

    It's also ok to stop to stretch-in fact for me it's mandatory.

    And yes, you do look like a rockstar while you run. Everyone does. NO ONE looks stupid running.

    Was jogging down a hill once with traffic totally backed up in both directions... My buddies and I were kind of in the way of a minivan... He blew his horn at us... I was 425... the other two were 325 and 525... I caught back up to him and yelled thru his window, "What you've never seen joggers before?" My buddies were about to die laughing...
  • livingdeadbuddha
    livingdeadbuddha Posts: 23 Member


    I'm just starting to run myself. And one thing I've noticed is-- those running in the streets. And I'm generally interested as to why. Why not run on the sidewalk? Is it due to cars coming in and out of driveways?

    Minimalist / barefoot runner here -- I tend to run in the streets (if no cars, of course) because macadam / asphalt is softer than concrete, and with little to no cushioning on my feet I notice that.
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    I am just starting to learn to "jog". Can now do a minute!

    "Joggers" are runners with inferiority complexes. If you can go faster than a walk, you are a runner. Now go work on being a better runner!

    Oh yay! I'm a runner. For around 2 minutes out of every 5. That's okay, when I first started, I was a walker, then I was a 1 minute runner out of 10, so I'm working my way into full blown runner territory.

    Try not to breathe in through your mouth. Bugs.
  • swanny320
    swanny320 Posts: 169 Member
    Oh yeah....running is mental. As the great Finnish distance runner said, "Mind is everything: muscle--pieces of rubber. All that I am, I am because of my mind."

    Once your mind has decided, the body has no choice but to submit.
  • hollyNhollywood
    hollyNhollywood Posts: 426 Member


    I'm just starting to run myself. And one thing I've noticed is-- those running in the streets. And I'm generally interested as to why. Why not run on the sidewalk? Is it due to cars coming in and out of driveways?

    Minimalist / barefoot runner here -- I tend to run in the streets (if no cars, of course) because macadam / asphalt is softer than concrete, and with little to no cushioning on my feet I notice that.

    Ahhh, thank you!!
  • alane15
    alane15 Posts: 121 Member
    I'm still new to this but...

    I need constant stimulation or I get bored with things

    TRY trails vs pavement, running with music, running without music, mix up your routes reverse your routes, run intervals, do some speed training.
  • janet0513
    janet0513 Posts: 564 Member
    Contrary to popular belief, running will NOT make your uterus fall out!


    Whew..because this belief is what's been holding me back!!


    -Runners come in all shapes and sizes
    -KT pro tapes can help give your knees extra support
  • girlykate143
    girlykate143 Posts: 220 Member
    running downhill doesn't count unless you go back up.
    "- your tech shirts will stink after you run in them, there is nothing you can do about it (I leave mine out in the garage until I am ready to wash them)"
    For that matter, everything will stink and might linger there. I put some Nature's Miracle in with the wash (about 1/4 cup) and it removes the smell. Only thing I've found that will do this.
  • bluefox9er
    bluefox9er Posts: 2,917 Member
    so much superb advice...my 2 cents worth: run the DISTANCE and don't worry about speed and times...

    and..LOVE your running..running isn't linear..a good run or 3 good runs in a row does NOT mean every single run will be awesome!! It's important to learn and move on...ohh....and stretch . stretch a LOT. a heck of a LOT...else you will get injured like me..8 weeks and no bueno :-(
  • bluefox9er
    bluefox9er Posts: 2,917 Member
    Oh yeah....running is mental. As the great Finnish distance runner said, "Mind is everything: muscle--pieces of rubber. All that I am, I am because of my mind."

    Once your mind has decided, the body has no choice but to submit.
    [/quote


    ^^ sheer brilliance!! ^^
  • Sherylmarlee
    Sherylmarlee Posts: 224 Member
    consider that if you take pepper spray more so for fear of bears than people, that they may just think of it as extra seasoning!! lol

    :laugh: Damn you, I already have a slight bear phobia! Not around here, black bears in this part of the country are usually docile, but as I've considered moving out to grizzly country, I had planned to carry bear spray. But not in hopes of attracting bears who like their food spicy!

    haha...I live in so called docile black bear country too. But, I think the smell of pepper entices them. :) They are curious little big things!
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    -PRE-hydration is super important- if you pre-hydrate properly you don't need to carry water for most short runs. (depending on weather, obviously)

    -Invest in a stick of Body-glide. Even if you don't know what you need it for now, you'll thank me later.

    -Don't overthink it. Just go out and Run.

    -If you're just starting, run slower than you feel you should. Then walk when you can't run anymore. Then run slowly again.

    -Start stretching your IT bands yesterday.

    -Get fitted for proper shoes at a running specialty store. If you buy your shoes without a salesperson watching you run and making specific recommendations based on your gait, it's likely they're not the right shoes. Throw away all preconceptions about how cool your shoes should 'look'. Uncool-looking shoes may be the ticket to turning you in to a runner. You can wear cool shoes to look at while you're sitting on the couch. Nobody will have time to notice your uncool kicks while you're whizzing by anyway.
  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    Don't be in a huge hurry to run a marathon. There is no magic to running 26.2, it is a long *kitten* way even when you are properly trained. Take your time and enjoy learning how to run and race the other distances.
  • jcstanton
    jcstanton Posts: 1,849 Member
    And yes, you do look like a rockstar while you run. Everyone does. NO ONE looks stupid running.

    I love it, but you've obviously never seen me run. :laugh:
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    I'm just starting to run myself. And one thing I've noticed is-- those running in the streets. And I'm genuinely interested as to why. Why not run on the sidewalk? Is it due to cars coming in and out of driveways? That is what I'm assuming.
    it does make more sense to me when its in the middle of a neighborhood. But I live next to a string of waterfront parks that has a wonderful fitness trail (for walkers, runners, cyclists). And I see people running in the street that runs alongside the park. So not sure if I'm missing something. Like a secret you're told once becoming a full fledged "runner" :wink:

    Trails versus streets.

    If you've had several run-ins with bikes on trail, especially combined with dogs on long leashes and such, street allows more consistent pace, especially if trail is busy and you are slowing down to get around folks.

    To streets vs sidewalk, despite the crown to the street causing problems many times, is the street asphalt and sidewalk concrete? I can feel the difference on a long run.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Not only CAN you run in the rain, but it's absolutely amazing and makes you feel like a total badass.

    And at the end, my clothes aren't really any more wet than they are just from sweating. :ohwell:

    A hill and hell sound an awful lot a like. There's a reason for that. Hills suck. But they'll make you a kickass runner.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    I just ran for 2 full minutes... yes... this is big news. So I will stalk this thread to avoid bloody nipples on my 2 minute runs :tongue:
  • Im_NotPerfect
    Im_NotPerfect Posts: 2,181 Member
    - running is not "hard on your joints"
    - with a little practice you can fire snot rockets like a pro
    - Under Armour compression shirts will prevent bloody nipples
    - buy the gaudiest coloured running jacket you can find (preferably fluorescent green or yellow) with lots of reflective stripes if you run in poor visibility conditions
    - buy a LED headlight to go with your gaudy jacket for running when it's dark
    All of the above except the snot rockets!!!:sick: :sick: :sick: Please don't!! Not when you are visible to others....You will force them to end their run and start puking like a sick dog next to the road....It's just disgusting!!!!::laugh: :noway: :frown:

    Yah, you may about to be passed by someone on a bike! :sick:

    I'm just starting to run myself. And one thing I've noticed is-- those running in the streets. And I'm genuinely interested as to why. Why not run on the sidewalk? Is it due to cars coming in and out of driveways? That is what I'm assuming.
    it does make more sense to me when its in the middle of a neighborhood. But I live next to a string of waterfront parks that has a wonderful fitness trail (for walkers, runners, cyclists). And I see people running in the street that runs alongside the park. So not sure if I'm missing something. Like a secret you're told once becoming a full fledged "runner" :wink:

    I run in the street because it's softer and more even. With the sidewalks you never know if a square is buckling or has dropped, etc. Usually sidewalks are put in as an afterthought and not really evened out very well. I notice I tend to get shin splints if I run on the sidewalk vs in the street.
  • sixisCHANGEDjk
    sixisCHANGEDjk Posts: 243
    Don't let your children wear camel packs on their first 5K even if you hope it will slow them down enough for you to outrun them. My 12 year old wanted to wear one on his but I didn't let him and I still outran him. You can do it to.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    -Start stretching your IT bands yesterday.

    huh??
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    - running is not "hard on your joints"
    - with a little practice you can fire snot rockets like a pro
    - Under Armour compression shirts will prevent bloody nipples
    - buy the gaudiest coloured running jacket you can find (preferably fluorescent green or yellow) with lots of reflective stripes if you run in poor visibility conditions
    - buy a LED headlight to go with your gaudy jacket for running when it's dark
    All of the above except the snot rockets!!!:sick: :sick: :sick: Please don't!! Not when you are visible to others....You will force them to end their run and start puking like a sick dog next to the road....It's just disgusting!!!!::laugh: :noway: :frown:

    Yah, you may about to be passed by someone on a bike! :sick:

    I'm just starting to run myself. And one thing I've noticed is-- those running in the streets. And I'm genuinely interested as to why. Why not run on the sidewalk? Is it due to cars coming in and out of driveways? That is what I'm assuming.
    it does make more sense to me when its in the middle of a neighborhood. But I live next to a string of waterfront parks that has a wonderful fitness trail (for walkers, runners, cyclists). And I see people running in the street that runs alongside the park. So not sure if I'm missing something. Like a secret you're told once becoming a full fledged "runner" :wink:

    I run in the street because it's softer and more even. With the sidewalks you never know if a square is buckling or has dropped, etc. Usually sidewalks are put in as an afterthought and not really evened out very well. I notice I tend to get shin splints if I run on the sidewalk vs in the street.

    One of my favorite places to run is a large local cemetery- All nice new asphalt roads winding all over the place, you can run in the middle of the road without any fear of traffic, and you can run for a long time without ever taking the same windy route twice. A+. You just have to run during the day and keep an eye out for zombies.
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
    Develop a great relationship with your care provider.... be it a dr, physical therapist, massage therapist, chiropractor.... this way they will be there for you when you are a day before a race and something feels wrong.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    -Start stretching your IT bands yesterday.

    huh??

    http://www.exrx.net/ExInfo/Stretching.html

    http://www.exrx.net/Kinesiology/Inflexibilities.html#anchor13320380
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    -Start stretching your IT bands yesterday.

    huh??
    Iliotibial (IT) Bands- The IT band runs from your hip to your knee, and tight IT bands are a common source of injury that feels like knee pain, hip pain, or both. Commonly people mistake IT band problems for joint injuries, when a few really basic stretches would alleviate and prevent the issue/pain in the future. It's really easy to do and can prevent lots of future problems. Google "IT band stretches" and start doing them religiously.
  • Prisme
    Prisme Posts: 65 Member
    I am just starting to learn to "jog". Can now do a minute!

    "Joggers" are runners with inferiority complexes. If you can go faster than a walk, you are a runner. Now go work on being a better runner!


    I'm trying! I'm trying! I sure I will get there.
  • Chagama
    Chagama Posts: 543 Member
    Don't avoid running in bad weather - it just might rain on your race day and you'll be glad you've learned how to deal with it

    Don't believe all the stuff about what you can't and shouldn't do - I constantly amaze myself

    Wear lots of reflective clothing in the dark

    Even while wearing reflective clothing bike riders won't see you (at least the ones who I seem to encounter don't)
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    - If you want to race faster the best way to get there is to run a lot more - at a relatively comfortable pace.

    - Fast speedwork during the week shouldn't be more than about 5% of your training. The rest is aerobic running.

    - if you train consistently you will continue to improve for 7 to 10 years. If you take breaks from running you will be continually starting over.

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