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

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Replies

  • Some of these posts have really brought to my attention how many excuses I was making not to run! Thank you.
  • Tatiyanya
    Tatiyanya Posts: 255 Member
    I always double knot my shoes~I'm superstitious.


    I learned hard way to do that >__< Aso bumping for later. Tho if my nipz start chaffing i'll freak :o
  • chicbuc
    chicbuc Posts: 616 Member
    Here are my tips:


    - I'm not really into listening to music when I run, I find the rhythm often throws me off my natural or intended pace. I love to listen to comedy (laughed my a** off listening to Louis CK when I ran a half marathon earlier this year, best way to run ever!) and audiobooks. I find this kind of stuff helps distract me from the pain or monotony of a long run. Plus, if I read business books, it is like killing two birds with one stone! (Can I write off all of my gear, do ya think?)

    I'm definitely going to try the comedy. I just found a channel on Pandora. Thanks!
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 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:

    Don't worry......it's a guy thing.:sad: With a properly fitting sports bra women are spared the chaffing......
  • maz2469
    maz2469 Posts: 67 Member
    bump
  • LuckyCheryl
    LuckyCheryl Posts: 71 Member
    This is it, my c25k training is complete and its race day. My first 5k will be starting soon. I found a lot of great information in this thread for the first time runner. Thanks for the info.
  • mjbell642
    mjbell642 Posts: 229 Member
    And yes, you do look like a rockstar while you run. Everyone does. NO ONE looks stupid running.

    I LOVE that one! I want to cheer every time I see a new runner out.

    Personally I look like I have been drug behind a truck. Soooo, I guess I di look like a sweat Mick Jagger. Haha
  • anels449
    anels449 Posts: 3,187 Member
    Loving this thread! So many fun pieces of advice! I'm sure there are some pretty hilarious stories behind some of these acquired nuggets of wisdom! :laugh:

    -If you're running with a dog, make sure they're already properly trained while walking. And pay attention to where they walk. I started off with my run and 3 minutes into it, my dog bumped into my right leg. She's wonderful walking and running, but I was changing a song and wasn't paying attention to wear she stepped. I ended up stepping funny with my left leg and hyper extending and twisting my knee. Epic fall, though! Really, I just tell people I was trying to be a bada** ninja and got distracted.
    -Form!
    -First step is getting out there and walking. Make it a habit.
    -Form!!
    -I wholeheartedly subscribe to running being a mental thing. After my injury, I still wanted to run, but I was (and to some point, still am) scared of running and reinjuring myself. I was stuck on the couch for 4 weeks and all that was available was the Olympics, so every running event made me want to get out there again, and at the same time freaked me out because I might fall. It's been just over 13 weeks, and I now have jogged a couple times right where I fell. If I can do it, everyone certainly can!
    -Form!!!
    -Baby steps, with everything. It takes times. You have the rest of your life to be a runner, it's not going to happen overnight.
    -If you haven't gotten by now, work on your form!! :p
    -If you don't spend any money on fancy "running" things, at least invest in a good pair of shoes. Your body will thank you later! I love my Five Fingers. :)
    -If you do get Vibrams (Five Fingers, aka my 5's) for everyone's sake...wash them, pleeeease! After my trip to South Dakota, had to literally stuff car fresheners into them because they made the entire car smell bad haha!
  • ejwme
    ejwme Posts: 318
    wool running gear acts like tech-fabric, but doesn't stink. I'm not talking scratchy sweaters, I'm talking soft merino stuff. Icebreaker makes some, smartwool makes some, there are others, they're worth the price.

    I've recently discovered the incredible comfort of blister guards to help the chafed bits from continually getting rubbed raw on following runs. runguard, bodyglide, and vaseline avoid chafing in the future.

    talc or gold bond will help keep your toes from trying to rub through each other - socks and shoes that actually fit will work better (feet swell, a lot, trust the fitting people at the running shoe store, they're not too large).

    cotton socks, cushy shoes, cotton shorts and Ts, regular bras, none of those will feel very good for very long - but if they're what you've got, run anyway.

    If you run on the roads, yes - run against traffic - if the road is flat. If the road is cambered, you may need to change sides to avoid serious joint pain if you're doing too many miles. Keep the earbuds out if you do that - you can't see the cars coming.

    I recently learned - being cranky and climbing the walls during a taper in training is perfectly normal. When I sort out how to cure the Terrible Tapers, I'll post that ;)
  • Debby0904
    Debby0904 Posts: 151 Member
    bump (to mark this)
  • nkyjennifer
    nkyjennifer Posts: 135 Member
    I forgot one! Moleskin! Once you figure out where the hot spots are, use the moleskin for longer runs and prevent blisters.
  • healthynotthin
    healthynotthin Posts: 223 Member
    My bit of advice: Push yourself but don't forget to enjoy your workouts! Run outside, bike, skip if you must, do whatever it takes to make you LOOK FORWARD to the next one!
  • 70davis
    70davis Posts: 348 Member
    Bump
  • davert123
    davert123 Posts: 1,568 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:

    I'm scared if I try this my yellow shirt is going to turn green :-(
  • davert123
    davert123 Posts: 1,568 Member
    All wisdom is good - but check out its wise before applying it.

    Always run into the traffic .... unless you are running around a blind bend then its better to run on the opposite side of the road so you don't get squished :-)
  • lamoursuffit
    lamoursuffit Posts: 267 Member
    One thing to add--I am not a runner yet, I'm hardly even a walker...BUT, if you are diabetic, please for the love of God, wear shoes when you run! It's much better for you, might not feel as free, but trust me, when you wind up with ulcers on your feet or not being able to feel them, you'll wish you wore shoes! :) Just my advice.
  • schustc
    schustc Posts: 428 Member
    PLEASE someone tell me - the one thing i have seen here, that I am surprised about, is the 'running is not hard on your joints' is this true???? I have the beginnings of arthritis in my knees, and was told many years ago by an ortho to not run. This was at LEAST 10 years ago. I have lost 54 lbs, and just completed my first 5 K a couple of weeks ago (I walk-jogged it, and finished in 47 minutes).

    I am beginning to have a love of it - for the calorie burn, the great way it makes me feel, and being outside for the 5 K was just so REFRESHING.

    I haven't hit it hard and full force yet because I am afraid of overdoing it if I do it all the time. There's always that fear that it will hurt my knees. Is this something I am over concerned about?

    Please share, because if I am off base, it would only encourage me more to do this more actively!

    Thank you!!

    (P.S. My cousin just ran the local Marathon last weekend, she's a bit of my idol. LOL!)
  • butlera8
    butlera8 Posts: 130 Member
    Did anyone mention anything about pain killers before running? I get very intense back pain after the first mile.
  • TheNewDodge
    TheNewDodge Posts: 607 Member
    - driving is easier and will get you there faster
  • lamoursuffit
    lamoursuffit Posts: 267 Member
    Did anyone mention anything about pain killers before running? I get very intense back pain after the first mile.

    Try improving your posture. Use your legs more. As I said, I'm not a runner, but I know how the body works. There is something called compensatory movement--basically, if you are not using your legs like you should be, your back ends up doing some of the movement. Run with your head up, shoulders back, and remember to run with your legs, not your back. If that doesn't help, you may want to talk to your doctor about NSAIDs or antinflammatories to take before you run. If you run often, DO talk to your doctor, as a lot of OTC pain meds can cause liver or kidney damage with long term use! :)
  • *BUMP* for later reading. Good stuff in here :)
  • ball858
    ball858 Posts: 395 Member
    Bump to read more later :drinker:
  • LeenaRuns
    LeenaRuns Posts: 1,309 Member
    Remember that not every run is going to look and feel beautiful. You can run 11 miles one day in 1:30, and 3 miles the next in 30 looking like a newborn giraffe taking its first steps (personal experience).
  • trixirn
    trixirn Posts: 130 Member
    Love this!!!

    Don't use the weather as an excuse NOT to run. It can be below zero and snowing but I am still running!

    If you find yourself getting defeated on a long run, it is ok to start dancing and yelling at yourself to get you moving and energized. Yes I received some weird looks from drivers but who gives a what.

    Sprint training is hell of fun. :)
    what about ICE? I am afraid of slipping and breaking my leg-again.
  • reggie2run
    reggie2run Posts: 477 Member
    Great read. :smile:
  • californiagirl2012
    californiagirl2012 Posts: 2,625 Member
    I like all of these except the snot rockets.

    I love running in all distances and ran in all weather and learned you will not melt in the rain. However as I've gotten older I've learned that if I don't feel like running in the sleet or over 100 degrees F then running at the gym with my mp3 player is OKAY.

    I've run for over 30 years, all distances of races from 5k to 50 miles. The biggest thing I've learned is that it does not do much for your overall shape and you can not out exercise too many calories --> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/740340-i-lost-60-lbs-at-age-51-anyone-can-any-workout

    I'm faster at running HIIT because of my weight lifting program and I know becoming leaner has improved my performance as well. I can't wait to run another half marathon to test this out. I'm 20 lbs lighter compared to my marathon days in my 30's, and 30 lbs lighter than my last half marathon about 5 years ago. It will be fun to see if I can improve my PR at age 52.
  • NeverGivesUp
    NeverGivesUp Posts: 960 Member
    I looooove this thread, thank you.
  • rwhawkes
    rwhawkes Posts: 117 Member
    bump
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Did anyone mention anything about pain killers before running? I get very intense back pain after the first mile.

    Core strength! (otherwise.....see your Dr)
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    Love this!!!

    Don't use the weather as an excuse NOT to run. It can be below zero and snowing but I am still running!

    If you find yourself getting defeated on a long run, it is ok to start dancing and yelling at yourself to get you moving and energized. Yes I received some weird looks from drivers but who gives a what.

    Sprint training is hell of fun. :)
    what about ICE? I am afraid of slipping and breaking my leg-again.


    :) Ice means nothing to me. I live out in the boondocks so our roads are hardly touched by plows in the winter. If I feel it's too bad, I'll drive in town and hit the streets there or a park where they keep up on those. You can always find an excuse and you can always find a solution to it.