Calling all runners!
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Because I run in the morning and I have to take my medication in the morning, which I'm not supposed to eat for an hour, I'm finding it difficult. Someone told me that even something like peanut butter, a spoon or two will give you some protein and will help make you feel less empty. I too am a new runner, I have not been able to get myself some nice sneakers, but luckily (knock on wood) have not had ANY problems than the blisters I got in the first week. I am on week four and what I did is similar to Couch to 5K, I will walk a block, run two block, walk a block, run two blocks, etc. I have now gotten to be able to (in 4 weeks) to run three blocks and walk a half before keeling over. The big problem I'm having is learning how to keep my breathing under control and the correct way my feet have to hit the ground, that is what is making it easier now.....with having no injuries or hurts. I'm an obese person, so I know how lucky I am that that is it. If you want to friend me, I won't mind working along to being a runner with you!!
Funny you mention peanut butter cause last night after my walk/run, I had a peanut butter sandwich! I was craving it!0 -
Do you have any local running groups or clubs? If so, I would join one. There is always someone who is at the same level and the comradery will help to keep you motivated. Good luck!!!0
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ABSOLUTELY COUCH TO 5k! I started this in the spring and was the same as you. Couldn't run 30sec without feeling like dying! October 21 I am running a half marathon:)
KEEP GOING! It is soooo worth it. I have lost 24lbs and feel great. I am still losing. It has come off slow, don't get discouraged.
Someone told me they thought with all the running I was doing I should be a stick by now. Don't let haters discourage you. My first 5k I felt better because I saw that runners come in all shapes in sizes.
I used to think that runners were stick thin too but they come in all shapes and sizes.
I am hoping to get thin and lean from running though BUT I have to admit that I have not been watching my diet and I love soda and sweet tea. Should I still lose weight and get leaner with the running even though I'm not watching my diet? 0 -
A few MFP members mentioned running shoes..I would be sure to go a shoe store that specializes in running. The store staff will be able to fit you in the proper based on your running motion (i.e. over/under pronating). Also, keep the mileage light and LOW to start with.
You will probably be mentally ready to run up more miles than you are physically. It takes time to get up the miles up on a weekly basis.
IMO the most important part of running is listening to your body and resting. As a runner, I like to break my PRs, run fast on consecutive days, and complete high mileage weeks. We tend to forget that we are training so we can run for another day, not so we can be sidelined with an injury. Rest days, easy days, and recovery days are KEY. Respect your body and enjoy an injury free running career.
Best of luck. If you have any questions, message me.
Peacee
Having rest days inbetween does seem to help! Last night when I was walk/running, I had to push myself some and I was thinking "thank goodness that I get a rest day tomorrow" lol! Running every other day seems to be working for me so far. 0 -
I am starting week 4 of the c25k program tomorrow and I have become nearly addicted to running. If I don't get my workouts in, I get antsy. MFP is really helping me to change my life. I would recommend doing c25k and just follow the program exactly. Don't try to do more than the program asks. Aches and pains are normal parts of becoming fit and starting a running program but if you have any concerns, consult a physician. For me, knee pain comes and goes and sometimes my shins hurt but I actually embrace these as signs of positive change in my life. If the pain didn't go away or got bad enough that I didn't think I could run, I would see my doctor.0
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I used to think that runners were stick thin too but they come in all shapes and sizes. I am hoping to get thin and lean from running though BUT I have to admit that I have not been watching my diet and I love soda and sweet tea. Should I still lose weight and get leaner with the running even though I'm not watching my diet?
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You probably should watch your diet. Its very easy to drink many many more calories than you burn. And running, especially long distances, makes you hungry. The widely accepted idea is that you burn about 100 calories per mile. So if you cover 1 mile, and drink a soda afterwards, you erased what you ran PLUS some! So just be careful. Weight loss is really about diet. You diet to lose weight and you exercise to be fit.0 -
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"""""I used to think that runners were stick thin too but they come in all shapes and sizes. I am hoping to get thin and lean from running though BUT I have to admit that I have not been watching my diet and I love soda and sweet tea. Should I still lose weight and get leaner with the running even though I'm not watching my diet?"""""
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You probably should watch your diet. Its very easy to drink many many more calories than you burn. And running, especially long distances, makes you hungry. The widely accepted idea is that you burn about 100 calories per mile. So if you cover 1 mile, and drink a soda afterwards, you erased what you ran PLUS some! So just be careful. Weight loss is really about diet. You diet to lose weight and you exercise to be fit.
EDIT: Fixing the quote.0 -
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If you're a reader, I suggest reading The Accidental Athlete. Quick, fun read -- especially for new runners.
Just sayin'.0 -
I'll look into that book. Thanks! Tonight is my 3rd night of running and I'm actually excited to see if I get as tired as the last two times. Hoping to see some progress! 0
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Hi there I am also trying to get into running and eventually into a 5K. Today I started what is basically the C25K only I didn't name it LOL I did 1 mile - 2 min running (jogging really lol) at 5mph and then 2 min walking at 3.5 mph. The last 30 seconds of those 2 min intervals ARE A KILLER!! 0
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Hi there I am also trying to get into running and eventually into a 5K. Today I started what is basically the C25K only I didn't name it LOL I did 1 mile - 2 min running (jogging really lol) at 5mph and then 2 min walking at 3.5 mph. The last 30 seconds of those 2 min intervals ARE A KILLER!!
Sounds like you have some endurance built up already! I can only last for 30 seconds jogging and then spend 4 1/2 mins walking! I just got back from my walk/run tonight and my knees are hurting! I'm hoping this gets easier and that my legs will get to where they don't hurt while and/or after my run.0 -
Couch to 5K is awesome (repeating weeks as necessary - it's not a race!) as is really getting a good warm up. I've found that a 5 minute walk is not adequate as a warm up; at least 15-20 minutes of something other than jogging to warm up is ideal and makes a huge difference.
I'm going to suggest looking into barefoot or minimal running as well; I can NOT run in shoes. It's an instant recipe for shin splints, among other things. Even with my well-fitting, otherwise awesome running shoes. If nothing else, doing some barefoot/minimal running can really help improve your footstrike, etc, that translates to improved running in shoes -- which translates to less injury.0 -
Couch to 5k changed my life 2 years ago, as well as my mom's life. Also go to a store specifically for runners. They will give you a foot test that will fit you for the exact correct shoes for you. They are typically more spendy but if you are true about your want to change into a runner you wont mind. I bought mine last year for $115 dollars, and they are still the best purchase I ever made.
But seriously the couch to 5k plan is the best!!!!!! It is a free running plan that you can search on google!0 -
My shins are really starting to hurt now and so is one of my knees.
I stretch afterwards and take a rest day in between walk/run days. Is there a specific food to eat before or afterwards that will help your muscles and all to recover faster? 0 -
Ice the shin splints! Also, make sure you are doing stretches that target the muscles - try googling stretches for shin splints, several of the things that come up helped me when I started running again a couple of years ago.
I'd also suggest that you not try minimal shoes unless recommended by the running store where you get fitted for good shoes for you. I know people who love their Vibrams, but when I tried minimalist shoes it was instant shin splints.
Good luck with C25k!0 -
My shins are really starting to hurt now and so is one of my knees. I stretch afterwards and take a rest day in between walk/run days. Is there a specific food to eat before or afterwards that will help your muscles and all to recover faster?
For muscle recovery, drink some low fat chocolate milk, however, for sore shins and knees, this is probably not a recovery issue (or at least one you want to have.)
Take a rest day or two and let them heal. Then slow down, make sure your runs are comfortable and feet land underneath you. Pushing too hard, too soon, and over-striding are the fastest way to an injury. As you develop the aerobic, muscle and skeletal adaptations to support running, you will also get faster naturally without risking injury.
You will develop your running much faster by running slower, avoiding injury while your body adapts.0 -
I'd also suggest that you not try minimal shoes unless recommended by the running store where you get fitted for good shoes for you. I know people who love their Vibrams, but when I tried minimalist shoes it was instant shin splints.
Good luck with C25k!
Bad advice. I would recommend either completely barefoot or cheap water shoes from Walmart. If you are running with proper form and landing on the balls of your feet you will not get shin splits. Shin splints are usually caused by landing on your heels. When running completely barefoot, you will no land on your heels.
Also the US military studied motion control shoue and properly fitting soldiers with the correct shoe. As a control group they randomly gave the control group shoes. The soldiers who were properly fitted HD a higher injury rate. Google will find the report for you.
Good luck and take it slow. Learn proper form. Never let your feet get in front of you.0 -
"Sounds like you have some endurance built up already! I can only last for 30 seconds jogging and then spend 4 1/2 mins walking! I just got back from my walk/run tonight and my knees are hurting! I'm hoping this gets easier and that my legs will get to where they don't hurt while and/or after my run."
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Seriously it took me 16:33 to finish the mile! I felt like the most pathetic person on EARTH!0 -
I'd also suggest that you not try minimal shoes unless recommended by the running store where you get fitted for good shoes for you. I know people who love their Vibrams, but when I tried minimalist shoes it was instant shin splints.
Good luck with C25k!
Bad advice. I would recommend either completely barefoot or cheap water shoes from Walmart. If you are running with proper form and landing on the balls of your feet you will not get shin splits. Shin splints are usually caused by landing on your heels. When running completely barefoot, you will no land on your heels.
Also the US military studied motion control shoue and properly fitting soldiers with the correct shoe. As a control group they randomly gave the control group shoes. The soldiers who were properly fitted HD a higher injury rate. Google will find the report for you.
Good luck and take it slow. Learn proper form. Never let your feet get in front of you.
We can agree on form.
The study, however. only looked at foot shape (i.e. arch type), not foot motion (over pronation/suppination), as noted in the study summary. Further it has nothing to do with testing the efficacy of barefoot. minimalist or cheap water shoes vs. shoes made for running, but only the "support" level of one standard running shoe vs. another. Drawing any conclusion other than arch type is not important for the fit a running shoe would be an epic miss of what the study concluded. Taking it to the point of saying actual running shoes are not important is irresponsible.
Minimalist/Barefoot, that is a personal choice, it works for some, not others. Not sure I would recommend it to a beginner that is just experiencing shin splits for the first time, unless they have a personal reason for wanting to run barefoot.0 -
Minimalist/Barefoot, that is a personal choice, it works for some, not others. Not sure I would recommend it to a beginner that is just experiencing shin splits for the first time, unless they have a personal reason for wanting to run barefoot.
My reason for suggesting it is because beginning barefoot running enabled me to run without shin splints for the first time EVER. It was amazing. Barefoot/minimalist running may not be for everyone, but giving it a try (after looking into it to be aware of proper form and best way to start out) is frequently a very good idea that is rejected with very little actual experience of it. I wish to high heaven that when I was a beginner, someone had suggested it or that I'd thought to try it. I might have been running for over a decade at this point, instead of just now discovering that it's possible to run injury free. The idea that you need awesome shoes to run in is so ingrained that it seems to be common sense... but it's sometimes causing the problems we're trying to cushion and support away. Barefoot running is a legitimate and viable option for most runners, even beginners. Maybe especially beginners. Better to start out with a good understanding of forefoot striking (which you learn VERY quickly with your shoes off!) than learn bad habits that have to be fixed later and/or may lead to injury. YMMV. 0 -
I was the exact same way five years ago, and since then I have ran two half-marathons, completed a Tough Mudder challenge, and many other short races. For me, my biggest breakthrough came from finding the right music to run to. Find the kind of songs that gets you all fired up, the kind that you dance to when nobody's watching I just started with intervals, try running 15 seconds, then walking 45. See if you can finish a mile that way. And there you go, you're a runner without even realizing it. Good luck! 0
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So is it ok to have a 2 day rest in between? Tonight is my walk/run night but my shins hurt and my knees are a little sore. I did my last walk/run Saturday night. Or should I try and push a little bit? I want to push a little but I also don't won't to make my legs worse.0
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There is a thing on youtube called yogtastic its only about 20 mins but its great0
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Great Advice Here...
http://blog.utahrunning.com/shin-splints-secrets/
As a guy who started running at 300lbs using couch to 5k and is currently training for a marathon and did 14.5 miles on Sat. I strongly advise you to get a good cushioned shoe. Take it slow and dont over kill yourself. You are going to feel like you can...DONT.
Not only are your Muscles not conditioned to run, neither are your bones. they need time to get used to the extreme stress you are putting on them.
Use couch to 5K follow the guide and repeat weeks if necessary. Definitely read the lik I posted above
Above all else NEVER GIVE UP...You will get there.0 -
So is it ok to have a 2 day rest in between? Tonight is my walk/run night but my shins hurt and my knees are a little sore. I did my last walk/run Saturday night. Or should I try and push a little bit? I want to push a little but I also don't won't to make my legs worse.
That sounds like a second rest day would be helpful, yes...0 -
I don't know if I can do this anymore!! I just got back from my walk/run and I swear my legs are hurting so bad! AND I mean really bad, to the point that I feel like I can barely walk! I thought that this was supposed to get easier not harder! I did the same routine as I have been doing for the last week and tonight has to be the worst one! I wore my heart rate monitor and it said that my heart rate got into the 150-160s while I was jogging. I don't know BUT I can tell you this, my legs feel sore painful right now. It doesn't feel like normal soreness! I am icing them right now but seriously I don't know what I did wrong! I don't want to give up though! I want to walk/run again on Wednesday. Any thoughts on what I can do to make this pain stop soon? I didn't know that running would feel like this. 0
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1) You are just starting out, muscle pain is going to happen, but it should be manageable, in any case, it is better to take a day or two or three to let things recover. That is how it gets easier, you stress the muscles and other moving parts and then they recover stronger than before.
Once your legs feel better (not just good enough to try a run, but actually better, even if it takes a few days...)
2) Slow down your pace and potentially the length of your running intervals. I think you are pushing yourself way too hard, either in speed or time, for your fitness level, and then not recovering fully before you do it again. You should not work any harder than you can recover from before your next run. At least for now. You will get there faster if you push less so you can recover with just a day off, building small incremental gains on each work/recovery cycle.0 -
I did the C25K, having never ran before. Once I stopped supplementing with other exercises, and only did the program, following it to the letter, no more, no less, my shin splints disappeared completely. I wish I could remember how long into the program before they stopped, but I do remember complaining constantly in the beginning, that I felt like i was running with tree trunks for legs. 2 years later, i can still run 3 to 5 miles with no shin splints at all. I truly love to run, hated it in the beginning. Don't quit.0
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