So you want to start running

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Replies

  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    Has anyone else experienced lower back pain after starting running? Foam roller isn't helping. :'(
  • shanaber
    shanaber Posts: 6,423 Member
    _Waffle_ wrote: »

    Whatever the motivation just keep doing it. Consistency is the key here. I used to run a couple miles on the treadmill just to burn a few calories (for more food) but once I finally went outside.... Yeah, I hated it. It was hard. First time I ran 3 miles I had to take ibuprofen for a week because my knees hurt. I've had to take months off because of an achilles irritation. Just don't quit. Each day you get out there and do something just a bit out of your comfort zone you're changing what your comfort zone is.

    Persistence is the key to nearly anything. I don't always FEEL like running in the morning but I do it anyway and I never regret doing it when I'm done. I've only ever had regret that I didn't do it. So just stick with it. Just think, that walk/run for a mile is probably worth a bagel or something yummy.

    ^^^ This! I agree completely with @_Waffle_‌ - Consistency is so important and keep doing it even when you just feel like the effort to get out and do it is too great!
    Also @_Waffle_‌ - awesome pictures!
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    Has anyone else experienced lower back pain after starting running? Foam roller isn't helping. :'(

    Its probably a lack of core strength - your body is struggling to keep you upright.

    It also may be form, but without being able to see your gait, no one here could tell.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    Has anyone else experienced lower back pain after starting running? Foam roller isn't helping. :'(

    Need to work on your core strength. Bodyweight resistance training should help.
  • Uhfgood
    Uhfgood Posts: 128 Member
    I wasn't talking about joint, leg, and back pain. Your heart feels like it's going to pop out of your chest when you get it beating that fast? Does that make it clearer?
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    Uhfgood wrote: »
    I wasn't talking about joint, leg, and back pain. Your heart feels like it's going to pop out of your chest when you get it beating that fast? Does that make it clearer?

    Yes. It's called "exercise". The heart beating is why they call it cardio. Working out your heart makes it stronger.
  • brower47
    brower47 Posts: 16,356 Member
    sjohnny wrote: »
    Uhfgood wrote: »
    I wasn't talking about joint, leg, and back pain. Your heart feels like it's going to pop out of your chest when you get it beating that fast? Does that make it clearer?

    Yes. It's called "exercise". The heart beating is why they call it cardio. Working out your heart makes it stronger.

    This x1000. As long as your doc has cleared you, that "pop out of your chest" feeling is your heart working hard. The more often you make your heart work hard, the stronger it will get and soon, the work that makes it feel like it's going to pop out of your chest, won't feel that way. But that will only happen if you keep working at it consistently.
  • Uhfgood
    Uhfgood Posts: 128 Member
    Maybe it's fine... but I don't necessarily want to give myself a heart attack, or at least feel like I was going to... So I would take it easier and build up gradually.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Well. This thread took a weird turn.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Has anyone else experienced lower back pain after starting running? Foam roller isn't helping. :'(

    Its probably a lack of core strength - your body is struggling to keep you upright.

    It also may be form, but without being able to see your gait, no one here could tell.

    ^This.
  • brower47
    brower47 Posts: 16,356 Member
    edited March 2015
    Uhfgood wrote: »
    Maybe it's fine... but I don't necessarily want to give myself a heart attack, or at least feel like I was going to... So I would take it easier and build up gradually.

    Good. You have your plan. Stick with it and report how you're doing in 3 6 months in your own thread.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    sjohnny wrote: »
    Uhfgood wrote: »
    I wasn't talking about joint, leg, and back pain. Your heart feels like it's going to pop out of your chest when you get it beating that fast? Does that make it clearer?

    Yes. It's called "exercise". The heart beating is why they call it cardio. Working out your heart makes it stronger.

    Not even once
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    edited March 2015
    Uhfgood wrote: »
    Maybe it's fine... but I don't necessarily want to give myself a heart attack, or at least feel like I was going to... So I would take it easier and build up gradually.

    This would be a fascinating topic to continue discussing in a thread that you specifically create to discuss it
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    Uhfgood wrote: »
    Maybe it's fine... but I don't necessarily want to give myself a heart attack, or at least feel like I was going to... So I would take it easier and build up gradually.

    If your heart rate is too high, i would suggest you slow your pace, but not your progress. Even if it feels like you are only moving slightly faster than walking, slow your jog to a point where you feel comfortable. Not "sitting on the couch with a beer" comfortable, but "i'm cool, not gonna pass out" comfortable.

    BUT. You still have to run whatever distance you set out for. I mean, asthma, overweight, whatever, if you can run half a mile, you should be up to a full mile in a few weeks, not months. The only thing holding you back from that is your mindset.
  • Uhfgood
    Uhfgood Posts: 128 Member
    Sorry for bringing everyone down. I won't post in this thread anymore.
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    Has anyone else experienced lower back pain after starting running? Foam roller isn't helping. :'(

    Need to work on your core strength. Bodyweight resistance training should help.

    Squats and deadlifts
  • jessupbrady
    jessupbrady Posts: 508 Member
    Uhfgood wrote: »
    Sorry for bringing everyone down. I won't post in this thread anymore.

    Don't worry my friend. These people are trying to be hard on you to motivate you - kind of like a stereotypical drill sergeant? They mean well.

    For those of you that don't know Uhfgood - the fact that he is out and exercising like he is in and of itself is an incredible thing. What's more incredible is he is here asking others for help and sharing his journey.
    While it may not seem like much to many of you - he has overcome a lot of hurdles just to be at this point in his diet/exercise goal.

    Uhfgood, it would be very good for you to create a thread to have this discussion. People need to know that they are not alone and you sharing that will help. Having it in another thread will make it easier for people to see it.
  • sssgilber
    sssgilber Posts: 90 Member
    Uhfgood wrote: »
    Sorry for bringing everyone down. I won't post in this thread anymore.

    Don't worry my friend. These people are trying to be hard on you to motivate you - kind of like a stereotypical drill sergeant? They mean well.

    For those of you that don't know Uhfgood - the fact that he is out and exercising like he is in and of itself is an incredible thing. What's more incredible is he is here asking others for help and sharing his journey.
    While it may not seem like much to many of you - he has overcome a lot of hurdles just to be at this point in his diet/exercise goal.

    Uhfgood, it would be very good for you to create a thread to have this discussion. People need to know that they are not alone and you sharing that will help. Having it in another thread will make it easier for people to see it.

    Uhfgood, skip the drill sergeants. They're in a different world. Focus on the supportive posts and your own progress.
  • looby79
    looby79 Posts: 2 Member
    Good info
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    sssgilber wrote: »
    Uhfgood wrote: »
    Sorry for bringing everyone down. I won't post in this thread anymore.

    Don't worry my friend. These people are trying to be hard on you to motivate you - kind of like a stereotypical drill sergeant? They mean well.

    For those of you that don't know Uhfgood - the fact that he is out and exercising like he is in and of itself is an incredible thing. What's more incredible is he is here asking others for help and sharing his journey.
    While it may not seem like much to many of you - he has overcome a lot of hurdles just to be at this point in his diet/exercise goal.

    Uhfgood, it would be very good for you to create a thread to have this discussion. People need to know that they are not alone and you sharing that will help. Having it in another thread will make it easier for people to see it.

    Uhfgood, skip the drill sergeants. They're in a different world. Focus on the supportive posts and your own progress.

    you have no idea what the word supportive means.
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    sssgilber wrote: »
    Uhfgood wrote: »
    Sorry for bringing everyone down. I won't post in this thread anymore.

    Don't worry my friend. These people are trying to be hard on you to motivate you - kind of like a stereotypical drill sergeant? They mean well.

    For those of you that don't know Uhfgood - the fact that he is out and exercising like he is in and of itself is an incredible thing. What's more incredible is he is here asking others for help and sharing his journey.
    While it may not seem like much to many of you - he has overcome a lot of hurdles just to be at this point in his diet/exercise goal.

    Uhfgood, it would be very good for you to create a thread to have this discussion. People need to know that they are not alone and you sharing that will help. Having it in another thread will make it easier for people to see it.

    Uhfgood, skip the drill sergeants. They're in a different world. Focus on the supportive posts and your own progress.

    you have no idea what the word supportive means.

    Is it the same as "enabling".
  • Otterluv
    Otterluv Posts: 9,083 Member
    edited March 2015
    sssgilber wrote: »
    Uhfgood wrote: »
    Sorry for bringing everyone down. I won't post in this thread anymore.

    Don't worry my friend. These people are trying to be hard on you to motivate you - kind of like a stereotypical drill sergeant? They mean well.

    For those of you that don't know Uhfgood - the fact that he is out and exercising like he is in and of itself is an incredible thing. What's more incredible is he is here asking others for help and sharing his journey.
    While it may not seem like much to many of you - he has overcome a lot of hurdles just to be at this point in his diet/exercise goal.

    Uhfgood, it would be very good for you to create a thread to have this discussion. People need to know that they are not alone and you sharing that will help. Having it in another thread will make it easier for people to see it.

    Uhfgood, skip the drill sergeants. They're in a different world. Focus on the supportive posts and your own progress.

    you have no idea what the word supportive means.

    Too true.

    If you are that freaked out about it, do what I did when I started: get a HRM so that you know that you aren't about to die when you are running. I found that it almost always feels much worse than it really is (at first).

    Running can just be really really really really really hard when you start. It is for almost everyone.

    ETA: I didn't really think that I was going to die when I started. I'd been cleared by my doctor, etc. BUT, it was helpful to see how the number correlated to my perceived effort. I was perceiving that I was putting out much more effort than I actually was. MUCH more.
  • bostonwolf
    bostonwolf Posts: 3,038 Member
    ^This. When I really got into I spent a few weeks just walking. At first at a pace that got me winded, then I'd back off a bit. And I progressively went harder until I was really moving quickly and working up a sweat. Running is much harder, but that will help ease the pain a bit.

    And amazingly enough, when you start to demand more of your body on a consistent basis, your body starts to adapt itself in various ways to make that level of activity easier.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    sssgilber wrote: »
    Uhfgood, skip the drill sergeants. They're in a different world. Focus on the supportive posts and your own progress.

    Rainbows and unicorns are always the best tools for progressing. WTG!
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    Otterluv wrote: »
    sssgilber wrote: »
    Uhfgood wrote: »
    Sorry for bringing everyone down. I won't post in this thread anymore.

    Don't worry my friend. These people are trying to be hard on you to motivate you - kind of like a stereotypical drill sergeant? They mean well.

    For those of you that don't know Uhfgood - the fact that he is out and exercising like he is in and of itself is an incredible thing. What's more incredible is he is here asking others for help and sharing his journey.
    While it may not seem like much to many of you - he has overcome a lot of hurdles just to be at this point in his diet/exercise goal.

    Uhfgood, it would be very good for you to create a thread to have this discussion. People need to know that they are not alone and you sharing that will help. Having it in another thread will make it easier for people to see it.

    Uhfgood, skip the drill sergeants. They're in a different world. Focus on the supportive posts and your own progress.

    you have no idea what the word supportive means.

    Too true.

    If you are that freaked out about it, do what I did when I started: get a HRM so that you know that you aren't about to die when you are running. I found that it almost always feels much worse than it really is (at first).

    Running can just be really really really really really hard when you start. It is for almost everyone.

    ETA: I didn't really think that I was going to die when I started. I'd been cleared by my doctor, etc. BUT, it was helpful to see how the number correlated to my perceived effort. I was perceiving that I was putting out much more effort than I actually was. MUCH more.

    I concur about getting an HRM. Worst case, it will tell you to slow down (not stop). Seriously, when I realized that my "OMG, I'm going to pass out" times were in the 190's BPM, and I realized that I just needed to slow down instead of stop, that helped.
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    Otterluv wrote: »
    sssgilber wrote: »
    Uhfgood wrote: »
    Sorry for bringing everyone down. I won't post in this thread anymore.

    Don't worry my friend. These people are trying to be hard on you to motivate you - kind of like a stereotypical drill sergeant? They mean well.

    For those of you that don't know Uhfgood - the fact that he is out and exercising like he is in and of itself is an incredible thing. What's more incredible is he is here asking others for help and sharing his journey.
    While it may not seem like much to many of you - he has overcome a lot of hurdles just to be at this point in his diet/exercise goal.

    Uhfgood, it would be very good for you to create a thread to have this discussion. People need to know that they are not alone and you sharing that will help. Having it in another thread will make it easier for people to see it.

    Uhfgood, skip the drill sergeants. They're in a different world. Focus on the supportive posts and your own progress.

    you have no idea what the word supportive means.

    Too true.

    If you are that freaked out about it, do what I did when I started: get a HRM so that you know that you aren't about to die when you are running. I found that it almost always feels much worse than it really is (at first).

    Running can just be really really really really really hard when you start. It is for almost everyone.

    ETA: I didn't really think that I was going to die when I started. I'd been cleared by my doctor, etc. BUT, it was helpful to see how the number correlated to my perceived effort. I was perceiving that I was putting out much more effort than I actually was. MUCH more.

    I concur about getting an HRM. Worst case, it will tell you to slow down (not stop). Seriously, when I realized that my "OMG, I'm going to pass out" times were in the 190's BPM, and I realized that I just needed to slow down instead of stop, that helped.

    Yup. I have terrible trouble running up hill. I always thought I was going to pass out...then I looked and saw that I was around 180, not redlining at 205 or something.

    It sucked because it gave me no excuse not to run hills.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    edited March 2015
    sssgilber wrote: »
    Uhfgood, skip the drill sergeants. They're in a different world. Focus on the supportive posts and your own progress.

    Runners are, in the main, pretty supportive. It's not pom-poms and cheerleading supportive, but it's more about recognising that everyone needs a nudge to get over their threshold and get out of their comfort zone. Largely because we've all been there at some point and needed that nudge ourselves.

    Uncritical pink sparkly eyes-and-teeth jazz hands type stuff doesn't really wash. When @Uhfgood can run for 20 or 30 minutes pretty much everyone will say well done, and respect the fact that he alone has got himself to that point, whatever his reasons for getting there.

    Equally the support might involve just a reminder to ease it back at times.

  • jessupbrady
    jessupbrady Posts: 508 Member
    you have no idea what the word supportive means.

    Sometimes, you can go further with that support by getting to know someone.

    I'm not saying to give someone rainbows and unicorns.
    I'm saying pushing someone to give 110% is different for different folks.

    If you push someone too hard that is already struggling, they may just see a reason to give up.

    Some people face their challenges due to medical conditions that need to be worked through as well and they may not want to talk about it openly.

    I have a gentic joint connectivity issue, I know what it is like to be pushed too hard. When I first got out of college and was wanting to learn to lift (under the guidance of a personal trainer) I was told I had to lift heavier despite my thoughts that I didn't think my joints could support it. I wanted to lift the same weight for days until I felt bored before increasing my weights. But, I listened to my trainer, that I wouldn't gain if I didn't increase.

    I woke up without being able to lift my head; a trip to the emergency room; and a year of bed rest did wonders for getting over my 'exercise hump' - and it took me 15 years later to decide I needed to find a way to get past my limits. I did a lot of damage to myself in that time and have lost a lot of weight in the process and three years ago wanted to get back into lifting. Again, listening to a trainer - I hurt myself; not as bad and I recovered in a few months. This repeated several times, and with each time I became less and less believing that I would ever be able to ever lift. Now, I don't ever want to go to a gym or see a "trainer".

    You can push someone based on what you think "Everyone" should be able to do - and you can hurt them, or discourage them altogether.

    My personal experience has taught me, getting to know someone and understanding why they have limits sometimes helps to push them correctly. I finally found a trainer that can guide me, and has the patience to help me through my days. Despite that I am on 4 pain killers a day - my trainer knows how to make me give 110% for my condition. It's no where near the levels of what you would see in a gym; my progress may be incredible slow. But, I am progressing and I am not in the hospital from doing "too much" to my joints.

    I would never be there if someone wasn't willing to get to know me and understand where I am, where I want to be, and take the time to find out what is really holding me back.
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    edited March 2015
    you have no idea what the word supportive means.

    Sometimes, you can go further with that support by getting to know someone.

    I'm not saying to give someone rainbows and unicorns.
    I'm saying pushing someone to give 110% is different for different folks.

    If you push someone too hard that is already struggling, they may just see a reason to give up.

    Some people face their challenges due to medical conditions that need to be worked through as well and they may not want to talk about it openly.

    I have a gentic joint connectivity issue, I know what it is like to be pushed too hard. When I first got out of college and was wanting to learn to lift (under the guidance of a personal trainer) I was told I had to lift heavier despite my thoughts that I didn't think my joints could support it. I wanted to lift the same weight for days until I felt bored before increasing my weights. But, I listened to my trainer, that I wouldn't gain if I didn't increase.

    I woke up without being able to lift my head; a trip to the emergency room; and a year of bed rest did wonders for getting over my 'exercise hump' - and it took me 15 years later to decide I needed to find a way to get past my limits. I did a lot of damage to myself in that time and have lost a lot of weight in the process and three years ago wanted to get back into lifting. Again, listening to a trainer - I hurt myself; not as bad and I recovered in a few months. This repeated several times, and with each time I became less and less believing that I would ever be able to ever lift. Now, I don't ever want to go to a gym or see a "trainer".

    You can push someone based on what you think "Everyone" should be able to do - and you can hurt them, or discourage them altogether.

    My personal experience has taught me, getting to know someone and understanding why they have limits sometimes helps to push them correctly. I finally found a trainer that can guide me, and has the patience to help me through my days. Despite that I am on 4 pain killers a day - my trainer knows how to make me give 110% for my condition. It's no where near the levels of what you would see in a gym; my progress may be incredible slow. But, I am progressing and I am not in the hospital from doing "too much" to my joints.

    I would never be there if someone wasn't willing to get to know me and understand where I am, where I want to be, and take the time to find out what is really holding me back.

    You seem to be projecting a little.

    No one told him to go run a marathon tomorrow. He came with specific complaints (heart rate too high, etc), and was given solid advice, along with the suggestion that perhaps he doesn't need 3 months to run a mile. And that is true.

    Sorry you've had troubles, but this is a thread about running and the problems of those who want to run, not your therapy couch.

    eta: and of course, only in MFP-land would those who offer solid solutions be 'drill sergeants' and those who say "no, just stay the same, its easier!" be the 'supportive' ones.

  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    Uhfgood wrote: »
    Maybe it's fine... but I don't necessarily want to give myself a heart attack, or at least feel like I was going to... So I would take it easier and build up gradually.

    You're probably fine unless you have an underlying heart condition. You can't kill yourself running too fast anymore than you can kill yourself by holding your breath too long. Your body will take over and shut you down if you're overdoing it. Running too hard, too fast and your mind will be screaming at you to stop. Just like holding your breath. The thoughts about breathing get stronger and stronger till you can't overcome them.

    If you're overdoing it you won't for long. By the way, this is why I dislike 5ks. I feel this way from about mile 2 until the end. "You gonna die."

    TL;DR - Take it easy and don't sweat it. Unless you're working out of course. Then sweating is good.