Jogging questions

thereshegoesagain
thereshegoesagain Posts: 1,056 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm usually a walker in the winter averaging 5-7 miled 6 days a week. Summer is for swimming.

For some unknown reason, yesterday I decided to try a slow jog while I was walking a local track.

I haven't jogged in over 40 years so just tried half a lap which was fairly easy. I walked a couple laps, then did a slow lap and a half without killing myself, then finished off by walking the rest of my miles.

I noticed that both times after finishing my jogs, I was a little bit dizzy and it went away within a minute or two. The first time I thought it was because I was looking down at the track, so I made a point of looking around on my second try, but was still dizzy.
Is this a common thing? Any tips for avoiding it?

Also, my shins are a bit sore this morning which I hope will go away once I'm up and moving around.

I want to try to increase my distance but want to go slowly as I have arthritis in my knee and had a spinal fusion a few years ago and don't want to agravate anything so any tips you good people have will be greatly appreciated.

I'm 59 years old, 5'6, 163 lbs, down from 248 and can't believe that I think I want to try C25K!

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    get fitted for proper running shoes

    slow down a little to stop the dizziness

    make sure you're stretching well enough and don't try running consecutive days just yet
  • thereshegoesagain
    thereshegoesagain Posts: 1,056 Member
    Can you recommend a few good national chain stores to be fitted for shoes? I live in a small mountain town and will have to drive a couple hours to find a store but need some names to search out what stores are closest for a fitting.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    thereshegoesagain wrote: »
    Can you recommend a few good national chain stores to be fitted for shoes? I live in a small mountain town and will have to drive a couple hours to find a store but need some names to search out what stores are closest for a fitting.

    i'm in the uk, sorry!
  • __TMac__
    __TMac__ Posts: 1,669 Member
    edited February 2017
    Independent running stores and Fleet Feet Sports stores are good choices. Big box sports stores won't be able to give you the guidance you'll need.

    ETA: Go to Google Maps and search for "running store" near you. Expand your search to multiple counties if needed, but there are usually one or more around. Especially in outdoorsy areas.
  • thereshegoesagain
    thereshegoesagain Posts: 1,056 Member
    I found a store that is about 90 minutes away, so am going down next week.
    How much should I plan on spending for a decent pair of shoes?
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    I'm a 50+ newbie runner who did C25K last year. I did it with a fitness group amd I can say that most people didn't make it through. It's hard!

    I would say that you should ask your doctor about the dizziness first. There is some risk.

    If you get the OK, then start slow, and repeat the levels as many times as it takes to be comfortable. You might want to do some elliptical training to build up stamina.

    I am not as big a believer in having the shoes"fit" by a pro. I just dropped about $150 at a sports store.

    Hope that helps!
  • ccsernica
    ccsernica Posts: 1,040 Member
    Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »
    I am not as big a believer in having the shoes"fit" by a pro. I just dropped about $150 at a sports store.

    It's worth doing. And if it's a good local store, they'll be less interested in selling you expensive shoes they'll be in making sure you're well-fitted and happy. I don't think I spent $150 last time I bought shoes that way.
  • thereshegoesagain
    thereshegoesagain Posts: 1,056 Member
    Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »
    I'm a 50+ newbie runner who did C25K last year. I did it with a fitness group amd I can say that most people didn't make it through. It's hard!

    I would say that you should ask your doctor about the dizziness first. There is some risk.

    If you get the OK, then start slow, and repeat the levels as many times as it takes to be comfortable. You might want to do some elliptical training to build up stamina.

    I am not as big a believer in having the shoes"fit" by a pro. I just dropped about $150 at a sports store.

    Hope that helps!

    I was just at my Dr's office 2 weeks ago, after running the full range of tests and blood work . She told me that I am the "picture of health" and should be "the poster child for getting healthy later in life".

    I am definitely taking it slow. The dizziness doesn't happen on the treadmill, so I kind of think it may be based on where I focus. I'm hoping to figure it out soon, but will be careful.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    I did c25k last year at age 60 aND ran a 5k last Summer. About your height & Weight when I started. Take it slow & easy &have fun!
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,736 Member
    JohnKane44 - walking is always a good exercise to do. As a runner, I find that walking helps loosen my muscles so I don't get as stiff, which helps prevent injury. Before I ran, I was a hiker and backpacker for 25 years. If you have time to lengthen your walks, I would do so. Try to keep them brisk if you can. (I walk with a dog, so we stop so he can sniff, then trot to the next tree, then stop again. It's not as brisk a workout as I'd like.)
  • tahxirez
    tahxirez Posts: 270 Member
    You sound like you may have had some neck tension while you ran. To conserve energy focus on form over anything else for the moment. Head up and neutral looking ahead (since you're on a track it shouldn't be necessary to watch the ground), shoulders back and down, and chest up. Knees soft, torso bent slightly forward, swing arms front and back (like a bent arm sucker punch) rather than across the body. Form will help your breathing and could help mitigate dizziness.
  • Briantime
    Briantime Posts: 175 Member
    You will hear this over and over again and it is good advice. Take it slow. C25K is an outstanding plan. I know running is not for everyone but I am coming of the opinion that the majority of people who try running and "fail" do so because they tried to do too much too soon and did not allow their body to adapt to it.
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    thereshegoesagain wrote: »
    I am definitely taking it slow. The dizziness doesn't happen on the treadmill, so I kind of think it may be based on where I focus. I'm hoping to figure it out soon, but will be careful.

    Best wishes for success! I have had a few ups and downs, but I did a 5k and I'm still running!

    RE Dizziness. Check out this recent article:

    Getting Specific About Dizziness https://nyti.ms/2kd7jDr
  • CTcutie
    CTcutie Posts: 649 Member
    thereshegoesagain wrote: »
    I found a store that is about 90 minutes away, so am going down next week.
    How much should I plan on spending for a decent pair of shoes?

    Probably $120-140; I haven't been able to get any cheaper (that WORK for me for less than 120$). They may also recommend insoles (to replace the notoriously un-supportive ones that come in shoes) with SuperFeet, etc. Personally, I buy my shoes @ FF because I am always very happy with the shoes I get/service.

    Plan to be there awhile; the process can take an hour... If it's a Saturday morning, it will likely be packed (at least where I live), so I try to go as soon as they open. Or I take a day off work/not during the start of the kids track season (also 1 hour+ away from me)! They may have you try on some ugly ones, but DO NOT worry about what they look like- when you find the right pair, you'll know :smiley:
  • CTcutie
    CTcutie Posts: 649 Member
    Don't hold your breath while running... sometimes people do this unintentionally. I tried a "technique" and was even more winded when I started. My C25K (real-life) running coach said- Just breathe normally! Ok, she was right!! Beginners will get out of breath/lung-burn anyway. It will be a challenge, but you will notice you are getting stronger/breathing is easier if you keep it up :smile:
  • HardcoreP0rk
    HardcoreP0rk Posts: 936 Member
    CTcutie wrote: »
    thereshegoesagain wrote: »
    I found a store that is about 90 minutes away, so am going down next week.
    How much should I plan on spending for a decent pair of shoes?

    Probably $120-140; I haven't been able to get any cheaper (that WORK for me for less than 120$). They may also recommend insoles (to replace the notoriously un-supportive ones that come in shoes) with SuperFeet, etc. Personally, I buy my shoes @ FF because I am always very happy with the shoes I get/service.

    Plan to be there awhile; the process can take an hour... If it's a Saturday morning, it will likely be packed (at least where I live), so I try to go as soon as they open. Or I take a day off work/not during the start of the kids track season (also 1 hour+ away from me)! They may have you try on some ugly ones, but DO NOT worry about what they look like- when you find the right pair, you'll know :smiley:

    Marathon runner here - highly recommend Fleet Feet as well. Once you get fitted, you can move over to Road Runner Sports. If you join VIP you can try your pair for 90 days and return if they arent working out. So once you get a good idea for fit, you can switch over to online mode to save you the 90 min drives.

    Also, I'm optimistic that you can get a great pair for $80-100, depending on the level of cushioning you require.

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