Help Runners!
gretchenwb
Posts: 70 Member
Ok, so I am 48 years old on MFP since Jan 2012, only 4 # lost, but over 2 1/2 inches lost, and I recently upped my calories, and the intensity of my walking program. I found to my utter surprise that I was able to jog for 15 minutes, and yesterday 20 minutes at a stretch. Now, my form is pitiful, and I am quite sure I am not running even 5mph! Does this count...and should I continue to pursue it? I checked out the couch to 5k, and am doing every other day. I plan to add strength and cardio on non running (embarrassed to even call it running-more like a geriatric shuffle!) days to get some weight loss. does anyone have any suggestions?
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Replies
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Why wouldn't you count it?
I am running and my average pace right now is about 4.7. Yes, it's slow, but so what? And I'm 11 years younger than you so it's not just a geriatric shuffle.0 -
Yep, I'm 44 years old and my normal pace is around 4.7 mph...I'm not bothered...I'm doing some exercise and burning some calories!! Keep it up...it all helps0
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If you enjoy it, then my all means, continue to run, regardless of how fast.0
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"No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch"
Keep it up:flowerforyou:0 -
Keep it up. If you're enjoying it why not?
The only words of caution I'd offer if you're transitioning from walking to running would be to:
1) make sure you have the appropriate footwear. If you plan on running get fitted by a running specialty shop as there are different types of shoes for people with different gaits.
2) Don't rush the progress. Most running injuries are the result of too much too fast too soon. I didn't start running until after I'd hit the half century mark, you'll be amazed by what you're capable of with the right training and attitude.
Have fun!0 -
run /rʌn/ verb, ran, run, run·ning, noun, adjective
verb (used without object)
1. to go quickly by moving the legs more rapidly than at a walk and in such a manner that for an instant in each step all or both feet are off the ground.
If you are doing this ^^ you are running.0 -
I started running when I was 46. Started with a walk/run similar to couch to 5K and I was slow. I'm now 49 and have 5 half marthons under my belt (most recently last Sunday) and on a good day will average a 10:30 minute mile (faster for shorter races).
Keep it up. You can do it!!!0 -
Keep it up. If you're enjoying it why not?
The only words of caution I'd offer if you're transitioning from walking to running would be to:
1) make sure you have the appropriate footwear. If you plan on running get fitted by a running specialty shop as there are different types of shoes for people with different gaits.
2) Don't rush the progress. Most running injuries are the result of too much too fast too soon. I didn't start running until after I'd hit the half century mark, you'll be amazed by what you're capable of with the right training and attitude.
Have fun!
^^ perfect answer!0 -
Of course you should continue, as long as you enjoy it and want to continue. Don't worry about speed, work on building endurance first. Speed will naturally increase as you get more miles under your belt, and once you are running/jogging the distance you want, you can start adding in speed work. When I first started a few years ago (in my 40's), I was running about a 12.5 minute mile in a 5K, and now I've finally gotten below a 10 minute mile, and training to get even lower :-)0
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You are running!! Don't worry about the speed either. I am 44 & run at between 10:30 & 13:00 min/mi depending on the distance. Not fast by any means. I have completed various 5k, 2 x 10k, 2 x half marathon & 1 x marathon. Although I am slower than lots of people I still class myself as a "runner" & woe betide anyone that says otherwise!!! Keep on doing what ur doing & well done on what u have achieved!! :flowerforyou:
PS make sure u get properly fitted for trainers to help avoid injuries!!0 -
Thank you so much for all your encouragement, and good advice-it is greatly appreciated! I never thought I would enjoy it, but there is something that makes you want to get out there again-isn't there? Maybe it is the challenge. Anyway....off I go..."Lord willing...and the creek don't rise!"0
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There is a revolution happening in running these days, brought on by former US Olympic Marathon runner, Jeff Galloway. Galloway's method involves intentional run-walk throughout the entire run, whether or not you're running in a race or simply doing a few miles around your neighborhood. The process is very simple -- walk one minute, run/jog/shuffle step for 3-4-5 minutes, making adjustments as you go. You can stretch out the run time, increase the walk time, don't walk at all, or whatever works for you on any given day. The reasons? The main reason is to avoid injury, the second is to increase your love of running (as you'll be able to do what "you're comfortable with", and not your gazelle neighbor. The third is distance -- with walking and running you'll be able to go much further than you'd ever imagine, and perhaps one of the last is pace. If you take regular walk breaks, your body will retain its energy stores longer, thus allowing you to actually run faster on aggregate than you would by running the entire time. I just did this process for an entire marathon and even though I had to rough it while many non walkers passed me by, I eventually caught up and passed many of them, as when it came to miles 20-26, the crowd got very thin as this is where the "wall" consumes a lot of runners who either give up completely or barely make it in, vowing to never do it again... Yes, I'm generalizing... I'm not making a blanket statement. But walking and running is wise and is proven to work very effectively. Mr. Galloway has run in many Boston Marathons, which require a very fast pace and only the best of the best distance runners qualify for this race. Yep, folks will scoff at this and try to belittle it, but that's ok.0
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"No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch"
Keep it up:flowerforyou:
Love this! I'm not the fastest runner either, but at least I am lapping everybody on the couch. :laugh:0 -
You know, that is very sound advice! Being older, and not as fit, and with 4 children I am very cautious about protecting myself from injury. I am only racing myself, and pushing for my health!0
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Keep it up and do not give it up. When I first started running, I would run about 5 to 10 k and have to stop to walk about 4 or 5 times. Now I do half marathons the whole way without stopping once. Eventually you will be able to run farther and farther, Don't worry about the speed, it's not a race. Good luck to you.0
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The minute you step up your pace to more than a walk, you are a runner. Take it and run!!
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Yes ma'am this count!!!!!! At 4.5 mph on the treadmill, i am jogging because honestly I can't walk that fast.0
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Do what feels right and hold your head up. Be proud of your progress.0
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Keep it up. If you're enjoying it why not?
The only words of caution I'd offer if you're transitioning from walking to running would be to:
1) make sure you have the appropriate footwear. If you plan on running get fitted by a running specialty shop as there are different types of shoes for people with different gaits.
2) Don't rush the progress. Most running injuries are the result of too much too fast too soon. I didn't start running until after I'd hit the half century mark, you'll be amazed by what you're capable of with the right training and attitude.
Have fun!
^^ perfect answer!
All of this!0 -
You are a runner! Don't worry about speed, just try adding time little by little. Couch to 5K is great for lots of people. Like someone else said, make sure you have good shoes though. Your speed will increase...even if you don't want it to...as you get better. That is just what happens!0
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Congrats you are a runner. If you keep it up, you will get faster and be able to run for longer periods of time. Eventually, you'll be addicted to it : )0
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I only started to run at 45. I'm not the fastest or the fittest and it aint pretty, but I'm out there shaking my *kitten*. some days I'm good, some days I shuffle. I used to be self-concious but now dont care. Enjoy your runs, drink plenty of water and invest in good insoles for your trainers (I can recommend sofsoles athletic - £19.99 JJB Sports- your trainers will feel like new). WE may not see you at 2012 but you are a RUNNER0
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I wouldn't necessarily call it a revolution. That's a bit of a stretch.There is a revolution happening in running these days, brought on by former US Olympic Marathon runner, Jeff Galloway. Galloway's method involves intentional run-walk throughout the entire run, whether or not you're running in a race or simply doing a few miles around your neighborhood. The process is very simple -- walk one minute, run/jog/shuffle step for 3-4-5 minutes, making adjustments as you go. You can stretch out the run time, increase the walk time, don't walk at all, or whatever works for you on any given day. The reasons? The main reason is to avoid injury, the second is to increase your love of running (as you'll be able to do what "you're comfortable with", and not your gazelle neighbor. The third is distance -- with walking and running you'll be able to go much further than you'd ever imagine, and perhaps one of the last is pace. If you take regular walk breaks, your body will retain its energy stores longer, thus allowing you to actually run faster on aggregate than you would by running the entire time. I just did this process for an entire marathon and even though I had to rough it while many non walkers passed me by, I eventually caught up and passed many of them, as when it came to miles 20-26, the crowd got very thin as this is where the "wall" consumes a lot of runners who either give up completely or barely make it in, vowing to never do it again... Yes, I'm generalizing... I'm not making a blanket statement. But walking and running is wise and is proven to work very effectively. Mr. Galloway has run in many Boston Marathons, which require a very fast pace and only the best of the best distance runners qualify for this race. Yep, folks will scoff at this and try to belittle it, but that's ok.
Gallowalking is a good way to get started, but the OP states that she is already running 20 minutes. Going to the Galloway method would constitute a step back. Yeah, Gallowalking is one way to get through a marathon, but I'd dispute that the aggregate is faster for anyone that is capable of running a marathon at 8:00 miles or faster. A PROPERLY TRAINED runner who follows the right pacing plan will run a marathon faster than they would Gallowalk it. What Gallowalking does is take the pace control out of the runners hands. The hardest part of running a marathon is controlling your pace in the early miles so that you have enough left to finish strong. Sure, you can find examples of Gallowalkers that PR'd after starting to use that method, but it doesn't take into account their increased level of fitness from the additional training. How much faster could they have gone had they paced properly and not walked? It's an impossible study to conduct, but anecdotal evidence will demonstrate that no one is running world class times using Galloway's methods.
Yes, you certainly did do a LOT of generalizing there. Those people bonking between 20 and the finish were either under-trained or ran too ambitious of a pace in the early going. As I stated above, Gallowalking takes the guess work out of pacing.
I'm almost certain that Galloway never competed in the Boston Marathon using his own methods. He was a world class, Olympic athlete that qualified for, and competed in that race by running.0 -
In every workout I do, I have to remind MYSELF that I am working out FOR ME. Not for someone else's timer, not for someone else's speed. FOR ME. And today I may run a 12 minute mile (which is pathetic because I can walk a 12 minute mile), today I might not even be able to run at all (because it simply doesn't feel good) and tomorrow I may run like Forrest Gump! On and on and on.
You run, you walk, you do yoga, you weight lift, you swim.... you do it FOR YOU! and hell ya, it counts!0
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