Running on the thread v Running on the Road.

kluivert

Hey i am going to start training again ie improving my fitness. I have put three stone on in two years. 15.5 stone now. Mainly to no exercise and a takeaway diet.

Nevertheless things are going to change and i have started with my diet, porridge in the mornings, a light lunch, home cooked dinner and a bowl of cornflakes later on.

Any tips please.

Anyway i have been told by a mate of mind who is into body building that road running is tough and the joint and i would be better off running on a thread mill, does anyone have any opinions on this.

p.pete

I much prefer running outdoor to running on threadmill, mainly due to boredom. Running on the threadmill is fine but you'll get a better workout outdoors, also make sure you use a threadmill at an incline (2% is fine).

If you're conscious of your joints (which is sensible) then avoid the road for the moment, until you get a bit of running under your belt and lose some of the excess weight. Threadmill will have less impact on your joints but remember road isn't the only other surface. Depending on where you're living there may be some trails, grass is good and if you're on road bear in mind that concrete is a harder surface then tar.

Hope that helps...

g'em

Road running is pretty hard on the joints, and if you have any weaknesses in your feet/ knees/ back they'll become apparent very quickly (I discovered last year after three months of fairly solid road running that I have flat feet which manifested itself in pain so severe in my back I couldn't walk up stairs for a week and sneezing made me cry!!!). When this happens it can put you off for ages so better to start slow and easy.

To start off maybe try a treadmill or as suggested a grassy surface to absorb some of the impact. I can run no problem on a treadmill now and am still wary of the road, but then treadmills are horrifically boring. Make sure you wear the right trainers, Asics are generally considered one of the best brands for running and not ridiculously expensive.

kluivert

Cheers for that.

The thread mill use to be boring for me thats why i was going to give road running a ok but alot of gyms up here in the north east now have games n tv on them to keep you pre occupied.

Theres another investing in a good pair of runners is very important yeah? I use to have any old runners, seem to work ok i never had any complaints.

p.pete

Most runners are fine tbh, just make sure they fit you properly. It's very important to look after your feet though so if you notice any small problems then seek further advice. I usually use adidas because they give me a good fit. I've quite narrow feet whereas Nike I think would be grand if you'd a more normal foot.

There's loads of different running shoes anyway, so it's not always easy to get the right ones - you'll probably want one's with more support as opposed to light weight 'running shoes'. If you're not sure then possibly show what you have to someone down the gym.

jaggiebunnet

i personally run on a treadmill but maybe that is just me

Wez

I run on the threadmill myself, because they have tv's in my gym, but I'd prefer to run on grass, but it's not feasable in this weather..

Squirrel

Personally I despise threadmills. Grass is a good idea

mor

I used to suffer alot from all sort of niggling injuries awhile back when I did most of my running on the road. After one knee injury I decided to avoid road running as much as possible.

At the moment I’m doing about 35 miles a week. Most of that is on trails & grass; occasionally (due the weather: (sunshine runner:) )) I’m forced indoors on the treadmills. I only run about 20% (max) of my mileage on the road. Also feeling great since I switched over. No niggling injuries or pain. Non-road running is a lot easier on the joints in the long term.

jaggiebunnet

Squirrel wrote:

Personally I despise threadmills. Grass is a good idea

Agreed. But what about treadmills?

GreeBo

jaggiebunnet wrote:

Agreed. But what about treadmills?

FYI, if you have to repeat a joke it probably wasnt funny the first time.

I used to run on a threadmill but the owner told me to get down as I was breaking tiles.

LegacyUser

jaggiebunnet wrote:

Agreed. But what about treadmills?

U absolute loser.

Reyman

At 15.5 stone it sounds like you're a fair bit overweight.

Taking up running may not be the best idea. I'd say you'd be best to lose a stone or two first by diet and lots of walking and then progress to running as you get in better shape.

Running when you're very overweight is just looking for injury and joint trouble

jaggiebunnet

cheesedude wrote:

U absolute loser.

maybe, but at least i can spell properly.