Start running - yay or nay?

Unregistered39

Need to find a way to keep fit and because I'm self-employed and schedule is all over the place jogging/running seems like a good idea as I can just head out whenever I get a spare hour or so. But I'm getting very conflicting opinions on whether it's a good idea or not. Some swear by it, others (my sister in particular) say they've wrecked knees/ankles/eyebrows doing it.

Realistically, I'd be running on footpaths locally. It's fairly flat.

If it helps, I'm early 40s, not overweight but would like to tone up and get my heart pumping. Gyms really not my thing.

Any advice appreciated.

Duffman'05

Unregistered39 wrote: »

Need to find a way to keep fit and because I'm self-employed and schedule is all over the place jogging/running seems like a good idea as I can just head out whenever I get a spare hour or so. But I'm getting very conflicting opinions on whether it's a good idea or not. Some swear by it, others (my sister in particular) say they've wrecked knees/ankles/eyebrows doing it.

Realistically, I'd be running on footpaths locally. It's fairly flat.

If it helps, I'm early 40s, not overweight but would like to tone up and get my heart pumping. Gyms really not my thing.

Any advice appreciated.

Stick with it and you will learn a whole new definition for the word addiction.

Any sport can wreck your body if you don't take the necessary precautions. Get yourself fitted with a good pair of running shoes and don't go mental with trying to run long distance too soon.

When done properly and at the adequate pace running can actually do wonders for your joints. Lack of any exercise is notoriously bad for your joints - they need to b stimulated to keep their integrity intact.

fluffysierra

My vote is for Yay.

Get some decent running shoes and avoid overtraining and you should have no injury worries.

Posy

Where should people buy proper running shoes? I've always just gone to Lifestyle or Champion sports for runners.

UL_heart_throb

Start off slow and with short distances. Build up the distances first. Then build up the pace. Duration around 40 mins to an hour.

Get some good shoes, try and get an assessment of gait if possible, especially if you get any knee pain early on.

Stiffness will be normal, muscle soreness will be normal, shin splints unfortunately will be normal.

Wear bearing exercise like jogging has the benefits of strengthening your bones and reducing osteoporosis risk (although your age and gender means you are low risk) but will increase wear and tear on the joints.

Unregistered39

Thanks for the replies all, I think I'll give it a go and ease into it. I'll echo Posy's question about where to get good running shoes - any brands in particular you'd recommend?

meijin

UL_heart_throb wrote: »

Start off slow and with short distances. Build up the distances first. Then build up the pace. Duration around 40 mins to an hour.

Huh? That's way too long for start. Or if you mean that's a target, then you don't give enough steps to get there.

OP, find some "couch to 5k" programme to give you ideas how to build up the distance. If you can run 5k already, you can try some plan from http://www.halhigdon.com/training/ but if you're not aiming for a race, you don't need to follow it too strictly. Run slowly, conversational pace.

Beside/instead of running you can also do some strength training, simple bodyweight exercises are perfect and you can do it anywhere when you have time. Convict Conditioning is a popular structured approach.

Get some good shoes, try and get an assessment of gait if possible, especially if you get any knee pain early on.

huh?

Stiffness will be normal, muscle soreness will be normal, shin splints unfortunately will be normal.

only some muscle soreness here would be normal, at the start; definitely shin splints won't be "normal"! :eek:
and what kind of stiffness do you mean?
do you have any running experience?

Wear bearing exercise like jogging has the benefits of strengthening your bones and reducing osteoporosis risk (although your age and gender means you are low risk) but will increase wear and tear on the joints.

what is "wear bearing"?

any references on wear and tear on the joints? or suggested alternatives which won't cause any?

Unregistered39

Found a Couch to 5k post in the Ladies Lounge here so will definitely take a look at that.

Still interested in hearing recommendations for running shoes if anyone has any?

Just saw the osteoporosis comment - I'm a woman!

Katgurl

Unregistered39 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies all, I think I'll give it a go and ease into it. I'll echo Posy's question about where to get good running shoes - any brands in particular you'd recommend?

If you're in Dublin, there's a running shop on Parnell St & one in Bray where they analyse your gait (record you on treadmill for <60 seconds) to recommend you runners. I'd go with one in Bray if you can find it.

Download a running plan to get started, everyone raves about the c25K. I just got the Hal Higdon beginners 1/2 marathon and went with that.

If you get blisters anything like I did, order a pair of 1000 miles anti-blister from John Buckley in Cork. I'm sure you can get them other places but that's where I got mine.

Lots of vaseline wherever you need it, i consistently got chaffing from my ipod arm band so used big plasters instead.

Don't be disheartened if you find it hard at first and there are OAPs effortlessly gliding by you in the park, your body adjusts with every run.

Unregistered39

Thanks Katgurl, I have decided to adopt a zero embarrassment approach to this as if I start letting things like wheezing/red face/sprinting OAPs get to me I'll never stick to it. Parnell Street a lot easier for me as I live near town so will check it out.

Katgurl wrote: »

If you're in Dublin, there's a running shop on Parnell St & one in Bray where they analyse your gait (record you on treadmill for <60 seconds) to recommend you runners. I'd go with one in Bray if you can find it.

Download a running plan to get started, everyone raves about the c25K. I just got the Hal Higdon beginners 1/2 marathon and went with that.

If you get blisters anything like I did, order a pair of 1000 miles anti-blister from John Buckley in Cork. I'm sure you can get them other places but that's where I got mine.

Lots of vaseline wherever you need it, i consistently got chaffing from my ipod arm band so used big plasters instead.

Don't be disheartened if you find it hard at first and there are OAPs effortlessly gliding by you in the park, your body adjusts with every run.

meijin

Unregistered39 wrote: »

Still interested in hearing recommendations for running shoes if anyone has any?

You should get them fitted in a running shop, to match your gait, foot shape, etc. - it's not really possible to recommend a specific brand. You can get more detailed answers on Running Gear & Equipment forum.

Unregistered39

meijin wrote: »

You should get them fitted in a running shop, to match your gait, foot shape, etc. - it's not really possible to recommend a specific brand. You can get more detailed answers on Running Gear & Equipment forum.

Great. Will do just that. Thanks.

eric1212

I may advice you to go with it since it is a healthy exercise as well as helps keeps you energized. I also do this exercise early morning with my friend.
After this i do yoga which can help you concentrate on your work better. Try this tips for healthy living.

meijin

Don't forget about warm-up before and stretching after the run.

Oh, and I highly recommend this article to everyone http://www.alkavadlo.com/2010/05/exercise-vs-skill/

Ape X

This popped up on my Facebook wall - might be of use to someone!