Want to get into running
Discussion
I am not as fit as I would like to be and need to shift a few pounds. I am not fat by any means just a bit of a beer belly and small moobs! I have started doing alot of swimming but would like to start running as well. Not on treadmills but outside. What is the best way to start?
Thanks
Thanks
Lots of advice on The Running Thread and on sites like www.runnersworld.co.uk
My advice - sort out a decent pair of running shoes first. Go to a specialist running shop and talk to them about it. They should look at your running style and be able to recommend specific shoes for you. This should help prevent early injuries.
Apart from that, start slowly, build up the time and distance slowly. It takes time for your body to get used to the impact of running. I find it much easier to run with others so perhaps contact your local running club - they will have a beginners group, so don't worry about being too slow.
My advice - sort out a decent pair of running shoes first. Go to a specialist running shop and talk to them about it. They should look at your running style and be able to recommend specific shoes for you. This should help prevent early injuries.
Apart from that, start slowly, build up the time and distance slowly. It takes time for your body to get used to the impact of running. I find it much easier to run with others so perhaps contact your local running club - they will have a beginners group, so don't worry about being too slow.
DaGuv said:
I have the trainers. I have a HTC desire but dont want that big thing running with me!
I don't carry a phone with me either (unless running home from work with my rucksack on), being out running is a time away from phonecalls for me.Next step is to plan some routes. I like running offroad so my planning involves parks, footpaths, bridleways etc. Of course, after dark, road routes are more sensible. Start off with a relatively short loop, say a couple of miles, just to see how you react to the running.
DaGuv said:
I have the trainers. I have a HTC desire but dont want that big thing running with me!
Runkeeper is available free on the desire as well. I have mine in a pocket on my jumper which doesn't bother me too much.I haven't tried it out but I think runkeeper has coaching/triggers which would be very helpful if you are just starting out.
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DaGuv said:
I am not as fit as I would like to be and need to shift a few pounds. I am not fat by any means just a bit of a beer belly and small moobs! I have started doing alot of swimming but would like to start running as well. Not on treadmills but outside. What is the best way to start?
Thanks
Well if you've got the trainers, you're off to a good start.Thanks
Interval running will see you get the best results in a short time and will also help you track your progress quickly and easily.
Interval training will burn fat much better than running at a constant speed - the easiest way to implement it is to pick a nearby target like a lamppost or street sign ~ 200 yards away. Once you're warmed up, do a fast run to that target, then pick another target a similar distance away and jog to that one. Fast run / sprint to the next 200 yard target, jog to the next. Repeat ad nauseum (only kidding!) but say 20 minutes originally, more if you're feeling fine about it. You'll get the best results when you start running for more than 40 minutes at a time.
You might feel a bit of a pillock doing it, but it does work and at the least the fitties who see you will know exactly what you're up to.
Don't run on your toes - you'll wreck your knees.
Don't run too upright as you'll cause your lower back muscles to spasm - lean forward slightly.
Run with loose arms and a loose chest, don't clench your fists. Nice and relaxed.
Stretch off afterwards - start at the bottom and work up. Calves, hamstrings, quads, and very importantly, your groin.
Vaseline up your groin area to prevent chafing. Might as well have some fun before the run!
Vaseline up your nipples if a) you're wearing cotton t shirts b) it's raining. Runners' nipple is pretty fecking sore.
There's a lot of conflicting advice about warming up and stretching before you start exercising. I'm in the military and we stretch lightly before and properly afterwards, but if I decide to run to work in the mornings, I just start off at an easy pace and pick it up after the first mile and stretch when I get to work. I don't have any problems with tight legs, so that's what works for me.
Enjoy it! Music or audiobooks are not to everyone's taste, as some people get bored without it on the streets (me included) and some people enjoy the freedom and the countryside (me again, I often leave the ipod behind if I'm running coastal paths or through the glen).
A +1 for Alfa pint's advice, I do intervals as I'm rubbish at long distances and prefer to run at a fast speed for a short while than jog for ages. According to the One show (make your own decision as to the accuracy of the research) it's better for your fitness to do high intensity intervals than a longer slower jog.
Silver940 said:
DaGuv said:
I have the trainers. I have a HTC desire but dont want that big thing running with me!
I have one of them, put out in an arm strap thing, use it for music and also my tracks, which is excellent!
Carrot said:
Silver940 said:
DaGuv said:
I have the trainers. I have a HTC desire but dont want that big thing running with me!
I have one of them, put out in an arm strap thing, use it for music and also my tracks, which is excellent!My Tracks is very good for recording your progress, also depressing... sure that was about 6 miles... only to find it was 3.5!
toast boy said:
A +1 for Alfa pint's advice, I do intervals as I'm rubbish at long distances and prefer to run at a fast speed for a short while than jog for ages. According to the One show (make your own decision as to the accuracy of the research) it's better for your fitness to do high intensity intervals than a longer slower jog.
Depends on your targets. You'll see results more quickly doing interval work, but your endurance will not improve as much. Ideally a week's training schedule includes intervals, fast paced continuous running and longer steady running, but that can be a bit much for beginners.People like the The Jiffle King who run 6 days a week can fit in a variety of training, so an interval session, a tempo run, a hill session, 2 steady runs and one long run, and one rest day for example. If you're only running 3 times a week, perhaps it'd be interval run, tempo/steady run and long run. Then you've got lunatics like I used to be running 11 times a week...
Silver940 said:
Carrot said:
Silver940 said:
DaGuv said:
I have the trainers. I have a HTC desire but dont want that big thing running with me!
I have one of them, put out in an arm strap thing, use it for music and also my tracks, which is excellent!My Tracks is very good for recording your progress, also depressing... sure that was about 6 miles... only to find it was 3.5!
It was recommended from the main running thread on here. Will post up if it is any good / better than mytracks after Friday
Carrot said:
Silver940 said:
Carrot said:
Silver940 said:
DaGuv said:
I have the trainers. I have a HTC desire but dont want that big thing running with me!
I have one of them, put out in an arm strap thing, use it for music and also my tracks, which is excellent!My Tracks is very good for recording your progress, also depressing... sure that was about 6 miles... only to find it was 3.5!
It was recommended from the main running thread on here. Will post up if it is any good / better than mytracks after Friday
On the subject of intervals - I was jogging quite happily for 30/40 mins a few times a week.....the did a parents V kids basketball game at xmas. 2 min halves (yes...2 mins!!!!) and i nearly died! Seems your body is quite good at getting into a routine of plodding along and making you think you're "fit". I now alternate a plodding 40 min run with 25 min interval runs of 30 secs sprints, 1 min jogs.
ewenm said:
Depends on your targets. You'll see results more quickly doing interval work, but your endurance will not improve as much. Ideally a week's training schedule includes intervals, fast paced continuous running and longer steady running, but that can be a bit much for beginners.
People like the The Jiffle King who run 6 days a week can fit in a variety of training, so an interval session, a tempo run, a hill session, 2 steady runs and one long run, and one rest day for example. If you're only running 3 times a week, perhaps it'd be interval run, tempo/steady run and long run. Then you've got lunatics like I used to be running 11 times a week...
I'm not too fussed about massive endurance to be honest, I've got no intentions of doing any marathons/half marathons or anything like that, it's purely just to keep fit and for the enjoyment of running. I have to say I get a fair bit of enjoyment out of running fast but not a great deal out of long distance.People like the The Jiffle King who run 6 days a week can fit in a variety of training, so an interval session, a tempo run, a hill session, 2 steady runs and one long run, and one rest day for example. If you're only running 3 times a week, perhaps it'd be interval run, tempo/steady run and long run. Then you've got lunatics like I used to be running 11 times a week...
11 times a week! How on earth did you have time for anything else? I barely have time to fit in more than about 3 runs a week!
toast boy said:
11 times a week! How on earth did you have time for anything else? I barely have time to fit in more than about 3 runs a week!
Morning run combined with the commute, evening run after work, before food. Track/speed sessions Tues and Thurs evenings, Sat mornings. Long run Sunday. Just takes a it of planning and I got used to running with a rucksack 
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