F2 [in IBM-PC BASIC, anyway]

[jazzfish]

I seem to be hypersensitive to sound in the mornings. Perfectly normal quiet rustlings wake me up, and I lie around trying to get back to sleep for another hour or so. So, as of today I'm trying to put this time to actual use. I got up an hour early and walked over to Brown Farm for a run.

Okay, more of a "gasping jog." Interspersed with long stretches of "can't run, keep walking." It's a start.

Tonight I plan on spending too much money on decent running shoes. The Chacos just aren't cutting it, says the blister on my right foot. I'll also be actually bringing water with me tomorrow, instead of relying on guzzling from the faucet when I get home.

However. I know several of y'all are (or have been) into this whole "running" thing. Advice? Tips? Preferences for various sport drinks over water? (And how do you carry the bottle with you while you're running, anyway?)

Comments

[laughin.livejournal.com]

Here (http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml) is a program I want to start, but, um [insert excuse here].

That whole site seems to have a ton of information.

Good luck!

[jedibfa.livejournal.com]

I can vouch that this program works. In 8 weeks I went from no running to a 5K. This included a 2 week 1/2 break time in the middle because of a family emergency that had me visiting a hospital 7 days a week for 3 weeks. I really liked it and heartily recommend it. The one word of advice I have, is do it really running, not using an elliptical machine, as the two are quite different, and the 5K was harder than my daily workouts on an elliptical.

Best of luck if you try it.

[laughin.livejournal.com]

Cool. My issue has always been breathing while running. I have issues breathing properly. Any advice on that?

[jedibfa.livejournal.com]

Actually, that is a bit of an issue for me, too, especially in the colder weather. So far the two things I have found to be somewhat helpful are:

1) Since running on an elliptical is easier, it was pretty nice to start there, but be prepared to have to go back several steps when you graduate to really running.

2) Watch your speed. Jogging slowly still seems to be jogging (at least my legs say so) and takes longer to wind yourself during. And for me, I don't have as many breathing problems until I have winded myself.

And of course, running on flats instead of hills helps, too. Hope this helps.

-J

[tulip-tree.livejournal.com]

Good for you! A gasping jog interspersed with walking is about how I started running a few years ago. I'm still slow, but I can run continuously for a lot longer now. Good shoes are well worth the money, even though it's a lot of money. If you have the opportunity to go to a good running shoe store where they will actually watch you run and help you find the right shoes, that's worth it, too. There are at least 2 or 3 basic types of running shoes, with different amounts of support in difference places depending on whether your feet roll too much to the outside, or the inside, or whatever, and having the right ones makes a huge difference. (I have a friend who just figured this out herself after wearing the exact opposite of what she needed, and she raved about it for a week, she was so excited.)

As for water, I usually only run for about 30-40 minutes and just drink when I get home (and a little bit before I start, so that I'm not sloshy but not thirsty either.) If you have a bit of a walk to and from the place you run, maybe you could just take a bottle of water with you and leave it under a tree or somewhere, so that you can drink it on the walk home...? I don't carry water unless I'm running for an hour or more (which I did a couple of years ago when I decided to train for a half marathon, but haven't done since then.) I have a fanny pack thing with a collapsable water bottle in it, but that's overkill for short runs, I think (it's not the most comfortable thing, anyway.) They also sell straps to help hold a small water bottle in your hand so that you don't have to really hold on tightly.

Sports drinks... I wouldn't worry about those unless/until it gets really hot and humid this summer and/or you're running for a longer amount of time. Again, I don't use them unless I'm running for more than an hour or so. I usually get up in the morning, eat a banana (or half of one) and go out for my little 30 minute run, and then eat breakfast after I get home. Sports drinks are good if you're out for a long time and need a little bit more energy, or if you're sweating a ton and need to replenish salt and stuff, but for moderate running, real food is usually good enough for me.

Betcha didn't even know I run. :) I'm a pretty wimpy runner, but it's not so long since I was a beginner, so I know the beginner advice pretty well. :) Good luck and have fun!

Yeah, what they said.

[wheeerdball.livejournal.com]

If you don't plan to run for more than an hour, drinking before you go out is the best idea. Hydrating yourself for 24 hours up to the run will cover you for that length of time. But don't chug before you step out the door - your stomach will be full before the walls can absorb all the liquid and the physical exhaustion will make you naseuas.

If that doesn't work, then leave a cup of water in a "hiding place." Under a tree is fine, but keep it away from four year olds who might mistake it for litter or a play toy. You don't even need a water bottle, an expendable plastic cup (you will lose a few as you look for a hidden enough spot) is fine. Then try and find a loop where you can cross it every 20 minutes or so. The right route can make a large difference (beyond water, cement vs gravel vs dirt and hills mean more than you would think).

As a soccer player, we just took water breaks and headed to the sidelines, but this is what my Dad did, and he ran a marathon, so it should be good advice.

[silmaril.livejournal.com]

I've struggled with the water question myself and decided that the answer to how to carry the bottle while runnins is "you don't."

I don't know how hot and/or dry it is where you are, but what I learned to do: A few sips of water before starting the exercise---not too much---and a glass of water when done---drunk slowly. Then keep self hydrated throughout the day.

I understand the tried-and-true method of building up running distance is starting with something like "run 100 paces, walk 100 paces, repeat" and gradually change the ratio. At least, it worked for me, and later I was told that it works for others, too.

Decent running shoes: I'm very happy with Nike Air Pegasus. There are higher end ones, and lower end ones too I'm sure. Just to throw a name out there.

[airncbuh.livejournal.com]

Good for you. I'm thinking about starting the same thing once I get completely over the flu.
As far as running shoes are concerned, go to a real running shoe store to get fitted. They should ask you to walk and jog back and and forth to get an idea of your gait and stride. Then make a recommendation based on how you move. Since shoe brands and lines have different sizes, cuts, arch support, etc., they should be able to make a good recommendation.

[darkfyre-muse.livejournal.com]

GO GO Gadget shoes! And three cheers to productive insomnia. Good luck with this.

[uilos.livejournal.com]

No Gmail today. :( Probably not for the rest of the week, either. It never loads up on this computer.