Runners?

[kien]

Just a warning.. Prepare yourself. You are about to learn more about lastlight than you could have possibly imagined..

[sphelps]

I think you can run a marathon on the wii fit game, this works great cause you can pause it for smoke breaks. Maybe this could be a happy medium?

[Trabby]

Originally Posted by sphelps

I think you can run a marathon on the wii fit game, this works great cause you can pause it for smoke breaks. Maybe this could be a happy medium?

ROFLMAO!!! That's awesome!! But the wii marathon isn't on my list.. Although it sounds fun!

[Trabby]

Lol... That's ok... I really want to know what you guys' driving force is.... In reality maybe I can't be a runner? I do have a specific goal in mind I just don't know how to get there. I feel like there's alot of obstacles I have to get by first...

[Aquattro]

I'd start with a learn to run clinic, which trains with a walk/run interval. One you can run more than walk, start on some longer runs, say 5k. When you can run that with relative ease, start adding 5 or 10% a week. I run on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, but eat well after the run. I trained a woman last year that was 20 or so pounds overweight, and day one she couldn't finish a k, after a month, 10k in under 60 minutes.

Make sure you get rest days in, eat well, and if you're older, don't push too hard through pain.

But I would certainly recommend a clinic at your local running store, the group atmosphere will provide motivation, and you can get all your questions answered.

[lorenz0]

Start on a bike at the gym. It will be a bit easier on you when you begin. Once your able to bike on a med-hard level for 30-40min straight move over to some running machines.

If you have alot of issues with your knees, start taking Glucosamine to help with your knees. You won't notice any effect but it will help strengthen your joints allowing your knees to take the pressure while running. I have messed up knee's and running on machines seems to be a bit easier on me. Hopefully next spring I can get outside and run but for now I find the impact on my knees to be to painful while running on concrete.

For me, I drink a thick whey protein shake before and after. I hate running on an empty stomack, makes me feel light headed and sick.

[lastlight]

There's not much to learn about me =)

I was a runner in high school about 15 years ago and was pretty good at long distance but I was only about 140lbs. I've tried over the years to get back into it but it lasts maybe 2 weeks and then nothing for months to a year. I bought a treadmill thinking it would be easier to commit to... down in a dark basement... ok there wen't 3 grand.

So I sold the treadmill in september after seeing Kien's running updates that he was posting to facebook. I learned about runkeeper which is an iphone app that logs your run with gps, gives you updates while you're out there and posts to facebook if you want. It motivates me for a number of reasons:

- you can't really lie about your run
- you see your friends' runs once they're on your runkeeper list
- i love stats and tracking trends so it becomes a bit obsessive

We just got Wii fit and no it won't even come CLOSE to what a run can do for you. Even running on a treadmill at a decent incline like I used to was only fooling myself I found out the first time I ran outside in years.

I'm not knocking the Wii, treadmills or whatever it's about doing SOMETHING. I didn't do anything. I'm about 25lbs lighter since mid september and feel great. I also have had bad knees and joints and to combat this I stretch religiously and do squats after my runs which I think builds supporting muscles around the knees. I'm certainly not very knowledgeable about running though this is just what I do.

So the key is a Kien in your life to kickstart the madness =)

Oh and I run on an empty stomach as well. I started with smaller runs and have built up from there. I love my chocolate milk after I'm home!

[cwatkins]

I had a RAPID metabolism change back in Feb 2009 (people used to call me skinny @ 150lbs), and since then have gained slowy up to about 180-185lbs.

(I guess that's what getting married does to a man!)

So I've noticed my knees not feeling as good as they used to. I did the Grouse Grind 32 times this summer, and loved it except for my knees. (didn't lose weight -- I think it's mostly strength training)

I figure I'll start doing indoor treadmill running this december/jan/feb and get back to ourdoor running in March.

Last time I did outdoor running for 6 months, I lost 10-15 lbs (that's how I initially got down to 150-ish).

I find it REALLY helps to have someone (comparable) to run with otherwise I have no motiviation. Also treadmilling and cardio does help prepare you for the outdoors. If you can do 30 minutes of running on a treadmill, then you can do a 15-20 minute outdoor run around the neighbourhood...

If you have an iPhone, iTouch or iPod, look into the Nike running thing that you put in your shoe and it tracks your run. I have one at home.

[lastlight]

For me running is nice alone time. Good music and nature. Funny I think most people would like to have a running partner but I doubt I could do it. They do say if you're running often that it should be at a pace where you *could* carry on little bits of a conversation with someone without too much trouble.

Forgot to mention that in the beginning I was about 225lbs. It was still nice out so I was in a shorts and t-shirt. This meant I shook like Santa. Maybe it's silly but all my initial running this year was done at night as I did feel a bit self-conscious.

If you're going to run in the winter (this has been a first for me) get tights, windproof pants for over the tights, running jacket, mitts, toque and balaclava. This way you can layer up and down (mostly tights or tights and pants... toque or balaclava or once i needed a toque OVER the balaclava) and not worry about freezing out there. I find while it can be slippery right now if it's -10 or colder the snow is crunchy and not slick... and the snow is easier on my knees.

Word of warning about the balaclava...I'm pretty tall and when I meet people out there (fish creek park) dressed all in black with a rapist mask on I don't always get a wave back.

For a cute spin to this thread here's a little gaffer I spotted on one run:

[toxic111]

Ok, back in HS 20+yrs ago I hated gym or running. I was not an athlete at all... loved to ride my bike with my friends, that was it, then I got a car.

Fast forward to last spring. A buddy of mine in the RCMP told me he signed up to run the Victoria marathon. some back and forth on FB he challenged me to start the couch to 5k program ( http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml ) and come out there next spring to run with him in a 5k or 10k if I can get ready.

I worked through the program through the summer, I find for me running right after work but before supper works for me, my body is all stretched out from moving around the day. In August I ran my first 5K, but pushed my self a little too much and got shin splints, it took 6 weeks for them to heal. with the cold weather & a cold & flu that knocked me out for 4 weeks out of 5 I am getting back going. I am hoping to be back running & back to 5k for the end of January.

If you start running, go to the running room & get fitted for shoes. Spend the $$ for a good pair that fit you right, it will pay in the long run.

You can also use the Nike + app for the iphone, if you don't have a iphone, they do have an app that will work for the touch, or a ipod.

The C25K also has a pod cast that has music & promts to let you know to run or walk. It is what I used.

Let us know how it goes.

Also quit smoking, its something I don't regret doing, & I liked smoking when I did quit.