A question for all you runners...

[Sookie]

I honestly cannot believe I'm asking about this, but I guess that shows the changes in myself while following this WOL. I have been walking primarily for my exercise and walk around 2 to 3 miles a day depending on road conditions. I find that I feel as if I want to run, as if my feet can't walk fast enough for me. This has led me to consider that I might enjoy running but aside from knowing that I need good shoes and should warm up and cool down and drinks lots of water, I really have no clue whether I should wait til I lose more weight, or how to gradually work into running safely so that my cardio is more challenging without hurting myself.
I know quite a few people on this forum run and feel that any advice you could give would be invaluable since you probably know some of the issues and pitfalls I may encounter. And frankly, I am not going to ask someone who runs who has never struggled with their weight because well, they might laugh at me, but more important, I don't feel that they would understand what it's like for me to take this step.
Blah blah blah, sorry, it's a long post. What I would like to know from you runners is: What weight were you at when you began running? What were some any problems or concerns? Have you had any knee issues before running or after?
Thanks!

[marvid486]

Re: A question for all you runners...

Go for it! I am a jogger who managed her first full marathon last May. I've not done much since because I was injured (not through exercise). I gained a lot of weight, but have since found this WOE really suits me. I re-introduced exercise to my life last week and it has helped me move a considerable amount of pounds this week. I would say, go slow and stop when you feel like it. If you experience any kind of joint pain before or after your jog, then stop until you've lost a bit more weight. Don't be afraid to try a combination of walking and jogging to start with - it works for most people. Good Luck!

[pudellvr]

Re: A question for all you runners...

Check out C25k.com they have a well recommended program to get you started. I am going to be starting soon.

I am amazed by the body changes I am having from just the little bit of exercise I have been doing. I have been doing some pilates, ballance ball, power walk video [up to 2 miles]. All of this in spite of the fact that I have a heel spur. Today I jumped rope for about 10 min [low intensity], did my power walk video, and still had the energy to try a jog for .12 miles around my front yard. I am sure my neighbors were cracking up seeing my dc beat me running around the edges of my yard. But, I did it!!! I am still feeling a bit euphoric 4 hours later. I can't believe that it was possible. I did ice my foot as soon as I got in just to be on the safe side.

Sorry to rattle on!
Tricia

[sadie147]

Re: A question for all you runners...

I'll agree with Pudellvr, the C25k program is a great way to start running.

I had never run in my life until 4 years ago (at the age of 36!). I now run 2-3 miles a day at least 4 days a week. I've run up to 5 miles, but find that 2-3 miles seems to be a good limit for me.

Go to a running store and get properly fitted for shoes, this is very important. I have had knee issues from running however it turns out it was actually my shoes that were causing it. It's best to be fitted properly, a brand that is good for one person necessarily isn't for another.

I'm also going to move this thread to the Exercise forum and leave the redirect here...there are a few runners in our exercise forum that may n ot see your post...

[Sookie]

Re: A question for all you runners...

Go for it! I am a jogger who managed her first full marathon last May. I've not done much since because I was injured (not through exercise). I gained a lot of weight, but have since found this WOE really suits me. I re-introduced exercise to my life last week and it has helped me move a considerable amount of pounds this week. I would say, go slow and stop when you feel like it. If you experience any kind of joint pain before or after your jog, then stop until you've lost a bit more weight. Don't be afraid to try a combination of walking and jogging to start with - it works for most people. Good Luck!

Thanks! I guess I wasn't sure if I was crazy for wanting to do this. Your advice makes sense and helped me to figure out how to approach this.

[Sookie]

Re: A question for all you runners...

Thanks pudellvr for refering me to the C25k.com site. That's exactly what I'm looking for!
Thank you Sadie for redirecting this, I'm still exploring all the different threads on this forum, so I really didn't know where to post this.

[liv]

Re: A question for all you runners...

I loved the C25K. I did it last spring. So now I can run 5 K and I love doing it. I had lost most of my weight by then but like you I felt ready for a challenge. Just take it very gradual and follow the programme. It may be tempting to overdo it but don't. If you have to repeat a week do it.

[NoDef]

Re: A question for all you runners...

I personally like Saucony running shoes the best. Asics and Mizuno's are also very good.

[Parouz]

Re: A question for all you runners...

Hey there ....do start running...It's a brilliant form of exercise.Really does streamline the body.
To help soften the shock of high impact on your thighs and calves do run on grass than tarmac,road (if you can).If you live where there is sand even better.
Shoes....do get fitted well,as everybody walks,runs differently.Good shoes will make a difference to some injuries,ill fitting shoes can really cause grief.
THE NORMAL FOOT
Normal feet have a normal sized arch and will leave a wet footprint that has a flare, but shows the forefoot and heel connected by a broad band. A normal foot lands on the outside of the heel and rolls inwards slightly to absorb shock. It is the foot of a runner who is biomechanically efficient. BEST SHOES: Stability shoes with moderate pronation control features. As an efficient runner, you will have the largest selection of shoes to choose from.

THE FLAT FOOT
This has a low arch and leaves a print which looks like the whole side of the foot. It usually indicates an overpronated foot - one that strikes on the outside of the heel and rolls inwards (pronates) excessively. Over time, this can cause may different types of overuse injuries. BEST SHOES: Motion control shoes, with relatively firm midsoles and control features that reduce the degree of pronation. Stay away from highly cushioned, highly curved shoes that lack stability features.

THE HIGH-ARCHED FOOT
This leaves a print showing a very narrow band or no band at all between the forefoot and the heel. A curved, highly arched foot is generally supinated or underpronated. Because it doesn't pronate enough, it's not usually aneffective shock absorber. BEST SHOES: Cushioned shoes with plenty of flexibility to encourage foot motion. Stay away from motion control and stability shoes, which reduce foot mobility.

Running Gait
An athlete's gait is the way in which their foot hits the floor and how it travels before lifting up for the next step. Gait can be expressed in three ways; pronator, neutral or suppinator. The three gait types are explained below.
Pronator
A person who pronates (often called an over-pronator) strikes the ground with their heal and rolls excessively in toward the big toe. Uncorrected pronation can lead to overuse injuries(** insert hypoerlink)
Neutral
As suggested by the name, a runner with a neutral gait will hit the ground with the outside of the heal and then roll in toward to big toe. Neutral runners do not require gait correction from their running shoes.
Suppinator
A suppinator or under pronator is a person who's foot hits the ground at the heal and then tends to roll out toward the little toe. SuppinationRunning Gait
An athlete's gait is the way in which their foot hits the floor and how it travels before lifting up for the next step. Gait can be expressed in three ways; pronator, neutral or suppinator. The three gait types are explained below.
Pronator
A person who pronates (often called an over-pronator) strikes the ground with their heal and rolls excessively in toward the big toe. Uncorrected pronation can lead to overuse injuries(** insert hypoerlink)
Neutral
As suggested by the name, a runner with a neutral gait will hit the ground with the outside of the heal and then roll in toward to big toe. Neutral runners do not require gait correction from their running shoes.
Suppinator
A suppinator or under pronator is a person who's foot hits the ground at the heal and then tends to roll out toward the little toe. Suppination is the most rare gait type.
is the most rare gait type.




Some Foot information.....good shoes are important.
DO STRETCH before and after.Your thighs,hamstrings and calves.Squats and lunges are good to warm up with.

Interval training is very effective to get your cardio up and going.A minute jog /2 min walk be it for 10 minutes.When you feel comfortable up to 2 minute jog /2 minute walk.Alternate similar to this just to work a a good sweat and a faster heart rate.
Do it safely and to your health and don't forget the water and listen to your body.


Brooks do a good shoe for folk that have a wider foot.
I do a lot of running with a wide foot.


Have a great run ,run safe.





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[Sookie]

Re: A question for all you runners...

I'm so glad I posted this question! I was thinking that maybe I was getting ahead of myself but I'm very excited to get started.