Running thread

18 miles yesterday in 2:43. Mix of road and trails. Was happy with that preceding that I had spent over 3 hours in the car driving back from the match.

First decent run I’ve done this year and although I’m still struggling with this nerve issue it has provided me with a bit of confidence I can do the training and prep proper for my Ultra in June.
 
Any advice for a complete beginner to running? Ex-smoking (now vaping) asthmatic, 60 years old next Saturday. I haven't run at all since my school days. In reasonable shape and normal BMI.

There's a lovely little park next to my house with what appears to be about a 5km track. I see lots of runners and rollerbladers and it's enticing me into starting but not really sure how to get going.

Thinking particularly about distance, pacing and how to stay injury free. My aim is to be able to do one or two laps of the track within the next 8 months.
 
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PragueBlue said:
Any advice for a complete beginner to running? Ex-smoking (now vaping) asthmatic, 60 years old next Saturday. I haven't run at all since my school days. In reasonable shape and normal BMI.

There's a lovely little park next to my house with what appears to be about a 5km track. I see lots of runners and rollerbladers and it's enticing me into starting but not really sure how to get going.
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Look for a couch to 5k programme online and consult your gp before starting a course of exercise. Start slowly - run a little, walk a little and build it up so you are running more and walking less. Don’t worry about times. When you get confident you can do a 5k sign up for park run but above all enjoy it.
 
Champions again in 2012 said:
Look for a couch to 5k programme online and consult your gp before starting a course of exercise. Start slowly - run a little, walk a little and build it up so you are running more and walking less. Don’t worry about times. When you get confident you can do a 5k sign up for park run but above all enjoy it.
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Cheers. It might seem a stupid question but how do you enjoy it? I did a bit of walking/slow jogging on a treadmill at the gym many years ago and found it a bit tedious which in turn made it feel like hard work. Maybe outdoors with things to see would make it a bit more interesting?
 
PragueBlue said:
Cheers. It might seem a stupid question but how do you enjoy it? I did a bit of walking/slow jogging on a treadmill at the gym many years ago and found it a bit tedious which in turn made it feel like hard work. Maybe outdoors with things to see would make it a bit more interesting?
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It’s hard at first but you get to a point where you feel the benefits. At first you will be glad you did even if it feels difficult whilst building up your running. You need a positive attitude otherwise it will end quicker than New Year’s resolutions :-)

I try to avoid running on a treadmill as I find that very tedious. Find a nice scenic route, not too hilly at the start and build confidence
 
Champions again in 2012 said:
It’s hard at first but you get to a point where you feel the benefits. At first you will be glad you did even if it feels difficult whilst building up your running. You need a positive attitude otherwise it will end quicker than New Year’s resolutions :-)
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It better not as I'm getting running shoes for my birthday (I think)!
 
PragueBlue said:
Any advice for a complete beginner to running? Ex-smoking (now vaping) asthmatic, 60 years old next Saturday. I haven't run at all since my school days. In reasonable shape and normal BMI.

There's a lovely little park next to my house with what appears to be about a 5km track. I see lots of runners and rollerbladers and it's enticing me into starting but not really sure how to get going.

Thinking particularly about distance, pacing and how to stay injury free. My aim is to be able to do one or two laps of the track within the next 8 months.
Click to expand...
Another vote for couchto5k. Started 6 years ago aged 58. Non smoker but overweight heavy drinker. Slow and steady is your friend, rest days very important to avoid injury. Look at your diet (little tiny changes). Don't let a bad day put you off going out again. You'll soon feel benefits both physically and mentally. Plenty of advice on here for everyone from starting out to those training for races and also about kit. Good luck on your journey, keep us posted.
 
ob said:
Another vote for couchto5k. Started 6 years ago aged 58. Non smoker but overweight heavy drinker. Slow and steady is your friend, rest days very important to avoid injury. Look at your diet (little tiny changes). Don't let a bad day put you off going out again. You'll soon feel benefits both physically and mentally. Plenty of advice on here for everyone from starting out to those training for races and also about kit. Good luck on your journey, keep us posted.
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Cheers. Much appreciated.

When you say rest days, do you mean run one day and then have a day off? Or more than one day off? I was hoping/planning on running 3 or 4 days per week. Does that sound sensible/realistic?
 
ob said:
Another vote for couchto5k. Started 6 years ago aged 58. Non smoker but overweight heavy drinker. Slow and steady is your friend, rest days very important to avoid injury. Look at your diet (little tiny changes). Don't let a bad day put you off going out again. You'll soon feel benefits both physically and mentally. Plenty of advice on here for everyone from starting out to those training for races and also about kit. Good luck on your journey, keep us posted.
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Rest days also consolidate your progress to getting fitter - without them you wont get fitter just tired and fatigued which inevitably lead to injury and frustration
 
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PragueBlue said:
Cheers. Much appreciated.

When you say rest days, do you mean run one day and then have a day off? Or more than one day off? I was hoping/planning on running 3 or 4 days per week. Does that sound sensible/realistic?
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Hi PB. I only started running early spring last year. I used the Couch to 5k app. I have to admit the first few runs, even though very short, were really tough, I just wanted them to end. But I stuck with it, three times per week for 9 weeks until I’d completed the course. I then ran my first Parkrun, was really nervous, but everyone is so friendly and it’s really good fun, I look forward to every Saturday morning. I’ve continued to train 3 times per week, and lost a couple of stones and it’s definitely good for the mental side of things, certainly helped me through a tough 12 months.
 
On a side note, has anyone heard anything from BlueHammer85? He used to post on the running thread and various football related threads. He’s not posted since before Xmas and had a few issues, hope he’s ok.
 
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PragueBlue said:
Cheers. It might seem a stupid question but how do you enjoy it? I did a bit of walking/slow jogging on a treadmill at the gym many years ago and found it a bit tedious which in turn made it feel like hard work. Maybe outdoors with things to see would make it a bit more interesting?
Click to expand...
Treadmill running is one of the most boring tedious activities you can do. During winter when its grim outside it can be a way to stay active, but on the whole i avoid it like the plague. Find some good country parks or interesting local paths and you will enjoy it so much more. Podcasts, audio books and music i also enjoy and helps pass the time.
 
PragueBlue said:
Cheers. Much appreciated.

When you say rest days, do you mean run one day and then have a day off? Or more than one day off? I was hoping/planning on running 3 or 4 days per week. Does that sound sensible/realistic?
Click to expand...
I'd recommend no more than 3 to begin with, get settled in let your body adjust. Another thing is don't increase pace or milage too quickly. Slow increases of maybe a mile a run/week will benefit you better in the long run. At start I was doing Mon/Weds and then Sat or Tues/Thurs Sun. Don't need to spend fortune on stuff but make sure got decent trainers as that'll help reduce injury and make it lot easier as well
 
Tore my Achilles tendon on Aug last year and being on the long road to recovery since. 3 months in a plastic boot followed by a lot of physio afterwards. Anyway, I have finally been cleared to start running again. Have to build it up fairly slowly - doing run/walk intervals - but it feels good finally to be back on the road. This time last year I was training up for the GMR half marathon - won't be doing it this year but maybe look at doing a 10k in due course.

Onwards and upwards!
 
Gremlin said:
Tore my Achilles tendon on Aug last year and being on the long road to recovery since. 3 months in a plastic boot followed by a lot of physio afterwards. Anyway, I have finally been cleared to start running again. Have to build it up fairly slowly - doing run/walk intervals - but it feels good finally to be back on the road. This time last year I was training up for the GMR half marathon - won't be doing it this year but maybe look at doing a 10k in due course.

Onwards and upwards!
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A 10k that I really like to do is the Lytham Windmill Remembrance Sunday 10k in November. It's very well organised.

You will find it on the Fylde Coast Runners Website: https://www.fyldecoastrunners.com/windmill-10k.html

If that's too far away they organise other 10k events during the year. A lot of their events, especially the Remembrance Sunday event, do sell out.
 
PragueBlue said:
It better not as I'm getting running shoes for my birthday (I think)!
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Another thing I would invest in, is a low end priced smartwatch e.g. a Garmin forerunner, especially if you stick at it, as you will be able to track your fitness gains in the Garmin app (other brands are available)
 
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