Getting back into running/getting slim for summer

ojrules · 3 Jul 2010 at 16:43

I've just finished my alevels, so after long months of revising, and neglecting my body i'd really like to get back into running. and lower my BF for the summer. I used to go every week, but it's been on and off for a while, can't remmeber the last time i went. I enjoy running with people, but don't really have anybody i can rely upon coming running regularly. One thing i'm interested in is nike plus, and whether that can motivate me.

I already have an oldish running mp3 player, along with armband and headphones, - the sony NW-S203F- i never really used it to its full capacity, only really used it for music and the time, but its got other features like a pedometer etc, although it doesnt have the ability to upload and easily track your statistics. (also the software is clunky, and it requires messing around with the formats of your existing music).

I also have a ipod touch, which i guess i could pair the nike plus sensor with, although i have saucony shoes, so would need something like this

http://www.advancedmp3players.co.uk...e_Adapter_iPod_Sport_Kit.1910.html#topTabMenu

I guess i'm just asking for opinions on nike plus, and what motivates you to go running, and by the way i have the whole summer free, so i can go running whenever.

I've had a read on here and other places, and read that lowering body fat relies heavily on diet aswell, so any ideas about that?.. I'm trying to up my protein, and lower my carbs (im also trying increase muscle atm , but thats another issue), aswell as snacking less but more requenlty (and on better things liek nuts etc), or drinking when i would otherwise snack, aswell as having porridge for breakfast rather than crappy cereals..

Morgoth · 3 Jul 2010 at 17:21

I use the nike plus along with the the shoe adaptor you've linked there, I like it.

Dinomania · 7 Jul 2010 at 16:20

If you used to run, do you have previous distance/speed/time achievements that you can work towards regaining? Then work to go beyond?

I imagine you've already run races - can you book yourself in for one (a 10k, half or marathon) and use the training for that to motivate you?

I find music helps but it has to be at the right tempo! I pointed a beat analysis program at all my music and let it crunch for a weekend, picked a song I knew I could comfortably run to to find out the BPM I'm after, then searched out all the tracks listed at that BPM (and at half/twice that BPM too as you can always do two steps per beat or one per two beats if it's super-fast). That helps me enormously

I am a beginner though, so what motivates me at the moment is the obvious improvement I'm getting as I go along in terms of how far I can just about manage to run (jog!), and how fast I can do shorter distances... And I have a 5k booked in September.

Got my race number yesterday, it's 69! Hahaha!

'Wes · 7 Jul 2010 at 16:23

sara said:
Snip.

The question is, are you wearing Nike?

Richie · 7 Jul 2010 at 20:04

If you have a smartphone of some sorts (Android powered for example), you can use this as an MP3 player and also track your progress using one of the many apps that use GPS to monitor you e.g. Google MyTracks.

It will let you upload your run to Google Docs and store the stats. Will let you set markers for time or distance e.g. it can set markers every mile and give you details breakdown for each segment) and then speak them out to you as you go.

Its what I use. I have added a few columns with formulae to tell me time improvements for certain distances I want to monitor etc.

Just a thought.

SMlFFY · 8 Jul 2010 at 08:45

I have only just started running, i'm 39 and never really enjoyed running long distance.
But we have a treadmill in the garage that wasn't being used, nor was my wife's iPod.
So I bought the Nike+ sensor and reciever and haven't looked back (apart from the last 2 1/2 weeks I twisted my side and it hurt like hell so had to stop.
Nike+ got me started and I now hate note being able to run, even though its on a treadmill.
As soon as I can comfortably run 5k, i'll be out on the road.
You dont need a Nike+ enabled runing shoe, I just cut a small slot in the tongue of my trainer and slipped the sensor in there.
make sure when you calibrate it you do it as accurately as possible otherwise it will give an inaccurate distance/pace/ etc..
I'm now eating well and the first 4 weeks of running saw me lose almost a stone in weight.
Going on holiday in 4 weeks and would like to get below the 14st barrier before we go