Jogging> questions

[D.P.]

I've recently started jogging since I don't hace the time to make it to the gym or hit the mountains as much as I would like.

I never really jogged much in the past as my knees get enough impact as it is, so I have a few questions.

How many times a week would make a good regime? And for how long?

I get really bad calf ache for the following 2 days, despite stretching- what can be done?

Does it ever become enjoyable? I enjoyed going to the gym and doing hard exercises at taejwondo. But Jogging seems very repetitive.

Where I live there is very little flat ground, I generally have to descen/ascend 200m minium for a 30-40 minute jog. Up hill is tiring so I normlaly do a fast walk or only short uphill sections. But the downhill really seems to screw my knees and back.

Is a pair of running shoes really worth it? I'm strapped for cash but ant to minimise any damage.

 

[A2Z]

what exactly are your goals?

 

[D.P.]

Well, I used to work out loads, goto taekwondo several times a wek and ski 50+ a year and hike another 30+.

Now I am oing a PhD in swizerland, 1 hour from the alps... so great, theoretically I can d so much more skiing and hiking. But I get stuck working 12-14 hours a day 6 days a week. So my fitness level has plummeted, I am gaining a beer belly (which i don't mind), but whenever I do go out to the mountains I am struggling to keep with my friends and I disapoint myself by not being able to achieve my goals I know I used to be able to reach no problem.

The only way I can see to improve things is to do some jogging to improve and then maintain my cardo-vasular fitness, and to keep my legs in good condition. (... and work less).

So My end goal is to be able to better hike up mountains and to ski harder and longer (I ski pretty hardcore but always wish I never felt tired), and I also want to get into more ski touring *ksiing up a mountain before going down).

Next spring I plan to do a short "haut-route" on skis, probably 5000m ascent and descent over 3 days. I also plan on summiting Mont Blanc which will inclove 1800-2000m climbing at high altitude, with skis on the back.

 

[Mr Jack]

Yes, running shoes will help - how much they'll help depends on what you're running in now.

If you're doing a lot of hills, they will hit your calves. Going downhill will impact your back and knees more though; you're probably better pushing yourself going uphill and relaxing on the down.

Also, what kind of surface are you running on? Running on grass is massively better for you knees than running on concrete or tarmac.

 

[Mad old tory]

Get yourself to a decent running shop, it should help out with some of the problems and really is a must if you're going to start running properly. Some people enjoy running others find it boring and repetitive, keep with it and you might find you start to enjoy it more, I did but then stopped again