Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

PaulStat said:
Any advice for us manly men who have big manly thighs and big manly chests? My thighs scrape together leaving them raw, and last night my nipples actually bled :(
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Has to be lycra shorts or body glide to stop thighs chaffing. For the nipples I use plaster over the nips - a small piece of steroplast over the nip then a bigger piece of zinc oxide tape to hold it in place. I also shave me nips to make sure it all sticks and it's less painful when taking it off - but a manly man may not want to do this :p
 
PaulStat said:
Any advice for us manly men who have big manly thighs and big manly chests? My thighs scrape together leaving them raw, and last night my nipples actually bled :(
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Running tights for me, or a generous dolop of vaseline when wearing shorts. I've never had a problem with my nipples bleeding, what on earth are you wearing? Again, vaseline seems to be an answer..though different clothing may be a better answer.
 
Well I been making some good progress running (especially at a heavy and unfit 17+ stone) but this time round the only thing that's stopping me is 2 blister on my left foot (other foot is fine). I've got a good pair of trainers I picked up from a running shop so I doubt the shoes are the main problem here. I'm guessing it's the fact that I've gone from 3 months sitting on my arse to all of a sudden doing 10 mile hikes through fields (only run about a quarter of that, rest just walking up little hills). I guess just have to go through the pain until the skin toughens up.

EDIT: Got to say though it's getting bloody freezing and some parts are unlit or badly lit
 
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neoboy said:
Well I been making some good progress running (especially at a heavy and unfit 17+ stone) but this time round the only thing that's stopping me is 2 blister on my left foot (other foot is fine). I've got a good pair of trainers I picked up from a running shop so I doubt the shoes are the main problem here. I'm guessing it's the fact that I've gone from 3 months sitting on my arse to all of a sudden doing 10 mile hikes through fields (only run about a quarter of that, rest just walking up little hills). I guess just have to go through the pain until the skin toughens up.

EDIT: Got to say though it's getting bloody freezing and some parts are unlit or badly lit
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You might find a pair of running sock, such as 1000 mile socks or x-socks may help stop the blisters forming. Compeed are really good blister plasters, and I use them when I do get blisters, though thats normally when I'm breaking in a new pair of shoes. For the cold weather, I can only advise layers, and if you are outdoors in bad weather a lot, a water proof running jacket. I have a head torch for running, but I'm lucky enough to live in a city, so there is a lot of light around most of the time. You may find one suits your needs.
 
Yeah I'm guessing I'm still breaking into my shoes too, I've had them for more than 6 months now but only ever ran twice in them before so they are pretty much brand new (well were until I started this running around in the mud stuff ;)).
 
I'm considering doing a few half marathons this year - I've not run more than 10k as a race but have done up to 8 miles on my own. So a question for people who have done half marathons before, what sort of recovery time do you need?

I ask as two weeks after two of races I'm thinking of doing (Stafford half and Chester half), I could be doing some adventure races (5 or 6 hours of XC running/MTBing). From reading around and speaking to people I understand a full marathon takes some time to properly recover from (for an average runner) but I'm thinking a half marathon could be an ideal build-up for the adventure racing. I've not done my 8 mile route recently but I don't remember it hurting (once I'd finished!).
 
I did my first half marathon on Sunday and I'm expecting it to take me about a week to fully recover to the level where I could run another one.

I've been training running 19k every weekend, and then 7k on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I don't expect the additional 2k (and the additional speed) to have a massive effect. Obviously I wouldn't be able to keep this up indefinately so I'm going back down to 13k next sunday and 10k on Tuesdays (having this Tuesday off although I'll still be going to the gym this week).

Does that make sense?
 
#Chri5# said:
Yup, certainly does. What time did you clock?
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A disappointing 1h56. Although the weather was fine, conditions underfoot were terrible and it wasn't a great course; it was along the Grand Union Canal tow path from Watford to Uxbridge and parts of it were like running in a bog. Coupled with the fact that long sections were only 1 person wide meant that you had to 'sprint' past people and then recover over the next 500m.

Next one I do is going to be on the road, or I'm thinking about entering the Silverstone half in March as I reckon I can get under 1h45 on that (if I follow the racing line).
 
That's a good time in my book - I'd like to get under 2hrs if I do the races I'm thinking off.

I saw the Silverstone half in the FLM reject magazine but I'm considering the Stafford half on the same day as it's so much closer to home.
 
#Chri5# said:
I'm considering doing a few half marathons this year - I've not run more than 10k as a race but have done up to 8 miles on my own. So a question for people who have done half marathons before, what sort of recovery time do you need?
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It does depend on yourself really, my view is that if there are no aches and pains then it's ok to get back into things, but take the first run after a break slowly to test things out.

Personally in Sept/Oct I ran a full, a half 4 weeks later, then a hard full the following week. I didn't take a break between the first full and the half but didn't run between the half and the last full, although I could have done. I've now taken 2 weeks complete rest and will start back tonight. Although I reckon I could've just taken 1 week off.

It does really depend on you so you have to listen to your body.
 
I am in the market for a good pair of running shoes. Any advice on any particular ones to go, are there certain ones to be considered good all rounders? Not after the best pair in thw world but i wear my skateboarding shoes at the gym and i'm sick of the uncomfort. Is it possible to get a decent pair for the treadmills for about £60ish budget?
 
You'll pick up loads of decent shoes for less than £60, especially if you look for shops selling last seasons models.

If it's just for treadmill use then cushioning wont be that important, but you will need to get a shoe that controls any excessive pronation. Google 'wet test' for a guide to determining your foot type or find a running shop with a treadmill. They'll observe you running in a pair of neutral shoes and advise accordingly. Doesn't have to be one with a video camera etc. You just need to have somebody look at you run in a pair of neutral shoes.
 
Just want to stick a recommendation in for Northern Runner in Newcastle. I went there yesterday for my first pair of running trainers and the guy was extremely helpful - I think I tried on about 6 pairs of trainers before I found "the ones" (Brooks Adrenaline GTS 8)

I have never ran before and I managed 8x 2mins walking 1min running today - My legs hurt afterwards but no doubt it will get better with time :) I want to do the Great North Run in '09 so plenty of time to train!

Craig
 
Kona* said:
I have never ran before and I managed 8x 2mins walking 1min running today - My legs hurt afterwards but no doubt it will get better with time :) I want to do the Great North Run in '09 so plenty of time to train!

Craig
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Plenty of time indeed. You appear to be starting out sensibly as well. Stick with it, it will get better :)
 
I went out for a four mile run earlier in shorts and a long-sleeved t-shirt. Not sure what the temperature was - probably about 0-1, since it's -1 now and that was around noon.

I think the warming up and cooling down properly were the important parts, and getting some layers on when I'd finished.

My dad used to go out for runs in -30ºC when he worked in mongolia - base layer, thin cotton trousers & top, tracksuit, hat & gloves.
 
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