Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

firstborn · 21 Jul 2009 at 17:26

MofoKilla said:
My last meal is about 5 hours befor i go running yet i get stitch all the time for some reason

Any idea what am i doing wrong?

I find it's all in the breathing. Try abdominal breathing if you get a stitch, slow down and breath in by expanding the stomach .... plenty of info on it. I'm off for a run

Mint_Sauce · 23 Jul 2009 at 15:43

I started running a couple of weeks ago doing the C25K (couch to 5k) program and so far I'm really enjoying running. My progress is coming along quite nicely and I've changed my diet a bit to keep carbs and protein in the right places.

I'll take what's been said by the OP and steer myself towards doing more.

I *think* I would like to enter a half marathon or less at some point, just want to get to the point where I can run without stopping first, ultimate goal is a 10 minute comfortable mile.

My progress can be seen here:

http://connect.garmin.com/explore?owner=henleybailey

Some of the data is off because I sometimes forget to press the lap button at the start or end of a session so my warm up/warm down is included also (5 mins walking either side).

blairw · 23 Jul 2009 at 21:08

Thats a really good effort, I ran for the first time in ages today, i very rarely run except from when i play sport (5 a side and tennis) but I got on better than I thought I would.. 3 miles in 27 mins! Not a bad effort I rekon but ill be paying for it tomorrow id imagine.
I plan on really upping my running in a bid to lose weight, but i go on holiday next week and feel ill will probs be better waiting til i return so I can get into the right mindset.

firstborn · 28 Jul 2009 at 18:14

Tis the race season. I have Newark half, Notts full and Cardiff half lined up. Will prob take Newark and Notts relatively easy and go for a PB in Cardiff, then everything will be geared towards a PB in the London Marathon next year.

Anybody running any races in the coming months?

Mad old tory · 28 Jul 2009 at 18:57

Just the one coming up for me, runtothebeat half in SE London. Nowhere near prepared but want to get close to 2 hours.

physichull · 29 Jul 2009 at 12:18

Cheltenham 10k in September! Not quite a half marathon but its enough of a challenge for me!

firstborn · 29 Jul 2009 at 13:37

physichull said:
Cheltenham 10k in September! Not quite a half marathon but its enough of a challenge for me!

I find 10k's a damn site harder than half or full marathons.

physichull · 29 Jul 2009 at 17:22

Well, I have never raced, ever. Not even a 5k.

At this moment in time, I am only really running about 5-6k so as you can imagine, I am suitably worried about being the slowest person ever to finish a 10k! I am not sure I will be upto the standard in time and it certainly won't be a speedy run.

[DOD]Asprilla · 29 Jul 2009 at 17:33

Nothing lined up for me.

Having real trouble with a weak right hip flexor and tight right ITB causing pain in my knee and patella tendon. Have barely run for a month.

firstborn · 29 Jul 2009 at 17:34

physichull said:
Well, I have never raced, ever. Not even a 5k.

At this moment in time, I am only really running about 5-6k so as you can imagine, I am suitably worried about being the slowest person ever to finish a 10k! I am not sure I will be upto the standard in time and it certainly won't be a speedy run.

I'd wager you'll not be the slowest. Standard pre-race panic. The excitement on the day will be enough to get you around - don't underestimate the positive effect the race atmosphere will have on your performance.

Good luck!

physichull · 29 Jul 2009 at 22:25

Ha! I admire your optimism!

Did a 5k in 30mins at the minute. Going to keep doing this twice more this week then jump to 6k.

physichull · 1 Aug 2009 at 18:57

Well, so much for my promises, havent been able to run as I've got really sore heels!!! I think I might stomp too much.

firstborn · 2 Aug 2009 at 20:04

Bummer.

Heel pain can be due to a few things. Rest a bit then ease yourself back into running, if still painfull may have to see someone in the know - see if any of your GPs have a sports medicine background as that'd be the cheapest option

physichull · 2 Aug 2009 at 21:37

Its going away, I reckon it could be a mild form of plantar fasciabut that is a self diagnosis!!! So probably wrong!!

Its going away but very slowly. I am thinking maybe I pushed myself too hard too quickly. Going to step it down to doing 4.2km for at least a couple of weeks then take it in slower step ups. Its either that or bad shoes, but they don't feel uncomfortable....hmmmm....or maybe even not stretching enough, like pulling my toes towards my shins etc.

Thanks for the advice firstborn, appreciated.

Barks · 5 Aug 2009 at 19:56

When I asked about running shoes, you all slated Nike/Addidas etc and said I needed to go to a "real running shop." What exactly is this and how can I find one?

Other question. On the treadmill for long runs ie 45 mins, what is better - running at a slower speed but an incline (say 7.5%) or running at a higher speed with 0% incline.

#Chri5# · 5 Aug 2009 at 20:35

scott212 said:
When I asked about running shoes, you all slated Nike/Addidas etc and said I needed to go to a "real running shop." What exactly is this and how can I find one?

Other question. On the treadmill for long runs ie 45 mins, what is better - running at a slower speed but an incline (say 7.5%) or running at a higher speed with 0% incline.

I wouldn't have slagged Nike or Adidas for running shoes. I find Nikes suit me (based on testing lots of different brands in shops). My girlfriends sister was recently analysed and she bought a new pairs of running shoes, the brand I forget. First run out she was getting crippled by them. So she bought a new pair of trusty Adidas shoes (what she had previously) and no pain at all.

Hence IMHO, until you know what suits you, forgot which brand you want and buy on what feels best.

As for finding a shop, where do you live / work?

firstborn · 5 Aug 2009 at 22:22

scott212 said:
When I asked about running shoes, you all slated Nike/Addidas etc and said I needed to go to a "real running shop." What exactly is this and how can I find one?

Other question. On the treadmill for long runs ie 45 mins, what is better - running at a slower speed but an incline (say 7.5%) or running at a higher speed with 0% incline.

I think I slated the suggestion of Nike Shox for running. I'm a long time Asic's shoe fan, but have just bought some Nike Lunarglides to give them a try as they seemed to be getting good reviews.

But as Chris has said buy what suits and we can't suggest anywhere to go when we don't know where you are.

As for the treadmill, I'd stick to 0% and vary the pace intially as you've just started running by the sounds of things?? Later on vary the incline as well to give the workout you require. Just change one variable at a time in the beginning, keep it simple.

Barks · 6 Aug 2009 at 11:29

Thanks for the replies. I live in Tonbridge but can easily make the trek to London for the sake of getting some decent ones.

I've been running for years but never seriously. I would go for 15-20 minute runs on the roads, I now run for 40-45 minutes on the treadmill/roads.

Cheers

firstborn · 6 Aug 2009 at 13:17

scott212 said:
Thanks for the replies. I live in Tonbridge but can easily make the trek to London for the sake of getting some decent ones.

I've been running for years but never seriously. I would go for 15-20 minute runs on the roads, I now run for 40-45 minutes on the treadmill/roads.

Cheers

Runnersneed, run and become, up and running all have shops in London. Either would be a good start, based on experiences with their other shops.

Barks · 6 Aug 2009 at 14:49

firstborn said:
Runnersneed, run and become, up and running all have shops in London. Either would be a good start, based on experiences with their other shops.

Cheers for that. I will certainly give one of them a try, they don't expect you to turn up in running kit though?