Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

Rossuk89 said:
Thought I'd post here too, I'm trying to get back into running but if I run for more than 15 minutes my calves just completely pack in, they suddenly become extremely tight and tense which forces me to stop running. I stretch properly and my diet is good so I don't know what to do really, anyone have a clue?
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im by no means an expert but sounds like your doing too much too fast, just start with basics, run 5 walk 1 and build up slowly so ur muscles get used to being used again, train every other day and in a few weeks you will be back to your old running form
 
MrMoonX said:
im by no means an expert but sounds like your doing too much too fast, just start with basics, run 5 walk 1 and build up slowly so ur muscles get used to being used again, train every other day and in a few weeks you will be back to your old running form
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Basically this ^^

If your calves are cramping up you are over doing it. Start off easy and build it up slowly.
 
had a 10k race this week and wasnt too bad though my legs went after 7k:rolleyes: so couldnt sadly keep the pace up, a few hills made it interesting too.

Finished time was 45:40 odd secs was hoping for 44 mins and given the first 5k was bang on 22 mins im pretty sure losing legs at 7k made that time go up quite a bit.

have found a really good site called running times and lots of information about running i didnt know so looking to do some of their training plans, including running downhill hardcore runs to improve the legs:D
 
well done shadowcreaper - good time

I've got my 1st ever race this weekend - a 10 miler - and if I'm honest I'm a bit nervous - I kinow I can do the distance (ran it around 5-6 times over last 3-4 weeks) - but neverrun with 400 other people etc

hoping tobe in top 200 - but some days my body just says no !!

hoping for around 1 hr 17
 
If it's your first race don't get carried away and sprint off. Try run your own race, take it steady and finish well. This will pay off when you get to the 8-9 mile Mark and people are slowing down or walking.
 
cheers emetic-I'm hoping not to get carried away

when not pushing myself I've averaged 5'13 /km over the 10 miles

so going to try and push mself to average 4'55 or so - making sure I don't go much above 155 HR - I know I can sustain <160- so I'vejust not got to go allout silly
 
completed my 10 mile run today - official Great Baddow one - and I did ok - about what I expected if I've pushed myself - my HR shows I was working a bit harder than normal - I reckon I could have shaved a minute off but not a lot more

Time: 01:18:38
Distance: 16.23 km
Elevation Gain: 136 m
Calories: 1,074 C
Timing
Time: 01:18:38
Moving Time: 01:18:34
Elapsed Time: 01:18:39
Avg Pace: 04:50 min/km
Avg Moving Pace: 04:50 min/km
Best Pace: 03:25 min/km
Avg HR: 156 bpm
Max HR: 168 bpm

Elevation Gain: 136 m
Elevation Loss: 135 m
Min Elevation: 29 m
Max Elevation: 87 m
 
decided to go for the Southend Half Marathon in 3 weeks time

I'm hoping that a flat route means that its not much of an increase for me over the undulating 10 mile today-wish me luck lol

btw - after running on my own 4 times a week for last 14 months - it was so nice today to run with lots of others - think I'll join a running club

I found the constant "pitter patter" of running shoes noise throughout the race rather calming
 
Just read through this thread, fantastic advice from Platypus!

Heading along to a specialist shop on saturday to look at shoes,

I used to do a bit of running, 5k a few years ago and have decided after some badgering from parents that im getting on the heavier side these days to get back into it. I have pre-registered for next years Edinburgh Marathon, so i have plenty of time to get myself back into the groove, and train for it.

Looking to run about 3 times a week, and have radically changed my diet in the last the week. Out goes the junk and fizzy drinks, in comes the water and healthy salad wraps.

Big thanks for Platypus for the excellent first post, lots of excellent information and plenty of excellent posts through out this thread!
 
I would really love to be able to run. Currently cutting with no carbs so will have a good read over this once I'm back on them. Currently 21 stone 6 so will try running again once I hit the 18 stone mark. I've never been able to run for longer than a few mins :(
 
Finally got my custom orthotics so hoping to be back running in the next month or so. Annoyingly I'm going to have to build up from namby pamby walks though, as I don't want to re-injure myself right off the bat. Then it'll be the even more frustrating run 1 minute, walk 1 minute nonsense.
 
Its interesting you mention orthotics Ice. I run with orthotics (have done since my knee op), and a good training friend of mine does too. We both haven't been injury free since doing so in fact, and he's now taken to running 2/3 sessions a week without, and he's getting considerably better. Trouble is getting a properly impartial opinion...

@Gigi: Glad it's helped :).
 
platypus said:
Its interesting you mention orthotics Ice. I run with orthotics (have done since my knee op), and a good training friend of mine does too. We both haven't been injury free since doing so in fact, and he's now taken to running 2/3 sessions a week without, and he's getting considerably better. Trouble is getting a properly impartial opinion...

@Gigi: Glad it's helped :).
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I was getting a lot of seisamoid pain before orthotics between the ball of my foot big toe area and first toe. I'll be interested to see how I go running. The pain has stopped for just walking about and I do feel like I'm landing better/less heavily now.

Her diagnosis was 'hypermobility' so we'll see how it goes. If I've still got problems I'm going to try and go see a different podiatrist. I'm so desperate to get back to running proper distance.
 
I just ran my first 2km for the first time in a looong time! and my god did it kill me. Atleast its a good starting platform to improve on. Took me 15mins to do 2km, but i was struggling like mad come the 14th minute.

Going to either see if i can drop my time or increase the distance, not sure what the best option is, fitness wise.
 
Gigi said:
I just ran my first 2km for the first time in a looong time! and my god did it kill me. Atleast its a good starting platform to improve on. Took me 15mins to do 2km, but i was struggling like mad come the 14th minute.

Going to either see if i can drop my time or increase the distance, not sure what the best option is, fitness wise.
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increase distance by 10% each week, dont worry about time concentrate on constant running
 
Gigi said:
I just ran my first 2km for the first time in a looong time! and my god did it kill me. Atleast its a good starting platform to improve on. Took me 15mins to do 2km, but i was struggling like mad come the 14th minute.

Going to either see if i can drop my time or increase the distance, not sure what the best option is, fitness wise.
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Distance. You're not currently running that far so regardless of what time you run it in I'm not sure you can use that as a way of judging your overall fitness. If you are interested in bringing the time down then again adding distance to your runs will help you acheive this.
 
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