Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

Today was just 5 miles, but in 30 mile an hour winds and snow flurries. Kept things interesting!

Not a chance I'd want to go running bare footed. ^^
 
So I just did my first ever run. 3.3 miles in 37 minutes N.B South Wales is very hilly. Is that a good start?

certainly is :) well done

I had one of those horrible "back jarring" moments on last nights run - not sure what the technical term is - but our pavements round here aren't part flat, ands sometimes - streetlighting or just looking flatter than is - I put my foot down on one of my strides, and I was about 1/2 cm out (ie it was further down than I thought) - it really really jarred my back

this is about 3rd time in 4 weeks - I hate it when it happens - its probably only 1/2 a cm or less out from expectations but it could as well be a foot
 
So I just did my first ever run. 3.3 miles in 37 minutes N.B South Wales is very hilly. Is that a good start?
Yup, that's good distance :)

I beat my pb at Parkrun on Saturday. I didn't get my 20, just 2 seconds faster than my previous pb. However... I couldn't find my bike lock so I ran to the park which is 3-4k and I was taking it easy-ish listening to my iPod and basically fiddling about with it putting on some tunes. I got chicked by a woman with grey hair and passed by a man with a running push chair so I don't know how I managed my good time :D
 
i need new shoes, currently have brooks ghost 3 as I'm a neutral runner, any recommendations tempted to go ghost 4 as they work for me or go for the minimalist ones like brooks pure or some other make

any advice?
 
MrMoonX - can't recommend personally -any as I always buy Asics - but only because I know they'll always fit just right for me feet

did a 11.2km run yesterday - 57 minutes - not too bad but not exactly quick
 
Making steady progress, Managed to run 2 miles without slowing down to walking pace. Fastest mile in 7:33 and I've got my 2.8 mile run down to 24:59 only problem is I'm getting a sore hip, Could this be down to my not to good old "Nike Running" trainers?
 
I haven't been getting on very well with normal running shoes recently so decided to try the minimal approach and ended up with these:





I've only been out in them once so can't really comment much yet, but so far so good.

I have a pair of these (in white from TK Maxx, £15 bargain :) ) It takes a while to get used to running in them and you should definitely start with short distances even if you're used to running a long way.
Saying that, despite knowing this my first run in them was 10k and I massively over exaggerated the forefoot running thing, no injury but my calves felt like they were made of steel rope for about a week, also even though they're "barefoot" shoes I would still wear thin socks with them to prevent any rubbing as they don't grip your feet like five fingers.
 
Making steady progress, Managed to run 2 miles without slowing down to walking pace. Fastest mile in 7:33 and I've got my 2.8 mile run down to 24:59 only problem is I'm getting a sore hip, Could this be down to my not to good old "Nike Running" trainers?

excellent stuff :) - that 7:33 seems a bit quicker than needed though ? you could prob run a lot further with only a slight reduction in speed:) (at a guess)

I had a go at a slightly longer run at lunch today to see if I could get ready for Great Baddow 10 miler in 2 1/2 months time - so did 13km - in 1'07 not bad - but off my pace I did t he 10 miler in laster year (1'18) - but plenty of weeks of practice left - at least I feel comfortable I could complete the race - which until today I wasn't feeling comfortable about ...
 
I've been running for a few months now - going from a non-runner to now running 4 times a week, but I've been lazy and not bothered to do the gait analysis thing.

I'm now experiencing what I think are 'shin splints' and getting slightly worried. I have a 5 mile run at the end of this month and so far I can only run 2 miles on the treadmill without having to stop and walk. I don't want any injuries to get in the way of my training as I only have 3 weeks left :(

I'm going to try and get to a running shop tomorrow to do the gait analysis. But is it too late, have I already done too much damage? Am I doomed to fail my 5 mile run :( :( :(
 
Not at all. I had shin splints when I first started. Changed my shoes for more appropriate ones fitted to me and they went away overnight....
 
Shinsplints aren't too much to worry about. All runners get them. I was quite surprised when I got them real bad after the Grim and after running on snow. It's usually the change in terrain that does it for me.
 
I went to The Sweat Shop after work and did the motion analysis thing. Apparently my running is fine and my existing trainers are ok as well so the adviser said there's no point in him trying to recommend new trainers for me as I don't need them. He said I could buy the custom insoles that he fitted for me (£45?!?!?!) but he doesn't think it's necessary.

Oh well, I guess I may have just pushed myself a bit too hard the other day :(
 
I think your body just has to get used to the punishment

I used to literally struggle to walk down the stairs (kness and upper legs) after >8km runs the night before

now I don't get that at all - even with longer 14k+ runs

managed 14km today - bit slow though 1hr 15
 
I agree, give it some time and your body toughens up to things like shinsplints. It's just where the muscle isn't used to taking a beating.
 
I agree, give it some time and your body toughens up to things like shinsplints. It's just where the muscle isn't used to taking a beating.

They bloody hurt though.

I walked 100miles, over four days on roads, last year with a 10kg bergen on, shinplits for the last 60-70 miles.

Enough to make a grown man cry.
 
You'll be fine ;)

Massage is supposed to help. Either use a foam roller or get a can of baked beans and roll the muscle along it on the floor on all fours using your weight to apply pressure. Ibuprofen is good for the pain too.

When running, try not to heel plant too hard. Try and land slightly further forwards on your foot if you can and ensure you knee is nice and bent when your foot hits the ground. You want to use your knee and muscle to cushion the blow, not absorb it, because you'll just transfer the force into your shins.

It is just time unfortunately.
 
You'll be fine ;)

Massage is supposed to help. Either use a foam roller or get a can of baked beans and roll the muscle along it on the floor on all fours using your weight to apply pressure. Ibuprofen is good for the pain too.
I have bony legs, the thought of rolling my leg on a tin makes me cringe :eek: Oh and I can't get on all fours - only three because I injured my knee a few months back and it hurts to lean on it :(

When running, try not to heel plant too hard. Try and land slightly further forwards on your foot if you can and ensure you knee is nice and bent when your foot hits the ground. You want to use your knee and muscle to cushion the blow, not absorb it, because you'll just transfer the force into your shins.

It is just time unfortunately.
I will bear that in mind, thanks :)

I think the biggest issue with me is that I don't eat enough, and my diet might be lacking protein (I rarely eat meat). My diet is pretty much the same as before I started running - which is around 1200-1500 calories a day. I'm struggling to eat properly because 1) I don't cook and 2) I finish work late so it completely messes up my eating/training time.

Getting fit and building stamina is much harder than I thought it would be :(
 
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