Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

Been running for a couple of months now. Could only manage a mile to start with but now managed to get that up to about 6 miles. Really enjoying it. Past week I've found my knee completely locking up after about 2 miles though. Really really annoying and no idea what is causing it!
 
Got a really sunburnt back so might not be able to do my lsr as it's going to rub horribly and leave me in pain.

Been lathering on lots of aftersun so hopefully it will go down in the next few hours and I might still be able to get out there, if only for a short rather than long run.
 
Discovered the joys of running against all my expectations. Despised it for years. Though I must be the only one in the thread, if not world that prefer running on the treadmill rather than outside. If find running on the hamster wheel I can just disappear into my head with music and not even notice the miles going past. Outside there's too many distractions tingling the senses.

Saying that, ive been meaning to try some trail running. I take it that's a different kind of fitness?
 
PlanetGong said:
Been running for a couple of months now. Could only manage a mile to start with but now managed to get that up to about 6 miles. Really enjoying it. Past week I've found my knee completely locking up after about 2 miles though. Really really annoying and no idea what is causing it!
Click to expand...

Go see a physio.

Could be ITB or something like that. I had the same problem a few year back. After a couple of mile my knee started getting dodgy...

Turned out a tendon running down the side of your leg from hip to knee joint was tight and needed stretching out, with some rest.

Basically I was told to do a lot of regular stretching (with a foam roller which kills) and strengthen up the legs with other types of training, squats, lunges, cycling, swimming. All these other things help with running injury free.

But you are best off getting professional opinions first.
 
I've been doing some running over the summer, otherwise i'd just be sitting in a chair all day. Not much, just 2km a day or thereabouts. Thing is, i've been running in... lets say less than ideal shoes. I gave barefoot another try the other day and i was able to go twice as far, and i was barely tired at the end of it.

One thing though - i am questioning the effectiveness of this stretch. It probably means i'm not doing it right, but it seems like it's not doing anything. It takes a long time for me to feel anything, and when i do it's just a little in the quadriceps which i've already stretched anyway.
 
I’m regularly breaking 20 miles a week now and have been “told” to look at changing my running style slightly. As most beginners I heel plant and have been told to run more with a ball of foot / neutral plant. Rather than just change I’ve been trying to break myself into it and to be honest it seems like it’s a more pleasant position to be in but good god my calves are sore the next day. For people who have made the transition what time scale am I looking at before the pain goes away :p ?

And is it just a case of wading through it or is there some special magic way of limiting the soreness ? I do fully warm up/down.
 
Last edited:
What are people's thoughts on Nike Free 4.0 V2? Planning to do some sprinting on a treadmill for 15-20 minutes, 3 times a week.
 
Good to see this thread thriving.

I myself have recovered from my broken limbs and am running long distances again now. Really enjoying myself, have slowed down a little but going a lot further.
 
Broken bones :O didn't read the whole thread, but I hope it wasn't anything too serious?

I've just started running after joining a work sponsored half-marathon for April next year, but having trouble finding any good running shops to get gait analysis and proper shoes. A long shot, but if anyone knows any places in Copenhagen, please let me know!

Previously hated running, but it seems to be getting easier, and I'm finding it a bit more tolerable :P
 
LiE said:
What are people's thoughts on Nike Free 4.0 V2? Planning to do some sprinting on a treadmill for 15-20 minutes, 3 times a week.
Click to expand...

Can't comment on the shoes but sprinting on a treadmill doesn't sound much fun. Does it speed up / slow down quickly enough for efforts / intervals?
 
It's tricky. I have the speed set at 15mph and stand with my feet on the sides of the treadmill. I jump on and sprint then jump off, repeating these many times.
 
LiE said:
It's tricky. I have the speed set at 15mph and stand with my feet on the sides of the treadmill. I jump on and sprint then jump off, repeating these many times.
Click to expand...

Respect to you then - that sounds like a ticket to getting flung off the back of the treadmill! :D
 
Yes, have you been on a treadmill before? It's not difficult. 15mph isn't full sprint.

#Chri5# said:
Respect to you then - that sounds like a ticket to getting flung off the back of the treadmill! :D
Click to expand...

I try to mix it up with some hill running, but on the treadmill it's easiest and can put on full incline for some fun. Just need to be focused towards the end.
 
Last edited:
PermaBanned said:
One thing though - i am questioning the effectiveness of this stretch. It probably means i'm not doing it right, but it seems like it's not doing anything. It takes a long time for me to feel anything, and when i do it's just a little in the quadriceps which i've already stretched anyway.
Click to expand...

Yeah, you don't feel it because the ITB doesn't have stretch receptors in it (strictly speaking it does but they are only stimulated when there is irritation there). You may still be doing it wrong though ;)
 
CaptainRAVE said:
I really need to get back into running, but work has just taken over my life at the moment :(
Click to expand...

Did initially for me at the start of the year, especially after my injuries. Now I'm regularly doing 60 miles/week :). Just had to get into the habit of forcing myself to run after work when getting home late, and now I do a 30-40 mile run at the weekend.
 
platypus said:
Did initially for me at the start of the year, especially after my injuries. Now I'm regularly doing 60 miles/week :). Just had to get into the habit of forcing myself to run after work when getting home late, and now I do a 30-40 mile run at the weekend.
Click to expand...

Here we go again.... So guess world domination at rowing, cycling, triathlon has now given way to running again? Can you post data to back up these claims?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom