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Newbie Questions
Question:
Of course keep in mind George Sheehan’s admonition that "you are an experiment of one." Start a running log and see what works and what doesn’t.
I second the suggestion to keep a running log. A log can help you analyze what works and what doesn’t work. If you have a log, you might be easier to figure out when you are overdoing it, for example. Also, a running log will remind you how far you’ve come. In a year or so, you may feel discouraged and wonder "why am I doing this?" or feel bad because you aren’t as fast as some other people. When you look at the log and see how far you’ve come, it is a real upper for sure. I keep track of my weight in my log as well. It reminds me that I once weighed 161 – and it wasn’t muscle either! Good luck – and go get a log book today! Jean S.
Response:
You have such a great attitude! Keep at it!! Regarding the shin splints, I have had them, they are a pain, and mine at least are directly connected to the shoes I wear. Good shoes, no pain, bad shoes pain immediately. Might try having someone who knows look at you gait. I did and wow- what a big difference. I used to save a buck and buy over the internet, but it was false economy for me. The side stitch thing– ya just gotta learn to breath. You can kearn to control it. Keep up the dedication!
Response:
Hello Vicky, First of all, I’d like to say that I have really enjoyed reading this newsgroup since I started two months ago. All my life I have never been in shape and I was told that I never will be. Despite all that, I decided two months ago that I will start running, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to read advices and encouragement for a beginner like myself.
I ain’t the offical welcoming commitee, but hello and nice to hear from ya. I am a 24 years old female, 5′3" tall, and weighs 126 lbs. Not seriously over-weight, but far from being fit either. I started the running/walking routine for a few weeks, and was able to gradually run on a treadmill for 1 to 2 miles without stopping. It was then that I started having trouble with my left and right shin (right on schedule for most beginners, as I’ve read). So I brought new shoes (Brooks Addiction, since I have very flat feet and overpronate), had easier runs, and had more rest in between my running days. When the pain didn’t get any better, I took a full week off and was able to recover. I am now running in the park, doing 1.5 to 2 miles each time, at least 4 times a week. The problem is, I am still have lots of aches and pains here and there. Shin problem is still there, in addition to problems with getting side stiches, very, very tight and sore calf muscles during and after runs.
Hmmm… I didn’t read this from other posters, but when you describe sore muscles and side stitches the first thing that comes to my mind is speed. This may sound like a stupid question, but are you running too fast? All these problems could be related to pushing yourself faster and further than you’re body is ready for. You’ve started out on the right foot (pun intended) by purchasing a shoe designed specificly for running. Did you get your running form analysed by an expert or is this a self diagnosis and were your shoes fitted correctly? If not, you could be causing yourself undue pain and suffering. I’ve had to toss a pair of shoes that didn’t work for my feet and running style. I do realize that aches and pains are normal when one tries to run, because of the pounding running does to the body. But exactly what type of pain is okay to run through and what is not? People say one should rest more when you have shin problems, but for how long? And what if the pain keeps coming back? Should I just give up, or just run through it unless the pain becomes unbearable? I am having a very difficult time trying to figure out where to draw the line between exerting myself and injuring myself. I really would like to increase my miles and frequency of my run, but I am just afraid that I’ll do more damage to myself than goods.
Some kind of aches and pains you can run through, some you shouldn’t. Check out the Runners World injury diagnosis page to help you find out just which is which. The rule of thumb that I’ve followed, is that if it causes you to visably limp, then stop. If it just hurts enough to let you know it’s there, then run through it… easily. I had shin pains for the first six months that I ran. I found that if I ran through them for the first 2k, then they would go away for the rest of the run. Of course keep in mind George Sheehan’s admonition that "you are an experiment of one." Start a running log and see what works and what doesn’t. I was told that I am just not built for running, and that I should just give up to do something else less demanding. And ever since I started running, I have had nothing but negativity and scepticism from people around me. But I just love running for the simplicity of it. Just thinking about going for a run in the park after work gets me through the work day much easier. So if anyone can help me with a bit of advice and a bit of encouragement, I’d really appreciate it.
You may not be made for running. Not everyone is, however, unless you have arthritis, cartilage damage or other serious medical problems, there’s no reason not to continue on. Every time I get out and run, even on the bad days (and we all have them), I think that I am faster than 99% of all the couch potatoes, sitting on their duffs and watching T.V. Sounds like you need a running partner or a support group more than anything else. REC.RUNNING is a great place to exchange ideas, but it’s no substitute for sharing a trail or road with another human being. If you can’t find other runners at work or in your neighbourhood, then find a local running club or ask at the store where you bought your shoes. A running partner will give you a reason to get out on days when you’d rather not (I’ve never regretted going no matter how bad I’ve felt when I started), someone to get advise from and bounce ideas off of, a pace setter and importantly safety in numbers in case something evil this way comes. Good luck, and keep on, keepin’ on. Mark — #include <stdiscl.h // This is not a signature!
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am now running in the park, doing 1.5 to 2 miles each time, at least 4 times a week. The problem is, I am still have lots of aches and pains here and there. Shin problem is still there, in addition to problems with getting side stiches, very, very tight and sore calf muscles during and after runs. I was told that I am just not built for running, and that I should just give up to do something else less demanding. And ever since I started running, I have had nothing but negativity and scepticism from people around me. But I just love running for the simplicity of it. Just thinking about going for a run in the park after work gets me through the work day much easier. So if anyone can help me with a bit of advice and a bit of encouragement, I’d really appreciate it. Share what you know. Learn what you don’t. — For e-mail replies, change "talkingxyzzy" to "talking"
I find that if you talk about running to people who don;t run you will have a lot of negativity thrown your way. People don’t understand the attraction so they tend to dismiss running and those that do it. Don’t give up! Find some people that run. Believe me when you start hanging out with runners you will learn a lot and get a lot more support. After you run, each and everytime, ice your shins. Take advil if you can. Massage yourself, focusing on what hurts. Stretch! Stretch you calves slowly and gently. Rub your feet. I know this all sounds like overindulgence but the problem is not always where it hurts. Tight calves can play havoc on you feet, achilles and shins. Take care of these areas! I hope you heal. I am always thrilled when someone takes up running and wants to stick with it! diane
Response:
I am now running in the park, doing 1.5 to 2 miles each time, at least 4 times a week. The problem is, I am still have lots of aches and pains here and there. Shin problem is still there, in addition to problems with getting side stiches, very, very tight and sore calf muscles during and after runs.
My doctor, before I started to run, said I should be able to walk 2 miles at a good pace (for me, 12 minutes/mile) before doing any running. I don’t know that the pace requirement makes sense for you, but probably getting out an walking 3-4 times per week for 20-30 minutes is a good thing to get in hand before running. Some of the aches and pains may not be that you’re running, so much as your body is complaining about having to work period. If that is the case, then walking first will build up a lot of related (to running) parts without putting as much of a strain on. (And you can remind yourself that you’re scouting running routes, that you are strengthening the muscles, improving your fitness, and such in _preparation_ for running, even if you’re not actually running at the moment. All true.) The ‘at least’ 4 times a week may be a problem (irrespective of the walking/running). For me, even when I’m running 20-25 miles/week, it is difficult to hit the right balance to be able to run more then 4 days in a week. 5 is definitely a lot for me. You might be like me in this. Again, first getting a few weeks of 3-4 days/week to the point where you’re not feeling continued and increasing pains, is a good idea before going to 4-5+ days/week. Every other day is a good idea at the beginning– gives your body 48 hours to recover between runs. And maybe you need that. (I did) I do realize that aches and pains are normal when one tries to run, because of the pounding running does to the body. But exactly what type of pain is okay to run through and what is not?
This is something that experience helps a lot, sad to say. To shorten the time to learn by experience, keep a log of what you did and how you felt (during and after) each run. You may see a pattern. I was told that I am just not built for running, and that I should just give up to do something else less demanding. And ever since I started running, I have had nothing but negativity and scepticism from people around me.
This is no help. Sorry to hear that’s what is around you .. But I just love running for the simplicity of it. Just thinking about going for a run in the park after work gets me through the work day much easier. So if anyone can help me with a bit of advice and a bit of encouragement, I’d really appreciate it.
It will come, in time. Swimming and biking are good alternates for days when you want to do something, but you expect running would over-strain or irritate your legs. (Swimming especially). But even without them, getting a bit of running, under control, and then a bit more, will take you there. You’re looking towards running for the next 40 years, right? So if it takes 4 months instead of 4 weeks to get to a certain level, no big deal. You get there. That was my take on getting started again (after 15+ years off). So even though it was only 1-2 days a week for a while (I only ran when the weather was really nice and I felt very good), then 2-3 (not so picky about the weather, but only when I felt pretty good physically for running), and 3-4 (didn’t have to feel very good physically, and the weather only had to be passable), to now 4-5 (weather could be downright awful — downpours, high winds, etc., and physically anything short of feeling actively bad). Slow progress, but _progress_. You can get there. Good luck, and we’ll hang in with you! — Robert Grumbine http://www.radix.net/~bobg/ Science faqs and amateur activities notes and links. Sagredo (Galileo Galilei) "You present these recondite matters with too much evidence and ease; this great facility makes them less appreciated than they would be had they been presented in a more abstruse manner." Two New Sciences
Response:
I sort of remember this when I first started running. I grew big lumpy muscles where I never even knew people had muscles. So- don’t get discouraged- it takes a while for your body to adjust. Don’t over do it- when you need rest take it. I also find that throwing in some trail runs seem to help not get running injuries- maybe because it is not as repetitive as road/track/paved- trail running can be. Good luck Terry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – First of all, I’d like to say that I have really enjoyed reading this newsgroup since I started two months ago. All my life I have never been in shape and I was told that I never will be. Despite all that, I decided two months ago that I will start running, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to read advices and encouragement for a beginner like myself. I am a 24 years old female, 5′3" tall, and weighs 126 lbs. Not seriously over-weight, but far from being fit either. I started the running/walking routine for a few weeks, and was able to gradually run on a treadmill for 1 to 2 miles without stopping. It was then that I started having trouble with my left and right shin (right on schedule for most beginners, as I’ve read). So I brought new shoes (Brooks Addiction, since I have very flat feet and overpronate), had easier runs, and had more rest in between my running days. When the pain didn’t get any better, I took a full week off and was able to recover. I am now running in the park, doing 1.5 to 2 miles each time, at least 4 times a week. The problem is, I am still have lots of aches and pains here and there. Shin problem is still there, in addition to problems with getting side stiches, very, very tight and sore calf muscles during and after runs. I do realize that aches and pains are normal when one tries to run, because of the pounding running does to the body. But exactly what type of pain is okay to run through and what is not? People say one should rest more when you have shin problems, but for how long? And what if the pain keeps coming back? Should I just give up, or just run through it unless the pain becomes unbearable? I am having a very difficult time trying to figure out where to draw the line between exerting myself and injuring myself. I really would like to increase my miles and frequency of my run, but I am just afraid that I’ll do more damage to myself than goods. I was told that I am just not built for running, and that I should just give up to do something else less demanding. And ever since I started running, I have had nothing but negativity and scepticism from people around me. But I just love running for the simplicity of it. Just thinking about going for a run in the park after work gets me through the work day much easier. So if anyone can help me with a bit of advice and a bit of encouragement, I’d really appreciate it. Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.
– For e-mail replies, change "talkingxyzzy" to "talking"
Response:
I was told that I am just not built for running, and that I should just give up to do something else less demanding. And ever since I started running, I have had nothing but negativity and scepticism from people around me.
That is highly doubtful (that you are not "built" for running.) We could only guess; but any of us here would place money that the people that say such things to you are not runners themselves; thus do not bother taking advice from people who have never run a day in their life. With a few rare exceptions, any person is "built" for running. I do realize that aches and pains are normal when one tries to run, because of the pounding running does to the body. But exactly what type of pain is okay to run through and what is not?
Since it is likely that you have not yet become obsessed by running, or have not been "bit by the competititve bug" it should be easy for you to follow peoples advice which will make it easier to accept the problem and overcome it. Nobody can tell you what kind of pain you have to endure since we dont really know how bad your pain is… But I think the best way to answer this is just to follow ceartain rules. The rule, is to find an equal balance between pain and training. The key is to endure a ceartain amount of pain…. but to ensure that on a weekly basis, the pain does not just get worse and worse. When you have "shin splints", it is a sure bet that you need to take days off. You just can’t run 7 days a week, or the problem just gets worse and worse. Decide how many days you can run. Maybe it’s 3 days/wk, maybe 4 days. Maybe you can even run 5 days a week. It will depend on how bad your shin pain is. Eventually, you will be able to run more days per week. It is very common for shin problems to last months, sometimes upwards of a year (or more!!!!!), but as time goes on, the pain will slowly subside. So be patient.
Response:
One quick question comes to mind. What type of surface are you running on? IF the paths in your park are concrete you should rally look for a different place to run. If you can find some nice smooth dirt roads to run on that softer surface an be a gear help in keeping the soreness down (at least it is for me when I do my long marathon traing runs). Even alsphalt is a better surface than concrete to run on. As far as knowing hat you can type of pains you can run through that’s a hard piece of advice. Your side stiches may be a sign that you are going out too hard for your current level of fitness. There are various breating techniques that can be used for avoiding or trying to get rid of side stiches. A technique call belly breathing generally takes care of a side stich if I catch it early. I believe the rec.running FAQ part 4 has a secion on dealing with side stiches watch for it being posted again. I say don’t let others tell you what you can or can’t do. But if in the long run (no pun intended) you find running isn’t working for your body then don’t be affraid to try other activities. I was a couch potatoe until I was almost thirty then started biking, racquetball, and volleyball. Running came as a cross traing for cycling and didn’t become serious until three years ago when I decided to do my first marathon. I’m 46 now I may keep running the rest of my life (like you say the simplicity is great) or I may revert back to my bike time will tell. The important thing is to find something you enjoy that your bocy can tollerate then stick with it at lest until you find something you enjoy more. Tom
: First of all, I’d like to say that I have really enjoyed reading this : newsgroup since I started two months ago. All my life I have never been : in shape and I was told that I never will be. Despite all that, I : decided two months ago that I will start running, and I couldn’t have : asked for a better place to read advices and encouragement for a : beginner like myself. : I am a 24 years old female, 5′3" tall, and weighs 126 lbs. Not : seriously over-weight, but far from being fit either. I started the : running/walking routine for a few weeks, and was able to gradually run : on a treadmill for 1 to 2 miles without stopping. It was then that I : started having trouble with my left and right shin (right on schedule : for most beginners, as I’ve read). So I brought new shoes (Brooks : Addiction, since I have very flat feet and overpronate), had easier : runs, and had more rest in between my running days. When the pain : didn’t get any better, I took a full week off and was able to recover. : I am now running in the park, doing 1.5 to 2 miles each time, at least 4 : times a week. The problem is, I am still have lots of aches and pains : here and there. Shin problem is still there, in addition to problems : with getting side stiches, very, very tight and sore calf muscles during : and after runs. : I do realize that aches and pains are normal when one tries to run, : because of the pounding running does to the body. But exactly what type : of pain is okay to run through and what is not? People say one should : rest more when you have shin problems, but for how long? And what if : the pain keeps coming back? Should I just give up, or just run through : it unless the pain becomes unbearable? I am having a very difficult : time trying to figure out where to draw the line between exerting myself : and injuring myself. I really would like to increase my miles and : frequency of my run, but I am just afraid that I’ll do more damage to : myself than goods. : I was told that I am just not built for running, and that I should just : give up to do something else less demanding. And ever since I started : running, I have had nothing but negativity and scepticism from people : around me. But I just love running for the simplicity of it. Just : thinking about going for a run in the park after work gets me through : the work day much easier. So if anyone can help me with a bit of advice : and a bit of encouragement, I’d really appreciate it. : Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.
Response:
First of all, I’d like to say that I have really enjoyed reading this newsgroup since I started two months ago. All my life I have never been in shape and I was told that I never will be. Despite all that, I decided two months ago that I will start running, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to read advices and encouragement for a beginner like myself. I am a 24 years old female, 5′3" tall, and weighs 126 lbs. Not seriously over-weight, but far from being fit either. I started the running/walking routine for a few weeks, and was able to gradually run on a treadmill for 1 to 2 miles without stopping. It was then that I started having trouble with my left and right shin (right on schedule for most beginners, as I’ve read). So I brought new shoes (Brooks Addiction, since I have very flat feet and overpronate), had easier runs, and had more rest in between my running days. When the pain didn’t get any better, I took a full week off and was able to recover. I am now running in the park, doing 1.5 to 2 miles each time, at least 4 times a week. The problem is, I am still have lots of aches and pains here and there. Shin problem is still there, in addition to problems with getting side stiches, very, very tight and sore calf muscles during and after runs. I do realize that aches and pains are normal when one tries to run, because of the pounding running does to the body. But exactly what type of pain is okay to run through and what is not? People say one should rest more when you have shin problems, but for how long? And what if the pain keeps coming back? Should I just give up, or just run through it unless the pain becomes unbearable? I am having a very difficult time trying to figure out where to draw the line between exerting myself and injuring myself. I really would like to increase my miles and frequency of my run, but I am just afraid that I’ll do more damage to myself than goods. I was told that I am just not built for running, and that I should just give up to do something else less demanding. And ever since I started running, I have had nothing but negativity and scepticism from people around me. But I just love running for the simplicity of it. Just thinking about going for a run in the park after work gets me through the work day much easier. So if anyone can help me with a bit of advice and a bit of encouragement, I’d really appreciate it. Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.
Response:
SM I need to drop 20 pounds and I know I won’t be in shape SM the ‘95 Marathon but maybe ‘96? A year is plenty of time. Start out by running easy, maybe 15-30 minutes at a time. Then build up from there. Take it easy at first. Read all the relevant books and magazines. You don’t need to start serious training until 4-6 months before the marathon.
Response:
Last weekend, my restaurant partner, Neil Ganic, and two of our chefs ran the NYC Marathon. It was my partner’s first marathon and he ran it in 3:28. Gilmar, our prep chef, did it in 2:36 (#104 overall). Our other chef fell victim to a foot injury, although he came in #81 overall last year. Anyway, I watched the Marathon from 4th Ave. in Brooklyn and later in Central Park and was impressed and inspired beyond words by the dedication of the participants and the encouragement of the crowds. At 44, I’ve decided to start running. I need to drop 20 pounds and I know I won’t be in shape for the ‘95 Marathon but maybe ‘96? I really haven’t run since high school but have been an avid bicyclist since my twenties, averaging 100 miles/week. My 52 year-old buddy Bill, who has run 12 NYC Marathons (2:45s), advises me to just get a pair of good shoes and do it. I suspect there’s probably more to it than that. Can someone offer some start-up advice or ship me the relevant FAQ, if one exists? Thanks. N’Yawk, N’Yawk =o&o