hey there

tomorrow I plan on going running. havent done so in a long time, but I hope this will improve me physically and mentally.

I havent done this in years - 10 years infact. I have things to wear and shoes, all I need is to run. I will run a block and see how well I go.

Im so shy and probably look shit being all red face and I never go out without make-up on so that will be a scary sight! lol.

Anyway, I need advice on warm ups and food. I need to have breakfast...If I eat at 8.00 am and go running at 9 am, would that be a good time?

I have a history of fainting so its important that I dont do anything stupid.

i'd eat something super light and then start slow - walk, run, walk run...
and stretch out tons before and after. that's the most important part

thanks.

Aw! I'm actually on the track team and I try to convince myself every day on the weekend to go running, but I don't want to look like an idiot and so far I haven't gone out. When the season ends I probably will, but it takes serious willpower.

I'd walk and then progress into a power walk before you start jogging. Also, sprinting at the end of your jog makes it much more efficient in calorie burning.

yes sprinting at the end is great because you know it will soon be over and the pain is more tolerable.

Im trying to go tomorrow. If I dont tomorrow I never will.

I think I will run a small distant and at a slow speed. then once I get better in a week or two I will run more and faster.

I also have a work out video to use too, hopefully it will help shape me up!

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

this program is really, really good. i started out on it about a year and a half ago, and now i run 6 miles without any shortness of breath on a regular basis. it's sll about patience and building up.

tip: at first don't go at it too hard and traumatize yourself out of going again.

also, i like to run on an empty stomach, but bananas or granola bars are good before a run. avoid anything acidic/milky as it might upset your stomach and not sit too well. i always have a cup of coffee before running, too.

http://www.ordinaryrunner.com/index.html This site is good too.

I just got back from a run actually. It was short and I got a stitch


Food: Try to eat moderately healthy and be hydrated. Don't eat too much, and don't run when you're full.

Drink water and stretch after each run

i wish that i could run.

Swim.
It's much better for you anyway. And you get more of a workout.

Not necessarily. It all depends on the individual. How long they are burning calories for and their body and what it can handle. An hour run could greatly outburn the calories someone who swam for an hour burns.

Edit:As far as swimming being better for you than running, that again is different with everybody. Some people have terrific genes and bones and will not get knee deterioration or joint collapse which is so often the argument from skeptics, doctors, whomever that say how 'bad' running is for you.

Most people who run for exercise don't do it enough to damage their joints. I used to do a lot of long distance running when I was younger -- 15k and 10 mile races when I was 11-12, and I would be running 40 miles a week at times. I sometimes have knee issues from running now and I think that's why (I first experienced the knee pain after a 10 mile race when I was 11). But if you're fully grown and running a few miles a few times a week, it's unlikely that you'll hurt yourself, unless you have weak or sensitive joints.

As for food, I find half a bagel (toasted for taste) is good. It's best to stay away from fiber, fat, and protein (anything that makes you feel "full") because they're harder to digest.

Ive had my breakfast and I am about to get dressed and go running!!

Im quite nervous!

Im sorry

I did it!

First time in years, a short distant and short time, only 10 min or so. I know thats nothing really but Im going to work gradually up to a good level. Ive also smoked for 10 years so that will have a problem with my lungs at first. But Im going running tomorrow morning and hopefully last a bit longer!!

Good for you!
I have to say, I am green with envy when I meet people who can be 100% couch potatos and get up and run 10-20 mins, when I have to struggle so much.

Sometimes I think my body was just never built for running.

As long as you're trying, good for you! Run as much as you can, and then walk. Or just walk the whole time. All you have to do is get your heart rate up

Thanks for the encouragement. I know I'll get there if I stick at it long enough. The funny thing is that even when I'm in relatively good shape long periods of jogging have always been hard for me. Right now, where I can only do about 2 minute intervals, I can still go swim 50 laps of front crawl in 30 minutes and feel utterly un-exhausted by comparison. Ditto re climbing stairs...

I seem to just have a very long plateau with running. I almost got off it last summer and then I blew it. So that is my goal for this summer now. I've been doing a lot of hill work when I walk (which I find moderately easier than jogging (meaning I can do it continuously), so hopefully that will help. And when I say hill, I mean climbing up gorges kinds of hills - none too piddly.

Good for you!!

Keep posting your progress.

I'm also going to start running, I want to look good for the summer, plus I can use the endorphins. I'm going to start tomorrow morning and just do a most likely 10 minute jog, I don't think I'll run, but I might.

Is running good for losing weight? Is it just sort of a leg strength sort of thing, or does it help tone your whole body?