Running Question

T

toastythemosty

Cathlete
A beginners question here...

O.k., I am back into running again and finding that it is getting better for me all the time. Meaning that I am not gasping for air as bad in the beginning and going longer without stopping. I don't have a heart rate monitor, but I know my heart is not pounding as I am going at a steady pace once I get going. Do you think I am still burning off as much as I should be if I am not gasping for air and going at a steady pace or do I need to step it up to be at the point of gasping like sprinting or something?

Charlotte~~
 
Charlotte,

I think that your body can adapt to running just like it can to anything else. While you are still burning calories, your body will burn less energy as it becomes more adapted to running. Therefore you will have to change things up a bit. I would suggest surges and intervals in addition to your steady state runs just to keep it interesting. Does that help??

~Marietta
FITXME
 
I was a big runner then got injured and am s l o w l y getting back into it. My suggestion would be to approach your running kind of the same as, say, a cardio video- you need both. Some days, the steady pace will be good for you- other days, mix it up and do some intervals of maybe 1-2 minutes near sprinting, then 1-2 minutes recovery jogging. I think you need both to really improve- what's the point of being able to sprint for 2 minutes if you can't jog (run) for 30?

P.S. I never say that I "jog" even though I'm pretty slow!! LOL. I always RUN no matter how fast I actually go...
 
Makes sense. So you are telling me I need to gasp and sweat more inbetween? Nice. LOL! Seriously though, thanks for your help.

Charlotte~~
 
Charlotte, that's great you are getting back into running! My advice would be for right now just keep doing what you are doing as you will be burning more calories in less time than most step or kickboxing. I think you have talked about knee problems and my worry is if you start adding intervals and speed workouts too soon you do risk injury. Something you could do now would be once a week to add a course that might have more hills?? Or just vary the terrain and do some trail runs. And you do have good running shoes...right?...http://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/f/hump.gif[/img]...Carole
 
Carole,

The road I live on is down hill and then up hill abit so I get a easy run in the beginning with the down hill and then I got to work for it up hill. LOL. So far I haven't had knee issues, but your right, I do need to be careful. I am going to start running in town because of the snakes that keep coming out on our gravel road. I see them sliver across numerous times...scary! Our town has a long stretch of a paved area for runners/walkers so I think I am going to start going there. I just hope I don't spit on anyone while I am running. I have to spit often when I run. LOL

Charlotte~~
 
We'd make a great pair...you spitting and me blowing my nose...that's what gloves are for right...:)...Carole
 
I just started running again after taking the winter off (too much snow) and the spring as well (too much rain). I found that I got back into it very easily. After the first few runs I felt like I did when I stopped in the fall. I find that I really progress quickly when I first start and then am able to maintain a pretty good heart rate which means I am burning the calories. You should always be able to talk or else you're working too hard and risking injury. I tend to vary my pace depending on how I'm feeling and whether there are hills involved as well as what song happens to be playing in my head!! LOL

Seriously, it's worth it to invest in a heart rate monitor. It will give you an accurate picture of your intensity level so that you can adapt your workout accordingly. Now that I'm officially a personal trainer and certified know-it-all, :) I would say that a heart rate monitor is essential equipment if you're serious about fitness.

--Lois


"If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning" - Mahatma Ghandi
 
Carole,

Would be so much fun!

Lois,

That is another thing on my list of things to get is a HRM. If I am going to be running on a ongoing basis, I probably should have one.

Charlotte~~
 
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