Should I start running??

S

susanb

Member
I love Cathe's tapes and I also enjoy biking and rollerblading. However, with all the stuff going on in my life, I have trouble finding time to do these activities regularly and for a long enough stretch to really get a good workout. I'm thinking I need a really high-intensity workout a couple of times a week that burns tons of calories in a shorter amount of time, i.e. running. I've tried running a few times before and hated it, but I know lots of people who stick with it and eventually love it, and serious runners have such nice, lean bodies. I'm chronically 15-20 lbs. overweight, and even though I can follow a diet pretty well, I think that serious exercise is going to be the key for me to finally get thin.

What do you guys think? Should I push myself to try to like running?
 
Hi Susan!

I started running two and a half years ago after trying to run and hating it multiple times over many years.

The thing that made the difference for me was slowing down. I tend to be a natural sprinter and was essentially trying to sprint for 20-30 minutes. When I slowed down to a pace that made me about as breathless as an aerobic video workout does I immediately loved it!

I ended up running three marathons in the last 2 years and have been concentrating on half marathons this summer.

I'm not fast but I do enjoy it.

So should you run? If the idea appeals to you go for it but I suggest you try slowing down and see if you just don't end up enjoying it this time.

Lannette
 
Hi Susan!!
I personally like rollerblading and biking much better than running. I think you benefit more from these because they are easier on the joints than running. And if you do these exercises right they are excellent calorie burners. All of the jarring on the joints that comes from running will eventually catch up to alot of people as they get older. If you do run I would recommend running on dirt trails or grass such as a soccer field and I would combine it with the biking and blading.
One other thing..if you hate running I dont see why you would want to force yourself to like it. :)
Trevor
 
I have to agree with Trevor but it's a personal opinion only. I hate running too! However, I remember loving it when I was in High School...many millenia ago. It's possible I could learn to like it now that I'm in somewhat better shape again, but I can't imagine running in the kind of heat we're having here. Also, lots & lots of thunderstorms come up at any given time, & I admit it, I'm afraid of lightening! Then in winter...ice & snow, grey depressing skies...see, I can come up with a million excuses!
However, to address your original question, many experts seem to believe that running is the best way to get that lean look you're going for. So I may have to try it one more time myself!
Let us know if you give it a try, I would be very interested to see if your opinion changed...
Ruth :)
 
I have to disagree here because studies have failed to link long term running to arthritis or joint damage though they have linked it to increased bone density.

I will say that there is a real potential for overuse injuries and muscle imbalance if you don't run smart. Runners who develop overuse injuries or muscle imbalances and fail to heed their body's warning end up with chronic problems. I think this is where so many people get the false idea about running and joints. I actually find step aero with propulsion to be harder on my joints than running. (Not that I don't enjoy it anyway within limits.)

Anyway my point to Susan wasn't that she should run if she doesn't enjoy it. I wanted to let her know that just because you don't enjoy an activity at one stage of your life doesn't mean you won't like it at some point in the future.

Life is too short to continue to do any activity that fails to be enjoyable! <smile>

Lannette
 
RE: Lannette

Hi Lanette,
I don't know if you remember me, but my name is Terri and I used to post over at the Firm's site. I just wanted to say hi. It is nice to see you post here. I remember your posts on running and the Zone diet from the Firm's forum.
Just to update you, I finally purchased a treadmill and I am currently doing Hal's 12 week training program to increase my running mileage. So hopefully at the end of twelve weeks I will be up to six miles for my once a week long run. I find that I am more consistent with my running on the treadmill. I love it.

Glad to see you around. Are you going to do any marathons this year?

Terri
 
If you do start running....

Please start with a run/walk program. The Runners World website http://www.runnersworld.com has a great beginning program & is a wonderful resource of information. Also check out books that are targeted for women - we are higher risk for some types of injuries.

If you're simply frustrated & not getting the results you want from cycling & blading, maybe you just need to change your routine not your activities. Bicycling magazine had a great training issue in June, you can get the various programs at their website. You could easily adapt the programs to a x-training program with blading & cycling.

It sounds like running is appealing to you because of its efficiency. If you approach your blading or rides with a lot of intensity, you will get results. But you have to have a plan.
 
RE: Terri

Hi Terri!!

Yes I do remember you. Congrats on your new 'Mill and on your running program.

I've actually decided to do some half marathons for the summer. I can realistically only train for two marathons a year but I can do up to a half marathon a month without any additional training. That leaves me plenty of time for all the other fitness activities I love and have missed being able to add in at will while marathon training.

It's great to hear from you Terri and I wish you continued success with your running.

Lannette
 
RE: If you do start running....

Just wanted to add another idea that helped me become a "runner". Like Lannette I had tried running and never liked it. Then when I turned 40 I bought a heart rate monitor and discovered that I was also trying to run way too fast. The hr monitor allowed me to find the correct pace (which was much slower than I had thought it should be!) for a beginner and I slowly worked my way up to where I am today. I run approx 20 miles a week and I love it. I have not found if to be harder on my body than any other impact activity. Of course I make sure to wear good running shoes and NEVER run on concrete.

So if you decide to give running a try you may want to invest in a hr monitor. It made all the difference for me in successfully becoming a runner. Good luck, there's nothing like the endorphin high you get from running IMO.
 
I would recommend that you try running for at least 2 or 3 weeks before you decide if you like it or not. I absolutely hated running when I started, but I forced myself to continue because I wanted to lose weight so badly. Two weeks later I was loving it. It gets much easier (IMO) after the first 2 weeks and it took me 2 weeks before I started getting that incredible "high" that comes with running. I practically became addicted to running - it was that much fun!! I never dreamed that I would actually start liking it. So I say try it for 2 or 3 weeks before giving up. It might turn out to be the most fun you ever had!!! However, if after 3 weeks you still hate it, I would definitely go back to your biking or skating. I certainly wouldn't force myself to do something I hate over a long term.

Lisa
 
safety?? cyndie are you here?

I hate running but would love to love it!
I live in "NIKE town" Eugene oregon where running is a way of life ... the town shuts down for to do races for any occassion.


I am reading this thread looking for motivation to give running another try.. but i have questions on safety:

one post says there is no evidence of increased injuries to runners compared with other impact activities???
(is that compared with high impact aerobic and kickboxing ... that have high rates of injuries we dont want either?)

So if running isnt going to cause injury how come it is very common for runners to talk about knee surgery?

If running is not going to do any damage i would give it another go ..but its hard to believe ...and the report sited above doesnt make me feel as sure as i would like.

ALSO
I am betting the angle of womens hips to knees and knees to ankles are something to consider on an individual level....
i have a wide hips and skinny knocked knees and birdy ankles.. i look like an X !! things dont stack up straight at all and the joints are small.. it seems like the bones would be hitting at all sorts of angles through the body...nothing really being supported by the rest.

My serious marathon running friends are straight with narrow hips...everything stacks up neatly... and they love it..... I look like an hourglass and i hate it...I wonder if there is a relationship of body shape to the quality of experience and results.
 
Thanks for all the great advice, everyone! I knew this was the right place to ask my question.

All of what you said makes good sense. However, I do have one additional problem: I live in the city, and most of the places it's safe to run are paved. But tons of people seem to be running on it, so maybe it's not so bad??? Are there special running shoes I should get for running on concrete?
 
A Fresh Can of Worms!!!.....

is what I knew I was opening as soon as I posted my opinion on running!! lol!! :)
Running is high impact on the legs and feet and that's just a fact of life. Especially on concrete. The shock from hitting the ground is radiated right up thru the bottoms of your feet everytime you strike the ground with some running styles worse than others. I never linked arthritis to this. I am more concerned with soft tissue damage, stress fractures, foot problems, knee pain, and etc. They dont call Chondromalacia of the Patella "Runner's Knee" for nothing.
Trevor
 
RE: A Fresh Can of Worms!!!.....

DAng!

after reading Lisa's post on a runners high.. i laced up my shoes to give it the 2 week try..

But
after reading trevor's post on Chondromalacia of the Patella I took my shoes right back off again!
 
Trevor!

Do you feel that "jogging" at a very moderate pace, compared to "running" is grouped in the same category? I have been jogging approximately a 13&1/2-14 minute mile! (I KNOW, don't laugh, it's slooooow!) I gradually extended my jogs from only 3 laps (3/4 mile) to 16 laps (4 miles) and have had excellent results-meaning no shin splint or knee problems, other then just a bit sore at first, which went away. I have found by jogging at this pace that I can go forever. It took me 55 minutes this morning to do 4 miles and I felt GREAT when I was done! Just curious what your opinion is on this??? THANX!

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH :)
"If You Get The Chance To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!"
 
RE: what about race walking????

I am also trying to learn to run, but it's the hardest thing I've ever done. I really mean that. Has anybody "race walked?" It has a little bit different gait than a regular walk. I've heard that it's gentler to your joints. One of the newscasters in town does this and talks about it often. Somebody give us the lowdown.
 
RE: what about race walking????

I think Honeybunch race walks. She took me and Debbie H. on a walk last year that I found surprisingly challenging and left my shins sore for several days.
As far as running goes, my totally nonprofessional opinion is that there is a higher risk for injuries than for other activities. I love running, though, and try to be careful and avoid injury by making sure I cross-train. Running gives me a sense of accomplishment that no other activity does.
Recently I started incorporating walks into my runs and have been very happy with the results. My times are actually faster and I can go for longer distances.
I would never recommend that someone run, though, if they hate it. There are too many activities out there - if running doesn't make you happy, find something else that does!! Exercise should be fun!!
Erica
 
Debbie,

Slow is relative. :) I had to smile when I read your post. I tried a walk/jog plan for a couple of weeks. Didn't hate it, but didn't enjoy it either. Anyway I was doing 4 miles in 55 minutes with my walk/jog plan. I found that I can't jog the whole time without switching to a walk no matter how slow I go, but I can finish IMAX (okay I'm modifing some of the power scissors and my tuck jumps don't even look close to Cathe's but other then that I can get through it all).

Maybe I should try this again (although it is awful hot and humid out these days).

What is it about running/jogging that is so diffecult?

Dawn W
 
RE: A Fresh Can of Worms!!!.....

Hi Trevor,
You made a very good point. It's been years since I ran seriously. I've been very inconsistent over the last few years. To be honest with you, I did have some knee pain when I used to run consistently. Sometimes it was quite annoying. I then had a baby and needless to say running lost its priority status!! LOL
I guess I remember the "high" from it more than I remember the nagging knee pain. But you're right, running is definitely high impact and one needs to be careful and aware of potential injuries.
Lisa
 
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