Run with me!

[PhoenixAzul]

Originally Posted by ADqtPiMel

Thanks! I went 2:07:47, which though admittedly isn't setting any land speed records, made me pretty happy.

I have a lot of friends, including some with asthma, who swear by Gallowalking (I'm a Higdon gal, myself).

Are you marathon training?

Yep. The Pittsburgh Marathon has been resurrected this year so I jumped at the chance to sign up. It is on May 3rd, almost a year to the day since my first marathon which was the Belfast City Marathon. I did a 4:39 and some change in that with a bit left to give at the end because I didn't really know how to pace myself at that distance. Not sure how it will go this time round because there's a difference in altitude and hills and such. We'll see.

So what kind of shoes is everyone running in? I started out as a neutral runner running in Asics Landreth, then switched to a pair of neutral Saucony's which were terrible on my feet, then finally realized that my stride had changed and I needed a more supportive shoe and went for the Mizuno Wave Inspires which I love (some people hate them b/c they are too roomy in the toe box, I love them for this reason).

[ADqtPiMel]

Originally Posted by PhoenixAzul

Yep. The Pittsburgh Marathon has been resurrected this year so I jumped at the chance to sign up. It is on May 3rd, almost a year to the day since my first marathon which was the Belfast City Marathon. I did a 4:39 and some change in that with a bit left to give at the end because I didn't really know how to pace myself at that distance. Not sure how it will go this time round because there's a difference in altitude and hills and such. We'll see.

So what kind of shoes is everyone running in? I started out as a neutral runner running in Asics Landreth, then switched to a pair of neutral Saucony's which were terrible on my feet, then finally realized that my stride had changed and I needed a more supportive shoe and went for the Mizuno Wave Inspires which I love (some people hate them b/c they are too roomy in the toe box, I love them for this reason).

I know a lot of people running Pittsburgh. I'm registering for Marine Corps next week and am planning for that to be my first full.

I started in the Asics Cumulus in high school cross country and have probably owned 25 pairs. I switched last year to the Asics Landreth and it has worked out well.

[aephi alum]

I saw this thread and realized it's high time I got myself back into shape, and round is not a shape! LOL, I'm not that far gone, but I could definitely stand to lose a few pounds. (OK, more than a few.)

Back in high school, I ran track. My preferred event was the 400m. I am by no stretch of the imagination a distance runner - I ran cross country in the fall to get in shape for indoor and outdoor track, and my 5K times were laughable. I was on the track team during my freshman year of college, but then I got too busy, and long story short, I haven't run since. That's 15 years.

I'm not a complete couch potato. I have a couple of 10-minute workout DVDs and a home gym with bike, elliptical, and weight machine, and I try to do something every day. Now, a 10-minute workout is better than nothing, but I've got to do more if I'm going to lose weight and get back into shape.

So I could use some suggestions on where to start. Is the Couch to 5K running plan a good starting point? What about weight training? Also, spring has really not kicked in here in New England (brrr), so while running outside is possible, I'd prefer to work out indoors until it gets a bit warmer. Bike? Elliptical?

Also, what would be a better running surface, asphalt or dirt? When I ran track, I did most of my running on the track, but that's not an option now. There is a large park a short drive from home, that has some mostly-flat hiking/jogging trails... or I can jog on the streets near home.

TIA. I'm not a total n00b, but it has been many years.

[LucyKKG]

Originally Posted by PhoenixAzul

So what kind of shoes is everyone running in?

I went to a running store to get fitted for new shoes. They video taped my feet as I was running barefoot on a treadmill. They looked over it again to see what parts of my feet were hitting the ground. They also had me stand on a machine that measured where I put the most pressure down. It showed it in different colors like they do with heat.

It was pretty cool, and I loooove those shose. They're Nikes, but I don't remember specifically what kind.

Originally Posted by aephi alum

So I could use some suggestions on where to start. Is the Couch to 5K running plan a good starting point? What about weight training? Also, spring has really not kicked in here in New England (brrr), so while running outside is possible, I'd prefer to work out indoors until it gets a bit warmer. Bike? Elliptical?

Also, what would be a better running surface, asphalt or dirt? When I ran track, I did most of my running on the track, but that's not an option now. There is a large park a short drive from home, that has some mostly-flat hiking/jogging trails... or I can jog on the streets near home.

If you do want to run outside, you can layer. I wear a headband (like the kind for skiing) cause the cold gives me a huge headache without it.

I would think running on dirt would be better than asphalt. I know asphalt can be really rough on your joints.

Does anyone do ellipticals? I know they're pretty popular but...I seriously never go to the gym. I would feel so lost if I went in there...

[PhoenixAzul]

Bumped.

Marathon 2.0 in 15 days!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

[lovespink88]

Good luck PhoenixAzul!!!

I haven't really been updating. When I last posted I was talking about how I've never been able to run more than a mile straight cause of asthma, but I finally for the first time did 1.5. So here's what's been going on since...

I've been okay with keeping up the workouts. I go AT least 3 times a week, but usually 4. However, I really haven't been running too much as part of my workout. Maybe once or twice per week. I've been doing the elliptical more often instead.

But the good news is, the times I do run, I can tell I'm getting better. I'm pushing myself little by little. Even though I have to do the running and walking thing still, the amount of time I'm running is getting longer and the amount of time I'm walking is getting shorter. And last week, I actually did 2 miles straight before taking a 1/4 mile walk to catch my breathe. I can really feel an improvement with my asthma. Yay! How is everyone else doing?

[ISUKappa]

Haven't started the C25K yet this year due to a cold that Won't Die. Plus, I'm a wuss and want it to be a leetle bit warmer before I start running outside. And I'm lazy. Any tips for getting my butt out of bed earlier to exercise? When I did C25K two years ago, I ran at night after the kiddo was in bed. But I don't know if I can do that anymore.

I just found out a sorority sister ran the Boston Marathon on Monday. That makes me feel like a total schlub.

[PhoenixAzul]

Ugh....sorry to top this again, but I have some bad news...I was out running on thursday, just for a short 45 minute tempo run. I clipped the curb with my right foot, my left leg was fully extended and I landed on it straight. I immediately felt horrific pain and collapsed. Ambulance, ER, 2 hospitals and 30 hours later...diagnosed with a broken astabula(sp?) bone. Essentially, the boney bit that surrounds the end of your leg bone in your hip joint. It usually only happens to 90 year olds and people in car accidents. I cannot put weight on it for 3 months. No lifting, no bending, no putting my shoes on, no sitting up more than 45 degrees, no car rides. No marathon, and no museum's conference next week. I've had to move back in with my parents because my apartment is on the top floor of a 100 year old building with no elevator and their house is a ranch. Gotta take blood thinners and some intense pain pills that make me pretty sick to my stomach.

I'm pretty annoyed at life right now.

[lovespink88]

PhoenixAzul, I'm so so sorry to hear about that I can't imagine how hard that must be. I'm praying for speedy recovery!!!

[aephi alum]

PhoenixAzul, OUCH! I'm so sorry this happened to you. I wish you a speedy recovery. Take care and follow your doctor's orders.



So, I started the C25K plan today... or rather, I tried to. By the end of my 5-minute warm-up walk (up a ~15-degree gradient - funny how you hardly notice it when you're driving) my feet were hurting. I stuck out 3 60-second jogging intervals but then had to walk the rest of the 20 minutes. I was wearing new shoes... maybe they just need some breaking-in.

I may have to stick with "Week Zero" for a bit, but I am out there and running for the first time since college!

I crossed paths with a few other walkers and joggers this morning, and they all said "good morning". It's nice to know I'm in a friendly neighborhood.

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by ISUKappa

I'm planning on starting the Couch to 5K program again in a few weeks. I did it two years ago, ran my first 5K, and actually enjoyed it even though I suck at running. I need to do something to get rid of the leftover baby weight from kid #2. I'll do my best to pester you.

what is the Couch to 5K?

[aephi alum]

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

[PhoenixAzul]

Originally Posted by aephi alum

PhoenixAzul, OUCH! I'm so sorry this happened to you. I wish you a speedy recovery. Take care and follow your doctor's orders.



So, I started the C25K plan today... or rather, I tried to. By the end of my 5-minute warm-up walk (up a ~15-degree gradient - funny how you hardly notice it when you're driving) my feet were hurting. I stuck out 3 60-second jogging intervals but then had to walk the rest of the 20 minutes. I was wearing new shoes... maybe they just need some breaking-in.

I may have to stick with "Week Zero" for a bit, but I am out there and running for the first time since college!

I crossed paths with a few other walkers and joggers this morning, and they all said "good morning". It's nice to know I'm in a friendly neighborhood.

On the shoe front: Which shoes are you wearing, and where did you get them fit?

Women especially can have a hard time adjusting to wearing shoes with more support in them, because our normal every day shoes (think heels) tend to not have any support in them. This is fine for your normal every day work, but when you run, you're putting 3x your weight into your feet, and then the support and padding become absolutely crucial. The adjustment period for shoes can be about a week, and then your feet/legs get used to the adjustments that the support levels make.

If you feel pain on the outside of your shin bone after you've broken them in, that can be an indicator that you may need more support than that pair of shoes provides. You can also feel that same feeling after your shoes have bitten the dust (3-6 months depending on the frequency and length of your runs and your weight (heavier people need to replace their shoes more often), or 500 miles, whichever comes first. I take a Sharpie marker and write the date of my first run in that pair of shoes so I remember to replace them on time. After they're dead, I use them in the gym for weight machines and general kicking about).

I worked in a running store for a while, and I really learned a ton about shoes and how important they are. I truly believe that the best investment for any triathlete is good, properly fitted shoes.

Happy running guys, do a mile for me while you're out there!

[ADqtPiMel]

Originally Posted by PhoenixAzul

Ugh....sorry to top this again, but I have some bad news...I was out running on thursday, just for a short 45 minute tempo run. I clipped the curb with my right foot, my left leg was fully extended and I landed on it straight. I immediately felt horrific pain and collapsed. Ambulance, ER, 2 hospitals and 30 hours later...diagnosed with a broken astabula(sp?) bone. Essentially, the boney bit that surrounds the end of your leg bone in your hip joint. It usually only happens to 90 year olds and people in car accidents. I cannot put weight on it for 3 months. No lifting, no bending, no putting my shoes on, no sitting up more than 45 degrees, no car rides. No marathon, and no museum's conference next week. I've had to move back in with my parents because my apartment is on the top floor of a 100 year old building with no elevator and their house is a ranch. Gotta take blood thinners and some intense pain pills that make me pretty sick to my stomach.

I'm pretty annoyed at life right now.

Saw your thread on BT -- I'm really sorry! How awful for you.

[LucyKKG]

Aww I'm so sorry, Phoenix! That's awful!