Any runners out there?

I'm a relatively inexperienced runner looking for some motivation and support.

I had never done any running until about a year ago when I joined a team for the Ragnar Relay. What was I thinking?!?

I ran in the 2008 relay on mixed team of 12. Didn't do so great with the running part, but we had a great time.

We're organizing a team again for the 2009 relay, which is barely 5 months away now. Time to start some serious training.

My biggest stumbling block is motivation. Unfortunately, the rest of the team does not live near me so I don't have a running partner. It's so easy just to stay in bed until it's too hot to go outside, or spend time playing with the kittens instead using the time to run.

I started a Social Group for runners. Check it out here http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/group.php?groupid=9

I'd like to see this develop as a place where we can share fun running stories, trade tips on running techniques, and maybe keep each other accountable. (Have you done you run today?)

Anybody interested?

I started running back around 1990.

I worked up to doing ten-milers and a few half-marathons. Then I started biking, which was more fun than running, and I gradually abandoned running. Later on I abandoned biking too.

A few years ago, I started running again, but haven't been able to regain the pace or distance I used to do. Gaining about 30 lbs didn't help either.

I used to maintain an eight-minute or nine-minute pace; now it's more like 12 minutes, and it's split between running and walking. And I only run about three miles.

I ran this morning.

For the last three weeks, I've also gone jogging with the kitties in their stroller a couple of times a week.

I've found that if I keep the intensity level high enough to keep me breathing hard, then it starts to feel good, which motivates me to keep going.

Good for you getting back to some kind of exercise!

I may have to invest in a kitty stroller. I've tried taking my girls for walks on the leash. Problem (for me, not them) is that they seem to think that means I do the walking while they ride on my shoulders.

My pace last February was about 10.5 minutes/mile. I'm hoping to get it down to 9.5 for the next race.

I used to run competitively - track & cross country. I really miss it!!! I used to be such a good runner....I really miss the fun of a good run!

Unfortunately though, I destroyed my knees running as much as I used to. I have patellar tendonidious in both knees as well as arthritis. I was told by my knee doctor that if I ever started running again I would certainly need knee replacements..and well, i'd rather not go through that! I had to get cortisone injections in my knees at one point and go through several months of physical therapy when it got really bad.

So now I just stick to eliptical machines and cycling at the gym (no where near as fun, but tons easier on my legs!) I still go for really long walks around my neighborhood and all though, it's the second best I can get to running! My knees don't give me a ton of trouble now that i'm not doing such hard impact stuff on them- when they do act up, I have two orthapedic braces I wear on them when I need it and I do the RICE treatment.

Good luck! My advice is you want to start running is to listen to your body, don't let pain get out of hand because it can do a lot of damage if you don't know when to tone it down. It really helps to have a group of people you run and train with to keep you motivated. I used to be a member of our city's Runner's club in addition to my track & xcountry teams...the runs were always soo much more fun when I had company. Also- watch where you train....don't always run on pavement- it's harder on your joints, take the time to train on grass and soft tracks too.

Wind Sprints, and running with weights are great ways to build up endurance!

Make sure you replace your tennis shoes often too- you'll wear out the support on the inside of them when you're training a lot. When I was training really hard i'd easily go through a pair of New Balance every 4 months or so. (My feet over pronate when I run (turn in) so I always get ones with roll bars/etc to help the issue!) Be sure you're really strict about warm up's, cool downs, and stretching so you prevent shin splints as much as possible!

Oh yea and if you get joint pain- Flexall & Icy Hot combined works wonders

Have fun!!!

DH used to be a big runner but he works too much to run now. I'm not really a fan of much when it comes to cardio exercises like that. That's one of the few areas where DH and I are different. I used to find (durring gym class in HS) that I enjoyed the running through our cross country trail (which was wooded and a dirt bottom) was much more enjoyable than running in circles on the track or on the pavement. When DH does have time to run, he goes to a nearby state park which has good trails to run on.

I've been a runner for 30 years. I find it's the only exercise that I can really enjoy and get motivated enough to get out and do it. I'm a morning runner, and a solitary runner. I don't mind running with someone, but I love getting out by myself and thinking and solving problems while I'm putting in the miles.

I've run 8 marathons, a few half-marathons, and tons of other races. I've slowed down as I've gotten older, but that doesn't keep me from getting out and getting my heart pumping and my breathing going at whatever pace I'm doing it these days. (I always have the dream that I can get myself back to a faster pace if I really work at it and build up. )

I recently had a lumpectomy - 2 1/2 weeks ago. A cancerous tumor was removed from my breast, and I see the oncologist on Thursday to determine what course of treatment I'm going to get. I'm convinced that I've gotten through this so far without much problem because of my 30 years of running. I consider it like money in the bank that's gained interest over the past 30 years. And I'm relying on that to help see me through whatever lies in store in the months ahead.

I saw my surgeon yesterday for a follow up and I asked her when I could get back to running. She said I could start right away, as long as I had a good support bra that prevented bouncing. My jogbra definitely needs replacing, so until then, I'm doing an hour of power walking every morning. Two days now, and it feels fantastic getting out there and getting moving.

So, yeah! I'll definitely join your group!! I'll go over right there now and post!

Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR

I used to run competitively - track & cross country. I really miss it!!! I used to be such a good runner....I really miss the fun of a good run!

Good luck! My advice is you want to start running is to listen to your body, don't let pain get out of hand because it can do a lot of damage if you don't know when to tone it down. It really helps to have a group of people you run and train with to keep you motivated. I used to be a member of our city's Runner's club in addition to my track & xcountry teams...the runs were always soo much more fun when I had company. Also- watch where you train....don't always run on pavement- it's harder on your joints, take the time to train on grass and soft tracks too.

Wind Sprints, and running with weights are great ways to build up endurance!

Make sure you replace your tennis shoes often too- you'll wear out the support on the inside of them when you're training a lot. When I was training really hard i'd easily go through a pair of New Balance every 4 months or so. (My feet over pronate when I run (turn in) so I always get ones with roll bars/etc to help the issue!) Be sure you're really strict about warm up's, cool downs, and stretching so you prevent shin splints as much as possible!

Oh yea and if you get joint pain- Flexall & Icy Hot combined works wonders

Have fun!!!

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips. I think I overdid it yesterday. l've done very little running since the relay last February tried to jump back in at too high a level. I probably need to back off to doing only one or two miles--and not during the hottest part of the day --then work my way back up gradually.

The shorter routes around my neighborhood are all paved, but when I get to distances longer than about 3 miles I go out on a dirt road. Much easier on the knees, and the whole body.

Sorry you're not able to run like you used to.

Originally Posted by nanner

So, yeah! I'll definitely join your group!! I'll go over right there now and post!

Click to expand...

Great, nanna. I'll meet you over there.

I might run if something was chasing me.........



Good luck with it though!

Bump. We could use more people in the Runners Social Group. I need lots of motivation.
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/group.php?groupid=9

Originally Posted by AlleyGirl

I might run if something was chasing me.........

Good luck with it though!

Click to expand...

You mean something like this?

I've been trying to get back into shape for running lately now that it's cooler outside here in the mornings. The longest distance I've really been able to run in the past is a mile though, then I have to stop. That was last April or so. Shortly after I got up to that distance I moved and got busy with school stuff so I quit running (excuses, excuses!). I started walking 2.5 miles a day around the neighborhood this summer, back in July. It takes me about 45 minutes to complete it. My ankles were sore for a few days after I started but now they're used to the asphalt. Tracks for some reason don't make my joints hurt like that, it's strange. Anywho I've been trying to increase my running, but right now I'm just having to run/walk. I run until my side hurts way too much to keep going and so then I'll walk for a minute or two and then start jogging again and I keep repeating this until I'm done. Hopefully after a while I can get back up to being able to run a whole mile without stopping again, and then increase my distance from there (I hope!).

The only problem is my stupid left knee has been bugging me lately. For some reason my kneecap starts feeling all weird when I'm going downhill, you would think it would be uphill. I really don't know how to explain the feeling of it..it just kind of hurts. So, I have to stop and walk for a while when that happens and I cannot run to my full potential because of it. I'm wondering if a knee brace would help or if it's because I'm slightly overweight and will go away over time. I'm 5'10 190. I've lost about 6 or 7 pounds since last February when I started watching what I eat and exercising more (jogging, but that was on an indoor track) and I'm still trying to lose. Maybe my knee will get better with time. I'd love any suggestions if you have any. Especially about building up my endurance.