The Smiley Smile Message Board

Three weeks ago picked up running because I want to be more fit. To keep me motivated (and maybe motivate some of you) I have created this thread where we can discuss running and post our results.

Here are my stats so far:

2013-06-10 //4,5 k - 20:35//

Tomorrow I will attempt to beat this time. Hopefully I will finish within 20 minutes. I might even attempt to run 10 k under 45 minutes.

(http://i44.tinypic.com/9vavyr.jpg)

This is a great idea!

I was a track n field star and ran 10ks and the like for a few years out of high school but have since ceased all such activity.... The motivation for running has been tough because, being a short distance guy, I have little patience for long distance running, but such a thing as this will help!!

Great to have you on board! I downloaded an app for my Android phone called Endomondo http://www.endomondo.com/login (http://www.endomondo.com/login). It's a GPS map kind of thing + a community with challenges people have created.

I need this app to keep running interesting. :)

Thank you!

I ran.

Results: I ran so far away.

(Apology forthcoming)

I really want to make the top then here: http://www.endomondo.com/challenges/10368966

Not sure if I have what it takes though. :)

2013-06-12 //3,5 k - 15:29//

Did not run the entire 4.5 k today, gave up. Will run 4.5 k tomorrow.

I am so disappointed. :(

Today I fared better. Improved my time by more than 1 minute despite chafed feet.

(http://i42.tinypic.com/2uyn80l.png)

Swedish Frog happy.

I'm running out of breath just reading this thread.

You should start running too then.  :)

What shoes and socks are you wearing? It really makes all the difference. I always play "shoe police" with my clients, especially ones that do a lot of high impact cardio like running.

Hi, Amanda!

I wear Adidas Formotion shoes and soccer socks (the dark stain is blood). They look like this:

(http://s24.postimg.org/6gki026rp/IMG_20130617_180259.jpg)

My foot:

(http://s13.postimg.org/y4072bb8n/IMG_20130615_122338.jpg)

What's your advice? Thanks! :)

Ah...classic Achilles rub. You'll get a callus back there soon enough. In the meantime, just put a bandage over it until it stop bleeding when you run. Then, once that's healed you can use something like Band-Aid Blister Blocker to help build the skin back up. You might also want to consider getting some different socks. Something with moisture-wicking properties like this: http://shop.toesox.com/sport-socks-c13.aspx will help keep friction to a minimum by keeping your feet dry.

Thank you, Amanda. If you are into running you should post your results here. :)

Honestly, I hate running. Because I teach so many group exercise classes now (10 Zumba, 3 Pilates and 2 Kettlebells) my cardio for my own workouts need to be lower impact. I use the rowing machine a lot, the most under utilized piece of equipment in the gym. Full body muscular endurance with absolutely no impact.

Here's a friendly piece of free personal training advise; if you're doing all this running, make sure you are stretching after! Maybe get a foam roller (the best $15 I ever spent), it's really good for keeping the muscles across the hip joint and the IT band loose. I see so many clients with wrecked hips because they never do any flexibility work after they run.

I never stretch these days, not since I stopped playing soccer in 2006. But I know I should. My brother (he is a floorball goalie and so am I) had IT band problems last year and he used a foam roller, it worked wonders. I use the rowing machine at my gym to end my work out sessions, but the problem is I go "all in" every time so I get exhausted and stop after about two minutes.

Another thing, I want to lose some weight (my BMI is currently at around 24). Should I stop eating pasta? I have replaced pasta with kidney beans. What are your thoughts?

I went to a workshop with the Team USA Women's Rowing coach a few years ago, and I use the strategy he gave us when I row. Break it down into 5, 2 minute stages. First stage, row like you normally would, 2nd stage: stack one hand over the other right in the middle of the handle, the close grip forces you to use more lats and less biceps, so you're pulling from new glycogen stores and will have more energy. 3rd Stage: switch hands so your other hand is on top, 4th stage: row only with one hand and 5th stage: only with the other hand. For the average person that will take you to your lactate threshold, which is your body's maximum capacity for glucose metabolism, and statistically, training to your lactate threshold is the best way to train for anaerobic power. We could talk about the science behind that, but it's pretty complex. Anyway, that's why you get tired so quickly. 

Cut out pasta? Probably not completely necessary. What type do you eat? If it's processed, enriched pasta, you could do better. But if you're eating whole grains, it's alright to have some pasta every once in awhile. Beans are a great substitute though if you're trying to cut down.

My heel has not healed yet, so I bought some new shoes - Asics GT-2000 - and ran 9 k today. The goal is to run 2 * 10 k tomorrow and 2 * 10 k on Sunday.

These are my new shoes, they are super comfy. And orange.

(http://img.runningwarehouse.com/new_big/A2000M2-1.jpg)

One more 10 k down. Now only 3 to go (if I make it, which I doubt I will).

Here are my stats:

(http://s11.postimg.org/vxine2oir/Untitled_3.jpg)

Update: I will not run tonight, got a blister under one of my toes.

My latest results:

(http://s11.postimg.org/51wce76oj/Untitled_3.png)

Felt better than normal today and so I was faster than normal. :)

Summary:

(http://s23.postimg.org/kf1b4x0zv/Untitled_10.png)

Lap times:

(http://s24.postimg.org/udymmpux1/Untitled_12.png)

New record today:

(http://s8.postimg.org/k9h79mlqt/Untitled_7.png)

And another one:

(http://s21.postimg.org/qe66ioyt3/Untitled_2.png)

Can't run anymore due to shin splints, but I cycle 10 miles a day. Love it.

Ran 17.8 k tonight. Did not record my time though, will do that next week. :)

I just bought a pair of New Balance trail running shoes and I'm planning on making a habit of running at least 3 times a week. I've been working out like hell the last 3 weeks (weights, pushups, pull-ups, etc) and I've decided to add running to my regimen.

@Swedish Frog: What GPS/running app do you use? I was thinking about buying an iPod nano (comes with the Nike tracking app), but I may succumb to carrying my phone when I run - I'm not sure what the best app to use is.

Awesome! Now I feel inspired to start running again. I never run when it's winter, but stay in somewhat shape by playing floorball.

The app I use is called Endomondo.

iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/app/endomondo-sports-tracker-gps/id333210180?mt=8
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.endomondo.android&hl=en

If you like working out/running you might wanna buy the new Samsung Gear Fit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6dTUe3SRtI

If I had an android powered phone I'd really consider the Gear Fit! Hopefully Apple comes out with their fitness 'watch' soon.

How do you carry your phone when you run? In your pocket? Hold it with your hands? I don't want my phone jostling around in my pocket for 3+ miles...which is why I'm considering the nano.

I use an armband.

(http://images.mobilefun.co.uk/graphics/productgalleries/38620/samsung-galaxy-s4-sports-armband-white-p38620-c.jpg)

Buy a device with GPS.

Yeah, armband+iphone seems like the best route to take.

Did you sign up for Endomondo's premium plans (is it worth paying for)? Or do you use the free plan?

I use the free version, it has all the features I need. It's an awesome app. If you download it add me as a friend (if you want to), we can then follow each other's sessions. :)

http://www.endomondo.com/features

I try to get out as often as I can, but that isn't nearly often enough.

Anyone read this great book?

http://fridaynightboys300.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/what-i-talk-about-when-i-talk-about.html

Are you a long distance runner, Ed?

Nope. 30 minutes a go will do me.

Will do! I'm going to start on Monday or Wednesday (if it's not too cold out), I'll add you around then.

I will most likely run today (if even in a slow pace). Have you run yet, Rab?

Edit: I will most likely run today = I did not run today.

First day running yesterday....walked/ran about 5km. I'm in better shape than I thought I was, but I won't be running any marathons anytime soon ;D

Really enjoyed it though. Haven't ran like that since I played soccer (football) back in high school.

This is the first time I've jogged since January:

(http://s21.postimg.org/uaak2u7jr/Untitled_3.png)

I took it slow on purpose since I have suffered from inguinal hernia lately.

Picked up running again. Today's harvest:

(http://s28.postimg.org/kfz3iepl9/Sk_rmavbild_2015_05_18_kl_18_17_55.png)

Very cool! I used to run in a semi-serious capacity but it's my prospective son-in-law who's the runner in the family these days. He ran his third local marathon this year and came within the first 200, beating his previous time by 45 minutes! Wearing shoes similar to the ones below:  

(http://thefivefingers.co/images/201203/goods_img/246_P_1333093942394.jpg)

Cool!

I wear a pair of Adidas Supernova Sequence 7.

(http://www.tonyprycesports.co.uk/images/adidas-supernova-sequence-7-mens-running-shoes-white-p68411-14977_image.jpg)

What's your 10 k record, John?

Um, tell you what, HH----I'll ask my prospective son-in-law what his is. I never timed any of my runs and to be quite honest I don't think they counted for much. :smokin  

:D fellow runners! I'm epically slow so I don't think I'll be posting any times on here. I just enjoy being away from society for an hour :).
Also, all that running keeps my brain focused, which helps with school....

10ks are fun! I can run those in less than an hour, which is probably OK for a women's time, I guess. :)

Also, @ john k... that's super impressive that he ran a marathon and PR'ed in those shoes! Although I heard once you get used to those toe-shoes they feel really comfortable. They don't fit my weird-shaped feet, however...

That's great U-M. 10 k in less than an hour is not epically slow.

My best time so far:

(http://s27.postimg.org/ebfuto96r/Sk_rmavbild_2015_05_19_kl_09_36_21.png)

The lake I run around.

What a place to run!

My prospective relative has revealed his 10 kilometre record: 34:44. And he hopes to knock a minute off that time this summer. :=)

Gee, my goal is to get down to 40.

Another part of the lake, took it yesterday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltfgGqjh680&spfreload=10

(http://s11.postimg.org/o1w1i9a5f/Sk_rmavbild_2015_06_01_kl_19_08_29.png)

that's awesome!! 

Brilliant photo!

A lot of working out!

Do you have your headphones on while running?  ;)

Unfortunately not. I am overly sensitive to sound so I can not listen to headphones, or go to night clubs/concerts etc.

Woo! Not sure if I could do that now, honestly. I've only been running like, once a week for the past month :/. Due to being busy with school, suffering from some crazy seasonal allergies, being sick, and tbh, being lazy, too.

Nice lake pics though! I love running when I get to see bits of Nature. Sometimes it's nice to get away from people and busy streets :)

Hey running people! Do you guys know about Ragnar?

I'll be doing it for the 3rd time this weekend (assuming everything pans out...)
It's crazy. It's painful. But it's fun :)

I looked it up----"a slumber party without sleep, pillows or deodorant", lol. I hope it went well.

It has a lot in common with the Roparun that my almost in-law took part in a while back:

http://www.roparun.nl/english/what-is-roparun/
 

Well there's supposed to be 12 runners, 6 in each van, but we had some last minute cancellations so we had 5 in each... a few of us ended up running a little extra. My 16 mile weekend ended up being around 22 miles. I hope I drop a pant size from all that!

Doing those relays is fun, though. Something that I'm glad only happens once a year, since it's hard to walk afterwards, but super fun if you're with good friends.

And man, that roparun would kick my butt. Apparently 65 km = 40.4 miles.... PER runner. But yeah, similar idea!

I finished my first race ever last night!

Nice frog! 8)

Awesome.  ;D

Thanks, guys. :)

I should add I finished in 1823rd place, better than 94 % of the 30 000 runners.

But you did worse than 99.94514536478332% of the top 1823 runners.

I have those shorts too!  I just found and am enjoying reading his thread.  I like to do a bit of running, usually only around 6K (36 minutes) which I keep saying I will try to improve!  I suffer from IT band problems and dodgy knees.  I don't know where I'd be without the foam roller and knee straps!

I can only assume you all saw this-----amazing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2tS2FP7vSI

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/aug/28/dina-asher-smith-200m-world-athletics-championships-beijing

I have started running again. I am getting faster fast since I work out as well (just started). My goal this year is to run 10 k in 43 minutes.

April 3

(http://s32.postimg.org/qebmca4bp/Sk_rmavbild_2016_05_01_kl_20_21_00.png)

April 18

(http://s32.postimg.org/3umyurjol/Sk_rmavbild_2016_05_01_kl_20_23_16.png)

April 29

(http://s32.postimg.org/bujt314yt/Sk_rmavbild_2016_05_01_kl_20_24_22.png)

Good luck with your goal, MH. Please keep us informed.

I'd forgotten how upbeat this topic was. And if there's something we need right now it's upbeat topics.

I went for a run yesterday!

Mendota, your times are looking good! Good luck with that 10k goal.

Thanks guys! I have a lot more to give, I am not even tired or exhausted after 10 k and I do not try to run as fast as I can. My only competition this year is in August - that is when I need to be in shape.