Who's into running? Post your results here!

[Mendota Heights]

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.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

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!!

[Mendota Heights]

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. It's a GPS map kind of thing + a community with challenges people have created.

I need this app to keep running interesting.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Thank you!

[EgoHanger1966]

I ran.

Results: I ran so far away.

(Apology forthcoming)

[Mendota Heights]

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

Not sure if I have what it takes though.

[Mendota Heights]

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.

[Mendota Heights]

I am so disappointed.

[Mendota Heights]

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



Swedish Frog happy.

[Alex]

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

[Mendota Heights]

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

You should start running too then.  

[Amanda Hart]

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

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.

[Mendota Heights]

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

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:



My foot:



What's your advice? Thanks!

[Amanda Hart]

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.

[Mendota Heights]

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

[Amanda Hart]

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.

[Mendota Heights]

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?

[Amanda Hart]

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.

[Mendota Heights]

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.

[Mendota Heights]

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

Here are my stats:



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

[Mendota Heights]

My latest results:



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

[Mendota Heights]

Summary:



Lap times:



New record today:

[Mendota Heights]

And another one:

[Iron Horse-Apples]

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

[Mendota Heights]

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