The Running Thread 🏃‍♀️

[YellowLadybird]

wondering if someone can help me. I want to start running again as I now live far away from my gym. My normal exercise is weights. I've got a reasonable amount of stamina but that is definitely leaning more towards strength than cardio.
My fear is that I will lose muscle running. Is that likely to happen? I've always been piddly and I've worked so hard to gain strength but I need something as I am feeling really low these days and running did really help last time.

No, you won't lose muscle as long as you eat a decent amount of food. That's a myth! If anything running will build muscles in your lower body.

 

[Tippingpoint23]

Is that virtual or in person? I've been tempted to sign up for some kind of race to give me further motivation but unsure with the logistics of it all.

It’s in person. It was due to be in May but has been delayed till august where they think it will be more likely to go ahead. I’m hopeful as I just know I wouldn’t be able to do it alone round my town!

 

[Hertfordshire_home]

I've just found this thread - Hi! My fiance got me into running in the first lockdown, before i had only ever played football. I've really enjoyed it to be fair and every week we have done a 5/10k flat out on the Saturday in place of parkrun/races. I've managed to get my time down to 19:17 now and desperately want to get sub-19!

I have found that our weekly interval sessions really help, usually about 18-24 minutes of 'effort'. Today i think we are doing (3 mins, 2, 1, 1, 2, 3) * 2. She also told me that only 20-25% of your runs each week should be really pushing it, the others should be gentle/slower runs with maybe a really slow long run on a Sunday if you can to recover!

 

[Melian]

Half marathon training starts today!

I’ve paid a local running coach for a plan as I couldn’t find one that did 12 weeks, 3 runs a week without ridiculous mileage.

anyone else training for a half?

Me! One in September 5th and another at the end of October.

 

[Minniemousesshoes]

query I have - if you're training to up your distance / stamina eg 0 - 5K or 5 - 10K and you miss a week or two.

do you pick up where you left off or do you go back and repeat the last week you did? I'm never sure how much impact a lost week makes on fitness (and usually in my mind I think I can't do the distance/ time set anyway so I don't know what;s in my mind and what's physical)

 

[Tippingpoint23]

ive been having this exact issue! I thought it was poor socks and shoes but I changed socks and got fitted for stability shoes but was still having the same problem any time I exceed 5k.

I found this article quite interesting where the guy mentioned he was having the same issues and it turns out it was actually due to weak calves and glutes. After a trip to a professional gait analyst (not the ones in running shops) some physiotherapy and some regular excercises to strengthen his glutes and calves he no longer had any issues or need to wear stability shoes.

Here’s the article if you want to check it out:
https://www.trailandkale.com/tips/blisters-gait-not-shoes/

Oh that is interesting! Maybe I need to work on my calves and glutes then! Mad how the body all links up isn’t it. I’ll have a read then try make some changes hopefully it helps.

 

[Cunderthunt]

Ooooh - found you!

Got directed here from the Diet thread as I've been bitching about stuff and they're probably bored of me already and they said you were the experts.

Has anybody got some recommendations for neutral (as they're going to have orthotics in them in the end), cushioned but not too cushioned, vaguely firm, deep heel cupped, men's running shoes that don't look frankly ridiculous on a fat, middle aged bird who would rather be anywhere than being seen to be exercising in public. And preferably for less than a week's wages? Plus suitable off the shelf Amazon orthotics to keep me going until I have the fancy schmancy customs?




Context: Psoriatic Arthritis particularly targeting entheses/tendons (right hip tendinosis exacerbated by slipping on water into a full side split on the rear leg - my entire thigh slammed down on the ground and something went POP, original hospital said 'it's your age, dear - have you considered losing some weight?'), SI joint dysfunction for 18 months afterwards, finally clicked loose about 3 months ago, frequent complainer of plantar fasciitis, posterior tibial tendon inflammation, shinsplints, etc). Hypermobile/EDS III. And an MRI last week showing intermetatarsal bursitis. Or, in short, I'm a bloody wreck from at least the waist down. I'm fat, too.

My Podiatry appointment for custom orthotics is sometime in late April, assuming the Plague calms down a bit and my current Adidas 'those will do' aren't up to the job of actually going anywhere. I have absolutely no intention of moving faster than my current 18 minute mile in the immediate future, but the Podiatrist told me over the phone when he was giving me the good news that I haven't actually fractured any metatarsals from working for a living that, in the meantime, I should get some 'Proper Good Running Shoes' (his expertise is feet, not grammatically pleasing sentences, apparently).

As you can probably tell, I'd rather be in the gym. But until Plague fucks off, if I can't find something that helps, I'm stuck indoors with lacrosse balls, therabands and foam roller and continually decreasing base levels of fitness.



Now I've stopped grumbling, I'm open to the possibility of going back to running at some point in the future, but right now, even C25K would result in yet more damage. Hence the need for running shoes that will take orthotics. And I'm off to reading the rest of this thread....


(PS: I know I need to be seen in a proper running shop - but they aren't open and I hated my last pair of Brooks with a passion).

This doesn't answer your question but have you considered cycling? It's a bit easier on the joints and feet. Also for your plantar fascitis, you can get special foot and leg braces that you wear at night to help with that.

 

[Saddlesoap]

Hi all, just checking in with everyone.

I'm planning on going out today on a 5km, but since I felt so sick doing it on Thursday I'm mentally putting it off. Honestly I long for the time I can just 'do' 5km without it feeling like a huge effort. Maybe that won't ever happen!

Have signed up to a virtual run in Feb so need to get my arse in gear really.

 

[Lollypad]

Hmm not sure, but do you know a Tropics rep? The Tamanu balm is good for random skin stuff.

I use bodyglide before every run. I've figured out where I chafe and apply it preventatively. Are you asking how to deal with areas that are chafed while they heal? If it's on thighs I'd recommend wearing tights that cover the area so it can't get worse. I also tend to chafe a bit around my armpits but that's never so bad to cause pain.

Thanks both! Yeah went for a couple of runs Saturday/ Sunday without thinking about it and got a bit of a thigh chafe and it’s still a bit sore! I don’t have a Tropics rep but I’ll see what I can dig out online, thank you!

 

[Saddlesoap]

Oh no hope your ok, yeah I’ve been doing some home workouts to, you should have a look on YT I’ve been following Caroline girvans epic 2, she’s brilliant

I'm fine thanks! Just had a cold wet bum

Ooh, will check that out, thanks!

 

[Reflected view]

Hey everyone, I was wondering if there is any vitamins I should be taking and if so what ones do you recommend?? Iv read online that runners should take vitamin D

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Determined to get myself out there tomorrow, even if it’s just for 15 mins can’t believe how well I was doing and now it’s been a month since I last ran!

 

[Blair-Waldorf]

Also you might be hyperextending your knees which puts a lot of pressure on the joint. If you can sit flat on the floor with your legs in front of you, and lift your ankles off the floor, that's hyperextension. Try to stand and walk with relaxed knees.

You’re right that is what I’m doing!

 

[Pollydolly]

Hello, if anyone can offer advice I'd be grateful. I had plantar fascitis which has practically gone I can only feel it very occasionally now. Is it sensible/possible to return to running again? Has anyone else done that? I fancy training a half in march, thanks

 

[Tippingpoint23]

First run today after a week off because of the cold and ice (fair weather runner) the first half was into freezing wind and was the hardest thing plus I could not stop needing to spit but with covid was just trying to drink it down. Not great. Second half wind behind was an absolute breeze and i enjoyed it. Back tomorrow to get back on track!

 

[Welshgal]

I use 10K runner (has a yellow logo) you have to pay like £7 for a lifetime membership or something but it’s quite good and you can skip ahead if you feel like you’re further than it says and it optimises workouts for you depending on your feedback. I like it!

Have just downloaded this and will do my first run shortly. If I can stick out the first week I will definitely look into the membership but is it also good without the extras?

 

[jarv]

I'm off running for a bit, having problems with my back, not sure what has caused it or what to do to make it better!

 

[Shep]

Technically I went on a “brisk walk” but there’s not a thread for that. Can someone please tell me if this is good?
should I be more in the fatburn zone of is cardio better?

I don’t really know what happens in the different zones but any excercise is good. Brisk walking is classed as moderate excercise and getting your heart rate up for a while will do you good in the long term.
Well done and welcome

 

[Tea4u]

I think I have shin splits now instead of calf pain any tips please? I’ve tried stretching, resting, heat compress

 

[theghosttown]

Going on a completely new route this morning, with an incline ....wish me luck

You can do it!! Just remember it’s mind over matter. Ignore the voices telling you to stop and push push push!x