Official Running Thread

[Stoichkov]

Did anyone run the Trail Blazer on Sunday? It was a good 9k route but I've yet to see any results!

 

[Stoichkov]

Did anyone run the Trail Blazer on Sunday? It was a good 9k route but I've yet to see any results!

As if by magic, they've just turned up! The POWER of NSC...

 

[Laridae]

Anyone else too hyped up before the big game this afternoon that they've just got the urge to RUN?! Meant to be a rest day today but sod it, I gotta get all this nervous energy out of my system somehow! Pure adrenaline, I feel a training PB coming on!

Can't just be me, who else is out this morning?!!

 

[otk]

Just a bit of advice if I may?

I'm just this side of fifty, just on twenty stone, and started running to get fit and lose weight...

I built up to doing 45km. a week over about seven months, but here's the rub...

A month in, I disturbed an old left knee football injury, that with rest and acquiring a correct pair of running shoes, the pain went away and I continued running...

This week, my right knee gave me a fair amount of gip, again due to an old football injury flaring up, and has now calmed down a bit...

I think I've done a bit too much, too soon, and have told myself I will do 5km. runs every other day. My knees aren't going to miraculously re-generate, and will need the day's rest to recover. I've also started taking Cod Liver Oil daily, which I hope has a positive effect...

I'm wondering if any seasoned runners have had similar experiences, or any sage advice?

Tuti graci

 

[TotallyFreaked]

Just a bit of advice if I may?

I'm wondering if any seasoned runners have had similar experiences, or any sage advice?

Tuti graci

Well done, building up to that much weekly mileage takes a fair bit of commitment and perseverance. As you know running has a huge impact on your body and it sounds like you have maybe done a little too much too soon.

I think slowly down a little is a good starting point rather than making things worse. Most running coaches actually suggest having an easy week every three or four weeks so it might find everything starts to sorts itself out now you have reduced your mileage. If you continue to get lots of knee pain its worth getting it looked at by a physiotherapist or sports injury specialist. Unfortunately it is near impossible on the NHS as you will probably just be told to rest it so its the high cost of a private consultation but can be well worth it and will give you some great advice to stay pain free. Knee pain can be anything from runners knee to ITB problems (my main problem). Sounds like your have a fair amount of wear and tear from your footballing days.

Also I think its good to try and cross train a couple of times a week if possible. Cycling is very similar to running in terms of muscle groups used and great for cardio fitness. Swimming is also a great non impact work out (although I know some people find swimming boring). Finally some weight training can also be useful to strengthen muscles around your knees.

I am not a great believer in pills and ointments but just having a balanced diet. Others will probably disagree.

One last question, have you got a good warm up with stretching routine for afterwards? I found I mostly get injured and niggles when I don't stretch properly after running. Can feel boring sometimes but so important. (loads of great exercises on the internet)

Good luck with your running. Injuries can be frustrating but it's good to be sensible and sort out the problems to allow you years of happy running in the future.

 

[otk]

Well done, building up to that much weekly mileage takes a fair bit of commitment and perseverance. As you know running has a huge impact on your body and it sounds like you have maybe done a little too much too soon.

I think slowly down a little is a good starting point rather than making things worse. Most running coaches actually suggest having an easy week every three or four weeks so it might find everything starts to sorts itself out now you have reduced your mileage. If you continue to get lots of knee pain its worth getting it looked at by a physiotherapist or sports injury specialist. Unfortunately it is near impossible on the NHS as you will probably just be told to rest it so its the high cost of a private consultation but can be well worth it and will give you some great advice to stay pain free. Knee pain can be anything from runners knee to ITB problems (my main problem). Sounds like your have a fair amount of wear and tear from your footballing days.

Also I think its good to try and cross train a couple of times a week if possible. Cycling is very similar to running in terms of muscle groups used and great for cardio fitness. Swimming is also a great non impact work out (although I know some people find swimming boring). Finally some weight training can also be useful to strengthen muscles around your knees.

I am not a great believer in pills and ointments but just having a balanced diet. Others will probably disagree.

One last question, have you got a good warm up with stretching routine for afterwards? I found I mostly get injured and niggles when I don't stretch properly after running. Can feel boring sometimes but so important. (loads of great exercises on the internet)

Good luck with your running. Injuries can be frustrating but it's good to be sensible and sort out the problems to allow you years of happy running in the future.

Thank you for taking the time to respond

I take on board what you have written, and will ease off a bit and take it a bit easier

I did go to the gym for a little while, but don't really like being indoors tbh

The warm-down is something I need to sort out, as I just sit down for five minutes, then toodle off to my next activity. I'll look on the internet, and have a look in the Marathon Training for Dummies book a colleague gave me...

 

[Crouch End Seagull]

Anyone else doing the Great North Run?

 

[Simster]

The warm-down is something I need to sort out, as I just sit down for five minutes, then toodle off to my next activity.

He's right - the warm down is MUCH more important than the warming up. You need to stretch your legs and back properly after a run - if you don't, you might find you have all sorts of mobility problems. Oh and remember that your muscles are all linked, so if you not stretching your hamstrings or your calfs or whatever over a sustained period of times, you might find you get back problems.

I speak from experience. When I was as young as 24, I was running properly quickly but not stretching down. After 6 months, I was literally unable to walk more than a mile without experiencing severe back pain and needing to sit down. The physio sorted it out of course with appropriate stretches, but that was a lesson I haven't forgotten!

 

[Lord Bamber]

He's right - the warm down is MUCH more important than the warming up. You need to stretch your legs and back properly after a run - if you don't, you might find you have all sorts of mobility problems. Oh and remember that your muscles are all linked, so if you not stretching your hamstrings or your calfs or whatever over a sustained period of times, you might find you get back problems.

I speak from experience. When I was as young as 24, I was running properly quickly but not stretching down. After 6 months, I was literally unable to walk more than a mile without experiencing severe back pain and needing to sit down. The physio sorted it out of course with appropriate stretches, but that was a lesson I haven't forgotten!

Wise wise words.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

He's right - the warm down is MUCH more important than the warming up. You need to stretch your legs and back properly after a run - if you don't, you might find you have all sorts of mobility problems. Oh and remember that your muscles are all linked, so if you not stretching your hamstrings or your calfs or whatever over a sustained period of times, you might find you get back problems.

I speak from experience. When I was as young as 24, I was running properly quickly but not stretching down. After 6 months, I was literally unable to walk more than a mile without experiencing severe back pain and needing to sit down. The physio sorted it out of course with appropriate stretches, but that was a lesson I haven't forgotten!

Interesting. I'm currently out injured (and officially out of NYC 2011-back in 2012 though) with a right knee, hamstring and back problem. I'm being sorted by the physio and my issue probably relates to lack of stretching/warming down etc.

 

[Crouch End Seagull]

Stretching can cause as many problems as it can solve imo. Most important thing if you're overweight/not too fit is to take it easy and increase speed/distance over a long period and not get carried away when you start finding it easier. It's a tough lesson to learn but worth it.

 

[Bob!]

Anyone else doing the Great North Run?

Nope, I hope you start near the front, otherwise you are in for a very long day!

 

[Lord Bamber]

Nope, I hope you start near the front, otherwise you are in for a very long day!

How did the Jersey race go?

 

[smudge]

Injuries:

Here on my ship I had a recurrence of a very niggly but painful calf injury. last time I was home it took several vivits to a physio to help me recover but I gradually got back to running fairly decent times for 10k (for my age anyway).
Came back to work 3 weeks ago & bang, bloody calf went. Absolutley gutted as there is no physio here & I'm onboard for 3 months at a time. However, in the Spa, they have an accupuncturist, so I went for a chat to see what she thought. I was proper limping & wasn't too hopeful, but thought it was worth a try in the absence of anything else.
I'm absolutely delighted to say that I cracked a pain free 10k on the treadmill tonight; I've been gradually building it back up with a little stiffness over the past week.
Accupuncture, bloody marvellous!

 

[Crouch End Seagull]

acupuncture sorted my shin splints out when I had them before London Marathon. feels weird but works.

I'm reasonably near the front Bob, in pen E if that makes any sense to you. Originally had a train booked for 2.30 until I realised how tricky it is to get out of South Shields.

 

[Flex Your Head]

Can anyone recommend a decent pedometer thingie please? Something that a jogger can wear and will tell them how far they've run in how long and how many calories they've burnt. That sorta thing.

It's not for me; I can barely run a bath let alone a hundred yards. It's for a gift.

Thanks.

 

[Driver8]

Can anyone recommend a decent pedometer thingie please? Something that a jogger can wear and will tell them how far they've run in how long and how many calories they've burnt. That sorta thing.

It's not for me; I can barely run a bath let alone a hundred yards. It's for a gift.

Thanks.

How much are you looking to spend? GPS watches start at about £100 on Amazon. I have a Garmin Forerunner 305 that does all that and you can download maps etc, plan routes, set max/min speeds and all sorts.

 

[Flex Your Head]

How much are you looking to spend? GPS watches start at about £100 on Amazon. I have a Garmin Forerunner 305 that does all that and you can download maps etc, plan routes, set max/min speeds and all sorts.

Thanks for the reply. That sounds great, but probably does way more than what's needed (or more than the Luddite recipient I'm buying it for would know what to do with!)
I'm after something fairly simple, £30 - £40ish ideally, that lets you know how far you've run and how long you've been running for. She's looking to up her stamina and increase her speed a little and wants to be able to make a note of what she covers each run. Cheers.

 

[Crouch End Seagull]

Go for the Nike+ thing then maybe. That's what got me going when I started. Not a watch but if they have an ipod it'll give them all the info and it's easy.

 

[Schrödinger's Toad]

Was supposed to do the 2011 Brighton marathon, but injured my knee in November and have been unable to run for about nine months ... spent all that time believing it was tendonitis, but I went to a second physio three weeks ago and had it diagnosed as a misaligned patella. After doing the exercises he gave me, I've just done my first pain-free run in what feels like an eternity. Amazing what the right treatment can do!

Hope I can learn my lessons and take it more slowly this time ... I was pushing myself to do stupid distances last year within the first couple of months of training, convincing myself it'd benefit me come Marathon day. Not this year!