Running

[DreadFish]

I hoping to start running again soon. I used to exercise regularly, though running was only a small part of it. I could never make it past a mile and a half without having to walk

I've had knee problems for a while (I think im slightly bow-legged) and some breathing problems, but im working on leg strengthening and hopefully will get the breathing thing worked out soon.

 

[Maya3]

I hoping to start running again soon. I used to exercise regularly, though running was only a small part of it. I could never make it past a mile and a half without having to walk

I've had knee problems for a while (I think im slightly bow-legged) and some breathing problems, but im working on leg strengthening and hopefully will get the breathing thing worked out soon.

It is great to walk. Run a little, walk a little and run a little. After a while you need to walk less and can run more.

Have you been to a professional running store to get fitted for the right shoe?
I have the opposite problem, I'm knock kneed and I didn't think I could run without knee issues either. But I can! I just needed to get the right shoe.
Find a store that videotapes your feet when you run on a treadmill, it makes a big difference.

Maya

 

[Wirey]

I hoping to start running again soon. I used to exercise regularly, though running was only a small part of it. I could never make it past a mile and a half without having to walk

I've had knee problems for a while (I think im slightly bow-legged) and some breathing problems, but im working on leg strengthening and hopefully will get the breathing thing worked out soon.

Start with an eliptical and build the muscle around the knee for a few months first.

 

[DreadFish]

It is great to walk. Run a little, walk a little and run a little. After a while you need to walk less and can run more.

Have you been to a professional running store to get fitted for the right shoe?
I have the opposite problem, I'm knock kneed and I didn't think I could run without knee issues either. But I can! I just needed to get the right shoe.
Find a store that videotapes your feet when you run on a treadmill, it makes a big difference.

Maya

Yeah, I think im gonna start that soon. Right now, my exercise routine includes squats, so that will help with the knee muscles to start. Until then, I walk a couple of blocks to work every day

As far as shoes, im on the side of minimalism and fore/mid-foot striding. I've been wearing flat shoes with little padding for a long time and the last time I tried to put on normally padded, raised-heel shoes for work, it felt incredibly unnatural and uncomfortable. Im also used to feeling everything I step on and when I wear thick shoes it feels really weird. So i'll be going for some minimalist shoes that allow my feet to do their thing.

Start with an eliptical and build the muscle around the knee for a few months first.

Once I have access to my bike again, i'll probably be cycling for a while to help strengthen my knees more. Unfortunately, I don't have access to an elliptical machine.

 

[Maya3]

Yeah, I think im gonna start that soon. Right now, my exercise routine includes squats, so that will help with the knee muscles to start. Until then, I walk a couple of blocks to work every day

As far as shoes, im on the side of minimalism and fore/mid-foot striding. I've been wearing flat shoes with little padding for a long time and the last time I tried to put on normally padded, raised-heel shoes for work, it felt incredibly unnatural and uncomfortable. Im also used to feeling everything I step on and when I wear thick shoes it feels really weird. So i'll be going for some minimalist shoes that allow my feet to do their thing.

Knowing the running store I go to, I have a feeling that you will be able to find shoes like that that are still great running shoes that support your bone structure.

I've become completely obsessed with running. I ran a 10 K race Saturday and yesterday I ran 10 K on my own. It's wonderful.

Maya

 

[DreadFish]

Knowing the running store I go to, I have a feeling that you will be able to find shoes like that that are still great running shoes that support your bone structure.

I've become completely obsessed with running. I ran a 10 K race Saturday and yesterday I ran 10 K on my own. It's wonderful.

Maya

I want to work on developing sufficient muscle strength to not have to rely on support, but I may have to compromise for a little while. Im determined to end up without support, however.

Racing flats look good to me. Also, I like the Luna running sandals; about everyone who's tried those love them. My feet are about five inches wide at the widest point when I put weight on them so I need roomy shoes to allow them space.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I'm finally able to start doing light jogging. I haven't done more than a few seconds so far (I'm still very cautious and leery of over-doing it), but it feels so great being able to do something other than just walk again. In another month or so the doctor should be giving me the ok to go back to no restrictions. It almost feels like I've been granted a second life.

 

[DreadFish]

I'm finally able to start doing light jogging. I haven't done more than a few seconds so far (I'm still very cautious and leery of over-doing it), but it feels so great being able to do something other than just walk again. In another month or so the doctor should be giving me the ok to go back to no restrictions. It almost feels like I've been granted a second life.

That's awesome. Best wishes for your running career.

 

[Maya3]

I'm finally able to start doing light jogging. I haven't done more than a few seconds so far (I'm still very cautious and leery of over-doing it), but it feels so great being able to do something other than just walk again. In another month or so the doctor should be giving me the ok to go back to no restrictions. It almost feels like I've been granted a second life.

YAY!


Maya

 

[Secret Chief]

I hoping to start running again soon. I used to exercise regularly, though running was only a small part of it. I could never make it past a mile and a half without having to walk

I've had knee problems for a while (I think im slightly bow-legged) and some breathing problems, but im working on leg strengthening and hopefully will get the breathing thing worked out soon.

Yay!

Breathing thing? Anti histimines? (I pop one occasionally in pollen heavy times)....

 

[Secret Chief]

I'm finally able to start doing light jogging. I haven't done more than a few seconds so far (I'm still very cautious and leery of over-doing it), but it feels so great being able to do something other than just walk again. In another month or so the doctor should be giving me the ok to go back to no restrictions. It almost feels like I've been granted a second life.

Yay! Baby steps....

Walking up a flight of stairs used to make breathless...

 

[DreadFish]

Yay!

Breathing thing? Anti histimines? (I pop one occasionally in pollen heavy times)....

Well, I don't know. I've gone to the doctor a number of times (when I didnt have insurance ) and all they could find is that it's not COPD and that I can exhale fine. Yet, they've diagnosed me with bronchitis twice (even though I didn't have a productive cough or wheezing).

It's just a matter of having sore bronchi; like a sore throat, but in the bronchi and lungs. polluted air or being around smoke of any kind makes them sore and, from cycling, i've found that prolonged heavy breathing makes it feel kinda raw. I think that taking it gradually and having insurance now will get things taken care of.

 

[DreadFish]

Well I did my first walk/jog yesterday morning. I walked for 10 minutes, then jogged about 5, walked another 5, jogged about 3 and finished up 5-10min walking. About 30 min total. It felt great and I wanted to job more, but I moderated myself. I also continued with my regular exercise later which included squats. Was afraid my knees would be over-worked, but today, legs just feel tired and my calves ache just a bit. No breathing soreness, either. I say success.

Today I rest and repeat tomorrow. :yes:

 

[Secret Chief]

Yay! Can't beat a good fartlek!

 

[DreadFish]

So it's been about a month and running is getting easier; im on 5min jog, 1min walk X5. Tomorrow or Saturday I will move up to 6min jog. I've not been progressing quite as fast as the schedule I chose to follow. Since I need to take it easy with the breathing, I've skipped a few days here and there.

I laid off the squats during my usual exercise routine because I felt like I was overworking my quads a bit with the increasing jogging, but now that I have stopped, I have been feeling mild knee pain when im not jogging. This is either a result of not doing squats anymore (my knee pain went away once I started regularly doing squats), jogging for longer periods of time, or both.

I've learned a nice midfoot strike and now it feels weird even trying to land heel first. It allows for nice, low-impact and quiet running. Im also growing tired of wearing shoes. Once money allows, im planning on getting some minimal sandals for running. It feels much easier barefoot, without the weight of the shoes and allowing my feet to spread, but I want a bit of protection in case of glass and the like.

I ran into these today: Unshoes Pah Tempe (Summer 2014 Update) Review

They seem exactly what im looking for.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

So it's been about a month and running is getting easier; im on 5min jog, 1min walk X5. Tomorrow or Saturday I will move up to 6min jog. I've not been progressing quite as fast as the schedule I chose to follow. Since I need to take it easy with the breathing, I've skipped a few days here and there.

I laid off the squats during my usual exercise routine because I felt like I was overworking my quads a bit with the increasing jogging, but now that I have stopped, I have been feeling mild knee pain when im not jogging. This is either a result of not doing squats anymore (my knee pain went away once I started regularly doing squats), jogging for longer periods of time, or both.

I've learned a nice midfoot strike and now it feels weird even trying to land heel first. It allows for nice, low-impact and quiet running. Im also growing tired of wearing shoes. Once money allows, im planning on getting some minimal sandals for running. It feels much easier barefoot, without the weight of the shoes and allowing my feet to spread, but I want a bit of protection in case of glass and the like.

I ran into these today: Unshoes Pah Tempe (Summer 2014 Update) Review

They seem exactly what im looking for.

Hi mate,
You probably will, but do some study before moving to barefoot running (or similar). Running and walking in shoes with elevated heels can lead to achilles shortening over years, so suddenly changing to barefoot, and doing more than a moderate amount of exercise can lead to achilles injuries, etc.

Worth easing in.

 

[DreadFish]

Hi mate,
You probably will, but do some study before moving to barefoot running (or similar). Running and walking in shoes with elevated heels can lead to achilles shortening over years, so suddenly changing to barefoot, and doing more than a moderate amount of exercise can lead to achilles injuries, etc.

Worth easing in.

Oh yeah, no worries. I've been reading about barefoot running for a couple years; just never got around to actually running. I haven't worn raised-heel, padded shoes in years. Last time I got a pair like that for work (because they were non-slip), I couldn't bare wearing them they made my feet feel so contorted. For the last 7 or 8 years, i've been wearing mostly flat Vans or Chuck-Taylors. I've been going outside barefoot since I was a kid, so my feet have the muscles moderately developed. It's mainly just a matter of getting them warmed-up to running like the rest of my legs. I guess mid-foot striding with shoes is getting some of the work done anyway.

 

[Cureus]

To answer your original post, shinsplints can be avoided by a good warmup. Lack of stretching/warmup may be why youre having knee problems now also.

The best calf stretch is

and be careful to put the weight on your front foot or the wall. Ankle stretch also, like a circular motion round the clock both ways several times. To be honest its better to get a personal trainer to explain becuase this stuff is way easier to describe in person... or you can check youtube.

Again to avoid sore knees a calf stretch will help. Secondly I'd also do a hamstring stretch, then glut, quad, waist, ankle and inner thigh cause you should be doing these anyway. You should be warming up for 5-10 minutes immediately before you exert yourself. Maybe theres a local running club or something and you can pick up on anothers warmup routine.

The weather puts me off running here but when I get the chance I do enjoy it.

 

[DreadFish]

To answer your original post, shinsplints can be avoided by a good warmup. Lack of stretching/warmup may be why youre having knee problems now also.

The best calf stretch is

and be careful to put the weight on your front foot or the wall. Ankle stretch also, like a circular motion round the clock both ways several times. To be honest its better to get a personal trainer to explain becuase this stuff is way easier to describe in person... or you can check youtube.

Again to avoid sore knees a calf stretch will help. Secondly I'd also do a hamstring stretch, then glut, quad, waist, ankle and inner thigh cause you should be doing these anyway. You should be warming up for 5-10 minutes immediately before you exert yourself. Maybe theres a local running club or something and you can pick up on anothers warmup routine.

The weather puts me off running here but when I get the chance I do enjoy it.

Not to be argumentative but, many say that you shouldn't stretch cold muscles before exercise, rather, do a lighter version of whatever you're about to do. In the case of running, walk for two or three minutes before beginning to run, then light stretching after your cool down.

 

[Cureus]

Yeah Ive heard those people also. However I suspect they are mainly referring to the danger of over-stretching cold muscles and damaging yourself, rather than saying there is no good in cold stretching. I mean I can say with absolute certainty, cold-stretching alone when done accurately does wonders for my runs, runtimes and recovery. However I also learned that its good to incorporate an active light warmup like you said, so I do jogging on the spot, a lot of hip swivels and some more. However from searching the topic, I only found 1 mention of a warmup move or stretch prior. We agree its best to walk before one can run.