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An Oldie Starting Out!
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Crikey Tikka you've got it bad haven't you! The running bug that is and entering a race is great incentive to keep running (once you've got started).
Have you managed a run yet? How's the calf?
I do like your posts, they make me smile. You seem to have a good positive attitude to things. Please keep us updated with your progress.
I wish you heaps of luck!
Hi Smallest One (can't imagine you're smaller than me, though - i'm a titchy 5 feet nothing!). It's not determination I lack - I've got that in spade loads - it's just the wherewithall to carry it through! My calf is still sore when I walk, so I'm guessing that it's going to be even sorer if I try running on it. The guy in the running shop told me not to even think about running until I'm pain free, otherwise every step will be a misery and I'll associate running with pain and not stick at it for very long. He's a veteran with over 25 years experience - I've not even run 25 steps yet - so I feel inclined to take his word for it! I can see what he means though because normally I love my walk home from work but tonight I wasn't looking forward to it because I knew it would hurt. Also, I have osteoporosis and don't want to risk turning a minor injury into a major disaster. So it's another couple of weeks on the injury bench for me. Meanwhile I'm scrolling through all the beginners threads and finding loads of inspiration. I know it won't be easy when I do eventually get started, but it won't be any harder than it is right now, waiting for the moment when I can get to the start line!
It must be VERY frustrating, Tikka, but try to bottle some of that enthusiasm! It might actually have a silver lining, cos when you have to wait for something you value it more, so in the early days when it seems a bit tough, you can remind yourself of how much you wanted to be able to do it!
And you've already learned one really important lesson, which is to take time off to heal if you get injured. Some people try to push through it, and just wind up truly crocked. So good on ya!
Thanks Chugger. It's really brilliant having so much encouragement. Normally I've got my (non running) friends looking at me like I've got two heads when I say I want to take up running and saying things like "Don't be so daft - have another valium sandwich and you'll be fine in the morning" so to have people not only rooting for me but willing me to get started, it's just fab. (Do people still say 'fab' these days?)
I bought the Jeff Galloway book you recommended too, "Running Until You're 100". Can't wait to get into bed tonight to get started on it!
Tikka
Bugga them , you do what you want to do
and you'll become fit and strong
luvely jubbly
ask Mrs Chuggs, what it's done for me ?
Beware of the Fish
hi friend
if your Datchet dashers ??
have we met ?
Gentle Chugger thanks for that link - its made me re-think how I do my LSR at weekends.
I've always treated walking during LSR as somehow invalidating the run, but now I am going to take a few more breaks as I'm sure it will help me remain ache and injury free.
BOTF
That'll be good to meet you
as long as you promise not to sink those damned teeth in
Yes, Johnny, I've always felt like a failure when I walked (which I ALWAYS did) so was really smacked by the idea that this was GOOD. It's made me much more relaxed and means I enjoy it a lot more, which has to be good, yes?
Tikka, how's the calf? Is it starting to get less painful? (NB: even if it is, do NOT rush out and try to start back too fast!) I really liked Galloway's book, will be interested in your views.
As to Mr Mick-'n'-Phil.....running has for sure made him one of the fittest men on the planet, AND one of the most inspirational. If there's a living advert for running, he's it!! (Hiya, Mick
)
Anyway, Tikka, hang in there. Won't be long before you can lace up your shoes and start putting one foot in front of the other! xxx
Hi Chuuggs
you sweetheart you
what can i say, yes i'm proudly fit,
people might just read that, what you've put and think your joking... but i know your not !!
but for those reading this, it does not come to you, there's NO shop to buy it at, it's the result of sheer hard running over the years
it's well for me ( i cannot speak for you lot, ) very rewarding, it's given me a relaxed mind, i don't think about any race,
i'm almost 50 , i'm in some of the best condition i've ever been in, both physically and phscycologically
what's my point ???????????????
if i can, or we , Me and Phil can.. so CAN all of you
micknphil-marathonlads.co.uk
Hi everyone. Still battling the calf injury. The pain has now moved up from the centre of my shin to just below my knee but I'm keeping on with my walking and staying positive in the hope that another week will see me through.
Mick (and Phil) - If I spend even a quarter of the time out on the roads that I do reading about running, step aside fit blokes, there's a woman trying to get past...!!
If I'm not burning the midnight oil reading through loads of the beginners threads, I'm tucked up in bed burning the bedside lamp until the small hours reading Jeff Galloway's book! I have mixed feelings about it, Gentle Chugger. Now bear in mind that I haven't even run from the hallway to the front door yet... but I kind of feel if I was still alternating running and walking on every run after I'd been at it for a while, I wouldn't consider myself a real runner. At the start, yes, I can understand frequent walk breaks, but say I'd been running regularly for 6 months to a year, would I really still want to be doing 5 mins run / 2 mins walk on distances of 5 or 6 miles? I don't think I would. Misguided optimism? Probably. It wouldn't be the first time my mind was making promises my body can't keep. Ask me again after I've started running for real instead of running in my head and it might be a whole other story!
Tikka
we are all different you know.... what might soon's onesw body, might not suit another, .... it's how you manage it, but you've got to get out there and train
and after what 6 months to a year, one should be passing 10k with relative ease
Tikka, I think Mick's right (as always!). It's a question of finding what suits you. If you won't be happy until you can run 2 hours without stopping, go for it!
One of the things I liked most about Galloway's book was the idea of finding your own rhythm. He thinks walk breaks help people, not just beginners but also experienced racers who are going for PB's; and that's working really well for several people I know, who are improving their times quite a bit this way, with patterns like r10/w1. But if your ambition is to get rid of all walk breaks, then do it---why not? It's YOUR running, you do it however YOU want to!
Just hope that calf/knee sorts out now so you can get on with it! But as your walking fitness is so good, you will be off to a flying start anyway. Well done you for keeping that up!
Mick, do you and Phil have anything on this weekend?
GC - don't forget I'm still doing 'virtual' running - once I get out on the road and it's the real deal I might be revising my goals pronto and only too happy to sign up for a life time of walk breaks!
A few more days and I'm hoping to start my programme. My calf is still sore, but not as bad as it was. Don't think I'll risk it just yet though. I would if I could run on a soft surface like grass but I don't get home from work until about 6.30 in the evening and the nearest grass surface to me is a football pitch about a mile away and it's too isolated and dark at that time of night to take the risk so I'll have to do pavement work until the weekend comes.
I went out for a longish walk this morning (if 5 miles is long?) and a shorter one this afternoon (about 2.5 miles) so I really hope you're right and it will all pay off when it comes to starting to run.
Today we headed for Wokingham HM, it was to be our 161 ST HM together,
The weather was just so perfect, little did i know just how perfect the day would end up being... we met friends, had lots of laughs with people,
I knew today we could NOT race as race, as we have Draycote FM of 5 laps next week, so we set about hoping for anywhere around 2 hours or just under...
things started off just nice and quiet, could'nt move for 2 miles or so, which completely suited me, but i was to find gaps and soon get into my grove, and find what i am good at and enjoy doing.. i felt so happy, i felt free
it was very short lived though sadly, before we knew it we were through half way, never really noticing anything pace or distance wise, it was another day were we could have gone on and conquered 20 miles
trying to support fellow runners etc
i knew in our early days together we were clocking for HM's 1.43 onwards, but i really thought that that had gone now, what with Phillip being 6 years older and heavier, and of course me being an old git now
so, we smelt the finish in the distance, we pushed on remembering every time we picked up pace we had a FM next week, so i held back best i could
we eventually crossed the line on our watch at around 1 hour 48 mins , i knew we crossed the start line on about 4 plus mins, and the finish clock was on 1.52 , so yes
i felt so good, so really good, could'nt quite believe what i'd done
We went back to about 2 mile mark ish, cheering runners in, it was good to help others,
it's left me feeling just on top of the world again
So, i ain't finished yet !!!
There'll be more of Mick n Phil to come i reckon
Tikka
The walking will help. It provides basic stamina.
MnP Good r*n lads.
WOOOOHOOOOO!!!!! Mick 'n Phil strike again!!!!
Mick, that IS a perfect day---great weather, great atmosphere and a stonking time---1 hr 48 with the two of you! I couild get up and dance around the room just reading your post! (The cat of course thinks I'm quite, quite mad....!)
WELL DONE THE MARATHON LADS!!!!!
Tikka, I'm sure you're right to give the calf a little more time, especially if you have to stick to pavements. And you are DEFFO right not to run by yourself in isolated areas, especially (but not only) in the dark. Your walking will for sure stand you in good stead when you do start running: you've already got a good basic level of fitness, so you'll probably find you'll shift easily from walking with some running mixed in, to running with some walking mixed in, to all running if that's your pleasure. You'll be great!
Hi Folkes
we've had a super time tonight with Stratford on Avon AC on the track
we covered about 5 miles in around 45 mins, it was lovely and cool and relaxing, it was perfect
though i'm going to rest my body now until Sunday for the Draycote 5 lap marathon,
though it should be EASY .. EASY .. EASY
Just read you original post about just turned 50 etc.
I am almost 51 now, and joined the gym for the first time in August 2006 (aged 49). I have NEVER enjoyed spport or exercised ever before. I only joined the gym because I was 16 stone. January 2007 arrived and I had not lost much weight, but my personal trainer was a former runner, and took me outside for a 'gentle jog' in the dark (cos I was embarrassed).
Within 2 months I had entered my first official 10k race and I finished mid field at 53 mins despite my fear I would come in last. Since then I have now completed 10 offical races of varying lenghts including my first half marathon in Orlando Florida (1 hr 51mins).
My first charity race was in October, and I raised £2,265. I have now pledged to raise £50,000 for Cancer Research over the nex few years. This years theme is 'Running 1,000 miles'. And guess what I am doing this year - running 1000 miles. But that's only 20 miles a week, or 25 miles if you allow for holidays, illness and injury (just in case). You can see my sponsorship page here if you need any ideas www.justgiving.com/stephenauker
You can also see some of the press coverage etc I have received, and some radio Leeds publicity on my new MSN group http://www.msnusers.com/Iloverunning
Good luck, and simply enjoy it.
Steve
PS. I have now lost 4 stones in weight. Feel 25 years younger. My 10k time is 46.10
Steve
What a lovely story, NT. I'll try to take heart from it in the hope that one day that will be me but right now I can only match it with a tale of woe. If you need cheering up, look away now...
My calf felt a lot better yesterday so I went to Up & Running at lunch time and got fitted with a brand new pair of Asics Gel Nimbus. I had to run on the treadmill for a few seconds while they looked at my gait but my calf felt okay. So tonight I set off for my first ever run. I followed all the advice I've picked up on the forum - started off with a brisk 5 minute walk, then began intervals of 2 min run / 2 min walk. As soon as I started running, my calf started to ache. By the second run interval it was aching a bit more, by the third a bit more than that again, until eventually the pain got so bad that I just had to stop. Now that I'm home it feels even worse - the tendons on the inside of my shin almost feel like they're going to burst out of my skin they're so raised and inflamed, and my whole calf is throbbing. I was going to say I feel like I've gone back to square one, only I don't even think it was as painful as this when I injured it in the first place. So much for the running... looks like I'm back on the injury bench for another while.
To end on a slightly more positive note - I thought before I started out tonight that it would be my heart and lungs that would beat me but I was really surprised how okay I felt during the run intervals. If it hadn't been for my leg screaming at me to stop, I think I might have managed more than 2 mins running at a time. Mind you, it took me ages - I was only going slightly faster than my normal walking pace so maybe that's why.
Feeling very sorry for myself tonight.
Oh Tikka, that's awful! Disappointing and by the sound of it very painful! You deffo have to get that looked at by someone who knows what's going on. Do you have a good physio or a sports doctor?
PLEASE get it looked at asap and then come and tell us what you have to do to get better!!
(One consolation: there's nothing human beings want as much as whatever it is they can't have, and since you're having to overcome to many hurdles just to be able to start running, once you can get out there you're bound to really love it!!!)
NT, Tikka's right. Your story is an inspiration to us all.
Hi GC. I went to the doctor this morning and I have to say, he was less than sympathetic. Well, perhaps that's overstating it but he was the one diagnosed me last year with chronic osteoporosis so even though he doesn't actually say it out loud I know he disapproves of me running in the first place. He kept asking me what's wrong with just walking when it has served me so well up until now? Anyway, apparently I have tendinitis. He says it can take up to 6 weeks to right itself in a "normal" person (charming!) but probably longer with me because of my osteoporosis. He told me to stop walking meantime too and rest completely but there's no way I'm doing that, I'd rather hobble on. I'd go mental without fresh air and exercise. It's a waiting game now, I suppose. There's no 'cure' as such other than a couple of days of anti-inflammatories and ice. And rest - which in my book means no running.
I really can't wait to have another go at it, though!
Tikka, I've been pretty lucky and haven't had to consult medics much, but I know a lot of non-running GP's will give advice which is not at all supportive of running. Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon, yeah, and if you rest it will abate, but why is it happening?
If you can find a good sports physio or similar it would be worth getting a second opinion from someone who will include in the game plan not just getting rid of this bout of tendonitis, but supporting you with your wish to run.
If you don't know anyone in the area, it would be worth asking the local running shop or running club if they know of a fizz who they can recommend.
Do let us know how you get on! You WILL get out there one of these days soon!
PLEASE SOME ONE
These blue links to click on
how do you do them ??