So...Who are the runners here??

[envirogator]

I'm a pretty avid runner (40+ miles per week). Who else here runs, any marathoners, where do you train, how much, etc...

Great forum by the way

[Chigworthy]

I really want to be able to run more, but I get what I think is called "IT strap syndrome" or something like that. Basically, the outsides of my knees up into my thighs really hurt for days after running more than a mile. My doctor told me that I have kneecaps that are abnormally high on my knee when I went in for bursitis in both knees a few years ago, but I don't know if that is related. Is there anything that I can do to improve my knee health that you runners know about? At this point, the thought of running actually makes me feel sick because of the pain memory. I do fine on low-impact equipment like elliptical cross trainers.

[EliSnow]

I love to run, but I have to say that it's been a long time (four years) since I ran consistently. With my schedule and other responsibilities, I feel the only time I can run is in the morning. Problem is that I love sleep more than I love running, and I hate running outside.

My wife and I will likely get a treadmill soon, and I hope I can run about 12 miles a week.

[envirogator]

Eli...I'm the same way in the morning...I run after work from the office. After my run I go home...If I go home first I'm less likely to go or get distracted, etc.

[envirogator]

I really want to be able to run more, but I get what I think is called "IT strap syndrome" or something like that. Basically, the outsides of my knees up into my thighs really hurt for days after running more than a mile. My doctor told me that I have kneecaps that are abnormally high on my knee when I went in for bursitis in both knees a few years ago, but I don't know if that is related. Is there anything that I can do to improve my knee health that you runners know about? At this point, the thought of running actually makes me feel sick because of the pain memory. I do fine on low-impact equipment like elliptical cross trainers.

Elliptical machines, stationary bikes, stairs, brisk walking are all great low-impact cardio.

[Chigworthy]

Elliptical machines, stationary bikes, stairs, brisk walking are all great low-impact cardio.

Yeah, all of my cardio is done on eliipticals, which works great. Unfortunately, I am trying to get a job in some sort of law enforcement capacity (I have an interview with Animal COntrol on Thurs), in which, being able to run on concrete is a plus. I don't want to just swear off running in the real world. Someone, fix my knees!

[Soupy_Dreck]

Eli...I'm the same way in the morning...I run after work from the office. After my run I go home...If I go home first I'm less likely to go or get distracted, etc.

that's why i picked a gym thats on my way home from work...no excuses, no distractions. and i try to run 1.5 miles a day, 5 or six times a week

[PhishHead]

Elliptical machines, stationary bikes, stairs, brisk walking are all great low-impact cardio.

i would disagree with the stationary bike. I have a stationary bike and it absolutely kills my knees (not much cartilage). If someone has bad knees, a stationary bike is definitely not for them.

[Snacks]

I have always wanted to run the NYC Marathon but im not a runner!!!. My best friend is a cop and ran it last year for the port authority and he trained for 3 months and was fine. He now loves it and wants to do smaller marathons and wants me to do it with him. He gave a training schedule to build myself up for a Marathon slowly. He is so into it now he joined runners world, hes joining jersey shore running club and looks for 1/2- full marathons all the time. If I can get myself to be able to run the NYC marathon I may be able to run it with the port authority. That would be great because there is a lottery every year to see if you can run in it and some people have applied for years and still havent won the opportunity to run the marathon.

[Ritalin]

Training for a marathon really isn't that big a deal as long as you follow a strict training program and give yourself a good 16 weeks to train properly.

[drjoek]

I have run the New York Marathon 4 times my best time is 3:46.07 I am now a recreational runner who runs ~18-20 miles a week. My daughter has picked up the running mantle in our family and is now an elite High School runner who has been chosen All State and New England the last two years in three sports XC, indoor and outdoor track. She will run at a division I college hopefully on a full or partial scholarship. So running is a big part of my life.

[EffMeBoobs]

I have run the New York Marathon 4 times my best time is 3:46.07 I am now a recreational runner who runs ~18-20 miles a week. My daughter has picked up the running mantle in our family and is now an elite High School runner who has been chosen All State and New England the last two years in three sports XC, indoor and outdoor track. She will run at a division I college hopefully on a full or partial scholarship. So running is a big part of my life.

Nice! i would love to run a half marathon but have no idea where to begin and where to train etc.....I'm sure you have plenty of advice!

[spoon]

I run a few miles a week in between hockey, but not as much as I'd like to. Too much fucking work and wasted time here!

[spoon]

Nice! i would love to run a half marathon but have no idea where to begin and where to train etc.....I'm sure you have plenty of advice!

There are sites and books on how to appropriately train for a marathon so I assume there are some for the half marathon too. Or just cut the reg stuff in half??

[TheGameHHH]

I jog about 4 miles a day, 5 days a week. So roughly 20 miles a week. I feel like that's a lot for me, then i realize after my entire week i'm still 6.2 miles short of a marathon. It seems impossible to me.

[EffMeBoobs]

How long is a 4 mile run for you a day?

[Ritalin]

Nice! i would love to run a half marathon but have no idea where to begin and where to train etc.....I'm sure you have plenty of advice!

Here you go:

http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/index.htm

[deepinthewoods]

I was up in the 30-40 miles per week range just before December, and then my running developed an inverse relationship to the ammount of of chocolate consumed. December running=0 miles per month. December chocolate eating=25 man-hours per week. I plan to re-staminate as soon as I shake this motherfucking West Nile virus I've had for the past week.

[TheGameHHH]

How long is a 4 mile run for you a day?

40 minutes......6.0 speed on the treadmill

[EffMeBoobs]

40 minutes......6.0 speed on the treadmill

Damn I'm jealous, that's awesome though.

[TheGameHHH]

Damn I'm jealous, that's awesome though.

thanks, it took me a long time to work up to that too. but then like i said before, at the end of a WEEK i realize im still 6.2 miles short of a marathon. i cant fathom how people do it.

[AngelAmy]

someone mentioned eliptical machines, i lost 30 pounds using the eliptical machine about 4-5 days a week for at least a half hour a day along with a somewhat healthy diet.

it worked up my stamina though which was important to me since i used to be in such great shape and now if i run up the stairs i have to pant for like 15 minutes, its sad

[epo]

Hey, I'm a runner. Or so I claim to be!

Right now I'm averaging 10-20 miles per week (it's winter in Wisconsin), but I recently took some time off to heal up after a long 6 year stretch in which I pushed myself pretty hard. If I can catch an outdoors run I will, otherwise it's all inside for the winter...which is much, much tougher than an outdoors run.

My toughest run ever....the Pikes Peak Half Marathon.

[ralphbxny]

I have run the New York Marathon 4 times my best time is 3:46.07 I am now a recreational runner who runs ~18-20 miles a week. My daughter has picked up the running mantle in our family and is now an elite High School runner who has been chosen All State and New England the last two years in three sports XC, indoor and outdoor track. She will run at a division I college hopefully on a full or partial scholarship. So running is a big part of my life.

Doc..you keep adding to your Aura!!

[GonzoStyle]

someone mentioned eliptical machines, i lost 30 pounds using the eliptical machine about 4-5 days a week for at least a half hour a day along with a somewhat healthy diet.

it worked up my stamina though which was important to me since i used to be in such great shape and now if i run up the stairs i have to pant for like 15 minutes, its sad

It's all about building endurance, when I first started going to the gym, I could barely do 5 minutes on the stationary bikes. With some months of consistent training, I worked my walk up to 30 and 40 minutes and then moved on to the elliptical, I thought I was having an infarction after about 45 seconds on that bitch. Now I can do an hour like its nothing and consistently push up the resistance and elevation, only issue is the boredom. I switch it up every couple months or so, as far as type of program, etc. cause your body is so smart that it gets stupid on you and adapts, which is when you plateau, same with my diet.

Running is out of the question for me cause I smoke a pack a day and I have no cartilage in my knee. I can do about half a mile jog before my knee just starts to throb, so I stick to the machine, sometimes the treadmill. Main thing is to elevate that heart rate and keep it there for the entirety of the workout.

[drusilla]

i stopped running once i grew nancy & icarus

[GonzoStyle]

i stopped running once i grew nancy & icarus

so you you stopped running at 3?

[drusilla]

pretty much

[GonzoStyle]

i know the feeling, my man titties used to get me all aggravated when they'd smack me in my chins, then again that wasn't from running it was just me playing with them.

[The Jays]

Last time I was running full time, I was running the length of the South Beach Boardwalk and the esplandade in Staten Island five days a week, but that was a couple years ago. I've decided, I'd like to be able to do that again, so, I'm starting off slow, every other day, 30 minutes of jogging, until I've got a routine ingrained in my body and I'm working my way up each week over a two month period.

[GonzoStyle]

make sure to invest in some good running shoes, even tho I was stretching and everything, I got awful shin splints a few weeks in and turns out it was cause of the shitty sneakers I had. Beth recommended new balance sneakers and they're fuckin awesome.

[Bama]

If you want to get into running but haven't started yet I'd recommend Couch to 5K (http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml). It takes 9 weeks. You start with baby steps. You run in 60 second intervals in week 1. I think it's a grand total of 8 minutes a day of actual running that week. By week 9 you're doing 30 minutes straight.

After that you can progress to longer runs if you want. I didn't but it might be your thing.

I did C25K last year and it was awesome. I could barely handle two minute runs to start off. These days I run intervals but every once in a while I'll run for 30 minutes or longer just to keep up.

[banditorico]

My average is between 30-35 miles a week. Never ran a marathon or half. On the other hand my brother is an avid marathoner and runs an average 3 hour. Last one he ran was 3:02.

You should change your shoes every 300-400 miles or 3-4 months if you run a lot. ASICS are what I run with.

[epo]

make sure to invest in some good running shoes, even tho I was stretching and everything, I got awful shin splints a few weeks in and turns out it was cause of the shitty sneakers I had. Beth recommended new balance sneakers and they're fuckin awesome.

Shoes are a huge deal for beginners. Be care and make very sure of the manner in which they fit. Don't feel any shame in bothering the person at the shoe store to help you find a show that works with your foot. Explain where you are in your fitness journey and work with your foot.

For example: I have wide feet. If I tried a pair of Nikes no matter how nice they are...it isn't gonna work. If I then tried to run in them, I might think running sucked, when it's primarily my shitty choice in shoes.

[SPeeDy_Freak]

I was an avid runner a couple of years ago until some nagging injuries took some of the fun out of it. That is one of the key reasons why I gained weight.

When I was in good shape I would run 20-25 miles per week and ran many 5K races. I had a sub 7:00 pace and was loving it. I placed in a couple of local 5Ks and keep those trophies near my treadmill as a canstant reminder of what I can accomplish when heathy.

Now that I am re-committed to my health and fitness, I am back on the long road back. I am being cautious as to how much/how often I run to prevent those old aches and pains from returning.

Currently I am back to jogging approx 3 miles per session and want to build up a little more endurance before going out and running any races. Once I get to the race stage again, my goals will be to finish without stopping, then I will worry abut my finishing time.

As 40 approaches this year, I do not expect that i will regain my old form and duplicate my performances from 5 years ago, but I have realistic expecations about how far I can get. So, instead of sub 7:00 paces, my initial goal is to be sub 8:00. But even before that is a possibility, I also am getting the weight down so that I even have a chance to re-gain some of my former running self.

[EffMeBoobs]

If you want to get into running but haven't started yet I'd recommend Couch to 5K (http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml). It takes 9 weeks. You start with baby steps. You run in 60 second intervals in week 1. I think it's a grand total of 8 minutes a day of actual running that week. By week 9 you're doing 30 minutes straight.

After that you can progress to longer runs if you want. I didn't but it might be your thing.



That's a pretty cool program. I bookmarked the page, thanks!

[Thebazile78]

That's a pretty cool program. I bookmarked the page, thanks!

Make sure you get an EXCELLENT sports bra in addition to the best shoes for your feet. Oh and experiment with different kinds of socks. Pitch the cotton ones for wick-away fabrics (like CoolMax) and make sure you get the right size. There's not much worse than wearing the wrong size sock, unless it's wearing the wrong size shoe.

I would recommend anything by Moving Comfort or Enell for you. I have friends who swear by both brands and the Maia bra by Moving Comfort always gets rave reviews. Also, I don't know what your band size is, but try online at Title 9 Sports (www.title9sports.com (http://www.title9sports.com)) for any bras rated 3 barbells or higher. Most run up to a 40 band and they have a ton of different styles. Yes, they are pricey, but well worth the extra cash!

[Thebazile78]

Nice! i would love to run a half marathon but have no idea where to begin and where to train etc.....I'm sure you have plenty of advice!

There are sites and books on how to appropriately train for a marathon so I assume there are some for the half marathon too. Or just cut the reg stuff in half??

Not exactly.

Get a good magazine like Runner's World and a training schedule.

I have a few for walking half-marathons from my charity walks (Avon Walk for Breast Cancer) and from Prevention magazine.

There are a ton of great tips, including schedules, online at About.com

Also, PLEASE remember that training for a marathon CAN NOT be done entirely on the treadmill. You need to hit the concrete or your joints will kill you during the event. (This is true whether you are running or walking.)

Lastly, find out what kind of energy drink (Gatorade, PowerAde, etc.) your event will be distributing at hydration stations and start getting used to it. The Avon Walk uses Gatorade. Gatorade and I have a truce - if I dilute it 80%, I don't get sick. I had to learn this the hard way during my first walk in 2004. Learn from my mistake!

[drjoek]

Nice! i would love to run a half marathon but have no idea where to begin and where to train etc.....I'm sure you have plenty of advice!

Sorry i haven't been back to this thread in a while
Here is the Runners World link a to 16 week program for a beginner to prep for a Marathon Assuming you did NY which is in Nov you would begin the work in June. The key is to get close to running the full distance within 3 weeks of the raceThere is a great half marathon in Ridgefield CT which is nice and flat in late summer early fall(I see you're from Carmel NY). start with small runs then work your way up. Run as many races (5ks,10ks) as your schedule allows they inspire continued participation.
Good Luck

[drjoek]

Sorry I'm a dope:wallbash:
Here is the link I mentioned but didn't put in my last post

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/army/marathon.htm

[EffMeBoobs]

Thanks Liz and Dr. Joek, this is a life-long goal of mine that I would love to achieve!

[Thebazile78]

Thanks Liz and Dr. Joek, this is a life-long goal of mine that I would love to achieve!

Any time.

Shoes, socks and bras are my department - I've seen too much movement, discomfort and injury from having the wrong stuff to think it's trivial.

I know a great deal about New Balance and Brooks running shoes, since these are the shoes I favor for myself. I can advise on other brands based on my experiences, offering critiques or praise as needed, but I cannot over-emphasize the need to get the best shoe for your foot.

Some people can get by with a fashion sneaker. Most of us aren't that lucky.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

run is a strong word

I jog at medium speed, used to run when I was weighing 175

[drjoek]

Any time.

Shoes, socks and bras are my department - I've seen too much movement, discomfort and injury from having the wrong stuff to think it's trivial.

I know a great deal about New Balance and Brooks running shoes, since these are the shoes I favor for myself. I can advise on other brands based on my experiences, offering critiques or praise as needed, but I cannot over-emphasize the need to get the best shoe for your foot.

Some people can get by with a fashion sneaker. Most of us aren't that lucky.

Agree 100% dont scrimp on good running shoes. Stay away from Sports Authority and the likeThere is a great runners shop in Ridgefield called Killometers Just off Route 7. Tell Mark that you know Moira's dad and he'll hook you up . And as stated if your board name is Effmeboobs take good care of those puppies. I will not make shopping suggestions on that though.

[Thebazile78]

And as stated if your board name is Effmeboobs take good care of those puppies. I will not make shopping suggestions on that though.

Hence my earlier bra recommendations. I have friends who range in size from A-cups to FFF-cups, so I keep my ears open when sports bras come up. Being a D/DD-cup myself at present, I've started to look at different types of bras to protect my bust

I hate the bounceage that comes with having tits, no matter what size I am, so I've made it my mission in life to find the "perfect" sports bra. While men may love the figure-8, and, yes, they've determined that boobs move in a figure-8 when they bounce, it's damaging to the breast tissue and can cause early sagginess as well as LOTS of pain!

I guess you could make the analogy that, for ladies, doing any high-impact activity (running, jumping rope, etc.) without a sportsbra would be kind of like a guy doing a similar activity without a jockstrap or some other type of support for his genitalia.

[Knowledged_one]

you know i could never run distances for anything but i could sprint up and down the basketball court for hours at a time, its weird how your body adapts to different ways that you run

[EffMeBoobs]

Hence my earlier bra recommendations. I have friends who range in size from A-cups to FFF-cups, so I keep my ears open when sports bras come up. Being a D/DD-cup myself at present, I've started to look at different types of bras to protect my bust

I hate the bounceage that comes with having tits, no matter what size I am, so I've made it my mission in life to find the "perfect" sports bra. While men may love the figure-8, and, yes, they've determined that boobs move in a figure-8 when they bounce, it's damaging to the breast tissue and can cause early sagginess as well as LOTS of pain!

I guess you could make the analogy that, for ladies, doing any high-impact activity (running, jumping rope, etc.) without a sportsbra would be kind of like a guy doing a similar activity without a jockstrap or some other type of support for his genitalia.

I really detest sports bras, and yes my boobs hurt when I'm done working out when doing the elliptical or treadmill. I guess I havent found the right sports bra. So I will take your recommendation Liz when I do start running on shoes and sports bras, I would indeed pay any amount of money to protect those puppies.
Also it's true about the sagginess, I work in a breast center so I hear lots of stories of runners coming in and giving us the sob story of their boobs are flat and saggy and they want us to fix it, lol.

[drjoek]

Hence my earlier bra recommendations. I have friends who range in size from A-cups to FFF-cups, so I keep my ears open when sports bras come up. Being a D/DD-cup myself at present, I've started to look at different types of bras to protect my bust

I hate the bounceage that comes with having tits, no matter what size I am, so I've made it my mission in life to find the "perfect" sports bra. While men may love the figure-8, and, yes, they've determined that boobs move in a figure-8 when they bounce, it's damaging to the breast tissue and can cause early sagginess as well as LOTS of pain!

I guess you could make the analogy that, for ladies, doing any high-impact activity (running, jumping rope, etc.) without a sportsbra would be kind of like a guy doing a similar activity without a jockstrap or some other type of support for his genitalia.

I really detest sports bras, and yes my boobs hurt when I'm done working out when doing the elliptical or treadmill. I guess I havent found the right sports bra. So I will take your recommendation Liz when I do start running on shoes and sports bras, I would indeed pay any amount of money to protect those puppies.
Also it's true about the sagginess, I work in a breast center so I hear lots of stories of runners coming in and giving us the sob story of their boobs are flat and saggy and they want us to fix it, lol.

Im getting a little aroused here:innocent:
Wait arent we talking about running?
I couldn't concentrate there for a moment
:lol:

Running

[EffMeBoobs]

Yes, we're talking about running. :innocent:

I was also thinking of music while running. Is it safe to use your ipod while running outside, say on a street? What if I can't hear a car or something?

[FUNKMAN]

used to enjoy multiple 50 and 100 yard sprints and running the bleachers... now i'm old

i used to compete in Cancer Care Corporate events. give me the obstacle course and the 110 in a relay and I did well. one day somebody volunteered me to run a 440 in a relay,
" oh boy ", i was dying at the end

[Thebazile78]

Yes, we're talking about running. :innocent:

I was also thinking of music while running. Is it safe to use your ipod while running outside, say on a street? What if I can't hear a car or something?

Making sure you're not turning the volume way up will definitely help.

I would probably figure on taking at least one earbud out when you're crossing the street so you can hear a bit more clearly, or hitting the "pause" function.

Keep in mind that organized events will not let you use an iPod (etc.) while you are participating because of that safety concern!

Oh, and Lands' End sells compression shorts with a built-in MP3 player pocket (http://www.landsend.com/pp/CompressionShorts~180082_48.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::BLA&CM_MERCH=IDX_00002__0000000556&origin=index).

[runnerkid]

Running is the best!