Damage Control

I have never been an especially athletic person, however one of my goals in life is to run a 5k marathon.
Xentin and I had originally started this back before Christmas, but my stupid plantar fasciitis made it impossible for me to continue at the time.

Anyway! Now I think I'm healed (mostly) and I think Xentin and I will be attempting to train for it again.
Back in December I had found this site: Couch to 5k Plan
and had been pretty much following it at my own pace (remember the un-athletic thing?).

So the reason I am posting this is to see:
1.) if we have any runners in our guild who can give tips to someone like me who is starting out
2.) if anyone else wants to train too - we can all keep each other motivated!

Post here if you are interested.

#2519562 Melanibela wrote:

I have never been an especially athletic person, however one of my goals in life is to run a 5k marathon.
Xentin and I had originally started this back before Christmas, but my stupid plantar fasciitis made it impossible for me to continue at the time.

Anyway! Now I think I'm healed (mostly) and I think Xentin and I will be attempting to train for it again.
Back in December I had found this site: Couch to 5k Plan
and had been pretty much following it at my own pace (remember the un-athletic thing?).

So the reason I am posting this is to see:
1.) if we have any runners in our guild who can give tips to someone like me who is starting out
2.) if anyone else wants to train too - we can all keep each other motivated!

Post here if you are interested.

Mel,

I am an avid runner. I started running about 1.5 years ago and went from 300lbs to 180lbs. I started off running about a mile a day and went up to about 4 a day now which is a bit over 5k. Depending on traffic and environment it takes me about 30 minutes to finish.

For starting out make sure you look at what kind of shoes you need. I suggest

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319-327-7727-0,00.html#

From there look what kind of shoes would work. INvest in good shoes, they are worth it. Make sure you get comfy running gear. It should be lightweight and have wicking material to keep you from getting too sweaty. I like the nike dri fit stuff but I also really like the Champion C9 stuff at target. Its really cheap and is super comfy.

INsert your favorite MP3/Ipod/Zune ect here. Get some tunes that are fast and will keep you moving. Don't use earbuds or headphones they fall out. try these.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PMX80-Behind-Phones-Sports/dp/B001GT185K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1272053436&sr=8-3

They don't fall out and make it easy.

Due to my high arches on my feet I get the same plantar crap. I bought these and it really helps.
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=162814&catid=10277

Apple makes a dealy called Nike + iPod. It's basically a bluetooth pedometer that syncs up with your iPhone. If you have an older iPhone you may need an adapter for it. It's awesome though. You can upload your runs/workouts online and share with friends to keep you motivated.

@ Ridah,

300 to 180 lbs is amazing!
I was thinking of visiting this running store in Austin this weekend to get some good shoes. They do some kind of test or something to figure out if you are an overpronator or underpronator, etc. I read your article, but I am still nervous about buying them on my own - don't want to buy a good (and expensive) pair of shoes only to have them make my feet problems worse.

I will definitely look into the Champion stuff, cheap is good!

When I was running back in winter, I never brought my ipod/iphone, mainly because I didn't have a strap for it and then I kept forgetting to get one. I'll remember to get one this time, I think the music can definitely keep me going.

Do you mainly run in the morning before work? Or after work?


@ Selcouth,

I totally forgot all about that thing! Great idea!

if you guys really want to nerd out on this stiff i can send you some data on stride length % and heel strike data from our kinetics lab.

PS. Personally I hate running for running, but if you give me someone with a rugby ball i'ma chase that fucker down till I plow him into the ground

teh greater stride the greater negative impact on the knee, the shorter stride the less propulsion gained. Head movement should NOT be Up and Down but stationary moving in the same plane!

I R Kinetics nerd me goooder pe tech!!!


PPS. Mel if you need a taping diagraim for you plantar fascitis I can send you one. It is very simple, and I can talk X through it.

@ Shiro:

yea post the data! It might be something to keep in mind while running.

And I would love the tape diagram, noob question: what kind of tape do you use? I remember back when I worked at a PT's office they had kinesiotape, I don't know where regular folks would go buy something like that though.


I like running because of several reasons:
1.) unathletic and uncoordination = bad for team play! I hate letting others down.
2.) can do alone or with others
3.) other than new shoes and a thing to strap my iPhone to my arm and ears relatively cheap sport to get into.
4.) I want to run a marathon!
5.) apparently I like making lists as this will be second in this thread

So Mel, you've got me all psyched to get back into all of this. I needed a new arm band and this one looks good/has decent reviews: http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-Technology-GB01504-Aerosport-Iphone/dp/B003649B7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1272237465&sr=1-1

And then I happened to see this. Kind of a waste of $7 if you can make your own, but if you're not good with velcro: http://www.amazon.com/Marware-Sportsuit-Sensor-Sport-Black/dp/B000ID6DTG/ref=pd_sim_cps_2

And Ridah, I ordered those headphones! Was tired of the sport earbuds I had. They cut off too much external noise.

Woo running Couth!

I am so sad, we did not get to go to Runtex today, we were upgrading our 38gal aquarium to a 75gal tank, and it took all day.

Luckily, there's a location right near where I work so it shouldn't be a problem to pop in.

I really want to get one of those arm bands too. The only thing is I am so paranoid about dropping my phone... just by walking around its falling out of my pocket or something randomly and I have been lucky so far. One would think they do like stress testing on those things right?

Yay! Running Couth! Go go go!

I'm starting a running routine to get back into shape so I'll join in the support group! I want to move my bootcamp date up so I had to pass the PFT for AFTER boot camp to move up my date to START boot camp... While the sit-ups and push-ups were a breeze I had just started running a day before I was told the test would be at 9am the following morning... 5 years of smoking + no team sports = out of shape Imba :-P

Luckily I passed the 1.5 mile run by a minute but I'd like to get that time down to the 100 percent zone before I ship so I need to get back down to about a 6 minute mile... Work to do!

Over the weekend we got some Asics shoes.... talk about comfy! If you can find some that are good for your feet I'd recommend them so far.

The guy said that we should get one shoe size larger than your normal dress shoe size. Something I didn't know before!


We did our first walk/jog yesterday... kind of taking it slow. And iced after!

Update!
I hope everyone (who has been wanting to) has been successful in becoming more active! Unfortunately the running has not been so great on my feet. Its partially (all) my fault, because I am terrible at remembering to ice and stretch. However, cycling seems like it may be a good substitute for now! We went yesterday and it was glorious! Exercise without excruciating pain.. imagine that! So new sport, new goal... and this one seems like a long way away, but something to work for: Link Perhaps not even next year, but the next! So with that... anyone into cycling??

This is me trying to go Cycling in Canada.

#2781703 Melanibela wrote:

Update!
I hope everyone (who has been wanting to) has been successful in becoming more active! Unfortunately the running has not been so great on my feet. Its partially (all) my fault, because I am terrible at remembering to ice and stretch. However, cycling seems like it may be a good substitute for now! We went yesterday and it was glorious! Exercise without excruciating pain.. imagine that! So new sport, new goal... and this one seems like a long way away, but something to work for: Link Perhaps not even next year, but the next! So with that... anyone into cycling??

My wife and I bought decent bikes 2 years ago. We had a lot of fun in the cooler months but slowed down a lot in the summer. I love riding a bike but I hate the helmet. If I could figure out a way around that I'd like it a lot more.

dont wear one.....another problem fixed.

Yea I totally didnt wear one yesterday :/

In fact I'm not really sure what the rules are on it... in neighborhoods its ok not to? but on main roads I think you have to... or I could be just making this all up.


I really should get a helmet.

I cant speak to Texan rules, but here in BC it is a legislated law that you have to wear a helmet while operating a bicycle or any powered open vehicle - like a moped or a motorcycle.
It isnt really very strongly enforced though...

It's a law in Washington as well. Mostly people don't bother to enforce it. My work is right next to a state patrol office, and if I'm closing I've ridden past 2 squad cars without reflectors/helmets/whatever. They really don't care in Oly.

The downside is that when I got hit by a car nobody cared either.

Upon further reading I am seeing that there are no bicycle helmet laws for adults in TX (*where I live - It looks like in Dallas its all ages!!). However, I will probably get one when I take to busier roads... rather have a headache than be a vegetable.

#2783295 Melanibela wrote:

However, I will probably get one when I take to busier roads... rather have a headache than be a vegetable.

QFT - I always wear one if I'm riding a bike - granted my bike was stolen a year and a half ago and I dont have the need for it to drop cash on a new one... but ya its just like wearing my seatbelt in the car. I trust myself not to crash but there are too many idiots out there that might hit you :-(