Re: [at-l] a beginers running question?

[bullard@northnet.org]

When I started running, I didn't. Let me rephrase that. I didn't set out to
run, I only intended to walk. I started out on a 4.25 mile route. It took
me an hour and a half the first time. I decided I needed to walk faster so
I worked on that until I was doing it in under an hour. It was still eating
a big hole in my day so I decided to run until I 'began' getting out of
breath then walk until I recovered. The running sections got longer and
longer until it dawned on me that if I slowed the pace maybe I could run it
all. Within 10 weeks of starting to walk I was running the whole 4.25 miles
including the hills.

Moral: Start slow, push yourself (gently) and pay attention to what your
body is telling you. Some of the symptoms you describe are your body saying
"you're pushing too hard, too soon". After a while you'll learn the
difference between your body just complaining (I don't want to do this) and
warning you (if you keep this up you will do damage) and eventually your
body will even like you for the discipline. Running is the absolute best
stress reliever I've tried and yes, you can get a high from it.

It's extremely important to have good shoes and buy new ones regularly.
They only last 500-600 miles. They'll still look good but the cushioning is
shot. Also make a point to stretch after every run. A good running book (I
recommend Galloway's) on running will show you how. Some people say you
should stretch before your run but your muscles aren't warmed up yet.
Better to start slowly for the first .5 miles. Be sure to give yourself 1-2
days per week off too.

Unfortunately I can't run any more (knee injury) but I never felt better
than when I was running.

Saunterer

At 12:44 AM 8/28/99 -0400, you wrote:
>i have been tryign to train by running( i coudl be joggin too i am nto
>really sure what the diffrence is) recently .. now i admit i have not a clue
>as to what i am doing.  i have only been at it for two weeks..  but right
>now(figuratively) i am running in field. on grass some mowed some not so
>mowed.  cause i find pavement hurts my legs.  i am loosing my wind after
>about what i think to be half a mile...  but then again it is a big field we
>are talkgin about who knows how big it is..    but either way i am jsut
>blasted by the end of two laps which i think are 1/4 miles each(some times
>only one).    then I walk until I am revived and jog or run again until i
>completely blow out again.  by this time my legs no matter how much a
>stretch are burning and the calves are soars and i feel all wobbly.    i
>strecth again before i stop and i make sure i dont stretch until i have run
>for jsut a bit to warm up slightly.
>
>so the syntoms i am getting are:
>that pain in your stomach area from breathing to hard
>sore legs in general
>sore calves in paticular
>and this feeling of complete wastedness after a few laps
>
>is this normal for a new runner or am i doign somethign wrong i woudl hate
>to be hurting my self. after all i am doign this so i can get healthier not
>worse. and i woudl hate to be starting all wron g and not makign any
>prgress... now the thing is i am running or jogging about as slow as i can
>with out turnign it into a really fast walk.(i think but the definitions
>somethimes confuse me)
>
>so any suggestions or hints...  if i was to be able to run 2 miles i woudl
>be happy forget a marathon.
>
>Wisperlite
>
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