@chdot i could resolve my problems easily by drinking less beer...
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Sport
The Reluctant Runners Thread
(326 posts)-
Posted 5 years ago #
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I’d prefer to eat less.
I've got terrible will power so tend to do penance instead
Posted 5 years ago # -
"I'm fitting in running around kids and work."
Move the kids further apart, will give you a longer loop.
Posted 5 years ago # -
The surface of the towpath is murder on your joints. You might want to try running on grass or unsurfaced paths. Is there any way you could run at lunch time or straight after work? The Meadows and Holyrood Park are both good options.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Various bits of my legs tend to ache a bit when I go back to running after a long (>a month) period of not doing it. The aches stop happening so much once I have two or three regular runs under my belt. I do try to avoid tarmac as far as possible though.
Quite possibly my experience only, but: my knees used to ache more when my running style was more old school striding and high(er) knee lift (my mental image of running was largely based on sprinting). I changed to less lift, shorter stride length and higher cadence and the impact on my joints is much reduced.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Have you suddenly gone out and run 5km after not having run for some time? It might just be that.
When I got back to running after taking a break at the end of last year, I worked my way through a "Couch to 5km" programme as a good way to not do too much too quickly.You might also want to think about your technique a bit. I can waffle on about technique if you would me to...
Posted 5 years ago # -
@fimm I started couch to 5k in september but it wasn't really the right pace for me, even when I ran some of the 'walk' bits. I would have stuck with it if i hadn't gotten sick and lost about 6 weeks.
so yes, I have more or less gone back to just running 4-5 k at a go, but not so suddenly as to have sore muscles or anything.
@morningsider yes i love running up arthur's seat. but just doesn't work logistically. the meadows drive me crazy. too many people.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Yes. I think you might be doing too much too soon. If you don't want to work up gradually, I think you should at the very least stick to 4km for a few weeks while your body gets used to it again.
Also you could run loops round the grass in Harrison Park if you want a softer surface.Posted 5 years ago # -
How long were you off before you decided you needed to do a c25k to restart? I've not ran since August and I'm really needing to get started again but hadn't considered how.
Posted 5 years ago # -
@SRD
I would honestly start with long brisk walks if you can. Your body will then know what's coming and tighten its various nuts and bolts.
Going back to running when no longer eighteen is always a bit brutal.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Thanks guys. I did do several weeks of 3-4 kms. Am thinking the correlation might be more with the very cold mornings both sat and today. But will take your advice and not overdo it.
Posted 5 years ago # -
@SRD, I guess your knee problem was in the middle and not down the side of your kneecap? Almost all such knee issues stem from weak glutes and general core muscles. Simply, the core should be taking the brunt of your running effort. But, If it's not then the stresses move down the leg to the knee joint, which ain't built for that ...
(Knee pain on the side of the knee is usually down to over stretching the thigh, but your distances are a bit away from that).
A physio would almost certainly recommend general core exercises, which will take about 4 weeks to have meaningful effect but are well worth doing. And you need to keep going with them. Walk/run sensible in the meantime.
Posted 5 years ago # -
yes. am sure my core needs work. back when i was 18 i don't think we had a 'core'....
Posted 5 years ago # -
I probably did this all wrong but I went back to running (after 4 or so years off) by just turning up at my local parkrun. I was surprised I managed to run the whole way round (and could barely walk from DOMS for 3 days afterwards) but I've been enjoying it as an occasional outing and a chance to enjoy a whole load of new statistics. After the first one I haven't suffered too much in the aftermath of the last two, maybe because I'm fairly fit from the bike. This may be famous last words though!
Posted 5 years ago # -
@SRD 4 years ago on this thread I was recounting how I completed the Couch to 5K but had damaged my right knee so much that I didn't run again after that and put my running kit away.
Well, I decided to try again at the start of the year, and despite hating every minute of it & almost abandoning the program multiple times, I made it to the end and have been trying to stick to doing a 3 mile run every Saturday morning since then.
All of this has been despite my dodgy knee, as it was agonisingly painful from the off. This time though, as soon as I realised it was trouble, I went out and bought a neoprene knee support, and since I started wearing that my knee never bothers me during or after runs. It's this one - quite pricey at almost £20, but for keeping my knee going it was worth every penny: https://www.superdrug.com/Neo-G/Neo-G-Open-Knee-Support---One-Size/p/717424
Maybe try one of these on and see how it goes?
Posted 5 years ago # -
@three thanks for the tip. I'll see how i get on. no pain when i run (knocks on wood).
Posted 5 years ago # -
@stevo, assuming "How long were you off before you decided you needed to do a c25k to restart?" was addressed to me, I think it was a couple of months.
It should be noted that I am not a "reluctant runner" - my last race before the break was the 38 mile Jedburgh 3 Peaks Ultramarathon, and I'd done a number of long hill races before that.
The idea of doing C25K came from a friend*, also a keen runner, who had a nasty ankle injury and whose physio suggested she work through it as she got back into running. She was initially a bit unsure because she thought it might be too easy for her, but she told me she found it good, and I agree.
*she and I did a Mountain Marathon together earlier this year.
Posted 5 years ago # -
It should be noted that I am not a "reluctant runner"
No I know, thats what was worrying me.
I've been off for 4 months now and barely done any cycling in that period. I was half marathon (ish*) fit before but hoping to not have to go back to square one but it might be the way to go**.
*On a good day last year I might manage to not die.
** I've yet to get up the crazy required to attempt a MM.Posted 5 years ago # -
steveo the thing is someone like me could easily injure or re-injure themselves by going too fast or too far too quickly. C25K holds us back.
Mountain Marathons don't have that much running in them. Too much stuff to carry, and too much navigating across trackless heather to some random tussock in the middle of nowhere in particular. I'm glad I gave it a go, but I'm not rushing to do another one.
Posted 5 years ago # -
C25K holds us back.
Sound logic, I'm much better at taking it easy than I am at pushing myself so I'm going to play it by ear I think.
I don't want to start at week 1 because I'm pretty sure I'd never get going again but I think I'll stick with 20 minute z2 runs for a few weeks to break back in slowly.
MM is on my list of things to attempt but I've got a couple of self supported trips I want to do first.
Posted 5 years ago # -
If you have recurring knee pain, and if you can afford it, I will always suggest seeing a good sports physio. I used to assume I was just badly fitted together, but a surprising amount of stuff was Bit A overcompensating for Bit B not doing what it was supposed to (for weakness / past damage reasons generally, though throw in some habitual poor posture stuff too).
Posted 5 years ago # -
I've picked up intermittent running again recently and in the early stages I noticed that these days it takes my leg muscles about 3 days to recover from things that took about 1 day to recover from in my twenties. 5k is my limit just now.
I'm still being overtaken by old ladies with shopping bags but it's hurting less.
I would absolutely agree with the idea of starting v small and building up more slowly than you might intuitively choose. Plank and other core exercises seem to be helping but are tricky in my house as kids think it's v funny to come and sit on me.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Do we need a reluctant yogi thread? I've been doing regular yoga videos so have been building up my core that way - didn't think it had anything to do with running though, just trying to improve my general flexibility and upper body strength. I have noticed it's made carrying my Brompton easier though.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Haha yes, Mr fimm and I do yoga classes - not so much "Reluctant yogis" as "world's most inflexible yogis..."
Posted 5 years ago # -
I tried it for a while but my clinically poor balance coupled with my having the flexibility of a starched shirt meant I could never really get into it. Had to do it in the house, @Snowy you think the kids find planks funny! :D
Posted 5 years ago # -
I’m with Steveo - no one has ever accused me of ‘overdoing it’ before. I suspect you all walk faster than I jog.
I have a severe allergy to yoga.
May try the ‘1 penny joining fee’ at Edinburgh leisure and do some gym work over the winter months.
Posted 5 years ago # -
May try the ‘1 penny joining fee’ at Edinburgh leisure and do some gym work over the winter months.
That was my plan last year, again could never seem to find the routine. But if you decide to try, puregym is much cheaper than EL.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Main attraction of pure gym to me is that it’s 24 hours. But not as conveniently located.
Posted 5 years ago # -
:-)
I'm just trying to suggest what might have caused your sore knees, and encouraging people not to do too much too soon, which is easily done.I am very inflexible and have poor balance. That's why I do yoga.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Ah November* what a wonderful time to get back to running. The last of life is draining out of the trees, the sky is slate grey and the rain comes out of nowhere... Joy.
*Poetic Licence
Did a gentle 20 minutes, don't hurt terribly but definitely feel like I have had a run. thanks for the advice fimm.
Posted 5 years ago #
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