running

[saguaro]

Since mskat and serenada have picked it up, I'll try to keep track of my progress through the C25K program

Comments

[rank_tyro]

Do you stretch, either before or after?

Also, I've been collecting exercise music suggestions from LJ, and have 7.5 hours worth. I can post a list in a couple days (and in fact, am looking to boost it more).

[saguaro]

Actually, I don't stretch. ducks Because I'm lazy-- and I've got science on my side!linkety. Although studies do show that regular stretching confers a benefit, merely stetching before and after exercise does not.

[rank_tyro]

My absolutely unscientific experience with stretching is that it has a huge difference on risk of injury. If there's a position I can't reach unstretched that I need to reach during the exercise, I can either warm the muscles up forever, or warm them up a little and stretch. Without either of those, injury is very likely.

I don't get the random pulls when I'm warmed and stretched either.

[saguaro]

Maybe that's an argument for warming. I think the evidence on warming-- some form of imitation of the exercise to come-- is much more positive.

[mskat]

I don't stretch either. Well, not tremendously, the way I should. I only stretch before if I take a minute or two after walking before running.

I do stretch after because it feels better to do that.

Okay, going from 5 mph to 5.7 mph is kinda huge. It's dropping from a 12 minute mile to a 10.71 minute mile. If 5 mph is too slow to do the entire work out, then bump up 5.4 or 5.5mph and see (cause a 12 to an 11 mintue mile seems easier.)

I find it easier to push myself by running greater distances than greater speeds because I'd rather have endurance over quickness. In reality I have neither. And i'm running outside, so I tend to do extra reps because it gets me home, because I time and turn around too late. No greater reason than that.

Also, on days you don't run, I'd recommend setting up a circuit of exercises you do. The core strength or body circuit ones here work great. Also, the injury prevention for runners is helpful. serenada they are the ones who sing the praises of ice baths.

[pyrric]

while I've always been able to exercise (doing the elliptical for an hour at a time, but why in hell was I doing that?), running was somehow mysteriously hard for me

I totally thought I was the only one who felt like this. I once worked out on an elliptical for two hours, because I could. Jesus was that ever boring. But it was a revelation, too--I could work out for two hours! Without stopping! And not, you know, die! But I try to run and I feel like I'm ready to fall over mere minutes after I've begin.

I've always wanted to be able to run. I think I'm going to try this program--thanks for the link.

And in a "my world is getting smaller by the instant" moment--how do you know serenada?

[pyrric]

Er, hi! My name is Jen and I'm a complete moron. I skimmed too quickly and thought you were my friend Debbie posting this and couldn't for the life of me figure out the connection between her and serenada. But since you're not Debbie, I am going to slink away now, embarassed.

PS: I was at the Chicago Diner in May. Rusty wasn't there, alas.

[saguaro]

Oh, Rusty!