Anyone on r3v run/jog?

[Mr. Burns]

for anyone looking to take up the sport, I found an excellent motivator for myself are aps for you smartphone such as "Map My Run" or even the "Nike Running App" for iPhone.

tracking your progress, pace, best mile is what kept me wanting to see if I can beat my previous best mile...good for those who don't always have a partner when running, or if your wives or s/o is much faster than you :P

[gkurey]

I run a lot, great way to be healthy and get your ya-yas out. I use the Garmin Forerunner 110 to track my runs...I would recommend it to anyone! Also, if you look for close-out deals, www.runningwarehouse.com has some amazing deals!

[PeteD]

Shin Splints!!!

I've done EVERYTHING under the sun for shin splints. I wish I knew years ago what I finally learned now.

My solution is a combination of what everyone has already said: shoe, insole, and training.

Shoes:
I needed a straight pronation shoe (most running shoes are default, straight pronation). I love the Reebok zig zags. Not the best running shoe because they are rather bulky, but that is what works for me the best. I've run 5K's in them and long runs (half marathon at most). Stay the heck away from Nike's. Nike believes your foot should conform to the shoe, not the shoe to the foot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSw-w3LtLUo

Insoles
You might have flat feet. I have flat feet. Without a proper insoles, the mechanics of my stride are complete askew because my arch collapses when it impacts the ground.

I've literally have had at least 10 pairs of custom insoles made of different material built. What I learned is that the stronger the arch in the insole, the better it was for me.

Today, you can assess what insoles you need at most sporting good stores. They have a pad you step on and it reveals the imprint of your foot. If you leave a full foot print (where your arch shouldn't be touching) you have flat feet. The options for insoles at these stores are also just as good, if not better than what I had made for me.

Training

Like nando said, too much too soon. You have to start out slow and short. Your cardio level is probably higher than your resistance to shin splints, so it'll be annoying for a week or two; but if have some discipline and don't over train you'll work your way around shin splints. If I can do it, I think anyone can.

Other Notes

No more bare feet, no more sandals. I know there is this philosophy about bare foot running and working all the muscles in your foot to adapt properly; however it never worked for me, and I tried it many times.

Also, if your shoes are old or have a lot of mileage on them the insoles aren't going to be optimized, so make sure you cycle through shoes when they start to wear out.

[Nick_S]

I need to start running. To dark when I get off for my road bike anymore.

[kwill22]

I prefer Adidas for sprinting and when I do mid distance training (400m- 1 mile) for conditioning I like asics and saucony

[AndrewBird]

Running is for people who can't afford to buy a car.























;)

[DÌEGØ]

I personally don't enjoy running, I think its boring. But I do it because its a good workout.
Last time I was running consistently it was 3mi almost daily, some good workouts I tell you but the most boring 30mins ever haha

[pureaudio]

Just started again a couple months ago but I'm getting back in the swing of things pretty quick. 8-9 mile runs on Sunday with 2-6 mile runs during the week, hoping to do my first 1/2 marathon within another couple months.

Not a big solo runner either, if I'm going to do any kind of distance then it needs to be with at least 1 other person. A lot of times there are 4 in our group for the longer runs.

[mcr_driver]

I used to run/jog, it's how I lost almost 100 lbs a couple of years ago. I stopped however and I've lost my motivation to start running again. Actually could use some advice as far as how to fight that wall as I did enjoy running a lot but I keep hitting that wall sooner and sooner in to my runs.

[NigelStu]

I ran a bunch in high school and college, kept up with if for a while after and still enjoy it. Ran a few marathons (I got my Boston in, that's it for marathons for me! Marathons take too f'n long!) and still do a few races here and there - mostly the Dances With Dirt relay races.

But mostly now I 'run' with Hash House Harriers. Awesome social running club where we drink copious amount of beer. Fun with friends, drinking beer and having adventures into the unknown. When you are part of the pack, you generally don't know where you are going. Follow trail, find beer. Its awesome. Its also all over the world - look it up. Worth it.

[ELVA164]

I personally don't enjoy running, I think its boring. But I do it because its a good workout.
Last time I was running consistently it was 3mi almost daily, some good workouts I tell you but the most boring 30mins ever haha

I know exactly how you feel. I was extremely driven to compete when I ran, but my events were all sprints (except the 400m IH) so the long runs were just torturous. I performed better than the sprinters, but not as good as the distance kids, so I always ended up alone....never good when you're not enjoying it to start with.

Actually could use some advice as far as how to fight that wall as I did enjoy running a lot but I keep hitting that wall sooner and sooner in to my runs.

Since I had so much time to ponder how much long runs suck, I came up with a few ways to make things more interesting.

First and most importantly, do NOT run the same route over and over. Not only does it make the process more boring, but it gets you in your own head. "Oh crap, here comes that damn hill...I hate that hill..."
Second, your breathing is key to keeping things easy. Pace your breaths using strides. I would start with 4 strides in, 4 strides out. Move to 3 and 3, and 2 and 3 if I was pushing. Always breathe out more than in. It helps prevent cramps and get rid of ones that happen.

Next, try to make an effective playlist if you listen to music when you run. Start off with more relaxing music, work into up-tempo pump-up music, then finish up with something in the middle. Helps the psychology of it a lot.

Another thing that helps is trying a few different paces; work to your strengths. If you excel at hillclimbs, save the energy and blast up a hill. If you're good at keeping pace up running downhill, climb slower and increase your speed on the way down. If you can elongate your stride on level ground, work on keeping tempo and breathing properly. Great for self-confidence.

Hope that helps and wasn't too much to read! :up:

[F34R]

I used to but just stopped some where along the way a few years ago. Now I just lift.

[VinniE30]

Do you even run?

[illest318i]

I run but to stay in shape/lose weight. Around my junior year in high school i weighted 260lb. That was like 2 1/2 years ago, now im at 180 and am 5'11". Its super fun and addicting, but after doing it every single day you start getting bored of it idk why. My senior year i did a lot of weight lifting as well. Its crazy because a lot of people i know dont even recognize me anymore. But yeah man, if you wanna lose weight fast seems like running is the best solution.

[Emre]

I prefer Adidas ... asics and saucony

I've tried all brands and have found that Saucony is best for me, with Adidas a close 2nd. Other brands don't work for me. Especially Nike, which is total junk.

A side benefit of Saucony is that they're quite a bit cheaper than other brands, so I don't feel as guilty about tossing them away every few months. With running shoes, you need to get rid of them before they get too worn.