I need to get fitter, riding my bike is fun but jogging is something I can do even if it’s dark out.
I was wondering if anyone here does regularly? How often do you go and how long did it take to get into the swing of things and see an improvement in fitness, weight etc? Obviously everyone is different but for the sake of conversation…
I’ve read that concrete is pretty much the worst surface you can run on but living in a city doesn’t leave that many good places to go. Am I going to have to buy an insanely expensive pair of running shoes? Is there a secret code where I should give a little nod or high-five to every other jogger I pass?
just start running but don’t run too fast.
I guess that really is the key isn’t it. It’s not stalking if you just happen to be jogging along exactly the same route as a pretty lady is it?
as long as she gives you the secret high five and/or nod first.
I’ve been running since '82… Invest in a good pair of shoes. Your body will appreciate it. I run Asics Gel Nimubs b/c I supinate, but go to a good shoe store and get properly fitted. A knowledgeable salesperson will observe your heel strike and determine the proper shoe for you.
As for starting out, walk and jog for a 1/2 hour and work your way up to a full jog for a 1/2 hour. Do that 3 times a week. Make sure to stretch the hamstrings, groin and calf muscles.
After you get a good base under your belt, you can modify your workouts. I still go 3x a week, but one day I go 3 miles at a fast pace, one day I do somewhere between 4-8 1/4 mile repeats, and then my favorite workout is what I call my LSD run (long slow distance) where I go somewhere between 6-10 miles.
Hope this helps.
I see, I have a lot to learn in the ways of the jogger.
Nice, thanks for the advice. I have quite large feet and have trouble finding even regular shoes to fit well so this should be interesting.
I may go out this evening and see how it goes in some soccer shoes I have just to get started. not ones with studs by the way, just astroturfs.
Is it a soft “J”?
I’m a runner.
I run 6 days a week and average ~40 miles per week.
It took about 2 months to be really comfortable with running 2 miles but now 5 miles is the minimum I will run.
Like Marley stated, a great way to build up strength and work on your pace when you hit the wall are LSD’s.
Right now I’m training for a half marathon in May and a full in Sept.
I usually run at least one 10-12 mile run each week and 2 or 3 7 milers.
Good luck.
a
Also, if you have an iPod Nano, you can buy the Nike+ sensor ($30) which gives you feedback during your runs and allows you to keep track of all your runs and progress.
You can also take part in challenges with other runners from all over the world.
VERY motivational and fun.
Here’s a challenge I set up between other Phish fans on another board I’m on.
420 miles from 01-01/07-01…
Here is how your runs are displayed…
You can click on any of your runs and see each individually. Here is yesterday’s run. Each dot on the line displays your pace for that particular mile. Cool stuff…
Really an awesome tool for any runner.
a
^ thanks man. Yea I’ve seen that nike runner deal, looks like it would be a really good motivation especially competing against other people. I need to get to a point where run enough to justify spending money on that and a nano first, as I have neither at the moment.
I’d love to be able to track my runs like that, except I use a treadmill at the local Y instead of actual “jogging” outside.
Per week I usually put in 20-25 miles, but that’s not including the 1.5 mile round-trip walk to get there and also the 5-7miles I put in on the exercise bike.
I only started this regimen about 2 1/2 months ago and I’ve honestly never felt better.
^ How did you kick start it all? Probably a stupid question but did you buy all the kit and just run until you were tired, set a point to run to and improve your time, chase a brightly coloured ball down the road?
By the way phg, I did not mean to ignore your anchorman reference. “you just run for an extended period of time. It’s supposed to be wild” classic.
yea well I went, only did about 2 miles… and walked quite a lot of it but did run up the part with the big hill.
I figure it’s not that bad for the first time, I need to get used to running in the first place before I start really pushing it. I used to ride my bike fairly often and liked the benefit from that but think it levelled of at a point so I look forward to noticing an improvement in running. It’s like a jungle out there, runners everywhere.
Yes! 
I did and I loved it. There were a few months where I worked up to an hour on the treadmill (plus the bike and elptical) I wish I could do more but I only have so much time to get back to my daughter. I haven’t even gone but 7 or 8 times in the last 2 months since I started seeing that churchy guy, but now that’s done and I really want to get back to it. I gained like 6 pounds hanging with him lol. No guy is worth the way I feel after a good work out. Nothing compares to it.
I find running shoes to be so heavy so I got some sort of extremely light weight Adidas shoe that works fine for me. The only thing I hate is that the top of my foot goes numb after about half an hour on the eliptical, but they did that with the shoes I wore before these. They do fine on the treadmill.
The best way to start running is just to put on some workout clothes, stretch, and take off…but slowly. If you try to hit the gate at warp speed, you’ll be so spent within the first half mile that you might be hesitant to ever try again. Be aware of your body’s limits and don’t push it the first few times. Be smart and build up speed and endurance in a healthy way. If you’re already riding your bike, you’re in better shape than I was. I had to work up to running for like a week and a half. Then each time I went back, I replaced walking time with running until I hit a wall with how far I could run at one time. To start, I walked maybe 5 minutes to warm up then ran till I couldn’t run anymore. Then I would walk for a few minutes to catch my breath then spend the rest of my time running 3 minutes, walking 1.5 minutes until I had 10 minutes left in my hour and I could complete them running.
…also only put things into your body that will give you the best output. Think of your body as a car and food is your fuel. When you put shitty gas in your car, it doesn’t perform near as well or go near as far. I noticed a BIG difference in my workout energy and stamina when I ate shitty foods or smoked a cigarette. Most importantly, have fun! If exercise isn’t fun, you won’t do it. Think of it as ME time and you’ll start to look forward to it 
::heads to gym::
no i’m sorry, i do not jog. good day to you sir.
^Gotta love the quick exit…
I used to be a long distance runner back in high school. Not so much now, tho my walks to class in the city ease my aching airways.
::mind blown::
I thought Chuck was CharlieJack this whole time
fiddlesticks