Starting running (again!) please offer advice and handholding!!!

[SirCharlieStinkySocks]

I began running using the Rawbert podcasts exactly one year ago. Got to week 3 and then family circumstances meant I gave it up. Now I want to start again, and actually keep it up. I've had a great deal of personal issues and tragedy to deal with lately and I need some sort of escape route, plus 2 stone I need to lose asap.

So, my question is, does everyone use that type of running programme or would I be ok to devise my own? I hated to music on Rawbert and was thinking of just running to my own pace and see how I get on, probably take my own music and try to run for 1 song, walk for the next and build it up if you get what I mean. Would that be feasible or do I need a structured plan? Has anyone just gone out there and run and stuck to it without any sort of training plan?

Thanks

I started running nearly a year ago and have kept it up. Altho' have only been able to go out at weekends through the winter as I live in a rural village with no streetlights. I started by following a run/walk programme designed to get you to 5k (think I got it from the Runners World website) to start with but then ditched it after a while and just started to run for as long as I could and lengthen that each time. Two reasons for this:

1. where I run is very hilly - and when you're starting out you don't want to be running up hills just because the clock says so

2. I found the watching the clock all the time a bit soul destroying

I'm usually all for a bit of structure and hated the idea of throwing the plan out of the window but I sometimes run with a neighbour who is a bit more relaxed and it's definitely paid off. The plan was good to get me started but I somehow seemed to be able to do much more once I got less hung up about when I should be walking/running. I would just experiment and see what works best for you - it's got to be fun at the end of the day or you won't stick to it. Also, find out when you're at your best. I love running first thing in the morning - I sometimes go out very early (ie. 6.30 am) so that I can be back before DH leaves for work. Whilst it takes a bit of motivation to get out of bed, there is nothing more therapeutic (IMHO) than being out on your own at that time of day.

Good luck. I am v happy to handhold by the way. I think it's good motivation to log on in the evening and let others know how it's going.

Thanks for your reply and the handholding, much appreciated!

Actually went last night and followed my plan and quite enjoyed actually. It was quite liberating not clock watching and even though I've no idea how long I walked/ran for, I figure at this point just doing it is good enough. I will try and stretch myself as time goes on and yes I think early mornings may be my forte too, hopefully I won't wake the kids up on my way out!

I am aching a bit in the legs today and do have a blister on my foot from my running shoes. Think I may need some insoles and give myself some motivation by visiting the local running shop for proper shoe advice if I stick to this for the next 4 weeks. The ones I have are proper road running shoes but were bought as a gift by dp who researched them on the net and while they've never given me problems before I do wonder if they are 'right' for me. Need to try and tell him in a way that doesn't hurt his feelings though!

Next run tomorrow!!

Well done on the running. Maybe try 2 thin pairs of socks inside your running shoes - theory being that one pair move with the shoe, the other with your foot and the socks take the friction, not your skin. DH has some 'thousand mile' socks which are basically two layers so you could recreate this yourself. Your are right though to go and seek proper advice about your shoes and what a nice reward. A good shop will analyse the way you run and recommend some shoes to correct any problems. My feet overpronate or roll-in when I run which causes stress on my knees but my shoes correct that completely and so no knee pain.

Keep it up!

New runner here!

I have tried the couch to 5k plan, but hated the music and I always end up watching the clock so much that I don't really enjoy it.

You have all motivated me to start again though and I am going to copy the run for one song and rest for one approach.

Im going to set my alarm for 6am and go before work tomorrow morning.

Will report back skippers.

Umm well the alarm went off at six and I kind of snoozed through it...

Will try again tomorrow >hopeful emotion

Thanks Lola, I actually went out at 6.30 am for a run on Sunday ?(need a virtuous self satisfied emoticon here) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Didn't take any music just walked/ran and listened to the birds, it was really good. I had actually bought running socks and gel insoles for my trainers and they seemed to help.

Bailey Good for you getting back to it. I do think that working to your own pace at what suits you is very important. I completely understand the not getting up thing, that's precisely why my planned Saturday run was put off until Sunday.

Haven't been able to get out to run since but hopefully Saturday now as back in work and house having new windows fitted this week so no real time. Next week will have a definite schedule in place.

Welcome Bailey - have you started yet? And well done Charlie on getting out again. I went out at 6.30 this morning (yes, on a Saturday, I must be mad!). It was my only chance to go as I was out for the whole day and I almost didn't as I had a really bad night with DS who normally sleeps like a star. Got myself up and out though and it was blissful, really improved my mood instead of being grumpy about not getting enough sleep (didn't stop me wanting a snooze by mid-afternoon though!).

Interestingly, I also ran with a couple of friends early evening on Thursday and it was sooo hard - think I might be turning into a definite early morning runner, seems so much easier when everything is fresh instead of the end of long day of work and DC's.

Well I set off this morning for a run around a nearby lake and it was awful!! I have had a cold this week and still getting over it so Im hoping its down to that..

I used to run a little bit a while back and never felt as unfit as I did today.

Will keep at it thouggh might go one evening instead and will make sure I take my ipod as well as I think that keeps me going.

Lola & SCSS How long do you both run for?

I have been reading the 60 second plan. First week run for 60 sec at any pace that is comfortable, not fast. Walk for three minutes and repeat. Total time out 16 minutes.

Repeat 3 times that week. Fourth session - 3o min run/walk.

a gentle plan to not overexert and then want to give up - apparently.

New runner here too!

I am hoping to work towards a 5k or 10k charity run in memory of my Dad who died 3 months ago.

I bought some new trainers yesterday have just been for my first 30-minute session using a couch potato to 5k podcast which was fab. I like the bloke in my ear telling me when to run and when to walk and whispering sweet encouragement to me

Today the weather is fabulous, the DC are at school I don't have too much work, but what happens when it's cold and wet, one of the kids is off sick and I'm snowed under with work I wonder? How do you keep up the routine?

Hi All. Hope you're all enjoying running in the good weather! Well done on getting started Castille - in answer to your question about routine, I think you just can't be too precious about it and go as much as you can - capitalise on the good spells but don't beat yourself about not being able to get out when it's not going well. I can't go out on a morning that I'm working (3 days a week) as it would be just too much to fit in and I can't go if DH is leaving really early for work so I just plan around it. Over the winter I mostly only got out once a week as it was too dark in the mornings and evenings (no streetlights) but it was enough to keep my fitness ticking over from last year. The other thing is to just go out for really short runs if that's all you can fit in and also remember how good you feel afterwards - 'cause sometimes that's the only thing that'll get you going on a bad day!

Bailey - you will be knackered if you're still getting over a cold. Probably not worth pushing yoursself if you're not 100%, it's demoralising and will delay you getting better. I tend to now run 5k at a time, I've worked out a point 2.5k from home and run there and back but I do walk the first half km to warm up and I also have a quick breather and stretch before turning back.

castille - I remember reading your post soon after your dad dying. I am glad to see you have found a goal to focus on after losing your dad. Running is the most important thing to me: my little selfish indulgence ; it has held my hand and kept me sane during difficult times; and is now proving vital as I have discovered I have inherited high cholesterol and need to do everything I can to keep it low (my dad died from a heart attack with no prior warning). Happy running and I wish you luck in finding your way.

Thank you Moshi. It's taken me a while to get started for various reasons, but I'm glad I have now. We live right next to playing fields with a 2km running circuit through a pretty setting so really it's made very easy for me! I should have no excuse not to keep at it...

So sorry to hear of your Dad's sudden death, that must have been terrible for you. I hope I find inspiration and sanity in running like you do, I'd like it to become as much a part of my life as it is of yours.

Hi guys, Bailey I just go out for 30 mins and walk/run as I see fit but haven't made it out in over a week now due to one thing and another. Have ordered the Jillian whatsherface 30 day somethingorother dvd for when I can't go out/break days to try and help.

Castille I don't think I've spoken to you before but want to say hi. My dad died suddenly a month ago and I've lost a few other close family members in a short space of time and this is what's giving me my motivation to get back running. I've been through hell and back lately and am using running (or trying to run!!) as my focus.

Hopefully run on Thursday now.

stinkysocks - so so sorry to read about your dad. A sudden loss is horrible and you can't be finding it easy so soon after losing your dad. I hope you find solace in running. At first I often cried when running after dad died as it is quite a spiritual thing for me (all that meditative breathing I think!) so I would return from a run really emotionally exhausted but that has passed now thankfully.

Hi Moshi thank you, I am sorry to hear about your dad as well, apologies I didn't read your post properly earlier otherwise I would have said earlier. It is hard yes and a lot of the time I doubt my ability to cope but I do find that having a focus is good so far and can't wait until I get the time to get back out there now.

Moshi, StinkySocks castille - so sorry to hear about your losses, glad you are finding the running therapeutic.

I have just found the perfect running location, there are a couple of farmers fields with public access right near my house and they are so nice and peaceful. Plus I can run without feeling self concious.

Have just been out for 30 minutes and did a mixture of running and walking and I feel so much better for it.

It'll be good going to the same place each time as hopefully then I will see an improvement at some point.

I am going to really try and stick at it this time - its amazing how motivated you feel when you get back.

stinkysocks, hello to you too. I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad and other family members. What a terrible time for you.

I thought about Dad while running today. Being outside on my own was therapeutic but also quite emotional - I can understand you crying while running Moshi

Bailey your running location sounds great. We must stick at it! Thursday for my next run, in theory at least. I am trying to fit in a bit of Pilates too (overambitious) because I have a recurring shoulder/back problem that my doctor said should improve if I strengthen the muscles around it.

Is anyone training for anything specific?

I'm not training for anything really, my aim is to be able to run for an hour in one go.

At the moment I can go for about 4 minutes

I'm going to go out on Thursday again too.

Yes. I did exactly that sircharlie. I used my own music and mapped my own routes using google maps. It was a bit hit and miss re distances and timings but I enjoyed it.

I got up to 13 miles and got fitter than I'd ever been.

Sadly I am not running now as I have horrible tendonitis in my feet and TBH I don't know what to do. It simply won't heal I am feeling so down about it.

Good luck though. It's the best thing for emotional escape and release.

How is everyone doing today?

I have just done my 2nd run. Messed it up a bit when DD1 rang half way through (I have the podcasts on my mobile) and instead of pausing it I stopped it and then couldn't work out how to fast forward so had to make up the 2nd half and have probably cheated like mad. Got in just as a big storm broke and it is now hammering with rain...

I seem to get horrid shin splints though - anyone know anything about prevention/cure?

My physio tells me, and everything I read suggests, that shin splints and tendonitis are both indicative of an underlying problem with gait and/or over training (too much too soon).

The usual route of checking trainers are not too worn and are the right sort for your gait are the first thing to do. Then to see if someone can assess your running style to see whether there is a problem there.

I went to a running clinic recently and have been told that 7 years of buggy running has altered my stride. It is quite common apparently to not use your arms enough and, of course, when buggy running you don't use them to propel yourself at all. What this means is that I have been over-striding (trying to maintain pace by just using my legs) and exacerbating muscle weaknesses which, in turn, causes extra pressure on certain ligaments. Hence my ongoing right ankle tendonitis as my left side is stronger than my right which means I propel from my left with more force than my right can return. I always thought it was down to a weak core after 4 children but it seems this is just part of the cause.

So my cure is to: (a) stop buggy running; (b) shorten my stride; (c) get used to using my arms once more; and (d) ease into the miles again. And I think strengthening the core is always a good one whether you have had children or not. Take a look at any professional runner and they have the most incredible abs!

Orm - is it tendonitis in BOTH feet? It possibly suggests that your weakness comes from higher up (eg your core) and if you can identify it and work on it, there is no reason you can't fix it and get back into running.

Moshi - it's in both yes but bearable in my right foot. It started about 2 yrs ago when I cut the sole of my foot and favoured my other foot as a consequence. Do you think a good sports physio would help? I'd be willing to give it a go although I know I'd have to pay. I've tried RICE endlessly(although the R bit is hard ) and nothing seems to touch it for long.

Orm - I definitely advocate seeing a good physio but be careful who you choose as some will happily patch you up and send you out (sort of like a field doctor) whereas others will want to identify the cause before treating the problem (more like a doctor that is after your general well-being aiming to prevent injuries). I saw one of the former types when my tendonitis started and he got me going for my racing (I was doing triathlons that season) which I thought was marvellous at the time as I had thought I would have to ditch the racing. But unfortunately his method of strapping me up didn't help the problem and I had to work very hard with another physio to get back to running without any strapping and getting strength back in my foot. I did manage it the same season but it took lots of visits (£££££!) to get me there. If only I had known where I was headed when I saw the first chap and I would have been more cautious about using that strapping tape!

I have just had a month off with a pulled hamstring and sprained ankle (playing hockey) and the RICE was helpful but of course I am "easing" back into it and I can feel the hamstring pulling and tendonitis and ITBFS niggling already. And I am not even running very much (no more than 2-3 times in the past week up about 4.5 miles).

I reckon if you are aware of why it is happening then at least you can make a conscious effort to address it in your training. And I am sure you can work this out with the help of a good physio or even a running clinic. Do you have any near you?

I beleive the owner of the gym I used to go to is a reputable sports physio. I have insurance that will cover half of the costs but still worried it will cost a fortune. I think a call to him is on the cards.

Thanks moshi.