Run everyday for a year

[Kiba]

Hi, I achevie 11 days of running. Yay! (Lost one due to parents not leting me exercise outside. No Trendmill and stuff.)

I also have to run in the gym today, which does not count. Another yay for me.

I wonder about the others' progress.





Still, I won't be able to do 365 days this year, unfortunately.

[Lucas]

Originally Posted by Kiba

Still, I won't be able to do 365 days this year, unfortunately.

Dont let that stop you. Aim for 313 days, which is all year with 1 day off. Thats still a monumental achievement.

I am on my 12th day, though I vary it a lot. Yesterday I took it real slow cause my shins were hurting. Today I pushed a little harder. Tomorrow I am aiming for a peak day, where I run for a longer continuous stretch than I have before. I am aiming to get one of those a week.

[ticktockclok]

This is a pretty stupid idea, to be honest. You're just asking yourself to get injured.

[Lucas]

Originally Posted by ticktockclok

This is a pretty stupid idea, to be honest. You're just asking yourself to get injured.

Other than sounding like my mother, this is a wickedly assumptive statement. It assumes that we aren't conscious of our fitness levels, and can't adjust if something goes wrong. Personally I am adapting Jack Canfields "Rest/Prep/Best" idea from The Success Principles. Rest Day is light running interspersed with Jogging, Prep day is long slow distance running, and best day is where I run to just above my maximum capacity. This way I keep myself from burning out, stay on track for my goal, and push my body a little more within reason.

If you think you are going to get hurt, dont join us, but dont assume we are going to let ourselves get hurt.

[Bisha]

Since getting fit and maintaining my health is one of my goals this year, I'll be joining in this escapade (though I only just came across it).

But I need a little advice from the more seasoned runners - how would you suggest that a complete beginner and relatively slow runner start out? I don't want to go over-kill on my first run and feel negative about it later, so any advice on start-up would be fantastic.

[Lucas]

Originally Posted by Bisha

Since getting fit and maintaining my health is one of my goals this year, I'll be joining in this escapade (though I only just came across it).

But I need a little advice from the more seasoned runners - how would you suggest that a complete beginner and relatively slow runner start out? I don't want to go over-kill on my first run and feel negative about it later, so any advice on start-up would be fantastic.

I suggest getting a book about it, Chi Running ChiRunning, or the pose method Running Technique for Everyone! Run easier, faster and injury free with the Pose Method of Running! We will teach you how to run faster and better! How to get rid of running injuries? Learn the Pose Method of Running! are the two I would start with. I prefer Chirunning not only because of its emphasis on relaxing, but because the book is cheaper too

I am not a seasoned runner, but what I think is "know your limits" and dont start out running 8 miles if you can only run 1 (I just passed the mile mark, so I am not seasoned at all)

[Jaben]

I'm averaging 2 miles per day. 1.5 half the time (pushing my son in a jogger) 2.5 the other half on my own. I would suggest starting off with 1 mile and as slow as you can go.

Here is my strategy:
Always stay relaxed and don't push yourself too hard although if sprinting a bit feels fun go for it. Keep your posture straight and tall, work your arms and keep your upper body loose. Stay light on your feet so as not to stress out your shins and your knees. If you're tired out, shorten your stride. Enjoy the run and keep in mind how many more miles you have to go between now and December 31st.

For inspiration see United States Running Streak Association, Inc.. There you'll find people who haven't missed a day of running since before Neil Armstrong pretended to land on the moon.

[SmellyOrc]

It seems like there are a lot of experienced runners here, so this seems like the right thread to ask for advice.

Since 2 weeks ago, I started running. All good and well, I would enjoy it if not for the terrible pain in my shins/calves. After even a short while (<1 minute), my calves/shins (starts above the ankle, goes all the way up to just below the knee) start to hurt, badly. I've already tried 1 pair of other shoes, which gave me an even worse pain, though this time in the ankle. Any suggestions as to why, but specifically, how do I fix it? My calves aren't weak, I can tell you that. So I myself was thinking I got the wrong shoes (Nike Air), but since I don't know if I got over-pronation (is that the right translation?) or under-pronation or whatever. There aren't any stores near my place where they can check it out...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Lucas]

Originally Posted by SmellyOrc

It seems like there are a lot of experienced runners here, so this seems like the right thread to ask for advice.

Since 2 weeks ago, I started running. All good and well, I would enjoy it if not for the terrible pain in my shins/calves. After even a short while (<1 minute), my calves/shins (starts above the ankle, goes all the way up to just below the knee) start to hurt, badly. I've already tried 1 pair of other shoes, which gave me an even worse pain, though this time in the ankle. Any suggestions as to why, but specifically, how do I fix it? My calves aren't weak, I can tell you that. So I myself was thinking I got the wrong shoes (Nike Air), but since I don't know if I got over-pronation (is that the right translation?) or under-pronation or whatever. There aren't any stores near my place where they can check it out...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I had the same problem, but it stems from the fac that you are using your calf and shin muscles, when you shouldnt be using them at all. Relaxing them is the best way to stop the pain. You shouldnt be using those musccles to run, you should be using a combination of your hip flexors and gravity. Also, running on softer surfaces like dirt trails, grass, track is much better than running on concrete and asphalt.

Check out the ChiRunning and The Pose Methood to help get rid of the pain. I also second that shoes can be part of the problem. Barefoot running is the way to go. Maybe not this time of year, but keep it in mind.

[DQueens]

I agree with you in the idea that a group fitness goal is an excellent tool for achieving what you want at this time in your life (health, self control, committment, a sense of achievement, an ultimate goal to work towards). However, keep in mind that while becoming a runner is wonderful, running every day for a year is not healthy. You need to take at least one day off a week from running. (You can still WALK if you need to). If you run everyday for a year you will be injured and burnt out by april. Don't be discouraged, i think that "running 6 days a week for a year" or "running 6 days a week and walking the other day a week for a year" are both equally excellent (but more health concsious and responsible) goals.

[mattsonn]

Originally Posted by Bisha

Since getting fit and maintaining my health is one of my goals this year, I'll be joining in this escapade (though I only just came across it).

But I need a little advice from the more seasoned runners - how would you suggest that a complete beginner and relatively slow runner start out? I don't want to go over-kill on my first run and feel negative about it later, so any advice on start-up would be fantastic.

Just go take it nice and easy. Keep yourself composed.

[mattsonn]

Originally Posted by SmellyOrc

It seems like there are a lot of experienced runners here, so this seems like the right thread to ask for advice.

Since 2 weeks ago, I started running. All good and well, I would enjoy it if not for the terrible pain in my shins/calves. After even a short while (<1 minute), my calves/shins (starts above the ankle, goes all the way up to just below the knee) start to hurt, badly. I've already tried 1 pair of other shoes, which gave me an even worse pain, though this time in the ankle. Any suggestions as to why, but specifically, how do I fix it? My calves aren't weak, I can tell you that. So I myself was thinking I got the wrong shoes (Nike Air), but since I don't know if I got over-pronation (is that the right translation?) or under-pronation or whatever. There aren't any stores near my place where they can check it out...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Yeah, that sounds bad. I've definitely been in that situation many times. You need to pay attention and try to figure out what's wrong, because it could be any number of things.

[Kiba]

Originally Posted by DQueens

I agree with you in the idea that a group fitness goal is an excellent tool for achieving what you want at this time in your life (health, self control, committment, a sense of achievement, an ultimate goal to work towards). However, keep in mind that while becoming a runner is wonderful, running every day for a year is not healthy. You need to take at least one day off a week from running. (You can still WALK if you need to). If you run everyday for a year you will be injured and burnt out by april. Don't be discouraged, i think that "running 6 days a week for a year" or "running 6 days a week and walking the other day a week for a year" are both equally excellent (but more health concsious and responsible) goals.

But the thing is...it is hard to let go after you gain so much momentum.

Beside, the shin splints seem to be disappearing after while a even though I exercise..

I am not even burn out. In fact, I am getting used to it and now not complaining much.

[mattsonn]

There's been enough promoting of Chi and Pose here that I just want to play the other side for a minute to balance things out.

* If you go look at the Pose messageboards, you'll see that there are some success stories, but it has also been a dead end or even a path to injury for a lot of others.

* Out of the many runners I know in real life, I know of only ONE who naturally runs in the manner perscribed by Pose. Yes he is good. But he did break one of his toe bones (his 2nd metatarsal) back in high school from running on his toes all the time.

* I tried out Pose for a few months last summer. I think that it's a lot easier on the knees than normal running, but a lot harder on your ankles.

[Lucas]

Originally Posted by DQueens

I agree with you in the idea that a group fitness goal is an excellent tool for achieving what you want at this time in your life (health, self control, committment, a sense of achievement, an ultimate goal to work towards). However, keep in mind that while becoming a runner is wonderful, running every day for a year is not healthy. You need to take at least one day off a week from running. (You can still WALK if you need to). If you run everyday for a year you will be injured and burnt out by april. Don't be discouraged, i think that "running 6 days a week for a year" or "running 6 days a week and walking the other day a week for a year" are both equally excellent (but more health concsious and responsible) goals.

Thats why I have been suggesting the Rest/Prep/Best approach. One day of light jogging and walking, one day of of long slow distance running and then a day where you try and push your stamina. However, I do think that a day of rest would be a good idea, but not til february. January is my 30 day trial, instilling it as a habit. Plus it will be good to go through 2 cycles of rest/prep/best a week with a day of rest

* Out of the many runners I know in real life, I know of only ONE who naturally runs in the manner perscribed by Pose. Yes he is good. But he did break one of his toe bones (his 2nd metatarsal) back in high school from running on his toes all the time.

Pose actually suggests landing on your toes? Could you link me to that? I find it hard to believe honestly.

[Living2xcess]

I am also going to start running everyday. I used to run 4 miles three times a week (last year). I think I will start out with 30 minutes and figure things out from there. I will also join the gym for the bad weather days (it is January). So day #1 will be Sunday, January 14 for me.

[Liara Covert]

I have a new goal to train to compete in half marathons. Yet, I've moved to live in a climate where temperatures can be excruciating. I try to tell myself I'm not copping out when its "too hot." What kind of temperature limits do you have to help determine when you will or will not run? (Kenyans excluded)

[SmellyOrc]

I don't give a sh*t about temperature. Though I live in an average climate (soft winters and soft summers), I'm used to 90 F/35C degrees and above. The only time I don't run is when it's raining too hard to have a nice run.

[mattsonn]

Originally Posted by Lucas

Pose actually suggests landing on your toes? Could you link me to that? I find it hard to believe honestly.

Pose suggests landing on the balls of your feet, which is what I meant by toes.

[Kiba]

Originally Posted by Liara Covert

I have a new goal to train to compete in half marathons. Yet, I've moved to live in a climate where temperatures can be excruciating. I try to tell myself I'm not copping out when its "too hot." What kind of temperature limits do you have to help determine when you will or will not run? (Kenyans excluded)

When not to run for certain temperature is a temptation.

These temptations want to make you not run 365 days a year.


My suggestion is to continuously be inspired by runners who endure the rain, the excruciating heats, and the cold and build on the temperature/weather you endure.

[mattsonn]

If you guys want to see something phenomenal, go here Flocast/Flocasts - Flotrack - Houston Marathon 2007

Ryan Hall just ran 59:43 for the half-marathon. That's 4:33 min/mile pace. They're saying on letsrun.com that it's the best perfomance by an American distance runner ever.

[Lucas]

I took today off, as to follow in my rest/prep/best/rest/prep/best/dayoff routine. It was kind of a hard decision to make (not running 365 days), but my original resolution is to run and tweak my routine as neccessary, and I think this will provide the best returns.

[Liara Covert]

Hi Everybody.

I aim to run a half marathon this coming year. To this point, I've run mostly intermittently and I focus now on creating a routine for exercise discipline. My biggest hurdle seems to be using hot weather and smoke in air from recent forest fires as excuses not to run. I try to tell myself I'm not procrastinating, yet part of my thinks I am. I have no running entourage and would like to build my stamina again to join a group. I consider swimming as a relief sport but no longer swim as strongly as I did when I was a lifeguard. I don't really like gyms but I have a pass to try that out again as an alternative to build stamina and endurance. How do you deal with high temperatures (this isn't a question for Kenyan runners) and what kinds of climate conditions do you avoid running in altogether?

Thanks!

[TrueBeliever]

Hi everybody. Here's a little info.

Do you run first thing in the morning? Do you eat anything before you run?

If you do run in the morning, make sure you eat a meal high in carbs about an hour before you run. This can be hard if you have to get up, eat, run, then get ready for work or school. That's one reason I don't run in the morning. Lance Armstrong said that during the tour de france, everyone eats huge plates of pasta before and after each days ride. Also running in the morning fatigues the adrenal glands. Your nervous system doesn't fully wake up until 3-4 hours after you do.

Why are you running? How do you run? Do you run long distances at a slow to moderate pace?

The quickest way to lose fat is through diet. If you are running to lose fat, its better to do sprints rather than long distance running. Most triathletes and marathon runners have body fat percentages ranging from between 11 and 14%. Four-hundred to 800 meter runners have body fat between 4 and 6%. Exercise intensity is the key, not duration. Ever see someone come across the finish line at the end of a marathon? Most look like mal