Runners!

[Byzantine]

I've decided to join yinz. Right now looks like a little over a mile over hilly terrain with a dog with me. Anyone got any advice for someone just starting out? Thanks!

[ardillacid]

If I never hear yinz again it will still be too soon :l

[MissyP89]

Yinz? Where the heck are you [i]from?[/i]

[ardillacid]

I guess you havent had the pleasure of interacting with the Pennsylvania dutch

[Lil'Monster]

I am not a runner

[Amppax]

Yinz: typically said by those that live in Pittsburgh and pretty much nowhere else.

I second Ardill heartily.

[quote name='Byzantine' timestamp='1334621051' post='2419042']
I've decided to join yinz. Right now looks like a little over a mile over hilly terrain with a dog with me. Anyone got any advice for someone just starting out? Thanks!
[/quote]

Advice on running? Quit.

[MissScripture]

[quote name='ardillacid' timestamp='1334627827' post='2419096']
I guess you havent had the pleasure of interacting with the Pennsylvania dutch
[/quote]
Are they like the Hutterites?

[Groo the Wanderer]

if you run, the sandmen will get you

[brianthephysicist]

I posted the first part of this in Missy's thread:

[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=4][color=#282828]Step 1 put 1 foot in front of the other. Step 2 shift weight to forward foot. Step 3 push against the ground with the front foot to propel yourself forward. Step 4 faceplant errr ummm yea.... Step 5 ??? Step 6 PROFIT!!![/color][/size][/font]

[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=4][color=#282828]If you're not sure how this works, try it online for free: [/color][/size][/font][url="http://www.foddy.net/Athletics.html"]http://www.foddy.net/Athletics.html[/url]



If you get lost in the hilly terrain or get trapped under a rock like that mountain climber, a word of advice, the dog that you are with is NOT Lassie, it will NOT run for help, it will NOT save your life. You are well within your rights to eat the dog for survival purposes. But remember, waste not, want not, you should use all of the dog. You can use the leftovers from its carcass as bait to catch other game such as vultures, foxes, bears, and other scavenging creatures. You should also fashion tools out of its bones and clothing from its fur. After all, you don't know how long you could be out there. Running 1 mile will obviously isolate you from civilization and is extremely serious business. Make peace with your family and with God. I fear I may never see you again. Godspeed.







Ok I'm done joking now lol. I'm assuming that this is more than just a single day run, so all of my advice will be towards starting a regular regimen, and eventually building this regimen towards running much farther distances. Some of it may even sound a little extreme but as someone with sports asthma that went from not being able to run a mile to slowly building up to 9-10 miles a day over the course of a 6 or 7 months, this is what I learned from experience and from other runners. If this is a single day event that you aren't going to be repeating in under a week or part of a larger exercise routine, then don't worry about anything I'm about to say and just smell of elderberries it up and run it.


For a few days leading up, begin to hydrate more. Not only does this mean drinking [i]more[/i], it also means drinking better. This doesn't mean that you [i]can't[/i] have soda, it just means water will be markedly better for you. This will also mean more potty breaks, but trust me, your body will thank you.


Since you're just starting out, it might also be worth it to carry a small water bottle with you in addition to a large bottle of water or gatorade for after your run. I really recommend water while you are currently in the act of running, but your choice of water or gatorade during longer breaks or for after your run. Water is significantly easier to drink while running (and people can't tell between water and sweat if you spill on your clothes ). Gatorade gives you back some of the salts and other nutrients you lose when running so it's helpful to maintain your body for a consistent regimen (note this doesn't mean you should drink only gatorade, it's helpful ut too much of it can be harmful for your body so don't drink it at all of your meals lol).


Just like with hydrating in preparation, carbohydrates are your best friend. It doesn't mean you can't have fast food, just that your body will thank you if you begin to store up some of the energy found in those tasty breads, potatoes, and pastas. Something simple I usually do to help me is switching my cinnamon toast crunch for oatmeal (usually the one with the dinosaur eggs ).


When you start to exercise, it will increase your metabolism, causing you to be hungrier. Feed that never-ending hunger with carbohydrates. They build up a reserve of energy for you. Because running is new to you, you will be building a significant amount of muscle in your legs and chest so keep an eye on your protein (and I don't just mean from meat, eat your greens too). Running can also be tough on your bones, 1 because of the impact of running and 2 because if your body doesn't have the right nutrients, it will try to take it from your bones so keep up on your dairy. If you want a bit of a sugary pick me up, don't go straight for sweets. Consider fruit. The naturals sugars do just as well for your energy but they're significantly easier to process. I don't like to run immediately after a meal, but I don't like to run on an empty stomach either so if I want to run in the morning, I'll usually have a banana or some other fruit immediately before for that little pick-me-up.



Warning, potentially disgusting bodily functions:
[spoiler]
For the first month or so your body will not understand what you are doing to it and, in addition to cramps and other pain, will attempt to stop you by any means necessary, such as causing you to throw up/dry heave for no reason (which is why I hate running on an empty stomach) or to give you diarrhea/bowel movements. If this happens while running, it is completely normal and expected. Stop, take care of your business, and get back out there. If you run at the same time every day, your body will eventually accept this and begin to schedule your daily POOP!!! 5 min before you are supposed to run.
[/spoiler]


Warm-up run. Stretch. Run. razzle dazzle-down run. Stretch. This is more important than anything else I've mentioned. These runs will feel obnoxious and pointless for the first couple of weeks, but your body will thank you in the long run ( ). For the first few days, the warm up run should just be a very light jog and the razzle dazzle down run should just be an easy-going walk (the point is to lower your heart rate until you feel like you can breathe somewhat naturally again). The warm-up run is good for you, but the razzle dazzle-down is necessary. The worst thing you can do is to sit down after a run. Your muscles will immediately begin to tighten and you will be in significantly more pain over the next few days (you will still be in pain even with this, but it's the difference between one week of light to medium pain and two weeks of medium pain).


Don't neglect stretching either. For the first couple of weeks you should be stretching before and after running and when you wake up and before you go to bed. Even though it hurts a little, it is good for you. After your body is used to it, you will be able to stop stretching in the morning and at night, but you should always stretch before and after running no matter how many years you've been at it.


Buy good running shoes. Your feet, ankles, shins, knees, and hips will thank you (as someone that didn't and developed shin splints and now has problems with my ankles and knees, trust me on this one). If you run long distances consistently, you should also be prepared for them to wear out every few months or so as well. I ran primarily flat terrain so I just bought regular running shoes, but that may be a consideration for you with your hills.


Pace yourself. 1 mile (or any other distance) is much shorter in your head than it is in real life. Run (or jog) at a rate that is comfortable to you. Be patient. Speed will come with time. Right now, work on endurance.


I feel like I may have just discouraged anyone from ever running ever rofl. I'm sure I missed a lot of info, but I hope I've been helpful. Godspeed!

[BG45]

[quote name='brianthephysicist' timestamp='1334692083' post='2419651']
Pace yourself. 1 mile (or any other distance) is much shorter in your head than it is in real life. Run (or jog) at a rate that is comfortable to you. Be patient. Speed will come with time. Right now, work on endurance.
[/quote]

This is so true...still waiting on the speed to come, but when I do my 3 days a week in the local cemetery the mile took forever the first few times because I thought it would come easily, it didn't.

[BG45]

[quote name='MissyP89' timestamp='1334627152' post='2419090']
Yinz? Where the heck are you [i]from?[/i]
[/quote]
It's Pittsburghese. I hear it all the time on campus. Sort of like how you all say "wooter".

[quote name='ardillacid' timestamp='1334625416' post='2419068']
If I never hear yinz again it will still be too soon :l
[/quote]

orlly?

[brianthephysicist]

[quote name='BG45' timestamp='1334718573' post='2419987']
It's Pittsburghese. I hear it all the time on campus. Sort of like how you all say "wooter".



orlly?
[/quote]
Fyi it's woot.

Also, did any of you happen to try QWOP [url="http://www.foddy.net/Athletics.html"]http://www.foddy.net/Athletics.html[/url] ?

[Papist]

Yinz. Ain't that the birth control stuff that called recalled?

[Not A Mallard]

Homestar Runner
[img]http://supersmashytpdojo.webs.com/photos/Newcomers/homestar-1.gif[/img]

[ContemporaryCaflicCrusader]

Stretch out before and after, focus on exhaling and just wear your iPod or music device like such. Make sure it's the most motivating music, I don't know whether or not that's fave music, but I'd find it hard to run a quarter marathon to Jimmy Buffet. Underoath works pretty well for me as well as Since October, RED, Demon Hunter, Emery, Skillet, Disciple, Pillar, Proect 86, and blast it. Pacing yourself is hard and very important.