New Exercise Regime

JOGGING!

In the middle of a 4-mile walk today I decided to jog a bit. My knees
have in the past been a bit wonky for some reason, so I tried to take
it easy, more of a gentle shuffle-jog than a runner's gait. I started
feeling the burn on my upper thigh tendons immediately, apparently
these don't get worked much by cycling.

It felt good. I used to run like the wind in highschool, more than 20
years ago, thanks to a junior high p.e. program that required us to
run 2-3 laps every day. Occasionally in dreams I find myself running
effortlessly like that, and I want to do it again. Back in 2001 or so,
at 30lbs more than now, I tried running for a half-mile, but the
potbelly jiggle made it less than fun.

Interestingly, I still don't "feel" 50lbs lighter like I thought I
would. Back when I had lost ~15lbs (eg. at ~220) I felt more of a
difference, ie there's not much difference between 180 now and 220
this spring ... I thought I'd be a lot stronger now, since 50lbs is a
LOT of extra weight not to be carrying around (I know this from
carrying garden soil bags etc).

But I guess the legs aren't going to get stronger on they're own.
Gotta push 'em! And start some knee bends or something. Maybe all
those stupid calisthenics from junior high would work again...

"Heywood Mogroot" wrote in message
m...
JOGGING!
But I guess the legs aren't going to get stronger on they're own.
Gotta push 'em!

Don't push 'em too hard! It's possible to build up a decent running program
even if you're overweight--if you're smart about it! And it's possible to
completely blow out your knees, achilles, or any other number of nasty
injuries even if you're height/weight proportion--if you've got too much
motivation and not enough information!

I recommend www.runnersworld.com as a good place to start for information,
as well as the beginning runner's FAQ from rec.running. If I were to
condense it into 3 pieces of advice, I'd say (a) don't run too fast (if
you're out of breath, you're running too fast--walk a minute and try again);
(b) work up to running a solid 30 minutes using a run/walk program; and (c)
give it a couple weeks to see if you like it (you can see astounding
"beginner's gains" in a couple weeks) and then INVEST IN GOOD SHOES from a
running shop that can diagnose your gait and recommend appropriate models. 5
miles a week in crappy shoes isn't likely to hurt you. 15 miles a week can.

And, oh yeah--don't run every day--take recovery days. Your muscles don't
get stronger while you're running. They get stronger in the 24-36 hours
after you run, when they heal up from the microtears. I guess that's 4
pieces of advice?

And start some knee bends or something. Maybe all
those stupid calisthenics from junior high would work again...

Doing knee bends will make you better at doing knee bends, but they won't do
a whole lot for your running abilities. Running is the best exercise to do
to become a better runner. :-) Of course, most people see running (or knee
bends or whatever) as a means to an end (getting fit, being healthy, burning
calories, having nice muscles) and not the end itself, so I'm not saying
don't do them.

"Heywood Mogroot" wrote in message
m...
JOGGING!
But I guess the legs aren't going to get stronger on they're own.
Gotta push 'em!

Don't push 'em too hard! It's possible to build up a decent running program
even if you're overweight--if you're smart about it! And it's possible to
completely blow out your knees, achilles, or any other number of nasty
injuries even if you're height/weight proportion--if you've got too much
motivation and not enough information!

I recommend www.runnersworld.com as a good place to start for information,
as well as the beginning runner's FAQ from rec.running. If I were to
condense it into 3 pieces of advice, I'd say (a) don't run too fast (if
you're out of breath, you're running too fast--walk a minute and try again);
(b) work up to running a solid 30 minutes using a run/walk program; and (c)
give it a couple weeks to see if you like it (you can see astounding
"beginner's gains" in a couple weeks) and then INVEST IN GOOD SHOES from a
running shop that can diagnose your gait and recommend appropriate models. 5
miles a week in crappy shoes isn't likely to hurt you. 15 miles a week can.

And, oh yeah--don't run every day--take recovery days. Your muscles don't
get stronger while you're running. They get stronger in the 24-36 hours
after you run, when they heal up from the microtears. I guess that's 4
pieces of advice?

And start some knee bends or something. Maybe all
those stupid calisthenics from junior high would work again...

Doing knee bends will make you better at doing knee bends, but they won't do
a whole lot for your running abilities. Running is the best exercise to do
to become a better runner. :-) Of course, most people see running (or knee
bends or whatever) as a means to an end (getting fit, being healthy, burning
calories, having nice muscles) and not the end itself, so I'm not saying
don't do them.

DrLith wrote:
"Heywood Mogroot" wrote in message
m...
JOGGING!
But I guess the legs aren't going to get stronger on they're own.
Gotta push 'em!

Don't push 'em too hard! It's possible to build up a decent running
program
even if you're overweight--if you're smart about it! And it's
possible to
completely blow out your knees, achilles, or any other number of
nasty
injuries even if you're height/weight proportion--if you've got too
much
motivation and not enough information!

I recommend www.runnersworld.com as a good place to start for
information,
as well as the beginning runner's FAQ from rec.running. If I were to
condense it into 3 pieces of advice, I'd say (a) don't run too fast
(if
you're out of breath, you're running too fast--walk a minute and try
again);
(b) work up to running a solid 30 minutes using a run/walk program;
and (c)
give it a couple weeks to see if you like it (you can see astounding
"beginner's gains" in a couple weeks) and then INVEST IN GOOD SHOES
from a
running shop that can diagnose your gait and recommend appropriate
models. 5
miles a week in crappy shoes isn't likely to hurt you. 15 miles a
week can.

I couldn't agree with this piece of advice more! (not that the other
things were off because they weren't) It's amazing how critical the
right shoes are for avoiding injury.

And, oh yeah--don't run every day--take recovery days. Your muscles
don't
get stronger while you're running. They get stronger in the 24-36
hours
after you run, when they heal up from the microtears. I guess that's
4
pieces of advice?

but good advice nonetheless...

Jenn

DrLith wrote:
"Heywood Mogroot" wrote in message
m...
JOGGING!
But I guess the legs aren't going to get stronger on they're own.
Gotta push 'em!

Don't push 'em too hard! It's possible to build up a decent running
program
even if you're overweight--if you're smart about it! And it's
possible to
completely blow out your knees, achilles, or any other number of
nasty
injuries even if you're height/weight proportion--if you've got too
much
motivation and not enough information!

I recommend www.runnersworld.com as a good place to start for
information,
as well as the beginning runner's FAQ from rec.running. If I were to
condense it into 3 pieces of advice, I'd say (a) don't run too fast
(if
you're out of breath, you're running too fast--walk a minute and try
again);
(b) work up to running a solid 30 minutes using a run/walk program;
and (c)
give it a couple weeks to see if you like it (you can see astounding
"beginner's gains" in a couple weeks) and then INVEST IN GOOD SHOES
from a
running shop that can diagnose your gait and recommend appropriate
models. 5
miles a week in crappy shoes isn't likely to hurt you. 15 miles a
week can.

I couldn't agree with this piece of advice more! (not that the other
things were off because they weren't) It's amazing how critical the
right shoes are for avoiding injury.

And, oh yeah--don't run every day--take recovery days. Your muscles
don't
get stronger while you're running. They get stronger in the 24-36
hours
after you run, when they heal up from the microtears. I guess that's
4
pieces of advice?

but good advice nonetheless...

Jenn

"JMA" wrote in message
...
INVEST IN GOOD SHOES
from a
running shop that can diagnose your gait and recommend appropriate
models. 5
miles a week in crappy shoes isn't likely to hurt you. 15 miles a
week can.

I couldn't agree with this piece of advice more! (not that the other
things were off because they weren't) It's amazing how critical the
right shoes are for avoiding injury.

A lot of people also make the mistake of thinking that "expensive shoes" =
"better shoes." Well, more expensive shoes are "better," but they're better
for different things. Some people have problems with knee or ankle soreness
related to overpronation. If no one tells them they should try "stability"
or "motion control" shoes, they go out and buy the cushiest $100 cushioning
Nikes they can find in hopes of correcting the problem and wind up making
things worse.

"JMA" wrote in message
...
INVEST IN GOOD SHOES
from a
running shop that can diagnose your gait and recommend appropriate
models. 5
miles a week in crappy shoes isn't likely to hurt you. 15 miles a
week can.

I couldn't agree with this piece of advice more! (not that the other
things were off because they weren't) It's amazing how critical the
right shoes are for avoiding injury.

A lot of people also make the mistake of thinking that "expensive shoes" =
"better shoes." Well, more expensive shoes are "better," but they're better
for different things. Some people have problems with knee or ankle soreness
related to overpronation. If no one tells them they should try "stability"
or "motion control" shoes, they go out and buy the cushiest $100 cushioning
Nikes they can find in hopes of correcting the problem and wind up making
things worse.

"DrLith" wrote in message ...
"Heywood Mogroot" wrote in message
m...
JOGGING!
But I guess the legs aren't going to get stronger on they're own.
Gotta push 'em!

Don't push 'em too hard! It's possible to build up a decent running program
even if you're overweight--if you're smart about it! And it's possible to
completely blow out your knees, achilles, or any other number of nasty
injuries even if you're height/weight proportion--if you've got too much
motivation and not enough information!

thanks for the advice. At my age (37) I'm fully aware that more harm
than good can come from running if I'm not exceedingly careful.

I'm just tired of walking around like an old man and have found
cycling not really addressing the problem.

"DrLith" wrote in message ...
"Heywood Mogroot" wrote in message
m...
JOGGING!
But I guess the legs aren't going to get stronger on they're own.
Gotta push 'em!

Don't push 'em too hard! It's possible to build up a decent running program
even if you're overweight--if you're smart about it! And it's possible to
completely blow out your knees, achilles, or any other number of nasty
injuries even if you're height/weight proportion--if you've got too much
motivation and not enough information!

thanks for the advice. At my age (37) I'm fully aware that more harm
than good can come from running if I'm not exceedingly careful.

I'm just tired of walking around like an old man and have found
cycling not really addressing the problem.

On 17 Sep 2004 00:05:29 -0700, Heywood Mogroot wrote:

But I guess the legs aren't going to get stronger on they're own.
Gotta push 'em! And start some knee bends or something. Maybe all
those stupid calisthenics from junior high would work again...

Yep, body weight squats have their place.