Thinking of taking up running.

[ClintZA]

You reckon I'm overdoing it?

At those distances, unless you are extremely unhealthy, or old, no.

 

[Anony-mousse]

You reckon I'm overdoing it?

Not necessarily because I don't know you and your situation but if you just started off running, running every day is not the best for your knees. Some people never have problems but if you start off too quick e.g. your knees might get upset. Once upset it can be difficult to get better again. I always recommend to run 3 times a week so your body has enough time to recover. After a few weeks and depending on fitness level you can gradually increase.

Starting off too quickly is a common mistake and can lead to problems at a later stage.

Something to read:

http://www.runnersworld.com/beginners/how-often-should-i-run
http://www.runnersworld.com/beginners/starting-scratch-where-begin
http://www.runnersworld.com/training/beginners

 

[AlmightyBender]

At those distances, unless you are extremely unhealthy, or old, no.

Or heavy. But I'm with Anony-mousse on this one. Rather be safe and make sure that nothing goes wrong to maximise the chance that you can do this long term and don't get an early injury.

One tip.
Great shoes.
I started up again on Friday. My shoes are run down, my feet is still sore. my Christmas box to me will be a decent pair of shoes.

Great stuff! I just treated myself to a new pair of Acics Gel Nimbus It's like your feet are being hugged by cuddly teddy bears. But defs not for everyone. Only if you need an extremely cushioned shoe.

So I started yesterday! My fiancées been at it for a week, my lazy ass only started yesterday.

I managed to do 1km yesterday only, did 1.2 today. Will try for 1.4 tomorrow. I must say, not feeling TOO bad, usual stiffness in the legs, etc but feeling positive and looking forward to tomorrow.

Well done dude! Keep at it

 

[Jinx10]

Hi, this thread contributed to me getting into running. I went for my first walk/jog on Wednesday and my 2nd this morning. Only did 3km and it took me 30 minutes but its a start! According to the treadmill I burnt 200 calories.

I dont want to run the comrades or anything, just get a bit fitter , lose about 5 kgs and have a more healthy lifestyle. Im hoping to do about 3 x 30 minute runs a week and see how it goes. Key for me is to enjoy it and not dread each run. Im not a natural athlete so its incredibly hard work. But once im finished with a run I feel awesome...

Good luck to anyone else.

 

[TelkomUseless]

I started jogging after about 8 years of doing squat. I used to be an athlete and fit .. then I started working.

But has been 3 weeks, running about 2-3km per day (I have to ease into it after being lazy for 8 years). Doing jump rope, push ups and sit ups.

Trying to get rid of some weight... (I'm not fat, just trying to get my stomach into shape). And getting fit.

 

[ClintZA]

Nice one guys! Any distance or effort is a great one. Before long you'll see those distances increasing and the effort required decreasing. You'll look back in a few months and hardly believe the distances and times you were running at first.

I have always remained fairly fit but just over a year ago I started cycling regularly and more seriously. I look back at my first few rides and can hardly believe I was riding only 15km on the road at times and I recall feeling fairly buggered. Just this last Sunday I did a 45km off road MTB race and felt great.

Keep it up.

 

[TelkomUseless]

Nice one guys! Any distance or effort is a great one. Before long you'll see those distances increases and the effort required decreasing. You'll look back in a few months and hardly believe the distances and times you were running at first.

I have always remained fairly fit but just over a year ago I started cycling regularly and more seriously. I look back at my first few rides and can hardly believe I was riding only 15km on the road at times and I recall feeling fairly buggered. Just this last Sunday I did a 45km off road MTB race and felt great.

Keep it up.

Sweet dude!

Yea.. I remember when I was fit (lol) 10km jogging wasn't bad. Now I die at 2km...lol. But I know it will take at least a month to start getting some results, so I'm in no hurry.

 

[Surv0]

Take up mountain biking, its a million times more fun that running, albeit more expensive, but way easier on your joints and bones if you want to avoid operations in the future.

MTB'ing gets you fit, allows you to go greater distances, allows you to see parts of the city you wouldnt otherwise see (Riding in CPT and the garden route is the best in the country) and saves you from twisted ankles and injured ligaments. I started trail running and ended up hurting myself big time, went straight back to riding Its also easier to get into compared to running, much easier.

I bought my first bike end of 2011 and started riding for the first time in 15 years, coming from being very very unfit and unhealthy and overweight. Mainly concentrated on riding mountain tracks and jeep trails to build up strength and endurance and you notice a difference after the first 2 weeks or so if your doing it properly. I avoid riding on the road, doesnt give you enough of a work out over a short distance and extremely unsafe. My first ride was about 2.5km, second was about 4km.. now im riding MTB races of between 25km and 35km with upto 1000ft of climbing.. and absolutely addicted. Just spent 20k on an upgrade, every penny spent was worth it.

Hiking is also a nice way to start getting fit before taking up riding/running. Eases you into a routine of excersize and gets you addicted to the endorphins..Main thing is to just start somewhere, and build on it slowly. Dont need to rush into it, youve got years to keep this going. Doing it too quickly can often cause one to just stop after an accident/injury.

 

[creeper]

To give some motivation. I've moved from 5km in 35minutes to 10km in 58 minutes in 8 weeks. And this at a good (60-80% peak) heartrate. The trick is to keep going over December. Yes, we do get lazy, but a quick 3-5km every second day will keep you going. It is only a maximum of 30 minutes (less spent being a couch potato).

 

[walterl]

I also need to get back to running, hopefully this thread can also help to motivate me!

 

[ClintZA]

Riding in CPT and the garden route is the best in the country

Whatever.... Karkloof, 'Maritzburg, Midlands... those are the MTB capitals of SA (in my opinion). Ha ha. But there is awesome mountain biking to be had all over this country.

 

[Surv0]

I must say I have great respect for runners. being 6ft 5, running isnt easy for me, and my body takes a serious knock while doing it. If you can get to a point of running about 10km without stopping in an hour or less, thats a pretty big milestone and something you should be extremely proud about.

 

[Surv0]

Whatever.... Karkloof, 'Maritzburg, Midlands... those are the MTB capitals of SA (in my opinion). Ha ha. But there is awesome mountain biking to be had all over this country.

Haha ok, I took a chance I havent had much experience riding outside of the western cape, planning a riding getaway in maritzburg soon, other than that im taking my time training up for the multiple day races then start traveling around doing those etc. Might get to see more of the country.

Tokai and Jonkershoek in CPT are absolutely awesome for trail riding, and downhill technical riding, more so than long distance cross country riding. But we have numerous events here that carry you through awesome winelands and up mountains etc to keep it really interesting.

MTB is amazing though, if theres one sport thats hooked me more than anything before, its MTB'ing.. just a bit pricey.

 

[TelkomUseless]

Take up mountain biking, its a million times more fun that running, albeit more expensive, ry.

but I don't want to fix puntures the whole day

 

[gregmcc]

but I don't want to fix puntures the whole day

If you have the proper kit you hardly get punctures. The last time I have a mtb puncture was many moons back.

 

[Jinx10]

I would love to take up cycling. its really growing in SA and everyone I speak to recommends it. Problem is i can get a good work out running in about half an hour at home. Cycling needs lots more time and also safe areas to ride where i live are virtually non existent....

 

[TelkomUseless]

If you have the proper kit you hardly get punctures. The last time I have a mtb puncture was many moons back.

how much is proper kit ?

 

[creeper]

how much is proper kit ?

Let's put in perspective. Buy a car or buy a proper bicycle kit.

 

[gregmcc]

how much is proper kit ?

Pretty cheap - get that glue stuff for inside your tubes, and get that thin plastic strip thing that goes between your tube and tyre. I forget the proper name for it. With those 2 you will hardly ever have punctures.

 

[Surv0]

how much is proper kit ?

There are 3 options:

Tube Slime: Squeezing this stuff inside your tubes will help if you run into any thorns. It oozes out once you remove the thorn and hardens. However from a recent experience I would think twice about using this stuff. If its old it can solidify in your tube and cause and imbalance, something I felt coming down Ou Kaap Se Weg at around 60km/h.. wasnt fun.

Tubeless: Pretty expensive, means you would need to make sure you have Tubeless ready or convertible rims (most are) and tubeless ready tyres. Much easier to repair on the fly if you dont have tubes..

Tyre Liners: Plastic liners that sit between tyre and tube preventing thorns from penetrating. Adds weight however to the bike but does help if you prefer not to use slime.

TBH though, ive only had thorns once when riding in Delvera (Dirtopia) wine estate before winter. Since then ive never got a thorn anywhere else. Most MTB venues are clean in that regard.

Punctures are the least of your worries though, its all the other expenses like cycling shorts, new shirts, accessories for your bike, maintaining it properly, racks for your car to carry the thing. The money never stops flowing for this hobby, but its the best hobby by far! Nothing like the feeling of riding to the base of the mast in Tokai and then freewheeling the entire 1300ft down again.. absolutely insane!!!