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How to Start Running

nytimes.com

21–30 of 165 posts

Re: How to Start Running

#21
I cannot recommend Hal Higdon's programs enough. He has free training programs for every level and various distances. We used a modified version of the advanced program in high school XC and won state championship twice in a row.

5K: http://www.halhigdon.com/training/50932/5K-Training-The-Most...

Re: How to Start Running

#22
post #14

As someone who's already run 900 miles and four marathons year-to-date, I'll add some hard won advice: 1) Do not be in a hurry. Most runners do way too much way too soon. You will likely get injured. You gain aerobic capacity in a matter of weeks to months. But soft tissues, tendons, ligaments, bone density... those takes years to adapt. 2) If you're getting injured, something is wrong. You're doing too much too soon…

As for learning to land properly: some training barefoot can do wonders. Only the most stubborn people keep slamming their heels into the ground, when there's nothing at all to cushion the blow.

If you want to get into barbell exercises, get a coach or at least look for good guides online (or in book form). Don't do half squats.

Re: How to Start Running

#24
post #13

The longest I've ever run in one go is 6 km. There was never any runner's high, just excruciating pain. For a good fraction of the population, running is fucking awful.

> There was never any runner's high, just excruciating pain.

That's pretty normal. I run a lot, and runner's high is a very rare thing for me to experience. I think most people confuse it with the sense of accomplishment one often gets after a run.

I've only felt a real high after very hard workouts. Very hard workouts. Workouts where my heart beats hard enough to break capillaries in my lungs, and the aerosolized blood gives a metallic taste.[1] The high feels like a weird mix of THC and opiates, and takes a couple of hours to wear off. During that time, it's definitely not safe for me to drive.

I like to run, but honestly, I think enjoying running is a little masochistic.

1. Vulnerability of pulmonary capillaries during severe exercise: http://geoff.greer.fm/files/Vulnerability%20of%20pulmonary%2...

Re: How to Start Running

#25

So much bad advice. (1) Actually it does matter how and where (relative to your body) you land your foot. Contrary to the article, many people do need to fix their "natural" form and/or get shoes that help them avoid pronation, both to avoid injury and to increase the enjoyment that will help them stick with it. (2) Similarly, the article's advice about stretching is way out of date. It's now consensus that static st…

Don't listen to music while training. Especially not as a beginner. Relax. While running.

Personally I think some form stretching is useful - just my personal experience. I'm having a break for it at around 2km.

Re: How to Start Running

#26
post #14

As someone who's already run 900 miles and four marathons year-to-date, I'll add some hard won advice: 1) Do not be in a hurry. Most runners do way too much way too soon. You will likely get injured. You gain aerobic capacity in a matter of weeks to months. But soft tissues, tendons, ligaments, bone density... those takes years to adapt. 2) If you're getting injured, something is wrong. You're doing too much too soon…

This is solid advice! Learned some of 'm the hard way haha.

Re: How to Start Running

#27
post #15

So much bad advice. (1) Actually it does matter how and where (relative to your body) you land your foot. Contrary to the article, many people do need to fix their "natural" form and/or get shoes that help them avoid pronation, both to avoid injury and to increase the enjoyment that will help them stick with it. (2) Similarly, the article's advice about stretching is way out of date. It's now consensus that static st…

Can you elaborate what you mean regarding point three, when you mention the aesthetic part of the issue?

The author's first mention of this issue is "choose your playlist" (which already assumes it's an operative concept). Then she goes on to say:

  > If you’re a runner who likes the quiet and solitude of
  > running, then pick a bucolic path and go run.  But many
  > people like
This makes it all about what you like - i.e. an aesthetic issue. Nowhere does she suggest that what you like should be balanced against what's safe or considerate of others. Hence my objection.

Re: How to Start Running

#28
post #13

The longest I've ever run in one go is 6 km. There was never any runner's high, just excruciating pain. For a good fraction of the population, running is fucking awful.

I don't feel 'good' while running until several kms in. And definitely not the first few times after not running for a while. Give yourself a chance.

Re: How to Start Running

#29
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you elaborate what you mean regarding point three, when you mention the aesthetic part of the issue?

The author's first mention of this issue is "choose your playlist" (which already assumes it's an operative concept). Then she goes on to say: > If you’re a runner who likes the quiet and solitude of > running, then pick a bucolic path and go run. But many > people like This makes it all about what you like - i.e. an aesthetic issue. Nowhere does she suggest that what you like should be balanced against what's safe o…

Better understood now - thanks for clearing that up.

Re: How to Start Running

#30
post #2

> Some people are natural heel-strikers while others tend to lead with their toes. The good news: neither form is inherently better than the other That is in opposite to common knowledge that heel-striking is worse, and leads to increased injuries.

I do advocate landing on the fore/mid foot. But after arguing about it for several years I actually did some studying and found about 98% of distance runners are heel-strikers. So you shouldn't worry that much about it. But if landing on the fore/mid foot comes natural to you, you definitely should keep doing it unless you have problems with your achilles.
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