How to Start Running • Hacker News Board

Re: How to Start Running

#81

Post by bcook » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 9:37 PM UTC

gaur wrote: 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.

Damn straight. Eventually, I was running 3 miles every other day. I never experienced the runners high either. Running never got easier. As I got better, I was simply able to prolong the amount of torture before succumbing...

My friends say things like "I run to clear my head" or "I run to relax". My runs are dreaded, tedious nightmares and the only positive aspect is that eventually the run will end.

Fuck running. :)

Re: How to Start Running

#82

Post by maxerickson » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 9:39 PM UTC

notacoward wrote: post #11

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 (2) Similarly, the article's advice about stretching is way out of date.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…

If your earphones are loud enough that you aren't hearing traffic, it's probably close to loud enough to be damaging your hearing.

Re: How to Start Running

#83

Post by saulrh » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 9:42 PM UTC

CJefferson wrote: post #71

notacoward wrote: post #11

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 (2) Similarly, the article's advice about stretching is way out of date.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…

I agree, I started doing a couch to 5k, I'm now off running, and I've got a constant pain in my knee which shows no signs of going away. Turns out my technique was bad and I had a week muscle in my knee, now I've badly messed it up. The worst thing is that it never hurt seriously -- you can build up some serious damage without ever being in serious pain.

Same thing happened to me, though in my case it was less of naturally bad technique and more that I have naturally weak joints that I tried using without sufficient other supporting muscles for stabilization. Missing a few http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RequiredSecondary.... Now it's going to take a year or two, maybe more, to get the joints back to where they were so I can try again.

Re: How to Start Running

#84

Post by js2 » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 9:43 PM UTC

notacoward wrote: post #11

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…

a responsible author would at least have mentioned that it's a safety issue as well as an aesthetic one.

Not only will I second this, I'll add that it's also an athletic issue. I used to run with headphones. But I don't anymore, because I realized I wanted all my senses, not just to be aware of my surroundings, but to be aware of myself. I literally listen to my body when I run, because it's a cue for me that I'm running correctly. I know it's not for everyone.

Re: How to Start Running

#85

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 9:49 PM UTC

js2 wrote: post #84

notacoward wrote: post #11

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…

a responsible author would at least have mentioned that it's a safety issue as well as an aesthetic one. Not only will I second this, I'll add that it's also an athletic issue. I used to run with headphones. But I don't anymore, because I realized I wanted all my senses, not just to be aware of my surroundings, but to be aware of myself. I literally listen to my body when I run, because it's a cue for me that I'm run…

[deleted]

Re: How to Start Running

#86

Post by dahart » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 9:55 PM UTC

optimusclimb wrote: post #17

Nicely put together. Some commentary though - When I started running, it would have been very useful to have it drilled in to me that all "running" is not equal, and doesn't have to be at a fast clip, until that makes sense. Of course running 26 miles seems crazy based on what it feels like to "run" a mile when you're untrained and trying to go fast. Yes, that guide starts out suggesting a run/walk routine - however…

I'm in full agreement that running's best enjoyed, but be fair to the writing and the audience. In the very next sentence, she explained exactly why to start by picking a race, and it wasn't about earning stickers or getting tshirts.

The reason is motivation, and having a deadline and a financial commitment is motivating for most people. This was written for an audience that isn't running yet, and most people who aren't running yet do need to have tricks to motivate.

Re: How to Start Running

#87

Post by js2 » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 9:59 PM UTC

saevarom wrote: post #79

js2 wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My running background. I'm currently on my second running career. I started running in my 30's, July 2002. I was 45 lbs heavier then, 185 lbs on a 5'8" frame. My first race was a half-marathon in early 2003. Dec 2003, I ran my first marathon. Between 2003 and 2007 I ran 4 marathons (4:22, 4:15, 3:54, 3:36) and a number of other races of shorter distances, but I was regularly having issues with both of my achilles ten…

Just curious, what kind of shoes should I be looking for if I were to follow your advice? Any specific brands?

Brand doesn't matter. Comfort and fit are most important. I'm currently running in Asics and Nikes. I've worn Mizuno's and New Balance in the past. A running store will generally match your foot to a category of shoe (stability, motion control, neutral/cushioned), then pull out various brands of that category till you find one that's comfortable. But the category part is bunk. See the NYT article on shoes I linked to and also this page http://fellrnr.com/wiki/The_Science_of_Running_Shoes

If you want a specific recommendation, give the Saucony Kinvara a try. It's more shoe than I normally wear, but I needed a red shoe as part of a costume for a recent marathon, and found them not bad. :-)

I'll also refer you to Fellrnr for more info. He's reviewed a ton of shoes - http://fellrnr.com/wiki/Shoes

If you go to a running store, ask to try on a variety of cushioned shoes till you find one that's comfortable.

Re: How to Start Running

#88

Post by js2 » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 10:02 PM UTC

Bahamut wrote: post #72

gk1 wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Great advice. I want to emphasize #1 for anyone who's considering following the marathon training plan in the NY Times article. The suggested marathon training plan has you doing a 9-mile run on week 4... And then 23 miles and 26 miles just a few months after starting to run (presumably). For a beginner, that's just begging for an injury from pushing too hard. Even for seasoned runners, it's not necessary to reach 26…

I've done a marathon with no training once...it was a very miserable experience, and unsurprisingly my worst time ever. In general, training is good, the more you can get in, the better, especially for beginners. Unless you're starting out with extremely good overall fitness, it will take a while to get to the point where you can finish a marathon without too much pain ir risk of injury.

The marathon demands its pound of flesh. I prefer to pay for it during training. (Of course, that's no guarantee I won't pay for it again during the race, but if that happens, it's probably because I was racing too fast.)

Re: How to Start Running

#89

Post by maxerickson » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 10:02 PM UTC

gaur wrote: 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 get that you are real keen on helpful comments about it, but you probably were running too fast (relative to your condition for it) and for not long enough (per run).

I guess I've never chased it, but I run 5 miles pretty regularly with no expectation of it.

Re: How to Start Running

#90

Post by massysett » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 10:03 PM UTC

Bluestrike2 wrote: post #50

ak217 wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're entitled to your opinion, but music is what pushes me to go hard and keeps me motivated in my runs. I literally run 25%+ faster with music on. Not only that, but it's just not nearly as enjoyable without the music (and the scenery). If you listen to music, just wear good earbuds that don't block ambient noise, and don't crank it too loud. Stretching: By now most runners know not to static stretch from cold sta…

You can run with headphones, but at least try and minimize their dangers. Don't use ones with high isolation, like in-ear canal earphones, because you'll hear very little of the outside world. Plus, a lot of models produce lots of microphonics (cable noise), which will drive you positively batty during a run. Turn the volume down so that you can at least hear a car horn. And be sure to run on the left side of the roa…

Ha. As someone who used to walk a mile to work along a very busy street, I wish I could find in-ear-canal earphones that actually blocked out the outside world. I heard every car no matter how ridiculously loud my volume was. People talking on phones often don't hear cars but I think this is because they aren't paying attention (note this can be a problem even with no headphones at all.)