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Get Running with Couch to 5K

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Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#21

Post by djhope99 »

lottin wrote: post #7

Running is better than sitting on the coach. But strength training is better than running. Why you should not be running , by Mark Rippetoe: https://startingstrength.com/article/why-you-should-not-be-r...

Broadly agree with this.

I was once a runner and I loved it!! The problem is I always had pain in my legs, joints, knees etc

cycling, hiking, strength training.

There are better forms of exercise, still, running is better than sitting on the couch and getting started with some sort of exercise is a great idea for your health.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#22

Post by googlryas »

lottin wrote: post #7

Running is better than sitting on the coach. But strength training is better than running. Why you should not be running , by Mark Rippetoe: https://startingstrength.com/article/why-you-should-not-be-r...

I generally agree with the advice, but anyone in good health should be able to run a 5k. It's literally 20ish minutes of exercise. Beyond that is when the negative effects of running start to come into play.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#23

Post by rainsford »

lottin wrote: post #7

Running is better than sitting on the coach. But strength training is better than running. Why you should not be running , by Mark Rippetoe: https://startingstrength.com/article/why-you-should-not-be-r...

That article makes a good argument, but I feel like it misses the potentially more significant issue that running is an actively bad choice of exercise for a lot of people even if they want to focus on cardio. It's harder on the body than a lot of other cardio exercises, particularly for the target audience of things like "couch to 5k".

It's definitely better for you than sitting on the couch, but only if you stick with it. And trying to get couch potatoes into running seems like a good way to ensure they don't stick with exercise. Anecdotally, I know a couple of people who did couch to 5k and ended up actually doing a 5k. They looked like they were going to die at the end of the race and basically stopped exercising after. Running has the advantage of needing minimal equipment and being something you can do everywhere, and I know it works for a lot of people. But as an exercise for people who would otherwise just sit on the couch, I'm not sure it's a good choice.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#24

Post by saiya-jin »

iamacyborg wrote: post #19
f311a wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly, but it's hard to combine them. Ideally, you want to have at least 3 running and 3 weightlifting sessions per week to keep improving. For an average person, it's too much.

To improve what? Trying to min/max everything in your life isn’t how this stuff works

Obviously all stats :)

Jokes aside, running is great, but people with tens of kilos overweight should probably start with something much less destructive to joints than run. You can gain muscles much faster than connective tissues like tendons and ligaments manage to build/strengthen. Ie start with swimming or elliptic trainer

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#25

Post by mnky9800n »

iamacyborg wrote: post #19
f311a wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly, but it's hard to combine them. Ideally, you want to have at least 3 running and 3 weightlifting sessions per week to keep improving. For an average person, it's too much.

To improve what? Trying to min/max everything in your life isn’t how this stuff works

Depends on your goals. My goals is to be active most days doing outdoor activities I like. Running and lifting and mobility exercises make it more comfortable to do the things I like.

That being said, I think sometimes people have this idea that maybe if they run enough one day running won't be hard (or whatever physical activity). But actually, it will always be hard. You will always breathe hard. You will always sweat. You will always be out of breath at some point if you push yourself. You will always have some maximum weight you can lift. But that's the point. Doing the hard thing is the point. That's what you have to realize it the fun interesting part. Otherwise exercise always feels like work.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#26

Post by nxmnxm99 »

lottin wrote: post #7

Running is better than sitting on the coach. But strength training is better than running. Why you should not be running , by Mark Rippetoe: https://startingstrength.com/article/why-you-should-not-be-r...

Says Ripptoe, who believes nothing is more important than low volume squats.

Strength training is good. Cardio is good. Do both and focus on doing it properly.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#27

Post by JKCalhoun »

Tried this some 8 or so years ago and it worked. I ran for a few years after until I started to feel like my knees were not happy — flipped then to barefoot running and that got me another few years before, again, the knees noped out.

I walk daily still, so the change of lifestyle — that is, adding time each day for exercise — was the most lasting thing to come of it.

I came to enjoy they exercise break from my daily routine. As others will profess, you get distraction-less time with your own thoughts and it feels like some kind of a lubricant for your mind.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#28

Post by f311a »

iamacyborg wrote: post #19
f311a wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly, but it's hard to combine them. Ideally, you want to have at least 3 running and 3 weightlifting sessions per week to keep improving. For an average person, it's too much.

To improve what? Trying to min/max everything in your life isn’t how this stuff works

To improve your fitness level, otherwise it's mostly a waste of time.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#29

Post by t-writescode »

f311a wrote: post #28
iamacyborg wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To improve what? Trying to min/max everything in your life isn’t how this stuff works

To improve your fitness level, otherwise it's mostly a waste of time.

Sigh,

"Some exercise beats none; more is better" https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/exercise-beats-none-bett...

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#30

Post by capitainenemo »

djhope99 wrote: post #21
lottin wrote: post #7

Running is better than sitting on the coach. But strength training is better than running. Why you should not be running , by Mark Rippetoe: https://startingstrength.com/article/why-you-should-not-be-r...

Broadly agree with this. I was once a runner and I loved it!! The problem is I always had pain in my legs, joints, knees etc cycling, hiking, strength training. There are better forms of exercise, still, running is better than sitting on the couch and getting started with some sort of exercise is a great idea for your health.

Agreed same. My knee is too screwed up for running anymore. I stick with cycling, swimming, hiking and the "7 minute workout" morning and evening to keep to something regular.
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