Get Running with Couch to 5K • Hacker News Board

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#61

Post by jeltz » Sun, Jan 01, 2023, 5:17 PM UTC

blairbeckwith wrote: post #53

chongli wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did you get all the way through the program? Did you have good quality running shoes? I remember it being miserable at the start, but after I finished the program (and was going beyond 5k up to around 12k) it started feeling amazing. It was really strange. It went from painful to just plain addictive! But then Canadian winters intervened and I got out of the habit and never got back to it again. Since then I’ve had a…

I'll never tell people they have to, but winter running can be really enjoyable. I committed this year to doing as much of my training outside through the Canadian winter as possible, and so far it's been a dream. I ran through the storm that ripped through Ontario right before Christmas and caught myself thinking that I wasn't sure how much worse conditions would have to be for me to stop having a good time. Like th…

Yeah, when the weather is right winter running can be amazing. The perfect is running in like -4 C with crisp air and everything covered in snow or frost.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#62

Post by thefz » Sun, Jan 01, 2023, 5:17 PM UTC

Did this to prepare my gf for a noncompetitive run. If ytou stick to the plan it's easy even when starting from zero, and the program brings you to really running a 5K. Highly recommended.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#63

Post by sghill » Sun, Jan 01, 2023, 5:18 PM UTC

bulldog13 wrote: post #45

What do people think about during their runs? Anything over 30 minutes I find very mind numbing and boring.

Guided runs in Nike Run Club are great for this. There are several coaches with different styles.

My favorite have been the Headspace mindful runs[1].

[1]: https://www.headspace.com/meditation/running-meditation

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#64

Post by jeltz » Sun, Jan 01, 2023, 5:19 PM UTC

mr_mitm wrote: post #51

chongli wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did you get all the way through the program? Did you have good quality running shoes? I remember it being miserable at the start, but after I finished the program (and was going beyond 5k up to around 12k) it started feeling amazing. It was really strange. It went from painful to just plain addictive! But then Canadian winters intervened and I got out of the habit and never got back to it again. Since then I’ve had a…

Not every sport is for everyone. I feel the same. I even ran some 10Ks, but I hate every second of it. Maybe I'm too heavy or my joints are already screwed up too much, but I much prefer weight lifting and basketball.

Obviously not everyone like running (I especially get the boredom argument) but I doubt your joints are screwed up if you do weight lifting (stresses the joints quite a bit) and basketball (totally massacres joints). If your joins can survive basketball then your joints should have zero issues with running unless it is something very specific.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#65

Post by thefz » Sun, Jan 01, 2023, 5:20 PM UTC

nxmnxm99 wrote: post #26

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.

TBH Rippetoe's program is solid and gives good results.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#66

Post by twawaaay » Sun, Jan 01, 2023, 5:22 PM UTC

MarcScott wrote: post #39

I did this about four years ago. I hated it. Even running with my collie or listening to audio books didn't help. It just felt like a miserable chore, every time I put on my running shoes. In the end I just quit. Now I hike every weekend, at least 10 miles, which lets me go out with family and friends. I also do various martial arts with my son, which as a shared activity is so much more enjoyable. The only time I'll…

I am sorry you hated it. The first time I started running I hated it too. But that was just because I did not know how to run or what to expect. I think my very first run was something like 250m after which I through the shoes and vowed never to try again.

But once I learned how to run, calibrated my expectation on how running looks like (I was trying way too hard before) and got my body couple months to adjust I started genuinely loving it even though initially I was forcing myself to do it for health reasons.

I think running is something that you can stick to for long enough to be able to figure out if it is actually for you.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#67

Post by wintermutestwin » Sun, Jan 01, 2023, 5:22 PM UTC

jfengel wrote: post #32

djhope99 wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

As I understand it, running does not cause bad knees and can even help by building up muscles. However, if you have bad joints to start with, running can be hard or impossible. In which case, pick another exercise. There are lots. My favorite thing about running is that it requires little equipment and can be done any time at all. (My second favorite thing is that it's easy to listen to podcasts or music.) Check with…

"Couch" pretty much = bad posture = bad joints.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#68

Post by evgen » Sun, Jan 01, 2023, 5:23 PM UTC

bulldog13 wrote: post #45

What do people think about during their runs? Anything over 30 minutes I find very mind numbing and boring.

I started with couch to 5K last January and after making it through the program I decided to stick with a three day cycle of running, rowing, and strength training. An Apple Watch turned out to be a great investment for me. I was able to track my runs and workouts and by downloading a couple of spotify playlists and some podcasts to listen to while running I was able to leave my phone behind when running. Some people can zone out or amuse themselves while running but I tend to need a distraction and so a decent set of wireless headphones and a phone or smartwatch are now as much of a requirement for me as a pair of running shoes.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#69

Post by wintermutestwin » Sun, Jan 01, 2023, 5:25 PM UTC

googlryas wrote: post #22

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.

The negative effects of running are about body mechanics, not aerobic fitness.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#70

Post by jeltz » Sun, Jan 01, 2023, 5:26 PM UTC

endisneigh wrote: post #35

Is running really better than walking?

For improving cardio? For sure. It is a very time efficient way of increasing your cardio. For improving back health? Not really, studies indicate that walking and running give about the same benefits. Obviously if you are unfit enough you need to walk before you run or you will just have a miserable time.