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Get Running with Couch to 5K

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Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#141

Post by loeg »

Fargren wrote: post #117

I have a question that this is probably not the best forum for: I don't run, but know plenty of people who do. Everyone is running what I would call marathon-style, by which I mean their goals are measured in how far they can reliably run/ how fast they can do a relatively long distance, 5K being the lower bound. To me, running shorter distances very fast seems just cooler and more exciting, say 500 meters. 100 meter…

Sprints are a fairly popular competitive event. It's part of track and field. 100/200/400 meters are all common sprint disciplines. 800 is sort of a sprint discipline. These competition distances are too short to provide much training benefit and you can't train at race effort 100% of the time. Competitive sprinters do a lot of volume (i.e., miles) at slower paces in addition to a lot of weight training.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#142

Post by arcade79 »

twawaaay wrote: post #48

Personally, I think aren't many better return on investment activities than spending half an hour every day on a morning jog. You can run more than that but I think half an hour steady state easy run each morning gives you 80% of results. If you love running (I do), knock yourself out. But that half an hour is enough to do wonders to your health over long periods of time with minimum chance for negative consequences.…

I agree with you, but there's one big "Oh, right..." in there.

Up until a year and a half ago, I had never enjoyed a jog in my life. I had done plenty of "jogging" during school years, as part of gym class, but nobody had ever explained to me difference between a pleasant jog and running until you drop.

I stopped exercising for many years. Then started powerlifting. A couple of years ago I decided that I should take a walk every day. Then that I should do at least 10.000 steps a day. A year and a half ago, I figured I could probably do a very light run. I enjoyed it. Then I started running at least every other day (during summer). Stoppped during winter. Picked it up again last spring. Now I'm again awaiting spring.

It took 41 years of my life before I realized what a light run was. I think most people don't run because they have never actually learned what a light run is. It's always flat out.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#143

Post by mattlondon »

Fargren wrote: post #117

I have a question that this is probably not the best forum for: I don't run, but know plenty of people who do. Everyone is running what I would call marathon-style, by which I mean their goals are measured in how far they can reliably run/ how fast they can do a relatively long distance, 5K being the lower bound. To me, running shorter distances very fast seems just cooler and more exciting, say 500 meters. 100 meter…

Short distances are likely anaerobic, so a different kind of exercise from longer periods of exercise.

Anaerobic is evolved (as far as I know) as the "panic stations" exercise when it is 110% percent do-or-die situation and your body starts using inefficient no-oxygen metabolism because you need the extra energy to escape the chasing bear or whatever. It causes lots of lactic acid build up that hurts afterwards, and doing it a lot supposedly causes muscle issues unless you spend a lot of time warming down afterwards to help break it down.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#144

Post by rahilb »

I did this 2 years ago, it probably changed my life. I still don’t consider myself a runner but can now run a 5k in about 30 minutes on any given day. If you’re considering it go for it!

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#145

Post by amanaplanacanal »

iamacyborg wrote: post #123
nikanj wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The amount of light exposure you get is incredible, with the crisp air and the all-white world reflecting the sunshine. So good against seasonal depression

You don’t get great light exposure when it’s cold and you have to wear tights, long sleeves and gloves

You still get exposure to your face and eyes though.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#146

Post by andness »

Fargren wrote: post #117

I have a question that this is probably not the best forum for: I don't run, but know plenty of people who do. Everyone is running what I would call marathon-style, by which I mean their goals are measured in how far they can reliably run/ how fast they can do a relatively long distance, 5K being the lower bound. To me, running shorter distances very fast seems just cooler and more exciting, say 500 meters. 100 meter…

Before I started running myself I remember looking at Marathon runners and thinking "Oh they are going so slow, it's just a matter of enduring it". And then I started running myself and realized that the professional Marathon runners are basically running at a pace that feels like sprinting to me.

And that's why I don't try 1500 or 3000m distances. They are just really, really fast and unbelievably painful. A few times a year I might do a 3K as fast as I can, and I dread it. Maintaining a near sprint pace for 10-12 minutes is just crazy hard.

Also, almost every time I get some kind of injury it's because I'm doing a high intensity (fast) run.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#147

Post by ChildOfChaos »

I am approaching 40 this year and i'm interested in this, i've been looking at treadmills to get started as it seems it might make it easier for me to get into the running habit, but I haven't found one yet at a decent price that is also ultra compact/folds away, space is an issue for me.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#148

Post by misterspaceman »

sw030695 wrote: post #116
misterspaceman wrote: post #103

I have a theory that people who want to get in shape but don't know where to start will gravitate towards running, because it's what we all remember doing in grade school gym class. Running is great, I'm not knocking it at all. But I would also try other activities to see what sticks (hiking, weightlifting, rock climbing, social sports leagues, etc.) There's also lots of free beginner-friendly workouts on YouTube (wh…

I think running is attractive because it's one of the most effective sports at burning energy, and it's entry level. Shoes, and some loose clothes. In the past I've lost weight from a bunch of different sports and running worked the best. It's just the most intense pure sport, without mechanical assistance.

Agreed! And to your point, I tried to include a couple of activities with a low barrier of entry in my above post. You could argue that bodyweight-only YouTube workouts have an even lower barrier of entry than running (you don't even need shoes!).

Also, a small nitpick: if someone is starting from zero, I'd argue "effectiveness" probably shouldn't be the goal...it should be finding an activity the person loves and wants to keep doing. From my own experience: For years I hated fitness and avoided it at all costs...until I found a gym with group fitness classes that I fell in love with. From there, losing weight was easy because I was just doing something I loved.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#149

Post by cuanim »

dmje wrote: post #120

Been a runner for 30+ years. I love it. I've got 5 bits of advice for anyone starting out. Firstly, just go. As the old trope says, the hardest bit is the distance between couch and front door. Don't even think about it, don't look at the weather, don't worry about that little voice in your head telling you how cold it is. Just get your kit on and go. Once you're outside you're on your way. Secondly - give some focus…

Hey, is it bad to breathe through your mouth while running/jogging? I had a badminton coach who advised us not to do it unless it was unavoidable. But I really struggled with it so was wondering if breathing through nose was fundamentally better for whatever reason.

Re: Get Running with Couch to 5K

#150

Post by simonbarker87 »

I've just spent the last 24 hours in a hospital due to a family emergency. Seeing the other people in the hospital has really hammered home the old saying:

If you don't make time for you health now then you will be forced to make time for your illness later.

While many people find themselves in hospital through no fault of their own, it is clear from what I can hear and see that many other people could have avoided being there by taking some time each day to be active and eat/drink a bit less throughout their life.

It doesn't need to be running but it does need to be a concerted effort that gets your heart rate up and creates a little discomfort in the body (not pain, just work).

And no "running round after the kids" each day, doesn't count.

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