How to Start Running • Hacker News Board

Re: How to Start Running

#71

Post by CJefferson » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 8:47 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 (2) Similarly, the article's advice about stretching is way out of date.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…

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.

Re: How to Start Running

#72

Post by Bahamut » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 9:06 PM UTC

gk1 wrote: post #40

js2 wrote: 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…

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.

Re: How to Start Running

#73

Post by tomp » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 9:08 PM UTC

js2 wrote: 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…

How about the front squat? I've heard it's better for the back, balance and arm training... how about its impact on running?

Re: How to Start Running

#74

Post by egypturnash » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 9:09 PM UTC

stares at the animated graphic for a moment

Well. Someone failed to properly apply animation cycles in whatever they used for the header image. When a runner's near hand passes across the body going forwards, there's an extra frame that is almost a duplicate, but slightly further back, which results in a little hitch in the motion.

This error is meticulously maintained on all of the running figures, despite them being all out of synch with each other.

Re: How to Start Running

#75

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 9:12 PM UTC

js2 wrote: post #46

eru wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Good advice to have someone who knows what they're doing show you how to deadlift and back squat. I read Starting Strength before I started, but I'm glad I didn't try to do it on my own. I'm iffy on the barefoot running advice. If you're going to run barefoot, it's probably best to do it on a soft surface like a grass field. But, that will allow you to continue to heel strike, and worse, because your heel will sink f…

[deleted]

Re: How to Start Running

#76

Post by SyneRyder » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 9:15 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'm glad to read this. When I exercise I frequently get "Runners Low" instead. I've seen people suggest that running is great for depression, but I've often found the exact opposite: exercise can actually induce sadness & negative thoughts in me on days when I feel great. It doesn't always happen to me, but it happens often enough that it annoys me whenever I hear the suggestion to "go for a run, you'll feel better". That doesn't seem universally good advice for everyone.

The longest I've ever run is 14km, and I've done 12km City To Surf a few times. I still exercise & work out, but I keep myself motivated & upbeat using music, and try to make it the last thing before bed, so I can sleep off any bad feelings and/or exhaustion.

Re: How to Start Running

#77

Post by firewalkwithme » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 9:25 PM UTC

js2 wrote: post #70

firewalkwithme wrote: post #67

The word half-marathon is irritating. Either you run a marathon, or you don't. Half a marathon has nothing to do with a marathon

Uh, except that it's exactly half the distance of a marathon. And it's a good stepping stone to the marathon. Seems like a pretty obvious name for it. It's sometimes called a mini-marathon, which is a little silly. But really, to non-runners, every distance is a marathon ("good luck on your 5K marathon this weekend!"), so what does it matter? :-)

Yes I get it, and it does not matter, I'm just grumpy. The point I'm trying to make is that for an amateur runner, the distance of a marathon is a performance that require LONG time preparation and discipline, and maybe even talent. Not everyone is capable of completing this distance by foot. Not a runner myself, but I have 2 _very_ athletic friends that completely failed this distance with the most unexpected injuries and fatigues, even after a year of preparation. I am just tired of how 'half-marathon' associates with an actual marathon, because a marathon is a completely different thing that will destroy a casual runner. Have a good weekend js2

Re: How to Start Running

#78

Post by ggreer » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 9:26 PM UTC

laxatives wrote: post #36

ggreer wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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 b…

This sounds entirely psychosomatic. I've run several marathons and Ironman races and I would occasionally get a runner's high while training, where I felt like I could nearly sprint for long periods of time without fatigue. Definitely no mental effects, let alone anything that would make it "unsafe to drive". But I would mention this "high" to friends who were competitive runners and they all felt there was no such t…

I doubt it's psychosomatic. I didn't know the effects of opiates or marijuana when I first experienced it. It was only later that I discovered THC caused the same close-eyed visuals and differences in time perception. Likewise for opiates (prescribed after dental surgery). The decreased appetite and body high suddenly made sense.

There's research to back this up as well. In response to exercise, the body produces cannabinoids, opiates, and stimulants.[1]

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurobiological_effects_of_phy...

Re: How to Start Running

#79

Post by saevarom » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 9:36 PM UTC

js2 wrote: post #32

js2 wrote: 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…

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?

Re: How to Start Running

#80

Post by js2 » Sat, Apr 02, 2016, 9:36 PM UTC

firewalkwithme wrote: post #77

js2 wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Uh, except that it's exactly half the distance of a marathon. And it's a good stepping stone to the marathon. Seems like a pretty obvious name for it. It's sometimes called a mini-marathon, which is a little silly. But really, to non-runners, every distance is a marathon ("good luck on your 5K marathon this weekend!"), so what does it matter? :-)

Yes I get it, and it does not matter, I'm just grumpy. The point I'm trying to make is that for an amateur runner, the distance of a marathon is a performance that require LONG time preparation and discipline, and maybe even talent. Not everyone is capable of completing this distance by foot. Not a runner myself, but I have 2 _very_ athletic friends that completely failed this distance with the most unexpected injuri…

Ah, as we like to say, the marathon is two halves, but the second half doesn't begin till mile 20. It is a distance that demands respect. You are right, it is a completely different beast than the half-marathon.

About your two friends: I'm at the point, fortunately, where I can complete a marathon at will. But racing it is a different thing altogether. I'm going to guess that, given you say they are very athletic, they had set a time goal for themselves. That's usually a mistake for the first marathon, and regardless of their fitness, it's a distance where if you push too hard, you will be punished.

Gosh I love marathons. Except when I hate them. :-)