I rather suspect there are things happening in the brain of a runner and to the brain of a runner that are not apparent to a duffer. And you have to get past the break-in to start seeing any of that. My brother-in-law is a runner and I can tell by the look on his face that it's more than "just running." I used to do Tai Chi every morning, primarily for the exercise. I was skeptical of it at first, viewing it as likely little more than gentle movement, but the more I practised, the more I realized that there are mental aspects to the practice which aren't obvious from the outside. I've meditated from time to time in my life, though I never had much patience for it. I found that Tai Chi produced the same kinds of mental focus. I suspect what goes on in the mind of a runner is very different from that of a person who just occasionally laces up a shoe.

In 10,000 years archaeologists will find that chart and conclude that we were a bunch of primitive fuckers.

(August 17, 2013 at 8:25 am)jots Wrote: Is there anyone else on this forum who enjoys running?

I´ve been running occasionally to try to stay in shape my whole life but never with any consistensy. However, about three months ago I started running more seriously, setting goals and making a proper training schedule.

My initial two goals were to run 10 km in less than 40 min, and to run a half marathon in less than 90 min.

Two weeks ago I achieved my first goal - running 10 km in 39:52

My second goal is going to be tougher, I believe. My PR for 21 km is currently 1:33:37.

I´m uploading my runs on Garminconnect, Strava and Nike+. Feel free to add me if you are also a member on any of these.

Garmin Connect

Strava

Nike+

Wow! Kudos for setting such an ambitious goal! At least, it's ambitious in my eyes; I ran my second half marathon last May with a time of 2:21:02. My goal the second time was to improve on my time from my first run (2:39:33) with an unofficial desired finish time of 2:20 and a second unofficial goal of to continuously run it, no walking! So I hit both goals! (My goal for my first half marathon was just to finish, no matter how much I ran or how much I walked, just cross the finish line. My motto was "Set the bar low so there's no where to go but up!")

My next goal, for the 2014 Rock and Roll half I'm signed up for is to improve my time again (I'm thinking 2:15, don't want to overstretch myself and I have a couple injuries I'm nursing). Since my improvement from 2012 to 2013 mainly came from just being able to run the whole thing, I'm actually going to have to speed train this year, I think, so I'm starting my training up again pretty soon (once the weather starts to cool off). My plan is to build up my base by December so that by January, when I would normal start my specific half marathon training, I can start the speed training instead of having to start from scratch.

I got an iPhone a couple months ago and I'm having problems getting it to play podcasts while I use my Nike+ so I haven't decided if I'll stick to the Nike+ or go 100% over to Map My Run, otherwise I'd friend you through Nike+... Also, I have issues loading the Nike+ website, it's really slow for me.

(September 9, 2013 at 1:30 pm)CapnAwesome Wrote: The thing about running is that it might make you feel miserable at first, then the more you do it the more you start to like it, eventually it becomes addictive.

I'm definitely not at the addictive phase, it's still a bit of a chore to make myself go out and do my training runs, but I tell myself that if I don't want another injury I can't slack on the training.

(September 9, 2013 at 3:43 pm)wwjs Wrote: May be helpful

I listened to the couch to 5k podrunner series to get me motivated and running two years ago; it's a podcast of house music that has cues in it that tell you when to walk and when to run that's basically the music version of this image. You also don't have to time yourself, you just listen to the music. Granted, some of the mixes are better than others.

Podrunner by DJSteveBoy

(September 9, 2013 at 5:24 pm)apophenia Wrote:


I rather suspect there are things happening in the brain of a runner and to the brain of a runner that are not apparent to a duffer. And you have to get past the break-in to start seeing any of that. My brother-in-law is a runner and I can tell by the look on his face that it's more than "just running." I used to do Tai Chi every morning, primarily for the exercise. I was skeptical of it at first, viewing it as likely little more than gentle movement, but the more I practised, the more I realized that there are mental aspects to the practice which aren't obvious from the outside. I've meditated from time to time in my life, though I never had much patience for it. I found that Tai Chi produced the same kinds of mental focus. I suspect what goes on in the mind of a runner is very different from that of a person who just occasionally laces up a shoe.

I have to listen to podcasts or audiobooks when I run; if I run without one of these things I get annoyed listening to myself huff and puff like I'm about to die; when I listen to music (except the continuous podrunner mixes) I'm far too aware of how much time has elapsed since I started running (i.e. "This song is 4 minutes long and I'm only to the first chorus!?!? I'M GONNA DIE!!) When I listen to podcasts or audiobooks, though, I'm able to mentally go to a different place so I'm not focused on my achy legs or how much my lungs are burning, I just run.

Haven´t been able to run more than a couple of times these last weeks due to a knee injury. I´m starting to get really depressed about it - feels like all my hard work in the summer was for naught .

Ran 15 km yesterday to test the knee, but it doesn´t feel any better than it did two weeks ago, even though I have only done light excercise during this period.

Don´t really know what to do, perhaps I should see a physical therapist?

I run, but I do a lot more weight training than running. Running is boring as fuck.

(September 11, 2013 at 12:42 pm)jots Wrote: Don´t really know what to do, perhaps I should see a physical therapist?

I recommend seeing a doctor who specializes in sports medicine if your insurance covers it.

This may sound off the wall, but there's good science behind it. While you're not running as much, use the time you would have spent running to "imagine that you are running." Find a comfy spot, relatively free of distraction, set a timer so you don't have to mind the time, close your eyes and imagine yourself on a run. If dressing the part helps, do that. You might increase the interest level by imagining you are running in Valhalla, or receiving training from Hermes. (I suspect watching videos on running or watching others run has its place, too, but the mental exercise will actually result in physiological changes, or should.) Since it's in your head, unconstrained by reality, you can take short "runs" anytime and anywhere throughout the day; got five minutes after lunch, have a quick run. And you don't have to stop fantasy runs once you are running again after your injury is healed.

(September 11, 2013 at 12:42 pm)jots Wrote: Haven´t been able to run more than a couple of times these last weeks due to a knee injury. I´m starting to get really depressed about it - feels like all my hard work in the summer was for naught .

Ran 15 km yesterday to test the knee, but it doesn´t feel any better than it did two weeks ago, even though I have only done light excercise during this period.

Don´t really know what to do, perhaps I should see a physical therapist?

Hello!

I ran XC and Track in High School and for my University; I now coach high school XC. I am quite impressed with your 10K time! Nice job! Have you run many 5Ks? Where is your knee hurting at? How many miles would you guess you have on your current pair of shoes?

(September 11, 2013 at 12:42 pm)jots Wrote: Haven´t been able to run more than a couple of times these last weeks due to a knee injury. I´m starting to get really depressed about it - feels like all my hard work in the summer was for naught .

I know exactly what you mean; when I started running I got a pretty gnarly foot injury (a possible frayed tendon) that knocked me out of running for months and still occasionally bothers me.

Best advice I can give is to NOT RUN ON IT! I did that and made my injury worse.

If you're really concerned about it and don't want to lose ground on your gains so far, see a doctor and ask about physical therapy (I couldn't get PT without seeing a doctor but your situation might be different). Bring your running shoes in to the doctor/physical therapist, they might want to see them, especially if they're old and clearly show a wear pattern on the soles. Also, ask the doctor/PTist what amount of activity they recommend so you don't exacerbate your injury.

From my own experience the best I can tell you is use the RICE method for soft tissue injuries (assuming yours is a soft tissue injury): Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. It's not a cure all, nor will it, alone, get you back to 100%, but it's good practice for post-exercise recovery, especially when you're nursing an injury.

And always stretch before and after every exercise activity be it running, walking, biking, cross training, swimming, etc. Stretching before will help loosen you up a bit (don't overdo it), stretching after aids in recovery.

Hope your knee gets better!

(September 11, 2013 at 2:20 pm)apophenia Wrote: This may sound off the wall, but there's good science behind it. While you're not running as much, use the time you would have spent running to "imagine that you are running." Find a comfy spot, relatively free of distraction, set a timer so you don't have to mind the time, close your eyes and imagine yourself on a run. If dressing the part helps, do that. You might increase the interest level by imagining you are running in Valhalla, or receiving training from Hermes. (I suspect watching videos on running or watching others run has its place, too, but the mental exercise will actually result in physiological changes, or should.) Since it's in your head, unconstrained by reality, you can take short "runs" anytime and anywhere throughout the day; got five minutes after lunch, have a quick run. And you don't have to stop fantasy runs once you are running again after your injury is healed.

Thanks for the advice. Do you have any literature tips or other source material for this exercise? Would love to read more about it.

(September 11, 2013 at 2:35 pm)Statler Waldorf Wrote: Hello!

I ran XC and Track in High School and for my University; I now coach high school XC. I am quite impressed with your 10K time! Nice job!

Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it

Quote:Have you run many 5Ks?

No, not really. I have done some 5ks during training, but never any races.

Quote:Where is your knee hurting at?

A little hard to explain, but it is on the inside and to the back of my right knee.

Quote:How many miles would you guess you have on your current pair of shoes?

About 350 miles, I am thinking of replacing them pretty soon.

I just got an iphone 3gs, best running app?