Runners!

still too cold to run outside in denmark (at least too cold for my liking).
so i am struggling to motivate myself for going to the gym. manage to do it twice a week for a 5k treadmill run.... i really do not like the treadmill or the gym.
but hopefully the weather will improve soon and then I am back to 4 times a week running outside.. fresh air and PJ on ipod. love it.

I've been running all winter. 2 to 5 miles, 4 to 6 times a week. Weather doesn't stop me unless its below 10 degrees or above 90. You get an even better workout running on snowy trails.

A good run can totally raise the spirits, especially if you've been cooped up in a cubicle all day.

today I registered for a half marathon in April...one of my co-workers posted a flier for a charity/foundation she's involved in, so I get to help them out while doing something I love...and this recent thread inspired me go ahead with it because I was a little hesitant since there's no one I could convince to join me

ran 12.5 miles today...perfect weather for it

I just noticed - I need new running shoes. I wore the bottom during the winter on the treadmill. Time for a new pair.

Johnny Abruzzo wrote:

Well, I've done 2 marathons, and retired from that crap. I'd keep doing half marathons if I didn't hate the organizers of the Phila. Distance Run, or whatever they changed the name to. 6 miles is about my perfect distance, but there aren't many good 10K's around here for some reason. Only about a million 5K's, which are completely miserable for me.

I've done mediocre running this winter. I need at least 30 degrees if it's dry out, and some space without snow or ice on it, and that's been tough to find.

After the 2nd marathon in 2004, I phased in a lot of bike riding to save the knees. I did my first (and last I think) century last year - the crazy hilly Lance Armstrong 100 mile ride. I will probably do 60-70 again.

You should try longer trail runs, meaning ultras, which are distances over 26 miles. Usually 50K, 50 milers, and 100 miles.

I have run 6 or more marathons and hit the wall with running as well. My goal was to run shorter races because my times weren't improving. I met another runner who told me I should try running longer. I thought he was crazy.

But it turned out he was right. I am a slow burner. Meaning I can go at a slower pace for a really long time. 5.5 miles an hour during my two 50 mile races.

The bonus with ultras is they are trail runs. These are much easier on the body than road marathons. My experience is I can do 20 on a trail and feel the same as 10 on the road when comparing pain.

I recently read Born to Run by Chris McDougall and was turned onto Vibram 5 finger running shoes. Very cool. Google them and you will discover an new and better way of running.

Recently I have begun swimming and biking more.

But I am still a runner at heart.

Thanks for starting the post.

I have said it before all the PJ runners should pick one race to run as one. It would be great to find one in a city on a show night.

Peace.

theoceansmademe wrote:

I have said it before all the PJ runners should pick one race to run as one. It would be great to find one in a city on a show night.

Peace.

awesome idea...that would be so fun!

Not for me anymore. Did the London Marathon twice and a couple of others and about 30 half marathons. Then I completely knackered my achilles and that was that.

I was a marshall at the local half marathon yesterday and it was great fun. One of the lady runners even gave me a piece of chocolate. The running bananas were pretty good, Robin was OK but Batman was a fat twat. Lovely day.

Yeah, I'm a runner. I do it to alleviate the guilt over all the beer I drink.

The other day, though, I totally fucked up my knee while changing my truck's oil. So bad, I went to the trauma center. Something popped, for sure. The doc (and friends) keep mentioning menisci and patellar rotation. It's a little better today but I'm kind of worried my running days might be done. That's right....this occurred while doing an oil change. :roll:

mikalina wrote:

Ms. Haiku wrote:

I definitely use the treadmill more than running outside. I ran yesterday and today for 3 miles each day on the treadmill. I would like to become a runner who runs outside as a matter of course, but the hills are harder for me. I'll incorporate hill training into the treadmill work out, and eventually move my running outside.

I find running on the treadmill much easier than outside. Yes its boring, but running outside is rough on the knees and body. When the weather is warmer I'm outside more, but I tend to jog more than run.

Be careful when running on treadmill. At the least make sure you put the incline on 1. This will naturally make you your calf muscles take most of the impact. Which is the job of our calf muscles. If run without an incline your very close to running downhill when compared to running in nature. Down hill running is very hard on the body and often leads to injuries.

Don't listen to those who state running is hard on the knees and body. We humans were built to run.

Also if you haven't read about barefoot running do so. One need not run totally barefoot, there are shoes like Vibram Five Fingers that protect your feet without providing arch support.

The book Born To Run by Chris McDougall is a good jumping off point as well as a website maintain by a runner known as Barefoot Ted.

If possible run on natural dirt trails as often as you can.

In order from worst to best running surfaces: Concrete, asphalt, sand, treadmill, dirt trails.
http://barefootted.com/labels/barefoot%20shoes.html