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Dear Nestie Runners,
Thank you so much for your comments and support the other day. I went back to my Train to Run class today and had a great run! The instructor must have realized there was a problem because he completely changed the class. Now we are running a loop where you can see everyone (better for safety) and it prevents feeling like you have to keep up with the pace. Also, he is now using the C25K program! Yippee!!! He was much better about timing today and I ran every single segment! My goal is to run all of the running segments, even if it is a slow run so I was pumped today when we finished.
I'm heading out this weekend for a running shoe fitting because I think that might be the source of my knee pain. So if you have any tips regarding that, please let me know!
Also, if you have any general running tips for beginners those are also appreciated. What is the best way to breathe? Is there a particular way you should hold your arms/hands? Do longer/shorter strides make a difference? Is there a different strategy for running through a field vs street? Or anything else that might be helpful!
Thanks again! I'm happy to feel back on track!
Re: Dear Nestie Runners,
i'm glad you had a better run today!
re: fittings. you just need to be completely honest in how they feel. if you're not 100% in love with how the shoe fits, tell them. i'm in CLT, but i'm sure it's similar everywhere; they watch you run in shoes, then barefoot, then you start trying shoes on.
general tips: i have a history of exercise induced asthma, i breathe in for 2 steps, out for 4. it helps keep me from taking short, quick breaths. arms/hands i learned from 4 years of track, don't let your arms cross your body. they should be at 90 degree angles, hands loose (think holding beer/soda can). the less movement the better, although they should move some. longer/shorter strides... there's been a lot of recent research saying shorter strides are better since they reduce the impact stress on your legs/knees. no advice on field vs. street, i only run in the street. i can't do uneven surfaces very well due to an ankle surgery and bad knees.
GL!!
Be prepared to spend around $100 on a good pair of running shoes (give or take ~$20). Shoes made all the difference for me. For me, the cost of getting the wrong pair was a month of physical therapy for some pretty bad bursitis.
As for beginner tips on posture, this article from RunnersWorld is great. Another tip I read is to pretend that you have strings attached to your shoulders, like a marionette. If you ever find yourself slouching, think about what your posture would look like if someone pulled on them; straightens me up everytime.
I started out trying to breathe in a pattern; I think it works for some people & not for others. I stopped paying attention to my breathing around week 5 or 6 & I felt a lot less out of breath when I did. Play around & see if there's a ratio that works for you. For me, I felt more comfortable once I stopped counting the number of breaths & started concentrating on maintaining a slower speed that didn't leave me feeling out of breath while just breathing naturally.
If you're running on a street (not sidewalk, but on the asphalt), try alternating which side of the road you run on if you can. Roads are crowned, so it's an uneven surface. It's only a very slight angle, but jogging on the same incline day after day can sometimes lead to problems w/ an ankle, hip, or knee on one side of your body.
Everyone's body is a little different. My best general advice is to play around w/ technique. Your body will tell you what feels natural & what doesn't work for you & your mechanics. Welcome to running!
Ditto the previous posters. I will say that I find it easier on the knees and legs to run on softer surfaces, such as a dirt path or a grassy area that is relatively even. In the past I've done long training runs in places like Umstead Park, where the dirt trails are pretty even, as well as on paved surfaces, and my legs always feel much better on the softer surface.
GL and I'm so glad this class is now working out for you!
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