I have set a goal of doing my first century ride within the next year sometime. Right now, I ride solo and my longest ride to date has been about 23 miles. I ride an average of 10-20 miles six days a week right now. 

 Here's my question: every time I ride and am about 30 minutes into the ride, my right foot goes numb. I have to shake it every few minutes to try to get it feeling ok but it just feels like it goes asleep.  My circulation in my legs has been tested every time I go to the doctor--which is quarterly since I'm diabetic--and has always been fine. 

 Anyone else experience this?  Any suggestions to help or what might be causing it? 

 I ride a hybrid Raleigh 21 speed right now with a dream of getting a "road" bike by year's end so I can work on doing that century. 

Thanks for any tips in general for a new rider as well! 

 I didn't think that I was in terrible shape or anything, but I had never been a runner, so I didn't know if I could jog a full mile.  Still, walking long distances just takes so much time, so I decided to give running a try.  On the first day, I had to walk for 30 seconds or so after a half mile, but I was able to get back going and run to finish the mile.  Two days later, I was able to run the full mile which I hadn't done since highschool.  I thought I'd have to work up to that. 

 I was surprised that I could do it.  Still, the mile took a lot out of me.  After a day of rest and then a day of heavy lifting to help my brother move, I decided to time my mile which ended up being 8:05. 

 I'm very excited.  I had no idea that I would even be under ten minutes much less being able to nearly make it in 8 minutes.  Well, this morning I was planning on running my first distance further than a mile.  I thought my work was 1.25 miles from my house, so I ran there.  It was tough for me, but I made it.  What surprised me was that I used this tool and it was actually 1.72 miles. 

I'm going to run home from work tonight which will be a 16 hour rest and I added a circling around my block to make it 2.05 miles. 

 Anyhow, mostly I'm just excited.  I can't believe that after only my second week, I am within reach of running two miles when only a week ago one mile was tough.  I can't believe how fast I was able to improve. 

 I'm excited because I am 6' and weigh 244, so I have room to lose weight and to improve overall. 

It's funny to me that my heart rate is now 50bpm and I can run two miles, but my BMI says that I'm obese.  I'm still overweight, but I'm happy that I can do this despite the fact that I'm overweight. 

Thanks !

Hi I am looking for advice on what to eat if anything before I run in the morning.

 I tend not to eat or drink anything as I feel very sick if I do.

 Anyone got any advice?

Yesterday I did my usual run and workout as I usually do in the morning. We played our normal 30 minute set and I returned to the bus to relax. I then realized I had to run to the bank to make a deposit. The bank was about 2 miles away, and I only had 15 minutes to get there before it closed so I got my friends bike and rode like a bat out of hell to get there. On the way there I started to get a chest pain or cramp in  the left side of my chest. I never made it to the bank in time, and the pain in my chest hasn't gone away yet. Can anyone explain what the cause of this chest pain is? Our 30 minute set is also tough sometimes too. The temperature has been averaging about 90 degrees at every city we've played, and I we all run around quite a bit during it, sweating perfusely.

I skipped my run today, and I'm going to take it easy and see if it goes away tomorrow. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 Thank you in advance,

Matt

Phoenixville, PA 

I started racing less than half a year ago, and already enjoyed a Half-Marathon and few 4 milers. So, the next step. I'm planning on starting training for the Marathon (Hartford, or New York if I'm passing the lottery) and one of my main concerns is weight.

I'm slightly underweight. I'm around 5'9'' ~ 5'10'' tall, and weigh 130 lb. Always weighed that.

I've been reading that one of the big virtues of marathon training is losing weight, but I can't afford this.

Do you have any suggestions? Recommendations for slightly underweight marathon newbies?

By the way. I had a physical check-up and they didn't find anything wrong.

Thanks a lot!

-Luca 

 Has anyone else experienced this problem?  Any advice?

So far this is what I have come up with as possible problems:

• Bad shoe.
• I put too much weight on my heel when I run.
• I run on the side of my foot.
• I run with that side on the higher part of the crown of the road.

Has anyone else ever had this?  What solutions did you come up with to fix it?

To fix the bad shoe, what should I look for in my next pair of running shoes?  For the second bullet point should I get something with a higher heel or something to keep me on the front part of my foot?  For running on the side of my foot I am at a loss.  I was thinking of cutting up some insoles to relieve  the pressure but I think it will make it harder over the long run.  As for the last bullet point I mixed up the sides of the road I ran on today but I didn't pass 2 miles.

Thanks

 --Joe

I note that edition 3 of Joe Friel's book is due for release in early 2009, and of course that edition 2 is the current one. Whilst I doubt anybody has any advance ideas of what is new in edition 3, what are the differences between edition 1 and edition 2?

 cheers didds

Have been running on and off for several years but over the last few months have decided to run a half marathon in January.  Plenty of time to train.  Can currently run up to 7 miles but usually run about 3.5-5 with one longer run per week.  Never tried to run over 7 yet. 

I recently purchased and read Stu Mittlemans "Slow Burn" which was highly recommended to me by several people.  Great book and feel highly motivated.  Here is the problem however....I have never used a heart rate monitor just kind of went with how I was feeling.  Some days I knew I pushed it too much other days I felt great.  I set out today for my MEP run (which is in target heart rate of which mine according to the book figurations is 145-155bpm)   It was sooo SLOW!!  I had to walk part of the time to keep it in there. I am supposed to do this 2 times per week. My other run which is supposed to be from 135-145 bpm is a 2-4times per week with one interval training day.  I am 35 , female, fairly good shape, 135 pnds .

Does anyone else have a problem staying in their zone and feeling like they are actually moving?  I understand in theory that you will begin to move faster and faster in these zones while staying in your target heart rate, however I feel like I am taking a step backward.  Is it better do it now and train properly or just up it a bit?

Like I said, brand new to the heart rate monitor so this may be a silly few questions.

Also anyone else read the book "Slow Burn"....would love to chat with anyone who has as I have several questions.

Thanks so much for your time :>)

Brandy

I have had a problem with borderline hypo glycemia my entire adult life so far.  I have managed to keep it in check by eating small amounts of protein throughout the day.  However, I have been increasing my distance running lately and find my sugar problem to be getting out of control.  I have an episode...trembling, weakness, heachache, nausea, inability to concentrate, and even tunnel vision...several times per week.  I feel like I am going to pass out.  Scary!  Especially with a house full of little kids to watch. 

I am a baby stepper with running.  I do not train overly hard.  I run 3 to 4 times per week with 3 miles being my short run and 10 miles being my long run, and a couple of mid runs in between.  I also try to incorporate strength training at least once or twice weekly on off days.  I am a thin gal (110 lbs @ 5'5"), but I bet I consume 3,000 calories on a daily basis.  I eat pretty healthy for the most part, but do admit that I binge on sweets on occassion.  I take care to eat meat every evening for dinner, and peanut butter is a staple in my daily diet.  Even my breakfast cereal of choice is protein enhanced.  I snack on string cheese, a handful of almonds or even a protein bar to help balance out my sugar.  This is not working for me anymore.  My husband thinks that my running is causing all my problems, but I refuse to give it up!  I am concerned that if I do not get this under control that I may have diabetes later in life.  My episodes do not happen after a run, so I do not think it is from dehydration.  Any advice? 

im going to be a sophmore in high school next year and i REALLY want to get my XC and track times down.

 Last year was my first year running and i ran a 22:12 pr in my 5ks and a 13:02 pr in the 3200 for track.

my goal was to get under 22 for XC and under 13 for track, anyone have any suggestions that would help. i already run 6 days a week for about 30-60 mins. About 3-8 miles. anyone have any good tips??

Once you determine your calorie range (be it maintenance or weight loss), do you eat that much regardless of workouts?

Or do you increase your calorie intake by the amount of calories burned for that day's exercise? 

 That's not really why I'm posting but I needed to get that out there.

 I have an allergy to gluten so most diets and general carb consumption does not really apply to me.  I was wondering if anyone out there had any advice, tips or general information.

I normally have not concerned myself too much with how my diet affects my running, but with the recent loss of feeling in my feet, I want to take any step that I can to ensure no further injury or complications.

Thanks to any and all who may offer advice, and thanks for reading anyway.

I know this is not directly about running, but I was wondering if anyone can help me with a bit of a problem. 

Last Thursday I took a fall from my bike - I basically locked my front wheel and ended up going head first over my handle bars. Because everything happened so fast I didn't let go of my bike and pulled it around on top of me. I landed on the side of my head (but had my helmet on thank god) and sustained no major injuries but I think in pulling my bike round I have 'wrenched' my left shoulder somehow. It's quite sore, it's painful to rotate my shoulder or stretch my arm backwards/behind me (for example when putting my back pack on my right shoulder or when doing mobility shoulder circles). I can't tell if it is my shoulder, my bicep, somewhere between the two, or everything down to my elbow (which is also a little sore).

Stupidly I didn't ice as I mistook the stiffness/soreness as a product of my weights session that morning, but a few days later it's still hurting.  I iced for the first time today (late I know!).

I would normally have my weights session on Tuesday morning - I'm guessing if it's sore I should avoid this? Anybody had a similar injury? What is it I've done? What should I do for recovery?

Thanks in advance for your help

Lex

 I have messed around with saddle height some and this seems  to be as good as I can get it.  If I go any higher, the pain increases.  I have a slight bend in the knee when at BDC but probably more of a bend than the pros.

 Any thoughts?  Being only in one leg is curious to me.

anyway, the point of this discussion is morning runs. Im currently a 16 year old junior in Highschool and i want to try to get around 2 runs a day in to improve my cardiovascular system (my dad has a condition and i feel i should do what i can to prevent any problems seeing as im at increased risk). I have a short route planned out around my neighborhood that is roughly , give or take a few tenths, 1.5 miles. I'm planning on doing this at around 530 or 6 am.

any thoughts? advice?

PS. im also planning to do moderate runs at night around 9 pm (its the most pleasant time of day for me =D ) and by moderate i mean 2-4.5 miles 

I started running in January, with a massive turn around in lifestyle. I quit smoking, have pretty much stopped drinking (maybe 1 or 2 beers once a week, sometimes less). My diet was always fairly healthy, I'm not a natural carnivore, I was veggie up until a few years ago. I mainly eat chicken, sometimes I will eat a bit of red meat, but not much at all. I do eat beans and pulses, and tonnes of fruit and veg. I think my diet is very low in fat. I never eat junk food /take out except for the vary rare pizza (and that's usually veggie, thin crust). My bad habits are that I do tend to carb load (bread, bran muffins, crackers). My portions are probably too big. Also snacking can be an issue - my flat mates tends always to have cookies or candies in the house and i just find myself grazing on them!

I am now training for a half marathon in October. I have been running three times a week for the past 3 months or so - clocking about 25kms a week on average. I am now trying to increase this to 4 runs a week, and 30+kms on average. I do strength training and kickboxing twice weekly (each too).

Since I started all this I have lost over 14lbs in weight. I'm 5'4'' and a medium/small frame. I wasn't 'fat' before but I was a little bit pudgy and teetering on overweight. I'm now at 135lbs. I have gained muscle (legs and biceps mainly) and lost some fat. 

What should my diet be like to allow me to maximise my running performance and continue getting myself physically in shape? How should I be working my carb intake vs my protein intake? Do I need more protein for muscle development? Should I reduce my carbs? Should I be eating little and often? Should my diet change as I get closer to half marathon day?

Any help or input anyone fancies putting forward would help greatly

Cheers 

Lex

I took two days off and ran yesterday but the pain came back. I'm taking a few more days off before running again(that will be light running).

 Will rest and ibuprofen fix this? Any help is appreciated!

I am fairley new to running, well to all physical excercise really, and just thought maybe could pick the brains of all you seasoned fit people! I have just lost 5 and a half stone (77lbs) though I still have a good few more stones to loose I have been excercising for the past 5 months in an effort to get fit and slimmer not just slimmer.

I am getting fitter and today managed to run/jog just over 3k for the first time without having to stop. However I had quite bad stomach ache for about 20 min after I finished. I have noticed when I do really push myself and work quite hard this happens and its actually really painful!

I am generally healthy although still overweight but am having investigations into gall stones, but the pain from those is different to the pain after excercising and its related to if I ate fatty food.

Is it because I am pushing too hard? Or is it common as the body is focusing on other stuff?

Thanks for your comments.

Julia