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Runner's Training Tips: New to running...help?

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    • CommentAuthorFree MemberSancha
    • CommentTimeMar 18th 2008
     
    Sancha

    Does anyone have any tips for a new runner? I'm currently 21 and about 70 lbs. overweight. I'm relatively fit, however and have been either walking or cycling to and from university: about a 20 minute bike, or about 12 minute walk since I drive partway (don't really want to get up 45 minutes early everyday). On warmer weekends I'd powerwalk 2 hours (approximately 10-15 km) or go hiking in the mountains (usually to fire lookouts, about 15-20km, elevation gain of 500-1000 ft). The walking has stopped being a challenge and the hiking season is fairly short.

     I've recently started running, starting with 5 iterations of walk 4 minutes, run 2 minutes for a total of half an hour. I've found that if I go early in the day that my calves end up cramping so much I have to stop, but if I go later in the day I tend not to go because I get caught up in homework and don't remember until midnight.

    I've progressed this week to 5 iterations of walk 3 minutes, run 3 minutes and plan to gradually increase running and decrease walking. My goal is to get in shape and complete the Ironman Triathlon in 5 years.

    Any suggestions of how to continue training? Any suggestions on how to stop the morning leg cramps? Thanks for any suggestions!

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberBendy
    • CommentTimeMar 18th 2008
     
    Bendy

    "Any suggestions of how to continue training?"

    Keep it up, that is the most important thing.

    Entering races helps, as this gives you something to work towards and you can track your progress against your target, and there are many training programs available on the web to help you get there.

    Try entering a 5k (3 mile) race, complete that goal, and then work your way up from there, 10k, half-marathon... to wherever you what to get to, then it's just a question of maintaining it.

    As you train, you will look and feel much better too, which will show you that what you are doing is worth all the work.

    "Any suggestions on how to stop the morning leg cramps" 

    Make sure you drink extra water, and eat more unprocessed veggies. Your body will need these if you want to progress quickly. 

    Calfs may take 2 - 6 months to get used to running, you may find other parts of your legs get painful as your running develops - some parts take longer than others, I found calfs ached to begin. Could be you are running to much on your toes though? (as I was)

    I've been running about 5 years, and my achilles tendons seem to be the latest thing to be aching on long runs, at different times, different parts have ached, ankles, shins, knees, thighs, and I figure it is just whichever is weakest at that point - but you will get much stronger with time.

    Keep it up, you are doing a great job.

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