Need advise from you joggers out there.

aretel · 19-Oct-05, 09:57 AM

I gave up on my stair stepper because it didn't seem to be giving me the workout that I desire. I recently started jogging "full time." Now, as a beginner jogger, I've gone to quite a few sites that are extremely vague on beginning to jog. I might as well be a 10 year old reading a "how-to"! Horrible!

Anyways, I have started out light. I jog 2 miles every Mon, Wed, & Fri.. It takes me 30 minutes because it's also mixed with speed walking. I have already noticed an improvement on my endurance because I am able to jog longer distances without turning it into a walk. Also, on my lunch breaks at work, I walk 1 mile in just under 15 minutes (is that fast? I know most of these people that I work with wouldn't be able to keep up with me!!)

Yesterday is when I started to have issues. On my lunch break walk, about halfway through I had to slow way down because my calves started to burn so bad! Same thing this morning near the halfway point during my jog, my calves were burning badly! I had to turn it into damn near a casual stroll to get my butt back home

. I'm assuming that I have overdone it somewhere along the line. Should I just jog M,W,F and leave the walking out for now? I was also considering hopping back onto the stair stepper in between since it seems to focus more on my thighs.

I don't want to give up on the jogging! I have realized that I really, really enjoy it more than I ever thought possible. I love getting up at 5 am (never thought that would be possible!) and being the only one out there. Just cruising to the beat of my mp3 player.

ajarvis · 19-Oct-05, 12:13 PM

My first suggestion is to look at your shoes. How old are they? How many miles have you put on them? (Both walking and running) Are they "running" shoes, or are they athletic shoes?

Most of the time when someone starts running, and then starts experiencing problems it's their shoes. Go to a store that specializes in shoes made for running, and get them to look at your feet, and suggest a shoe.

What you're doing to start off is fine. Running/walking is how most people start running. In fact there are many people who run marathons using the 10 and 1 method (10 min running 1 min walking). Lots of programs start off structured, as in week 1 you run 1 minute walk 1 minute, and add to that week to week until they're doing 10and1s.

Running MWF is fine as well since you are giving your body a break. Adding the stepper back in is even better. I notice when I do cross train with something else (stepper, eliptical etc.) my running is better.

Another suggestion is to make sure you stretch. I have some problems with my achilles tendon, and calves if I do a long run and then don't stretch. If I stretch it's fine. Make sure to stretch - hams, quads, hip flexors, calves - after a run to prevent injury, and most of all have fun!

aretel · 19-Oct-05, 12:23 PM

Shoes are fine. When I initially started, I had trouble with my shins giving me hell. Bought new shoes and everything was once again right with the world. Gradually, though, things have been getting a bit scary again. I'm starting to think it's the stretching thing. The term "warming-up" has been a bit vague, also, wherever I go. I just discovered that I work with someone that is a regular jogger and he just informed me that I'm screwing up because of my lack of stretching. Duh

...

ajarvis · 19-Oct-05, 12:52 PM

For me my warmup at the moment is my walk to work (about 3.5KM in just under a half hour). When I run from home I always try to start off really slow to warm up the muscles and then gradually speed up.

It's amazing how much stretching can make a difference!

Octagon · 19-Oct-05, 01:15 PM

A little (or even more than a little) burning isn't necessarily a bad thing. While pain can obviously be a sign something isn't quite right, a burning sensation localized in the muscles you're using at the time can simply mean those muscles are producing lactic acid faster than your body can currently clear it.

Make sure you keep yourself hydrated, watch for acute pains that don't go away after the run (ie a little soreness or stiffness after any kind of workout isn't necessarily cause for alarm, limping probably is) and just give things a little time.