Jogging?

[eatpinkpenguins]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I just bought a Nike plus and it is super awesome. You do need either an Ipod nano or Itouch Ipod... you put a little sensor in your shoe (nike plus shoes... they have lots of different styles) and connect a little thing to your Ipod. It keeps track of how fast you are running/walking, your total distance, the calories burned... you can set up different workouts and have different playlists all set up. Then you connect your Ipod to your computer and it tracks your distance/time/calories in graph form... And the best part... its only $29!!!! But I got sucked into buying a nano as I only had a regular ipod... thank goodness for tax returns! Also, there are gyms starting to carry Nike+ compatible cardio equipment where you cardio workouts are recorded in the same manner. So cool 🙂

Thank you soxbox for suggesting the nike plus! I got one for my bday a few weeks ago and love it! If you press the button, a voice will tell you how far/fast/time you've run. It's amazing! Hope all you joggers are enjoying the nicer weather !

 

[Shanomong]

Thank you soxbox for suggesting the nike plus! I got one for my bday a few weeks ago and love it! If you press the button, a voice will tell you how far/fast/time you've run. It's amazing! Hope all you joggers are enjoying the nicer weather !

Ugh you're jogging too? I better start studying so I can at least be the smart one in our lab group since I'm obviously going to be the fat one 😀

 

[StillDreaming]

Thank you soxbox for suggesting the nike plus! I got one for my bday a few weeks ago and love it! If you press the button, a voice will tell you how far/fast/time you've run. It's amazing! Hope all you joggers are enjoying the nicer weather !

hmmm maybe i'll consider asking for these for my b-day...

 

[eatpinkpenguins]

Ugh you're jogging too? I better start studying so I can at least be the smart one in our lab group since I'm obviously going to be the fat one 😀

ahahah! Well, I decided to live 9 blocks away from campus to be cheap, so I'll be the nasty sweaty one!

 

[SvartaRosa]

I use Jeff Galloway's Start Running book. It is the only method I have found that prevented me from having injuries (and I had tried several others.)


Also, shoes are important...you can start in regular sneakers under the program I talked about, but within a couple of weeks, you will need better shoes. I have shoes now that are made for running without socks and they don't have shoestrings, but a pull. They are so comfortable...nearly feel barefoot.

I like Jeff Galloway's books too, I am using the one for marathon training.👍

I actually just wanted to ask about the shoes, though. I have not seen any like you described; what brand are they? They sound great!

 

[SvartaRosa]

For those of you who spin/bike, do your hips bother you? I want to bike for my commute, but every time (since adulthood) starting biking has always made my hips hurt and my rump sore.

Getting the bike fitted to you could help a great deal. Mine used to hurt quite a bit, and a small adjustment in the height made all the difference, no more pain!

 

[zpinkpanther]

Hey guys, thanks for recommending the Couch to 5K program! I started jogging last semester, but got out of it because silly school got in the way. 🙄 I used to run track and was on the swim team in high school, but I'm now completely out of shape after basically reverting to a sedentary lifesytle in college. I'm working up from walking with a few short jogging parts and hoping to get more into jogging and running eventually. Yay jogging! It really does help my stress level, and I have a jogging buddy, so it gives us more chance to talk everyday when we're not studying.

 

[badcats]

Just a word about the Nike + is that they usually need to be calibrated to be accurate about the mileage, or else they usually tell you you have done more than you really have. Nike sets them up for a certain stride length, so if you are different from the standard setting (which I assume most people are) the reading will be slightly off. It is easy to fix if you have access to a track, just use the online feature and tell it how far you actually ran. Or if you don't want to run at a track, run with a friend who has a forerunner and calibrate from the mileage their watch shows.

 

[eggrolyn]

I didn't follow the previous posts, so sorry if I repeat anything.

I went from completely unactive 2 years ago to running and dancing everyday now, and it HAS made a huge difference in my energy and stress levels. The days that I don't go, I'm way more tired and uptight. Here's some (hopefully useful) advice:

- if you get bored easily like I do, decide on the distance you want to try and then find an area with a perimeter thats a similar distance. It can be a few blocks around your neighborhood or campus. Then vary your run everyday by going different routes through that perimeter so its not the same old same old.

- figure out what kind of music, if at all, helps you run better. I usually do some angry music, rap, and salsa to get the obvious rhythm (weird mix I know)

- stretch before and after, its really surprising how much more you can do after being warmed up from the run

good luck!

 

[meadow36]

I didn't read the whole thread, but I am an avid jogger and figured I'd offer some advice.

First, stretch out before starting. Depending on your fitness level, start out WALKING, about a mile a day, then gradually move up to a slow jog for part of that mile, until you are jogging the whole mile. After a while (it might take several months) you can add on to that - mile and a quarter, mile and a half, etc. I also like to walk about 1/2 mile before breaking into a jog as a warm up, and I walk another mile or so (depending on the heat) as a cool down period afterwards. Listen to your body; if you have aches/pains then just WALK for a few days until you feel better - then ramp up to jogging again. Pushing yourself will cause an injury.

Pick flat terrain to start, and gradually work up to hills, uneven terrain, etc. Buy VERY good shoes - this is something you should spend good money on. I like the Nike Free's: http://store.nike.com/index.jsp?cp=...p,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-222332/pgid-222333. They are very lightweight and flexible. A good running shoe should be flexible; you should be able to fold the shoe in half so that the toe and heel touch each other without too much effort. A hard sole will not absorb enough shock and you will pay for it in your knees and back.

If you have any pre-existing knee or ankle problems, invest in a good brace. I have a horrible right knee and can't run without my heavy duty knee brace.

You don't have to run forever in order for it to be productive; if you only have the time/energy for 1 mile, then just do one mile. Don't feel pressured to do 3, 4, 5 miles just because you think you have to. Only do what you want to do; if running for an hour is boring to you, then don't do it! It defeats the purpose of being good stress relief if you are pushing yourself too hard. You can feel great and invigorated after a short jog just as much as a longer jog.

I bring my boxer mix; she's an amazing athlete. She really motivates me and loves it. Her and I usually do our jog then pick up the other dogs at the house for the cool down walk portion. Of course if you're going to bring a dog make sure you start them up slowly just as you did for yourself.

Have fun and happy jogging 🙂

 

[sumstorm]

I was taught to NOT stretch before....that you don't want to stretch cold tissues as you are more likely to damage them My process is warm up with a walk, then walk/jog series, then cool down with a walk, then stretch.

Could be wrong...I was raised with the stretch first philosophy then had a biomechanics MD lecture me about it.

BTW- I bought a used bike today. I want to try bike commuting to school....if I can get in the habit of daily riding with this bike, I am going to buy a nice commuter in August.