running tips.. where is Jayne?

[sara3]

I've been walking quite a lot recently, just for the exercise, and now I think the time has come to break into a run :o)

I'm in good health, not overweight, don't smoke, but am probably not very fit (only in the active sense, you understand!). I have also suffered with shin-splints in the past.

so.. what tips do you have for a newbie jogger/ runner?

[sara3]

I love that, Lakitu.. meet you in the park!

[sara3]

I'm not a member of a gym.. I used to be (I have great biceps!) but my gym-buddy moved away. I'm rubbish at sticking at things I do on my own :o(

I can swim but I'm not very good at breast stroke,so I end up bombing down the lane doing front crawl, and nearly kill myself. I also have a bike, but am just a lazy cow!

I find it hard getting the motivation to start and stay with these things.

[ChuckFickens]

I'm pretty good at breast stroke, fairly good swimmer too :)

Sorry, couldn't resist

Any swimming stroke is a good low impact form of exercise, though trust me, butterfly does you in big time!!

if you can't do breast stroke just do front crawl but slow down a bit, if you were running it's the difference between a jog and a sprint.

and you have the benefit of seeing members of the opposite sex in swimming cossies , what more could you want as an incentive :)

[Jugglering]

Sara - the secret with breast stroke is getting the timing of your breathing right to coincide with the stroke. Why not ask at your pool if there are any lessons - I had 1:1 teaching (just a few sessions, it didn't cost very much) and the instructor sorted my stroke and breathing out. Now I just glide up and down the pool, easy peasy... great exercise, as Chuck says !

[joggerjayne]

Just been on the phone.

Are we still going here?

[sara3]

thanks again Chuck and Juggerling. I had some "brush up" swimming lessons a few years ago but breast stroke aggravated an old whiplash injury.

it just all seems so boring! I am crap at anything sporty but I need to do something :o(

[ChuckFickens]

if you have neck problems then breast stroke might be a good one to steer clear of then as it's hard on the neck.

whatever form of exercise you decide on though sounds like you need find somebody else to join you and help to give you the incentive to do it.

[joggerjayne]

Sara, result ...

There's a branch of Sweatshop really close to you. They'll stick you on a treadmill and find running shoes that are right for your foot movement.

Sweatshop Hatfield
Next Generation Health Club
The Hangar, Salisbury Village
Hatfield Business Park
Hatfield
AL10 9AX

Next tip ... if you have an iPod, find which songs are the right bpm for your running. It works like a pace maker (as in track, not as in heart). For me it's 160 bpm ... which means things like ...

Rachel Stevens, I Said Never Again
AC/DC, Heatseeker

... and then make a playlist to run to.

And carry water.

And get to love sweat.

And mud.

And rain.

And pain.

And sand.

(J could get on a roll here ... )

[sara3]

gosh, thanks Jayne.. you're a star!

I can't imagine how you worked out which songs were right for you, but that is most impressive.

great tips, thank you :o)

[joggerjayne]

I found that when I was running, I said Never Again was always in time to my pace. If I played it over and over, I could tell if I was slacking off, and it kept me going.

It was the first song that was "spot on".

I worked out it was 160 bpm, and as I've found others like that, I've put them on one playlist.

I use loud and rocky ones to get me psyched up for a hard run. \then, once I'm ready to get into a rhythm, I switch to my 160 bpm list.

[sara3]

now I just need some sand........

[joggerjayne]

... or that park in St Albans !!

[ChuckFickens]

errrrr sand

You've not been to Brighton have you sara :o)

[sara3]

oh, good point! they have a pier and lots of stones. oh, and naked people on the "beach"!

[joggerjayne]

... like me, sometimes :-))

[joggerjayne]

Oh Sassy, you forgot to mention the dog poo and chip wrappers.

[joggerjayne]

It's not exactly the Caribbean Chuck, but it's basically a sandy base, and you get plenty of sand in your shoes when you go on the pebbles.

Don't be pedantic :-)

Who lead the Pedants' Revolt?
Which Tyler.

(the old ones are the best)

[ChuckFickens]

you can get plenty of sand other places too if your not careful, but it's sure not a sandy beach ;o)