The running thread

[PanicProne]

Another 8km today. Felt better. Steadier pace (I think!) and didn't get a stich even once. I'm pleased with myself. Well, kind of.

[popvulture]

I've run for years but have never gone beyond casual. Usually it's a few days a week, but a mixture of running and walking. I've tried doing the whole thing where you run for a minute, walk for a minute, yada yada and increase the ratio of running day by day until it's all running. Eventually I've always gotten bored with that, so now I'm basically just running as much as I can then walking, then running a bit more. Usually I go about 3 miles, and I can run for the first 1.5 or 2 miles.

The thing that sucks is that I've never really been able to go past this limit. I don't wanna be a marathon runner or anything by any means, but I would like to be able to run continuously for 30 minutes to an hour. It's a bit difficult when the weather is so fucking hot here... maybe I should try to be a little more ambitious when it's not almost 100 degrees outside.

Regardless, I enjoy the shit out of it. It's one of the only times I can put some headphones on and just focus on a single experience, vs letting my overactive (read: neurotic) brain think about anything and everything.

Any thoughts on getting better, tho? Would love some tips for increasing my endurance.

[popvulture]

Ironically, just went out and ran 2.5 miles pretty easily without stopping. Maybe just talking about it got me motivated, haha...

[$harkToootth]

I was going to say, "Time" and "Weather". When I ran 2.5 miles in 95 degrees vs when I did 8 miles in 50 degrees was significantly different.
Muscle memory is a funny thing too. Even when I take long breaks, because I grew up running, two weeks after I start I can get back to doing 10 miles in one run.
If you don't have the muscle memory just time, patience, and perseverance. Diet helps. So much stuff .
But you're effectively 'stretching your cardiovascular system so you need some resistance so that you can grow. Next time, run 2.75!
Keep up the good work!

[popvulture]

Yeah tbh I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I was literally NEVER athletic, my entire life. Skateboarding was pretty much the only thing I did. Otherwise, it was being a cigarette smoking little art turd.

Then I stopped drinking at 32 (albeit with a couple of slips since then), and that's when the running started. So my theory is that it's been a bit of a slow climb, having never ever been in shape. Not to say that it's a no-go, more just that I have to sort of doggedly stay at it and not expect any kind of fast results.

[$harkToootth]

One day, if you're consistent, probably before the end of the year, you're going to go out for 3 miles and when you finish, you'll think, "hmm...that was the easiest that ever felt," It just happens.

[popvulture]

Yeah my girlfriend (who's run a couple marathons) told me that it gets easier after a few miles—that she kinda gets in the zone then. Maybe that's what happened today... haha I guss it's possible I've just been dwelling in the most struggly realm of the running experience and just now figured out it's nicer past the hump

[$harkToootth]

Exactly! It becomes something you dread, to a challenge, to something you enjoy, to something you look forward to, to something you can't live without!

Remember to stay hydrated buddy!

[popvulture]

Did 2.85 miles on Tuesday, did 5K today. Feelin' good

[$harkToootth]

Nice! You got me inspired to run too! Did my first run since my "pulled quad". A slow 2.5 but it felt good. No quad issues, just a complacent cardio system waking up.

[goroth]

Yeah my girlfriend (who's run a couple marathons) told me that it gets easier after a few miles—that she kinda gets in the zone then. Maybe that's what happened today... haha I guss it's possible I've just been dwelling in the most struggly realm of the running experience and just now figured out it's nicer past the hump

It usually takes me around 2km to get settled. So like 1.4 miles I guess.
Great to see so many people in this thread actually running, and starting running. As opposed to hating running. Not looking at anyone. Especially not DoS.

[popvulture]

I'll start playing some Steely Dan. That'll get the DoSman running.

[coldbrightsunlight]

I saw him run a couple of weeks back. It was like 20m at most though so he maintains form.

I'm getting back into running more after a few weeks of being lazy and busy and barely getting out and I'm really loving it (obviously).

[$harkToootth]

Ran 3 miles today. Felt great! 2 mile walk as well. I'll probably hit the bike for 1/2 an hour and now I'm back to my normal self!
...if only I can get myself to start lifting weights again

Popvulture, hope you're safe. I forget you're in Texas.

[Disarm D'arcy]

Any recs for good affordable shoes for short runs? My Asics kayano gel 42 are killing my feet and knees. All the gel bunches up weirdly and it's the worst. I doubt I'll be running again before I replace these and I'm getting an itch to try again