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Learning The Hard Way...

guest — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 17:36:59 GMT

Hope y'all don't mind me putting down in words how I came to being here today...

Almost three years ago I was obese and unhealthy. I was on medication for cholesterol and blood pressure and on the "fast track" toward diabetes. My blood test back then bore it out and my doctor told me either I had to change my lifestyle or resign myself to a life of popping pills to control my ailments. I chose lifestyle. I knew what I had to do as I used to bodybuild back in the 80s. I was never a "runner", but we had an old treadmill in the basement collecting dust and I began walking for 30 minutes/day. Through diet and walking, the pounds started coming off and that motivated me to "push" myself further. Before I knew it, I was alternating between a fast walk and a slow jog. At the end of three months I had shed 45lbs and my doctor took me off all meds. My blood test was "spot on perfect"...so much so that my doc asked me for permission to show other patients what can be done in three months with a bit of determination.

It didn't stop there of course. I continued my cardio routines and incorporated weights along with it. Then one day it happened...I was pushing myself on the treadmill and at around 25 minutes with a pace of around 4.8MPH (fast for me at the time), I felt this "rush" come over me and it felt like I could keep on going...so I did. Before long, I was jogging one hour with little or no problem.

Now you see, I'm not a "runner". That being the case, I never bothered to look at shoes, technique, C25K stuff...nothing. I just...ran. Whether outdoors or treadmill, I just "pushed" myself to do better either by increasing the incline, increasing the duration, or increasing my speed (although I'm still not a fast runner). To coin a cliche, I just "did it". I'm not sure how I stumbled across the 2011 Oakland Running Festival website back then, but it intrigued me. Could I actually "run" a half marathon? I was only running at most maybe 5 miles/day back then. How audacious!!! But I signed up for it anyway.

So there I was, some 50 year old guy with no running background that just lost a lot of weight and just began walking/jogging entering into a half marathon!!! LOL! To make matters worse, again, I didn't bother to look into any training regimens other than keep running and trying to go faster/farther...and the marathon was 2 months away. About a week before the half I did my best run at 8 miles. I figured if I could do 8 miles on the treadmill, I "think" I can do 13 miles, ya know?

So there I was on race day...hoping I could do this...and I did. I ran the half in old heavy Reebok Runtones, and I completed my very first race in 2 hours 18 minutes...beating the race average by 2 minutes!! I was pretty proud. So proud in fact that I ignored the unbearable pain in my knees that started at about mile 9. I felt that pain for an entire week thereafter...ugh (thus the title of this thread). But I persevered and now have many high altitude mountain runs under my belt (I live in the mountains), two Tough Mudder challenges and a bit more knowledgeable on proper gear to minimize injury/pain. Maybe one of these days in the near future this "non runner" might even attempt a full marathon...One can dream, can they not? Be well my friends and don't give up...:)

A good replacement for the Asics Gel Cumulus 13??

guest — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:34:20 GMT

Well I'm a bit of a newbie, so take this for what it's worth...

I've been an avid fan of Asics for some time now. In fact, I ran two Tough Mudders in them. Just this week I replaced my old pair of Asics w/ the Saucony Progrid Guide 5. I've never tried Saucony, but...WOW!!! I ran my fastest 10K in them and boy are they "comfy". I'm 5'10" 180lbs. HTH

Re: Anyone starting C25K in late Sept?

guest — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 04:41:58 GMT

Well done. It's a great feeling of accomplishment, is it not?

Addicted...

guest — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 03:50:09 GMT

I sooooo know what you mean. It borders on obsession. There have been many days that I've gone out 2 times to run and even incorporated weightlifting into it as well. I keep telling myself that there are worse, more unhealthy, things in life to obsess on, ya know? LOL!

What is the best player to buy?

guest — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 02:47:01 GMT

I've been running w/ a Sandisk Sansa Fuze 8GB for 2 years now with no problems whatsoever. 50 bucks at tigerdirect.com. Great little MP3 player and you can get a armband and rubber protective sleeve on ebay for 10 bucks. HTH

50 and over, 5k and beyond - what are your challenges?

guest — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 02:40:28 GMT

Well I'm 52 and I've completed...

2011 Oakland Half Marathon

2011 NorCal Tough Mudder, Squaw Valley(13 miles/24 challenges)

2012 NorCal Tough Mudder, Northstar at Tahoe (11 miles/22 challenges)

and I'll be running in the Walnut Creek Half Marathon in a little over 3 weeks

My goal for next year is to run 4 of the California Series Half Marathons and complete the Spartan Race Trifecta (three races: Sprint-3 miles, Super-8 to 10 miles, and Beast-10 to 12 miles)

New Here And Sort Of a Newbie...I Think...

guest — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 02:16:32 GMT

Greetings everyone!

I'm Dave and I hail from the Sierra Nevada foothills in CA. I'm 52 years of age and I began running a little over 2.5 years ago for health reasons. I was 220lbs of "unhealthy" weight at 5'10", pre diabetic, on cholesterol and BP meda when my doc gave me an ultimatum to either "do something" about my health or go on more meds. In 3 months I lost 45lbs and got completely off meds...and I never looked back. I'm an avid lifter and I took up walking back then. Since then I've ran the 2011 Oakland Half Marathon (my very first run) with a 2 hour 18 minute finish. I also participated in the 2011 and 2012 NorCal Tough Mudder Challenges at Squaw and NorthStar and yesterday I entered in the Walnut Creek Half coming up this 12/8. I'm not a terribly fast runner (today I just knocked out 6.2 miles in 1 hour on the treadmill w/ a 3% incline) but I do enjoy it so very much and I'm looking forward to sharing advice, experience, and whatnot with folks of like mind. Take care everyone and see you on the board.