Support | Event Directors & Organizers

Search Cool Running Community

Browse Cool Running

CoolRunning.com > Cool Running Community > Newbie Cafe >

Up to Threads in Newbie Cafe

This Question is Answered

17 Replies Last post: Jan 7, 2008 11:19 AM by alcesalces 1 2 Previous Next

alcesalces

150 posts since
Jan 4, 2008

Jan 5, 2008 7:05 AM

New Runner

I'm a new runner, and have a few questions...

1. How important are my shoes? Does it make a difference to go get my running style matched to a shoe, or to go and buy just a regular pair of shoes?

2. What will be the best advice a new runner can be given?

3. I have had a knee surgically repaired 4 times (college football), what can I best do to keep pain and strain to a minimum while running?

4. Anything else anyone wants to add would be most welcome... Thank you!

Drew

dougnl

227 posts since
Dec 16, 2007

1. Jan 5, 2008 7:17 AM

in response to: alcesalces

Re: New Runner

1. How important are my shoes? Does it make a difference to go get my
running style matched to a shoe, or to go and buy just a regular pair
of shoes?

Incredibly important. Running without knowing what type of foot you have can result in injury. do yourself a favor and get to a running store to get checked out. I suffered a knee injury + a month setback when I first started running partially due to incorrect footwear.

2. What will be the best advice a new runner can be given?

start slow. The c25k program is an excellent way to get started. Don't get discouraged if you have a bad run or have difficulty at first. It does get easier, and more enjoyable as you condition your body. oh, and slow down!

3. I have had a knee surgically repaired 4 times (college football),what can I best do to keep pain and strain to a minimum while running?

start by slowly conditioning your body to run. see the c25k program. get proper footwear.

4. Anything else anyone wants to add would be most welcome... Thank you!

get out there and start running. keep it fun and loose. beginners don't need speed. enjoy yourself!

Michael.

676 posts since
Nov 9, 2007

2. Jan 5, 2008 7:19 AM

in response to: dougnl

Re: New Runner

I think Doug has said everything I would expect I would put even more emphasis on shoes, especially if you have had knee surgery before. Also when joining C25K find a group doing the plan and go threw it with them, great motivation. I also loved the C25K Podcasts.

Mike

alcesalces

150 posts since
Jan 4, 2008

3. Jan 5, 2008 7:33 AM

in response to: alcesalces

Re: New Runner

I love it!!! mere minutes and people are already helping!!! I guess I forgot a couple things... I am a recent transplant from Cleveland, Ohio to Minneapolis, MN. If anyone is up here, can you offer up suggestions for places to get fit for shoes??? Places that are great to run at??? We'll see how this goes, I'm a big guy ( 6'6" 280 lbs ) and really am interested in running, and am getting fired up here at work just reading stories and hearing the feedback from everyone. Seems like a tight-knit community, and I look forward to being a part of it!!! Thank you!

Michael.

676 posts since
Nov 9, 2007

4. Jan 5, 2008 8:55 AM

in response to: alcesalces

Re: New Runner

I can't help you there but look into finding a local running club and they can tell you the best places to go. Try googling your city and running clubs and they should have a website and a phone number. As an alternative go to the Road Runner Club of America's web site and you should be able to locate a club in your area.

http://www.rrca.org/

BTW - Welcome to the group. Run well and post often.

Mike

HappyPenguin050

392 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

5. Jan 5, 2008 9:06 AM

in response to: alcesalces

Re: New Runner

You've gotten some great advice so far, I just wanted to throw in a few more things.

Pool running might be a good way to get additional "running time" without putting pressure on your knees. Not sure if that's logisitically feasible for you, but an idea.

Also, try to run on the softest surfaces possible. Concrete sidewalks are the worst - asphalt or packed dirt are better.

Good luck, and definitely let us know how its going!

Bodacious

345 posts since
Nov 9, 2007

6. Jan 5, 2008 1:25 PM

in response to: alcesalces

Re: New Runner

The very best advice I was ever given was that running is at least 90% mental and that the mind would usually always want to stop/quit before the body had to. This was key for me as early on I was always fighting the voices in my head that were telling me that I couldn't do this, I should stop, I should go back to the sofa and eat some doughnuts.

A year later I still get the voices but I know now that a mile usually shuts them up I have also developed many ways to get myself thru my own personal walls.

Welcome to running, I'll tell you it has helped transform me, go get those shoes and build slow, run slow and take time to enjoy it.

alcesalces

150 posts since
Jan 4, 2008

7. Jan 5, 2008 1:58 PM

in response to: Bodacious

Re: New Runner

great reply!! You talk about the voices and the personal walls... It's good to hear someone talk about them. I know when I played football in college I had them and I shut them up and busted through the walls by smashing into things (mostly linebackers), but I'm finding out now it's different. You don't have 10 other guys next to you helping to push you, it's just you and your voices. What can help you get through that? What pushes you when your body starts to hurt? I guess that's what has slowed me these past several years, I haven't driven myself past that stuff like I used to. It's a whole different game for me, and I'd like to hear how people get through that.

alcesalces

150 posts since
Jan 4, 2008

8. Jan 5, 2008 2:01 PM

in response to: alcesalces

Re: New Runner

and how does everyone get the thumbnail pictures next to their name??? Mine doesn't show.. I'm a crazy lookin blue silhouette!

Michael.

676 posts since
Nov 9, 2007

9. Jan 5, 2008 2:15 PM

in response to: alcesalces

Re: New Runner

Go into your My Active and select account. On the left it will have something about changing your avitar. You can upload something from your PC. Personally I am beginning to tire of speed racer and with the speed of my mile perhaps it really doesn't fit

Mike

alcesalces

150 posts since
Jan 4, 2008

10. Jan 5, 2008 2:20 PM

in response to: Michael.

Re: New Runner

thanks!!! Great help

dougnl

227 posts since
Dec 16, 2007

11. Jan 5, 2008 2:23 PM

in response to: alcesalces

Re: New Runner

ah yeah, the voices....I do math to drown them out.

alcesalces

150 posts since
Jan 4, 2008

12. Jan 5, 2008 2:29 PM

in response to: dougnl

Re: New Runner

Doug,

My math wouldn't help. But that's great! I think to start I'll have to grab the IPOD and get some heavy music going to just get me fired up (maybe to play louder than the voices). Do you just do math problems? My fiancee is an accountant and claims she's always doing math.

Ben_Smith

28 posts since
Dec 29, 2007

13. Jan 5, 2008 2:58 PM

in response to: alcesalces

Re: New Runner

"Whether You Think You Can or Can't, You're Right"--Henry Ford

Welcome to the C25k. You can complete this program. A bunch of us, who have just started in the last few days have a thread. Come join us! Here's the thread for people in Week 1:

http://community.active.com/thread/39897?tstart=0

There is also a specific podcast made just for C25k, so that you don't have to keep looking at your watch:

http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/podcasts/podcasts.html

alcesalces

150 posts since
Jan 4, 2008

14. Jan 6, 2008 6:04 AM

in response to: alcesalces

Re: New Runner

I'm going to buy the shoes after work today... and begin training tomorrow! Thank you for your help, and wish me luck!

Go to original post 1 2 Previous Next

Go to original post

This Question is Answered

Jan 5, 2008 7:05 AM

New Runner

"Whether You Think You Can or Can't, You're Right"--Henry Ford

Actions

More Like This

New Runners

Training

Competition

Age Groups

Fitness

The Lighter Side

Feedback

Related Links