yay!->running

[mandabear]

Last year I ran for a few months before I spent a year abroad, and I just got back almost 2 months ago. I've been wanting to get out running again, and tonight I did. It was soooo nice. I hope I continue, running is amazing! I used to hate it, but it is so nice. It makes you feel good...you get rid of so much stress...you burn calories and get in shape...and it's something i'm doing for myself. it doesnt get much better

[livenraw]

There is nothing like the runner's high, either! Love every moment of it!

Glad you were able to get out and enjoy a run last night.

[tglasco4]

Hey Mandabear. Great for you!! I love the fact that you are burning an optimal amount of calories. I read in a runners book that one burns 100 calories per mile. The key for me is making sure not to overdo it and cause injury. I would admonish everyone on that note. I personally run 3x per week and never on back to back days. Others are able to do more without injury, but I prefer to be safe and able to keep running rather than get hurt and be out of commission.

[livenraw]

tglasco4, I just changed my routine where I now do cardio intervals for 20 minutes 3x a week and weight training the other 3x per week and rest on the 7th day...I was doing cardio intervals 3x a week and weight training on the same day, and then I was running 30-40 minutes the other 3 days. But it came to me on Sunday that last time I was doing that, I started looking heavier and my body just kept on holding on to my fat instead of letting it go because I was working out a little too hard. I guess we could say I was perhaps overtraining? ...even though this is only my 2nd day, I am already feeling better and know that I'll have greater results.

Of course, I still do the 30 minute leisurely walk every day with the dh when he gets home from work...I'm not pushing myself there. Just taking my time.

But I do enjoy my cardio intervals...and I still get my runner's high doing those.

[brookegoeden]

I love running too!! The runner's high is worth the 5:00 am workout!!

[tglasco4]

tglasco4, I just changed my routine where I now do cardio intervals for 20 minutes 3x a week and weight training the other 3x per week and rest on the 7th day... I guess we could say I was perhaps overtraining? ...even though this is only my 2nd day, I am already feeling better and know that I'll have greater results.

Hey Livenraw, Thats great! Yes, it sounds like you were overtraining and its definitely counterproductive. You seem to have done what you need to do to correct the situation...thats excellent. Btw, what are "cardio intervals"? Is that like running and walking?

Peace.

[mandabear]

I should get outside and run again tonight. Do you runners run a certain number of miles everytime you run or do you just aim for so many miles a week? I am trying to make a plan for once I get into shape for running that I can follow. Any suggestions? I'd love to get up to running 20-30 miles a week. But that might be awhile down the road.

[tglasco4]

Hey Mandabear,

I run 20-28 miles per week (usually 24 miles at 3x 8 miles). Sometimes I run a little more and sometimes a little less depending on how I feel and what I am trying to accomplish. I would suggest you run 3-5 days per week depending on what else you are doing being careful not to overdo it and cause injury.

Peace.

Todd

[livenraw]

I do these type of cardio intervals:

on a treadmill, I start at a pace of 5.0
next minute, I increase to 5.5
next minute, 6.0
next minute, 6.5
next minute, 7.0 (it's really difficult to go a minute at this speed!)

then drop back down to 5.0 for a minute
next minute, I increase back up to 5.5
etc and I continue doing this for a duration of 20 minutes. Those are the cardio intervals I usually do. Great benefits for a short amount of time!

And then, every once in awhile, I will do something called a Calorie Buster:

run on 5.0 for 5 minutes, then increase to 5.5 for 10 minutes, then attempt to increase and run on 7.0 for 5 minutes (I have yet to do this...one or two minutes is enough at this speed for now!), then decrease back down to 5.5 for 5 minutes and then increase back down to 5.0 for 5 minutes. Then I'm all done! And that's a 30 minute work out...

To come think about it, I haven't done the Calorie Buster in awhile. Maybe I'll do that one tomorrow...