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Post by Simmy on Nov 27, 2015 9:03:37 GMT
Any runners on here?
I've recently taken up running in a bid to lose a fair bit of weight. I'll no lie, I'm a fat mess!! I started back in October using the couch 2 5k app which was great to get me going and since then i have managed to just fire out for runs myself. Motivation levels are not a problem, I actually can;t wait to go for a run as weird as that sounds. my issue is, my mental thoughts while running. I find it too easy to slow down or even stop on some runs. Even at the Gym this morning I found myself taking 30 seconds to catch my breath when I probably could have kept fighting through it.
There's no pain as such. Shin Splints when I am road running occasionally but that's under control. I don;t feel sore when i'm running I just have it in my head that I need to stop.
To give a bit of background, I set myself a target of the 29th of May 2016 to to a half marathon. A rash decision you may say but I need a target and goal to meet otherwise I wouldn't do it. (I will be posting my justgiving page in due course if anyone wants to donate. I ma raising money for the MS Society.) In between that I have a 5k race next Sunday in Inverleith park where I am hoping to break into the 7 minute mile club but will be happy to break 26 minutes. I then have my next target of a 10k race on the 23rd January in Stirling somewhere. These target dates are used to push myself to get to a weight that I am happy with at that point.
I was 17 stone 4 when I started this back on the 5th of October. I wanted to get myself into the 15 stone category by the time I got to the first race next Sunday. It looks like I have managed that with my last weigh in at 15 stone 10.
Anyway, the reason for this was to get a bit of advice from anyone with any running experience. it's obviously gonna get a lot tougher and I need to get my head space sorted otherwise I feel I might not be able to complete it.
Cheers in advance lads
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Post by drj1956 on Nov 27, 2015 9:39:54 GMT
I woke up one morning in 2002 and looked in the mirror with total disgust at my flab. I made the rather rash decsion there and then that I would get fit and run a marathon. Like you, I need a goal otherwise there would be no point and I simply wouldnt do it.
My method of the mental side of running is to think happy thoughts. One for example was to just think about the 1998 cup final. My drive to Glasgow the build up, the game the celebrations the next day. For me the secret is dont think about the run. I found that relaxed me into the run. Especially the first 3 miles, while your body adapts to the necessary breathing rythym and your muscles warm up also as much as they are pain, stretches before going out. Treat yourself to a massage once a wek or so. I was lucky my girlfriend at the time was a massage therapist and she looked after my legs. I know it sounds pink anf fluffy but you are dead right "running is all in the mind" So when you run you need a possitive mental attitude. How you achieve that is different for everyone but mine was thinking and concentrating on something pleasant. Another method is doing a there and back rather than laps. Theres no point in stopping on a there and back as you still need to get back anyway.
6 weeks before the Edinburgh marathon I tore my calf muscle, beieve it or not running for a bus in Barcelona. I had a good physio though who worked on my leg and I was able to run the race. I was much slower than I wanted to be because we didnt really know if my leg would hold up but it did and that was my last marathon. Both my others where when I was much younger and very fit, but the last one is the one I am most proud of.
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Post by Simmy on Nov 27, 2015 10:16:01 GMT
Cheers DrJ
I seem to have a very short attention span so I do try and take my mind off the run by thinking about other things but within seconds i'm back looking at the distance I have to go. I even started to count the numbers of cars passing past the gym this morning. Got to 7 and then looked down to see how far I had gone haha
great advice though, I guess thinking about something like you say, a cup final, will take up quite a lot of your time
Cheers
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Post by drj1956 on Nov 27, 2015 11:11:14 GMT
Another thing I did was bet my colleagues at work I could do a 10k. They all laughed at me so for children in need (this was early on in my new regime) I said I would do it on a treadmill and they could send someone to watch if they paid a quid each. Raised just over £40.00 and got the last laugh. The best way to get me to do anything is for someone to say "you can't"
One other method. Sorry, probably boring you now. Get someone to drive you 10k from the house. You then have to get back, you can either run it and get there fast or walk it and take an eternity. Either way job done.
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Post by Simmy on Nov 27, 2015 11:29:53 GMT
Love folk telling me I can't or won't do it. Spurs me on even more than I was before.
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Post by SteelerJambo on Nov 27, 2015 13:10:21 GMT
Not a runner myself - as it's a motivational thing. As soon as I step out the house, I'm thinking about everything else I could be doing instead!
Anyway, my other half is a runner, and has worked up to half marathons in similar time frame. She tends to let herself get absorbed in the music she's listening to. Another mate, who's adv avid runner is constantly recommending joining a running club - just to have that extra support network.
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Post by Simmy on Nov 27, 2015 13:55:36 GMT
Aye that's a good shout, joining a running club. problem is getting the time after work. I do all my training before work or on my lunch at work the now coz I want to be home with the wee one after work and take some of the strain off the mrs
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Post by drj1956 on Nov 27, 2015 14:01:15 GMT
As you progress you will have to set time aside at the weekend. For the marathon as an example. My Sunday was run day. As you are getting up to the dizzier heights and for example you are doing a 13 mile run you need time before it to carb up then recovery time after to cool down, the longest training run I did was 17 miles. It does end up taking your time. Quite often the charity you are running for have a site where you can contact fellow runners for that charity and they get together for a weekend run. I couldnt do that as I was in Glasgow and the run was in edinburgh. My local gym had a running club but I wasnt in their league.
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Post by Simmy on Nov 27, 2015 15:33:05 GMT
aye the mrs is gonna love me haha
send her out tot he shops with the wee one and i'll just head out for my run! I expect (hope) to be running up to around 10 miles by the end of march then hopefully I can maintain that distance without any problems. that'll give me another 2 months to nail the final 3 miles. I think that's realistic enough
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Post by Flat Earth FC on Nov 27, 2015 17:30:25 GMT
Vary the speed you run at to make it more interesting. If you can find a running partner that certainly helps. Listen to something that entertains you whether it's music,comedy or my personal favourite, coverage of Germany putting 7 past Brazil
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Post by drj1956 on Nov 27, 2015 17:37:19 GMT
A "real" runner told ne that you shouldnt do a training longer than the jntended end product. I was advised to make my final training run for the marathon a 20 miler then just do smaller top up runs in final few weeks. Never got to test that theory, owing to the torn muscle.
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Post by Simmy on Nov 30, 2015 12:56:22 GMT
aye someone told me that too actually. as long as I can comfortably run 10 miles then the adrenaline will take me the final 3 miles.
Well my first target date is almost upon us. 5k race in Inverleith Park on Sunday. I'll be OK with the distance, these target dates are more to keep the training interesting and it also gives me a date to target a certain weight which I have achieved!! Actually enjoying it
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Post by drj1956 on Nov 30, 2015 15:23:17 GMT
I agree re the adrenilin but also.......l if you have already run the distance in training it takes away from the sense of achievement on the race day
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Post by ek on Nov 30, 2015 17:46:20 GMT
Best of lick Simmy. Hopefully I can be of some inspiration in your weight loss. Four and I half years ago, I weighed in a t 17 st 8 lbs. went to get measured for a kilt for EK juniors wedding and was shocked at my dimensions. Decided there and then that something had to be done. The following Monday I started using the gym in my office, walking, cycling, rowing and general excercise, gradually building things up. That combined with a change of diet , the weight started to come down and 9 months later weight had dropped to 13 st. Nowadays, despite being retired, I still attend gym in Inverurie 4 days a week and the weight remains a steady 13st 2 lbs. dropped from a 42" waist to 33" waist, so if an old codger like me can achieve that, then a young pup can also do it. Goog luck buddy
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Post by Simmy on Dec 1, 2015 9:45:42 GMT
Well in EK and thanks very much
I was 17 stone 6 back in October there and that gave me a fright. I would like to think once all this over I will continue like you have and regularly go tot he gym. it's all about getting into a routine and making it habit I suppose. I am in a great head space at the moment coz any chance I get I get to the gym and put a good shift in. I'm not the best at dieting but I have cut my portion sizes right down and just cut out all the shit I used to eat. And obviously pints have had to be reigned in a bit which is tough on matchdays!!
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