Being completely honest - I don't run. I have a profound admiration of people who run on purpose, but I jokingly say that I run only when being chased by something lethal, which is never. I have a bumper sticker that says, "0.0 - I don't run". But after a rather awful 2017 and my 50th birthday peeking over the horizon, I'm gonna shake things up a bit.
I'm going to run. On purpose. For many minutes in a row.
I want to run because I want to complete a 14 day Himalayan trek before I'm 50. It's a lofty goal, I'll admit, and I'll do several short-term goals like shocking my friends and family by entering a 3k, then a few 5k races. Maybe a half marathon (miracle needed here). I want to prove to myself that I can do anything I set my mind to, even if I don't necessarily like it.
Here's the deal: I'm scared. What if I get shin splints (this has been an issue in the past)? What if my knees can't take it (ACL replacement 17 years ago)? What if I look like a total goofball when I run (serious possibility)?
Have any of you been here, this strange oasis of trepidation and excitement? If so, what is your sage advice?
Thanks in advance.
Written by
rivengirl42
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It’s good to have a plan, and it sounds as though you’re not short of motivation there, which should help you keep going 😊
If you get shin splints, you’ll rest a bit, do stretches, get better shoes, and start it again. And if you look daft when you run, well, who cares?! I’m sure I do - but I’ve never looked at another runner and thought ’what DO they look like?!’
And along the way you’ll run, and it will be hard, and it will be fun, and you’ll hate it, and you’ll love it, and you’ll think you can’t do it, and you’ll discover you can, and you’ll find this whole new thing! 😊
Yes. Shin splints and knee: get the right shoes and go really really slowly. Looking daft: well, I jog in my pyjamas and a baggy rain jacket with a worn out old fleece hat if it's cold! Nobody takes any notice.
Trust the process- it works. I've got dodgy knees and I'm overweight and unfit and I just did W4 R1- I ran for 5 minutes + 3 minutes. Twice! And it hurt way less than weeks 1 and 2.
You do not have to run to be good in the mountains.Why with your present concerns would you take that risk.
In the 1960’s I used to be on Ben Nevis three times every week for 6 months I did not run.
Last year I was twice on Snowdon By two different routes.I did not run.
I am a novice runner at 74 because I want to do that.
To prepare for your Himalayan Trek, I would recommend the following,
The NHS website Active 10, Do one hour per day, or 7 hours per week.
Join a gym and do at least 2-3 all body strength sessions on resistance machines per week. one hour sessions.High load , low reps or high reps , low load.You decide.It does not make any difference but interestingly most people like to feel the resistance.Dr Michael Mosley on TV demonstrated this.
My strength regime varies but was 16 machines x 5 sets x 25 reps, so total of 2000 reps per week which took around 2 hours.
To do the C25k I modified it in two steps , made it a cardio and strength session.So 4 m/cs then run for 5 mins on treadmill , next 4 m/cs and run 5 mins, etc.etc
Then I substituted the C25k programme running outside and do the strength in the gym on the same day that I run.I do 16 m/cs and 20 reps per m/c , obviously 3 times per week.
In addition I do one hour every week cardio on the cross trainer/ Static bike / rowing machine.Typically I will do 30 to 34 km/ hr on the bike.one hour per week for each.
Lastly I do one hour Strength and outside running at a Woodland Workout each week.
So not quite 2 hours per day and nearly 14 hours per week.
You are much younger, but certainly doing 3 hours Strength and 7 hours cardio would prepare you well.
You need good strong legs and a good strong core.
The floor exercises from the biggest loser can be done at home with not much equipment if you do not have access to a gym.Lots of brisk hill walking and your there.
Hope this helps you to decide what you need to do.Are you going to base camp Everest🤔
Don't run because you'd like to do a mountain trek or enter races before you know you can do the distances. Or do any of it with a target of doing them before you're 50, none of it makes sense.
You run because you want to be healthy. You want to be outside because that's good for you. There is no deep analysis here, or time frame.
Once you start nice and slowly, and at some stage catch the running bug then your will start exploring, developing, and having some serious fun.
But then I saw a 5k run to raise funds for a charity. And I was also approaching my 60th birthday.
So, with two targets - raising funds for a charity - which involves doing a distance that I do not know I can do - and a target of doing this to mark my 60th birthday - well after my 50th - I have started running.
Of course not, hopefully you'll run for many years to come.
My point is, all is well if you find motivation, start and carry on. The problem is (and l personally know two people) when you start and then stop simply because you only wanted to do it for a specific reason. Once the reason has been achieved so has the will to run, as my friends proved. That IS a bummer.
All the advice, and support you need is right here... tried and tested from the great Admin team
We all run for different reasons...but mainly we run because we want to be fitter, healthier, stronger, mentally and physically... mrrun has it exactly right...
What follows after this programme, then is up to you....just follow this plan.. take it slowly and take it steadily and you will be totally amazed where it gets you
" Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
What if....you have a go and see what happens? It's not like you're signing up for a six month contract, you can bail out whenever you want. You don't even have to tell anyone what you are doing. When you're doing a run you can turn yourself back into a pedestrian quicker than Superman can turn himself back into Clark Kent.
As for looking daft, that's a distinct possibility but it's a lot better than looking cool because no-one is going to pay any attention to you and that would be a waste.
This is fun. I wouldn't have done it otherwise. Above all it's an adventure. If you're the least bit curious about what your body can really do then don't hesitate.
Wow! Thank you, every single one of you, for your advice and encouragement. I did W1R1 today and...it was pretty good! Yeah, I'm sore, but with all of your advice and reading through the FAQs, I think I did well!
Again THANK YOU ALL so much! Happy running, everyone!
I had ACL replacement approx. 8 years ago and it was causing me pain for a lon time and resulted in sedentary lifestyle and weight gain. I started with walking / hiking. Almost every weekend slowly increasing distance and difficulty. After 2 years of hiking I strengthen my legs and knees enough to be brave enough to start running. I was scared as hell, but I decided to give it a go. I am still here on my way to graduation. I had a lot of bumps, illnesses, not running related injuries, and few pure laziness times. I don't recall any serious knee pain, swallowing or anything else worrying in my knee. When I had a feeling like I overtrained it, I was just adding 1 more reat days between the runs. Now I back back to week 4 and determined to graduate before half of May.
That's awesome, I'm so happy for you!! I actually found that my knee hurt LESS after my run than it had before. Like you, I'm a hiker. We're planning a 10 day hiking trip in Yosemite this summer and, unlike the 10 days hiking in Utah, I'd rather not be winded when dealing with uphill climbs. Eventually I'm going to the Himalayas, but that will be a springboard for more things to come.
Hiking changed my life! And now running is doing the same Since this year, I could travel a lot less ;( I had to switch my knee healing therapy, mental therapy, and immune system boost from hiking to running
What a wonderful plans you have <3
I can also recommend stairs climbing - start low (even 1-2 floors / 30 - 60 steps), do at least 1 day (preferably 2 days) breaks, and increase gradually. Your knees will thank you durin all up- and downhills
I too used to loathe the idea of running. And running for fun? Well that was just nuts.
But I'm a convert and happy to admit I was wrong. Getting fit, losing weight and feeling so much better about myself and my body... well I wish I'd started years ago but I'm not going to waste what's left.
Take it steady. Good shoes. Massage rollers. You'll be fine, and you'll have fun doing it. Who cares what anyone thinks - seriously, if they have nothing else in their life but thoughts of how the crazy running lady looks... give then something to talk about!!👍😁
Hah I used to be so with you on the running thing! I had a failed attempt with C25K last year because my knees gave out (might have had something to do with me falling down the stairs though) but restarting again in january, I’m only bloody doing it! Starting to not care about how I look, mainly because the further on in the programme I get, the more of an actual runner I feel. Do it, you won’t regret it.
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