Brain gymnastics nearly killed me.....!!!!

[rockchick69]

W2 R1 and I was really looking forwartd to it. The first thing that happened was Laura gave a tip about landing on your heel. Well I hadn't thought about how I was running til this and realised I was landing on the side of my foot.....so I started to consciously think about how I should land. That was going ok but it is definately different to how I have been running.

Then she pipes up with a breathing tip!! Well between thinking of my foot placement and trying to breath correctly I almost suffocated as I counted the 1 and forgot to keep counting 2,3,4 and was holding my breath instead. Obviously, I'm a woman (maybe the only one) that can't mentally multi-task!! Has anyone had any problems with this breathing technique??

By the end I was almost getting it, but I'm also astmatic, and found counting to 4 was too much so I managed to count to 3 in and 3 out.....phew. I am going out again tomorrow and hopefully it will go better! The actual running was good and I really enjoyed it, but I could do with less to think about

[Saruma Graduate]

Tried the breathing technique but, like you, I felt like I was going to suffocate, so I just breath whichever way seems best for how I'm feeling at that stage of my run. As for the heel strike, use that with caution. I believe it's best to land on the mid to fore foot!

[rockchick69 Graduate in reply to Saruma]

I think I will breath as I did in the first week....not too fast, but it worked

[LMS2110 Graduate]

Hi, another aged, asthmatic, overweight here! (BTW, not suggesting for a moment that you're all those - simply introducing myself ) I've just finished week 3..... Yeeeeehaaaa. FYI, couldn't cope with the counting to 4 at all! (Blogged on here and discovered we are not alone with this!). Considered how/where I landed on my feet and decided I must be deformed, LOL. Didn't let it worry me unduly as my landings got me through childhood, school PE, and life since for half a century. Be assured that you're doing the right things, and tidying up of 'style' will undoubtedly occur as you continue the plan. Lots of luck as you proceed, I'm only a little way ahead of you and can't always manage 'alternate day runs' ..... Looking forward to seeing you with a graduate badge about the same time as me. Cheers Linda X

[rockchick69 Graduate in reply to LMS2110]

Thanks Linda, I will go back to what I was doing and see how it goes. I try to do alternate days but it does depend on my planning for work. The most is 2 days between. Keep blogging so I can see how you are doing and we can celebrate our badges together

[greenlegs Graduate]

Here are a couple of links to older posts discussing heel striking or not, as it has come up quite a bit before (so far, I don't remember reading anyone posting about heelstriking being comfortable, but there are lots about landing midfoot being better - which probably means pretty much what you were doing before anyway). Try googling pose running or chi running or 'Born to Run' (a book - well worth a read).

couchto5k.healthunlocked.co...

couchto5k.healthunlocked.co...

It's not easy to find old links on this site though - these might not be the most useful.

And the breathing thing -well some people find it useful, but quite a few of us gave up and just breathe when we need to, and it seems to do us fine - I think the key is just to not breathe too fast, or you can get lightheaded. But I am not an expert, just a beginner runner who likes to read a lot! (and to run without pain or discomfort, if at all possible)

[rockchick69 Graduate in reply to greenlegs]

I have just bought "born to run" for my Kindle so I will be reading it this weekend I think I will continue as I was doing in W1 and if there are any problems I can look again.

[Katkin]

I can't master her breathing technique. It's partly because it's so cold at the moment that my nose runs almost constantly (gross)!

[greenlegs Graduate in reply to Katkin]

Aha - you have 'exercised-induced rhinitis' - runners runny-nose! Apparently some people get insane sneezing attacks after running, so maybe runny nose isn't so bad! (So far I've managed to get away without it, probably because I go so gently, my nose doesn't know I'm exercising! So goodness knows why I was reading about it. Just can't stop me reading. )

[Katkin in reply to greenlegs]

It's constant! I always worry that people will think I'm crying, because my eyes sometimes water when it's windy. I always have to make sure I have a supply of at least 5 tissues on me!

[rockchick69 Graduate in reply to Katkin]

Katkin this unfortunate, but it does sound like what Greenlegs blogged about. Hopefully it will improve with the weather....just keep blowing and breathing..lol

[rockchick69 Graduate in reply to greenlegs]

Love this.....I have an image of your nose lounging on the sofa while the rest of your bits go running.....lol And all your reading means we have a great source of online information that is actually interesting and funny to read....keep doing it

[Tish1970 Graduate in reply to rockchick69]

I just get constant streaming eyes and drooling mouth. Nice :). I've started ignoring the eyes and letting them run. But the mouth is embarrassing. I think it is because I breath through my mouth. I find I'm not getting enough air if i breath in through the nose.

[Mitts Graduate]

This is a good link too:

livestrong.com/article/1890...

The general opinion seems to be that midfoot is best for most folk, it certainly works for me. The only time I ever had shin pain was when I consciously tried to land on my heels. Just do what your feet feel like doing, if you have good shoes that should be fine.

Happy running!

[rockchick69 Graduate in reply to Mitts]

Thanks Mitts, I have good running shoes so I will continue to run as I was and see what happens

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Whilst many graduates who, well, graduate, and keep running will be strong advocates of "do as you are told" when it comes to the programme, these bits of breathing/heel strike guidance do seem to be something that most people dispense with.

Running on the side of your foot though sounds like you may be supinating and thus may be putting more strain on yourself than is good for you long term. If just being aware of it now doesn't do the trick then it may be time for new shoes/gait analysis/orthotics.

[rockchick69 Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

I will check this again tonight. I have some good running shoes so I think I need to try landing in the middle of my foot rather than the side (although it is also more in the middle) and see what happens. If I have any pain I will definately get a gait analysis. Thanks for your input

[greenlegs Graduate in reply to rockchick69]

My impression from reading around (but maybe I've focused too much on sources that said what I agreed with!) was that the natural foot movement is to land midfoot, more towards the outer edge, and then roll inward towards the middle (with the tendons etc absorbing the impact) - and that high tech sports shoes are designed to stop that happening because it was interpreted as bad. And maybe what is really needed is gently building up foot strength. But don't take my word for it! Quite possibly a gross oversimplification, or maybe even totally wrong.

[Fingalo Graduate]

For my tuppence worth I'd say to run and breathe as you find most natural, then adjust it if you have a problem, like picking up injuries.

I read quite a bit about what shoes to wear, had gait analysis, read some more, looked at barefoot running, then read some more.

All the while I was researching it the £30 runners I bought from Sports Direct (supposedly unsuited to me) just because they felt comfortable, have got me through the programme and out the other side with barely a twinge.

So much so, I bought a spare pair this morning.

[greenlegs Graduate in reply to Fingalo]

Succinctly put, sir! And bargain trainers too.

[Fingalo Graduate in reply to greenlegs]

Smiled as I wrote about buying the second pair, given how it flies in the face of the doubts iIhave about keeping this up!

[thinnerandfitter Graduate in reply to Fingalo]

Pleased to see someone else puts of purchases because of doubting how long this "hobby" will last! I have been procrastinating buying a belt thingy for phone and a pair of sunglasses for what seems like ages. Now Sweatshop has free shipping this weekend I might just go and buy them. Keep on running Fingalo - apart from the fact that we want to hear about it you've got through most of the winter now and things can only improve weather-wise

[Fingalo Graduate in reply to thinnerandfitter]

I think I'll always have doubts Thinners, in an ideal world I'll be like those who get the bug but it certainly hasn't bitten me yet.

I don't even get this endorphins rush that others speak of.

Still, while not really enjoying the runs themselve, I enjoy that I run and that's been enough to keep me going so far.

Thanks for the encouragement, now go and fill that virtual basket!