Running for cardio

[roderick999]

I'm new on this forum: now on Week 4 and am running to get my weight down and energy levels up. Have had 2 stents so hoping the exercise and diet will help heart health. So far, so good.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum.

Have no fear, this plan will build your cardio fitness beautifully, along with the vascular, pulmonary, and all your musculoskeletal systems.

It is a good idea to cross train on your rest days some non impact exercise, especially if it helps to build core strength, which is crucial to good running form.

Enjoy your journey and keep us posted.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Welcome and I agree with IannodaTruffe ... this is going to be good for you!

[GaryB1966 Graduate]

Welcome, take it slow and steady and I’m sure you’ll see great results!

[the_tea_fairy Graduate]

What the others said! Core strength makes a big difference in my experience (both in terms of injury prevention and improvements to your times). I'm doing Pilates under an instructor who is also a trained physio at the mo, and really rate it, but even just doing simply exercises on your living room floor is a big help!

[Razouski]

Welcome to this wonderful extended family of like minded people. You will get loads of support and guidance here, as well as people understanding exactly how you're feeling at different points on the journey to building up your running legs and lungs, not to mention the cardiovascular system.

The Mentor's know their stuff and they are so right about non-impact exercise in between. I started the programme when I was already doing alternate days of non-impact exercise, so I just carried on developing my gym sessions and fitted the runs in on the days in between. Having some core strength has really helped with the running. I also swim when I can, which is great for tired running legs.

Brilliant that you're on week 4. Just take it slow and steady and let us know how you are getting on.

[roderick999 Graduate in reply to Razouski]

Thank you for your encouragement. I have developed a 10-minute daily routine of morning stretching/ limbering/breathing exercises followed up by a 10-minute mindful meditation session in order to try to provide a positive start to the day. The graduated programme of weekly running I see as a means of developing a meaningful structure of realistic and attainable goals that can achieved over the long term. I'm hoping to add at least a once-weekly swimming session into the mix in parallel, diet wise, with cutting out white bread, dairy, sweets and alcohol. Aiming not to do too much too soon.