Any Runners out there??

[christinamikayla]

Just wondering how many of you run on a regular schedule. If so, how far do you run and how many days a week?
Two of my favorite things are running and saving money, still trying to figure out how to do it at the same time...lol I guess in a sense running is a frugal way to exercise..no gym pass needed, not using gas to go to the gym, just open the front door and go go go

I usually run 4 days a week, 6 miles each time and now I am upping my miles on one of those 4 days so today I did a little over 8 miles. I'm shooting for a marathon in May so I think the extra miles each week will help. I'll shoot for 9 miles next week.
Christina

[christinamikayla]

Sooo did I post in the wrong place or are there really no other runners at HCW? It is such a frugal way to exercie I thought for sure..maybe I am wrong.

[Beckster61]

I had open heart surgery in Dec 09 to remove a large tumor. As part of my rehab I started walking 3 miles every day. Because I wanted to get done sooner, I started running. Little did I realize that I would soon be addicted!
I just turned 50 & currently I run 4 times a week. I run for an hour which usually equals 5.5 miles but on Saturday I usually run further. I have done 3- 13 mile runs & 4- 10 mile runs this past year and hope to run a 10K on Labor Day (weather permitting- extreme heat slows me down)
So I'm an accidental runner, I guess, cause I started running quite by accident LOL As far as being a cheap hobby? Well it does open up opportunities to find discounts on my favorite Brooks running shoes LOL Love saving money & running. Would enjoy hearing back from you

[BeachBum1984]

I run a few times a week. I go as far as I can, which is usually 3-4 miles. I'm really interested in upping my mileage, but I'm not really sure how to go about it. I ran a 10k in April and I'm going to run it again next year. My time then was 1:23 but there were some outside factors that I know I could have done better. Now I have a time to beat!

[Gertie2u]

I want to try running, but am nervous. My doc says with good shoes, which I have purchased, I should be ok. I worry a bit, though, because I never was into running or athletics when I was a kid. I don't know anything about proper methods. I have no idea about where to run, either. I tried running around my block, but all the dogs bark. It is too hot to run past very early morning in summer here, and I don't want to bother the neighbors. It seems silly to drive somewhere just to run, though. I have thought maybe this is all just excuses, but I imagine my neighbors might feel there is some merit to this don't stir the dogs up at the crack of dawn unnecessarily idea. Where do you two run?

[christinamikayla]

Beckster61-those are my favorite running shoes also!! I am currently wearing the Ravenna-bright blue. I absolutely love them..feels so springy. I got mine at Dick's Sporting Goods. We have a Dick's credit card which we earn a gift card every month so I paid nothing for them..normally $100. We pay our balance off each month. I was wearing Sauconys when I first starting running and my knees started bothering me..turns out it was the shoes. The pain stopped as soon as I switched shoes. My husband likes Asics and won't run in anything else. I guess everyone has their preference. I also started by walking about 3 miles everyday while pushing a stroller. I started running on the days DH was home and could watch the little one. Now I usually go early before he goes to work during the week and we run together on the weekends. I started running for the alone time and to declutter my mind now I am also addicted.

BeachBum1984-Just pick one of your running days each week to run a little farther. Go 10 minutes longer till you are running the distance you want.
I also like to try to beat my previous times at races and compete with DH. I've only beat him once and it was 12 weeks after he had ACL surgery and ran wearing a brace. I don't think I'll ever beat him again but I love getting close.

Gertie2u-most the dogs I run by are use to seeing me and they don't bark anymore. What about running in the evening right before the sun goes down? IMO, If they want to put the dogs out that early then it is their problem if they wake up other neighbors, not yours. I run in my neighborhood. It connects to another subdivison and up on the main road going into the neighborhoods they re did the street and put in a really wide sidewalk and bike trails. I have several paths to choose from and a lot of people are out running or biking all the time. I could not ask for a better place to run. It is pretty hilly though but I try to think of that as a good thing. As far as a proper method I don't think there really is one...just put one foot in front of the other.

For some good training ideas look up Hal Higdon. That is what I used when training for the half marathon I ran back in May.

[abond0017]

I have ran sporadically for a couple of years...but I started running regularly 2 times a week a couple months ago. I'm trying to up it to run at least 3 times a week though starting next week.

I usually run 1.5-2 miles on Tues & Sat mornings, but I want to add Thurs to that schedule now and make sure I run at least 2 miles each time. I have a 5 mile run on Sept 25th that I'm trying to get ready for...so just a couple weeks left to prepare. I know I will end up walking a good bit of it. Then I also have a 10K the Sunday before Veterans Day. I hope by then I can run most of that one and walk very little.

I have never really been a runner or even done any sports that involved much running when I was younger...so I am definitely not a natural by far. I don't even really enjoy it all that much lol! But it is a cheap and good workout and I do love the way I feel afterward...plus my DH loves to run and enjoys us doing it together.

It sucks that I'm not a natural cause I would love to love running. I just get so exhausted so easy. Even after running regularly for a few months, I still have a really hard time doing 2 miles at a time. I think it's just too hot here and the humidity is just too high...for all of the summer even in the early morning it is usually still in the low 70's with humidity over 80%. I think though that the temp should start falling a good bit this month and the next so maybe it'll get easier...although I think the humidity usually rises a bit in Sept and Oct so who knows.

Anyway...good to see other runners here on HCW. Keep going!

[christinamikayla]

I have ran sporadically for a couple of years...but I started running regularly 2 times a week a couple months ago. I'm trying to up it to run at least 3 times a week though starting next week.

I usually run 1.5-2 miles on Tues & Sat mornings, but I want to add Thurs to that schedule now and make sure I run at least 2 miles each time. I have a 5 mile run on Sept 25th that I'm trying to get ready for...so just a couple weeks left to prepare. I know I will end up walking a good bit of it. Then I also have a 10K the Sunday before Veterans Day. I hope by then I can run most of that one and walk very little.

I have never really been a runner or even done any sports that involved much running when I was younger...so I am definitely not a natural by far. I don't even really enjoy it all that much lol! But it is a cheap and good workout and I do love the way I feel afterward...plus my DH loves to run and enjoys us doing it together.
It sucks that I'm not a natural cause I would love to love running. I just get so exhausted so easy. Even after running regularly for a few months, I still have a really hard time doing 2 miles at a time. I think it's just too hot here and the humidity is just too high...for all of the summer even in the early morning it is usually still in the low 70's with humidity over 80%. I think though that the temp should start falling a good bit this month and the next so maybe it'll get easier...although I think the humidity usually rises a bit in Sept and Oct so who knows.

Anyway...good to see other runners here on HCW. Keep going!

The humidity makes a huge difference IMO. This time of year is perfect were I live. It is getting close to Fall, humidity is low, not too cold yet to have to layer on the clothes. Sept., Oct., March, April are the best months around here. Back in July the humidity was so bad I struggled to do 4 miles, now 8 miles is like a walk in the park. Also, I can go out anytime of the day not just at 6 or 7 am.
You know what helped me to up my miles is my elliptical. It really helped with my endurance. At the time I did not realize it. I used the elliptical a lot last winter because we had a lot of snowy days and it was too cold. When I got back out on the road to run it was a huge difference and I really think it was all the time I spent on the elliptical in the winter months.

[uummm]

If I would travel out of the threads I post in more often I might have seen this sooner...

First let me say, I will never win a race, so I don't like to say that "I run" I jog, and sometimes I feel a herd of turtles could pass me with no problem or maybe a 3 toed sloth.

I jog 6 days a week...I do it because if I don't then I would be 200+lbs...I was NEVER a runner before 2005. My motto used to be "I don't run too much jiggles." I started jogging because I was getting bored with roller blading that I had started for weight loss...I switched to running because is burns more calories than anything else I can do-I was 225 when I started exercising to loose weight in 2005. I actually stopped running in 2007 (when I became a hardcore couponer) and started back again about a year ago. I would walk maybe 3 days a week if I felt like moving but usually shopping was much more important and I gained 40-50lbs.

In late spring this year I was jogging 3.5-3.7 miles a day then switched my route and went down to 5k daily but I noticed I stopped loosing weight. I had actually gained 5lbs one week that I took off from jogging on vacation and was eating no holds barred! Since then I haven't lost any weight and complained to my doctor at my annual exam. At that point I was only jogging 32-35 minutes a day (doing my 5K). My dr told me I have to boost it up to 45 minutes a day. So since I push myself harder on a treadmill I have been using my treadmill for 50 minutes a day and usually average 4-4.5 miles a day-cool down/warm up is usually 8 of those minutes the other I run about half of it and work my way to 15 on the incline at 4.2mph then back down while increasing the speed back to 6.7. We bought the tread mill (with monies won from my broken foot) and it is a nice (not cheap) treadmill...I would be curious to know how many miles I have on it. I use it off and on, like when it is just too hot in the middle of summer or in the middle of winter when it is just too cold...But I get bored with it after a few months too that is why I switch it up.

I swear by my Asics...I broke my foot (car accident) in 2004 and have had problems with both feet ever since. I tried Saucany, Nike, Addidas and lastly Asics...Asics were the best for me and my foot-I have Nimbus 13 now.

I definately would NEVER let the fact that dogs are barking and might upset my neighbors stop me. Tough! I agree if you're going to put your dogs out and they bark at people walking by on public property that isn't my problem. I live in a community with sidewalks and I know there are a few spots where I would walk/run by and there was a dog that barked every time...As a matter of fact this dog (that I can hear at my house) would bark all the time anyway...but it has stopped must be neighbors finally complained and either they brought the dog in (hello who gets a dog just to leave outside ALL DAY?) or got rid of it.

We have an elliptical too -treadmill was for me and at the same time got the elliptical for the husband, husband used to use it all the time -I hated it...takes for ever to burn as many calories and I don't like that I can't really mix it up other than go backwards and I can mess with the incline and resistance but that isn't enough for me. Husband has been using the treadmill more lately, not sure why he goes much faster than I do, he will do 5+miles in 50 minutes...

I have met people that run for 7-10 miles a day...I aways say that is stoo much time for me to devote to running/exercising...Maybe I am just not a true runner, I have to make deals with myself to get on the treadmill/outside most day but once I get on and get past 15 minutes it gets easier to stay on, but again, when I get to 20 minutes I think , Good half almost way there...so I am not sure I would be considered a "true runner."

[Gertie2u]

Thanks, christinamikayla, I decided to try your idea. The dogs have seemed to get acclimated to me scooting around the neighborhood over time and no one has come out and yelled at me. I guess I will just stick with the neighborhood for now.