Advice for Runners, Part 2
I forgot to mention a few things in my first post. Since it has been one of the most read posts on my blog (really!), I thought I would follow up with more sage advice about running.
Advice #6: Achieve runner’s high. This is what it’s all about. Runner’s high is your reward for suffering through the pain. Running is pain and more pain. It is the kind of pain that only goes away when you stop running and walk for a bit. Then it comes right back when you start running again. I’m not joking. If you can’t handle pain, don’t take up running.
Runner’s high is a real thing and it is great! It is a feeling of euphoria, peacefulness, and well being. It isn’t as intense as some illegal substitutes but it is free and healthy. I think it is the reason many people keep running for so long. To achieve this, you have to work yourself up to a 45 min or so run and get used to that level or a little more. Once you do, you can put yourself into maintenance mode (stop increasing) and start to really enjoy your runs.
Advice #7: Shoes. For me, 45-50 mins is about as long as I can go before my feet and legs start to hurt a lot. This isn’t from muscle soreness but from pounding the pavement for so long. But one thing that can help through all stages of running is proper shoes. If you don’t know what “over pronate” means, you shouldn’t buy shoes without help. Y should go to a running store such as Footsteps in Reston and get help. They will look at your gait and recommend the right type of shoe. I am an over pronator which means the outside of my heel hits the pavement first. I need stability shoes. If run in the wrong shoes, you will have more pain and possibly injury as a result. You will pay retail prices at a specialty store but it is worth it for the service.
Advice #8: Don’t push until you are dizzy and see black spots. If you are a beginning runner, use a heart rate monitor. I did mention this in my last post but it bears repeating. I used to push until I felt dizzy and saw black spots in my eyes. I know for sure I had exceeded my limits. It’s best to get a heart rate monitor so you know when you are approaching a limit and what it feels like.
I randomly found this blog on google a few months ago, and I kept what you said in mind as I started running. I was REALLY out of shape since I stopped swimming. I spent a year doing swimming and water polo at my school sophomore year, but I just stopped because I didn’t like the new coach, so I did absolutely no exercise for about a year. When I got my own car, it got even worse. I got a new ipod for my birthday, and when I bought a case for it, it came with arm running band, so I decided to get back in shape. I think you really need to emphasize how EVERYTHING is easier when you’re in shape. Breathing, walking, even sitting is easier. I felt really good about myself today, what I do is go to the track near my house and the first week I started, this guy breezed past me and I felt really slow. But today, the same guy passed me, and I sped up and ran with him for a few laps and even talked to him. On the way home, I decided to thank you because I listened to your advice here. You’re probably not the only person to say what is said here, but this is what I’ve stumbled on, therefore you get credit.
This post is so old, I don’t know if you’ll even notice my little (and rather long) comment here.
Either way, thanks.
Advice #6: Achieve runner’s high. This is what it’s all about. Runner’s high is your reward for suffering through the pain. Running is pain and more pain. It is the kind of pain that only goes away when you stop running and walk for a bit. Then it comes right back when you start running again. I’m not joking. If you can’t handle pain, don’t take up running.
This is so true! Most of the websites don’t really mention this and even create the wrong image about it. I think this is why people give up. They don’t really know what does it mean. If you don’t want to give up you must know that it is not easy at first. Eventually it will become less harder until you make it a habit, I suppose.
Thanks for the post!