I up'd my routine today and got some weird looks.

[b_young]

I decided this year I want to try a triathlon. So I started jogging in addition to the bike. Today, I rode 4 miles to the MUP and locked the bike up, then jogged 1 mile (starting slow its been at least 10 years) and rode 6 miles home. People were looking at me strange as I was changing into jogging shoes and locking the bike up.

I jogged a mile on New Years day without riding. It almost killed me. My lower back and legs were hurting like never before. I was worried about that as I left. It actually helped riding first. I am use to it and I was loosened up and warm when I got to the trails. My back was hurting again by the end of the jog/walk real bad. But after a block or so on the bike it loosened up again and feels great. It may be different by morning but I have been home for a few hours now and it hasn't bothered me at all.

Anyway, it was fun and the looks were priceless.

[jaxgtr]

Yea, I am going to try and start jogging again myself to change up my workout and see if maybe it will kick start the weight loss. It all the first step as they say.

[DieselDan]

Running is EVIL!

[b_young]

Running is EVIL!

I agree with you, but I feel it is a neccesary evil at this time.

Jaxqtr,
I hope this will kickstart it for me too. If not I will be tempted to give it up. I do not enjoy jogging but I am hoping I will start before long.

[jaxgtr]

I absolutely hate it, but it's cheaper than putting in a pool or getting a membership to the YMCA to swim.

[Caincando1]

Welcome to the tri club. There's a lot of helpful info on www.beginnertriathlete.com (http://www.beginnertriathlete.com). I've got the cycling part down and my running is coming along nicely. Today was my first day in the pool to start swim training. Goodness that takes a lot of work.

[b_young]

Welcome to the tri club. There's a lot of helpful info on www.beginnertriathlete.com (http://www.beginnertriathlete.com). I've got the cycling part down and my running is coming along nicely. Today was my first day in the pool to start swim training. Goodness that takes a lot of work.

Thanks for the link.

I will have to wait until it gets warmer to swim. No public indoor pools. Maybe I could check in a hotel every once in a while?

[Halthane]

Welcome to the tri club. There's a lot of helpful info on www.beginnertriathlete.com (http://www.beginnertriathlete.com). I've got the cycling part down and my running is coming along nicely. Today was my first day in the pool to start swim training. Goodness that takes a lot of work.

I would strongly recommend finding someone to take lessons from if you aren't/weren't an experienced swimmer. Even a couple lessons to help you begin to learn your form, it will pay off big time in the end, if you've been reading the stuff on beginnertriathlete I'm sure you know that swimming is much more about finesse than power.

[George]

I ran quit a bit when I was younger and I think you may want to try power walking first. If you start running and your over weight it's going to hurt your knees and your back. If you have a big gut that really hurts your back. I forget how fast you should walk before starting to run, but I think it's something like 5mph. I think if you Google it, you should be able to find it, good luck.

[Caincando1]

I would strongly recommend finding someone to take lessons from if you aren't/weren't an experienced swimmer. Even a couple lessons to help you begin to learn your form, it will pay off big time in the end, if you've been reading the stuff on beginnertriathlete I'm sure you know that swimming is much more about finesse than power.

I'm with you. The first thing I did was sign up for Tri specific swim stroke clinics. I'm going to go to a couple of them, because the more help the better.

[rae]

If you are having pain with running I strongly suggest that you spend a week or two walking first & seek out hills to walk up & down. Sounds like you have some weak muscles that get overtaxed with running, & that can develop into a nagging injury.
Also if your MUP is paved you might want to try the local high school track until your body is more used to the impact.
Keep it up though, you will get there.

[b_young]

Thanks,

I called it jogging. It was actually a walk/jog but about 50/50. I will probably start doing more walking for a while.
The local University has an indoor pool, if I can get access to it I will see if I can get help on form. I grew up swimming all the time, but it has been a loooong time since I have done it for anything other than play.

[Caincando1]

Thanks,

I called it jogging. It was actually a walk/jog but about 50/50. I will probably start doing more walking for a while.
The local University has an indoor pool, if I can get access to it I will see if I can get help on form. I grew up swimming all the time, but it has been a loooong time since I have done it for anything other than play.

I strictly walked for about 4 months, then started adding a little bit of jogging into my walks. As I got lighter and my fitness increased I was quickly able to go from a walk jog combo to a full 5k jog in about 3 months. Keep at it!

[mgmoore7]

I run as well. I have done a few duathlons. That is what got me started into biking.

I would suggested a run/walk regimine when starting for sure. Be aware it may take a few months (3-4 for me) to get your body in shape enough for it not to be so torturous and be able to do any distance that really starts burning the calories.

I have been down for 3 weeks due to a ankle tendon problem. It is really starting to get annoying..

Anyway, I like the crosstraining. It keeps it from getting boring and the running burns more calories per minute than cycling and it is a much harder cardio workout for me and I suppose for most others as well.

[breadbin]

Hi, I recently started a running programme called the Couch to 5K or C25K for short. I found it here

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

It is a programme where you introduce more running every week in little increents at a time. I find it great, I have never run before in my life and I was amazed at how easy it was. I am now on Week4 and looking forward to it. Worth looking at anyway!

[b_young]

Hi, I recently started a running programme called the Couch to 5K or C25K for short. I found it here

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

It is a programme where you introduce more running every week in little increents at a time. I find it great, I have never run before in my life and I was amazed at how easy it was. I am now on Week4 and looking forward to it. Worth looking at anyway!

Thats perfect, thanks!!

Brian

[BigUgly]

I am looking to do my first Tri this year as well. Got the biking and running down. During the cold weather I will ride at Y on stationary bike for about an hour and then run on the treadmill for a about 2 miles. Took me a couple months to be able to completely jog a 5k. You just have to keep working at it and add a little more distance to your run each week. Running bores me as it is all mental but once you get past the first mile and get your mind in the right place the rest comes easy. I am not looking to win the Tri only to finish so speed in the run doesn't concern me. I have 6 months to get the swimming down. I tried the filr 750 meters in the Y pool but had to stop every to laps to catch my breath. The more I read and the more I talk to people the more I need to get lessons. Free style has changed since I was a kid and in an open water swim I think you need to be able to get a breath on both the left and right side.

[jyossarian]

I jumped on the treadmill over the holidays and managed to jog a mile before slowing the treadmill down to walking speed. The whole time I thought, "When does the runner's high kick in? This is painful!" Gave it a couple more tries a few days later and still no runner's high. I'm beginning to think it's a myth.

[Tom Stormcrowe]

You have to push through the pain to the point where your system starts dumping endorphins to achieve the high. ;) I start getting a riders high about Mile 50 or so and really hit the wall around mile 70-80. When I push through that is when the high really starts, partially from Glycogen depletion and screwey blood sugar and partially from the truly massive Adrenaline and Adrenocortizone dump I get from the extreme effort.

[chevy57]

Wow,

Alot of people with the same idea. I also am going to do my first tri this year. Last Friday was my first time in a pool in 26 years. I did 55 lenghts of the pool stopping at every end. Not necessarily because I had to, but I did not want to overdue it. I felt pretty good the next day. I went back to the pool Sunday for 60 lengths, stopping after every 10 lengths. I still felt pretty good. Tomorrow I will run to the Y swim 66 lengths then run home. Hopefully I will be able to catch a bike ride outside at lunch time. They are predicting 60 degrees for tomorrow here in upstate NY. Keep up the good work fellow Clydes and Athenas.

chevy57

[TallSteve]

I wish I could do a tri, but I can only do the side stroke. After watching the IronMan in Hawaii a few months back, doing something like that has been on my mind. Maybe I could focus on a duathon and go from there....

[Caincando1]

I wish I could do a tri, but I can only do the side stroke. After watching the IronMan in Hawaii a few months back, doing something like that has been on my mind. Maybe I could focus on a duathon and go from there....

Start checking into local tri clubs and local events. Many tri's and du's offer a long and short course. Start with a short course du and get some swim lesson and swim until you can do a short course tri. Iron Man broadcast are great at bringing new people to the sport. Unfortunately it also gives people a skewed perspective and goals. I know what it takes to train for a sprint and eventually an Olympic distance tri. The amount of training that goes into an IM is not for faint of heart.

[chevy57]

I bought a book called total immersion to help with my swimming. It is really a different way to swim that allows you to save energy. The method teaches you to glide as far as possible and use the body's rotation for propulsion (like fish do). I have been doing it for a week and it seems to be working. Any one else try this?

chevy57

[JohnKScott]

Can I join the tri club? I would like to do one this year as well. A sprint (though I won't be sprinting :D). Need to get the doc to look at my knee first though. Make sure it's up to the rigors of running. I also suck at swimming, but have gotten to the point where I can do about 1200m. Planning on getting some lessons though to make it easier (better technique espscially).

Would like to work up to an olympic distance down the line and maybe even a HIM in a couple years. God willing...

[b_young]

It sounds like ya'll (yes, I am in the south) have higher goals than I do. Right now I just want to compete in one and finish it. A guy I work with actually does the Ironman competition. He is constantly training for it. I am not sure I would be half as dedicated as he is. But I do want to do something and who knows maybe the motivation will come later. I talked with him and we may try to put a small tri here. To me we have a nice setup for it, but we will see.

[CliftonGK1]

You have to push through the pain to the point where your system starts dumping endorphins to achieve the high. ;) I start getting a riders high about Mile 50 or so and really hit the wall around mile 70-80. When I push through that is when the high really starts, partially from Glycogen depletion and screwey blood sugar and partially from the truly massive Adrenaline and Adrenocortizone dump I get from the extreme effort.

Good advice, if it's the right kind of pain to push through. Tired muscles, new use (running vs. cycling) muscles, mental fatigue: All good to push through and get your high. Sore joints, bones and/or tendons: Stop running and figure out why you're having pains!
Even with really well cushioned running shoes I don't do more than walk the dog for a few miles. The impact of running really kills my knees and shins. (Old damage from 15 years of competitive running and skiing.) I can jog a couple miles on a treadmill, but not out on real pavement.

[BeckyW]

You all have me inspired :) I don't dare run (last time I interjected 30-second jogging spurts into my walk, my knees hurt the next day :( )... but I can go walk as fast as I can, aim for 5mph :)

Maybe a bike ride too...

b_young, don't ya love livin' in the south?! :D

[b_young]

Good to hear from ya.

This weather has been nice lately, I am scared its about to get nasty soon though. I have been doing some walk/jogs and I hope I can keep it up through the winter.

[JohnKScott]

You all have me inspired :) I don't dare run (last time I interjected 30-second jogging spurts into my walk, my knees hurt the next day :( )... but I can go walk as fast as I can, aim for 5mph :)

Maybe a bike ride too...

b_young, don't ya love livin' in the south?! :D

Hey Becky,

I started doing some walking starting in November, 2006 (before I got my bike in April, 2007). I worked my way up to a 5 mph pace and believe it or not that can be quite a workout. And I had to work my way up to it. If you go do a 5 mph walk for an hour you work up a pretty good sweat!

I'm trying to start jogging very slowly. In fact, it isn't much better than a 5 mph pace :D. But I expect, as I do it more, it will get quicker. Just like cycling. Mostly I'm noticing that my cardio is ok, but I'm needing to slowly train up the "running muscles". The bike didn't quite get to them :D.

One thing that really got me stoked is getting some Nike+ shoes & sensor to hook into my iPod nano. I really got motivated as I watched the miles pile up. Then I started having some freindly competitions with other folks on line and it really was a lot of fun. And it got me out walking a lot. Plus I loved pumping the tunes while my heart was pumping away!

Good luck!!

[Maelstrom]

I don't jog, good luck and I hope it helps...

shin splints, way to painful to be running, I walk everywhere though

[Caincando1]

but I can go walk as fast as I can, aim for 5mph :)



Way to go, that's dang near as fast as my "running" speed. :)

[tdbmd]

One good way to ease into a new running program is to start with 20 or 25 minutes. For the first one or two weeks, walk for 4 min, then jog for 1, then up it to walk 3 min/jog 2 and so on. Usually you can get to the point of running the entire 20 or 25 minute set after 4-6 weeks. Usually 2 - 2.5 miles, depending on your speed. You can then start to modify your running program from there.

[BeckyW]

Way to go, that's dang near as fast as my "running" speed. :)

I said "AIM for 5mph" not "GO 5mph" :) Was a good workout, in any case.

[Seamus]

I bought a book called total immersion to help with my swimming. It is really a different way to swim that allows you to save energy. The method teaches you to glide as far as possible and use the body's rotation for propulsion (like fish do). I have been doing it for a week and it seems to be working. Any one else try this?

chevy57

Yes, and if you get the one with the DVD, it helps even more. It's all about form, and very little about power. Throttling back my effort was the hardest part for me. Out of breath on a run is one thing - out of breath in the water, and you're treading.

Jim