June is Roadwork Month

[Phrost]

Let's just get this out there:

I hate running. When I say I hate running I use the term "hate" in a way that would cause me to be put on a "no-entry" list in the U.K by their Home Secretary.

I'd rather do three rounds of sparring with a heavyweight who's girlfriend is visibly flirting with me in between rounds. I'd rather do a 15k row on a water treatment facility. I'd rather do the Tour De France on a rusty bike with no seat.

Running can just kiss my...

...well you get the point. But you know what? That's too bad because roadwork is absolutely essential if you want to be in any kind of fighting shape. Yeah, you can substitute one or more things on occasion, but you'll never get the exact same benefits as you would if you strapped some decent shoes on your feet and hit the pavement.

A good run works your body in a plethora of ways you can't if you're spending your time lined up with the housewives on the elliptical machines. Every step is a new challenge, a different bit of ground for your feet to connect with, and Planet Earth isn't a linear, even surface.

I spent over 7 years in the Army and we ran damn near every weekday. My knees have less cartilage in them than a donut has protein. I pop like a bowl of goddamn puffed rice cereal, and not the good kind with the three little jerks on the box. There was a period of time when I was young, dumb, and hooah like a good soldier should be, that I'd get off work and go running the hills of Panama in boots, with anywhere from 35-65 lbs strapped to my back, for fun.

So needless to say that in my early 30's now I've got as good of a cause to hate running as a senior citizen in Dresden, Germany hates fire.

But so effing what? This month is dedicated to getting out of the gym, getting off your ass, and hitting the road. I'm no expert, so feel free to chime in on the best shoes, tips, tricks, etc.

Let's see who can log the most miles this month.

[1point2]

Just in time for the summer heat. And the girls in summer running shorts...mmmm....

This is the kick in the ass I--and I'd bet lots of us--need to get out and work that cardio.

[M.C.]

The people of Dresden don't fear the fire as much as they fear the bombs causing it. In the same terms I don't hate running as much as I hate the monotony of it and the boredom that comes with it.

[Phrost]

Do what I'm doing, load an audiobook onto your MP3 player.

[danniboi07]

Well since school is finally out, I can now get back into my running. My last run was on the 19th with 2.92 miles in 31:00 minutes. Now with this being Roadwork Month, methinks I'll do my best to improve.

For my bday last year, my gf bought me nike+ipod. The shoes are comfortable as heck and the experience with the ipod is pretty fun. It's nice to hear Lance Armstrong congratulating you at the end of your workout.

[M.C.]

Tried that but my earplugs are keep falling out and putting them back in fucked with my rhythm, maybe I should spend some money on good earplugs...
PS: Anything on running in cities with high smog rates?

[Phrost]

Tried that but my earplugs are keep falling out and putting them back in fucked with my rhythm, maybe I should spend some money on good earplugs...

I've always used the ones that hook over the ears.

PS: Anything on running in cities with high smog rates?

:uhaul:?

[Dempsy Roll]

As a longtime trackie and all-around runnin fool, I wholeheartedly support roadwork month.

Unfortunately, due to my recently torn ACL, I'll be unable to log ANY roadwork AT ALL for the ENTIRE MONTH. Oh, the irony.

[Truculent Sheep]

I'm doing lots of jogging at the moment, or would be if I didn't have a chest infection and an insistent GP telling me to stop 'till it's better.

Anyway, my first hand observations are that you need to do enough to push your fitness envelope, but still be able to function properly at the end, after a good rest. In other words, your heart rate should be in its cardio training zone, but you shouldn't be dying of heart failure or in pain via shin splints or knee injuries.

The magic phrase here is Interval training, at least until you can jog a solid 30 minutes without crying or shitting yourself.

Also, pick a nice safe route off the main roads and away from arseholes who like harrassing joggers. Do it in daylight hours if you can, again for safety's sake. Oh, and stretch properly first.

A reasonable amount every day, four or five times a week is best, but three times a week with plenty of rest breaks is the best way to get started. I'd suggest you start by running 50 paces and walking 50 paces for 10 minutes: it's a good start.

Proceed from there once you know what your limits are and how your body responds to the rigour. Remember, it's not a race and if you improve by only a tiny bit each week, that's still an improvement.

anyway, I'm going to stop being patronising and spend more time instead with my hideous, wet rasping cough.

[PizDoff]

And care to elucidate us on what stretching properly is? Hmmm?


I hate running. I used to happily do well in marathons when I was much younger. After a dislocation I had the joint jolt out a few times so....I stopped.

[dwkfym]

When I started running I started doing 1.5 miles every day. It was hell for liek 2 weeks. Third week sucked too, but I started feelin better. Also, in week 3 I ran 2 miles. After a month of running I ramped it up to 3 miles. Now I run 3-4 miles. I kept up daily running for a year (preparing for a tournament) and now I run every other day. This is how I recommend people to start running. Oh, I rested on the weekends.

I kept up all my other training too. Judo, kickboxing, weightlifting.

Okay, here is my mileage log. Last month I ran every other day. so 15x3 = 45 miles..

My boxing coach says I need to bring it up to 5 miles a day, before I can outlast almost anyone in the amatuer scene if I fight smart. So I am at 3.5 miles now, I'll see how it goes.

[Truculent Sheep]

And care to elucidate us on what stretching properly is? Hmmm?

If you don't know what that means by now, I suggest a nice long stroll instead.

[Ming Loyalist]

i have heard that for fight conditioning, anything more than 3 miles is a waste of time, but i'm not sure about how accurate that is.

by logic, it seems that the amount of time you are running, and the amount of variety (sprints, hills, etc) that would really matter the most.

anyone who is actually knowledgeable want to chime in? (by that i mean coaches, or people who actually compete.)

[isol8d]

I went to a podiatrist, who has running magazines littered throughout his office, and asked if I could get orthopedics to help me run.

He told me to buy a bicycle.

thus I look like Doc Louis more than Little Mac.

[KiwiPhil889]

Tried that but my earplugs are keep falling out and putting them back in fucked with my rhythm, maybe I should spend some money on good earplugs...

I had this exact same complaint,and i also dislike running in a way that only ex army"you must run 10 km 3-4x week w/ and w/o packs,logs,in boots,or just for fun" can. Sports earplugs are an absolute must.I tried using normal plugs,and yeah,them falling out completely screwed any kind of rhythm i was getting into.

They didn't seem expensive,and even if they were?? the pay off is quite good. i have the "fitted,plastic moulded to the inside of the ear cover,hook over the ear type" and wouldn't be w/o them.