Runner's World

[Dialectic]

Today I went for my first outdoor run in probably a year or so. I regularly work out at the gym and do 20-30 min on a treadmill or eliptical (i.e. feel-good-but-do-nothing) machine, but as anyone who does this stuff knows, it's nowhere near the same as a good run.

So I went for an hour, discovered little bits of a whole bunch of neighborhoods I didn't know existed, and concluded that rich people have the best air, the best grass, and the best street canopies anyone could possibly have.

And when I use the term "run," I'm applying it fairly liberally, 'cause about halfway through, before my second wind, I was really pulling more of a gangsta-shuffle kind of movement, as I was no longer concerned about how fast I as going or how I looked, but rather, focused all my energies on not dying.

Anyone run regularly? Got any recommendations for shoes, outerwear, running surfaces, exercise stories in general?

[evil_FUX]

I run about three times a week. At first I thought your topic was talking about that website. You should check it out if you haven't, they got good tips. I suggest you mix up your running. You can improve your speed, stride, etc.

Here's what I like to do:

One week I'll do two days jogging/distance running and one day of sprinting/running hard
Then the next week, I do the reverse: two days of sprinting/hard running and one day jogging/distance running.

Added to that I jump rope and do polymetric exercises in the day between.

As for outwear, I just wear shorts and some lousy T-shirt. If you go for running shorts all the better, since your stride won't be affected as much.

And for the surfaces, if you're going to sprint try to sprint on something like grass if you're outdoors; you don't want to kill those joints

[blockthebox]

A friend of mine runs marathons. Two problems he had - (1) nipple bleeding and (2) chafing around "the boys". So if you take up long distance running, it's probably best not to use regular cotton t-shirts and get a good jock strap.

And get this, D - he's a smoker! I know how much D loves that sweet sweet nicotine.

[B the student]

nipple bleeding? how does one manage to do that while running?

[blue-kun]

nipple bleeding? how does one manage to do that while running?
Abrasive fabric against the half-mucous membrane of a nipple, wet and weakend by the sweat. Especially when the shirt is loose (men don't wear sports bra XD). Can't really think of any other reason...

Eugene

[blockthebox]

^ Yeah, what Eugene said. I saw one of his blood-soaked shirts too. Kinda gross.

[Dialectic]

Jesus, that's disgusting. Fux, thanks for the advice. You run in Cali though right? I'm gonna be dealing with air-so-cold-it-hurts-to-expand-your-lungs soon.

[3line]

I just do it in my normal clothes every day, a mile run around campus after classes

[evil_FUX]

Jesus, that's disgusting. Fux, thanks for the advice. You run in Cali though right? I'm gonna be dealing with air-so-cold-it-hurts-to-expand-your-lungs soon.

No problem D. Yup, down in Cali. I've never experienced the weather like that, although it sounds interesting. It might beat the dry weather we get down here sometimes. But I don't think that air should be that big of a problem, actually that would be great conditioning of your lungs.

As for the nipple bleeding that is pretty nasty. I suggest just doing what the marathoners do: lube your self up with some vaseline. Of course only if you're that hardcore on the distance running.

[rainshowerz]

I think women have it too, if they don't have the proper support. But it's more like nipple-chafing...and it happens with other sports too. I wonder if the Williams sisters get them, since they look like they don't even wear bras when they play...Okay, sorry for hijacking the thread. Back to nipple-bleeding for runners!

[Pat the Great]

running from the cops is great exercise, for the record.

[xian]

I think women have it too, if they don't have the proper support. But it's more like nipple-chafing...and it happens with other sports too. I wonder if the Williams sisters get them, since they look like they don't even wear bras when they play...Okay, sorry for hijacking the thread. Back to nipple-bleeding for runners!

Can we start a new thread on the Williams sisters' nipples?

[Dialectic]

Just pulled a one-hour midnight run after work, and I feel fine!

This urban night-running is a strange thing: I get stared at by cops, run past assorted weirdos sitting on random steps in the middle of nowhere, and go through this grassy/ leafy courtyard next to a big castle (where they filmed the indoors for the X-Mansion in the first X-Men) which is very pleasant by day and very fucking Resident Evil by night.

I did, however, run farther and faster than I did last time and had no urge to puke! YES!

[DPC]

Just pulled a one-hour midnight run after work, and I feel fine!

This urban night-running is a strange thing: I get stared at by cops, run past assorted weirdos sitting on random steps in the middle of nowhere, and go through this grassy/ leafy courtyard next to a big castle (where they filmed the indoors for the X-Mansion in the first X-Men) which is very pleasant by day and very fucking Resident Evil by night.

I did, however, run farther and faster than I did last time and had no urge to puke! YES!

Damn bro, that shit's dangerous though, you carryin' a shank or somethin'?

[Dialectic]

Ha ha, yeah about halfway through my run I started to think about the risks of what I was doing. I mean, it wasn't so much that I was in danger of being harmed, but rather, that I looked like I was the one who could do the harming.

I was in white adidas trackpants, white running shoes, had a white NY Yankees toque on, and a grey-black fleece, all pretty loose-fitting semi-thug-like. Though no one could see it, I had my keys/ swiss army knife in my hand so they wouldn't jangle around in my pocket.

At one point I jaywalked/ ran across a red, without seeing that a cop car was RIGHT THERE, and he slowed in front of me and gave me a look, and I kinda bobbed my head and waved sorry, and he sped on. I started to think about what would've happened if he stopped me and found a little knife in my hand, and I'm thinking it wouldn't've looked good. Then there was the courtyard where I fucking swear something big was moving in the bushes and shadows behind the tree in the corner (I'm never running through there again at night).

[cattygurl]

SHOES! Get good shoes and replace them often if you run a lot.

Give your knees a break from the pounding by alternating with elliptical/swimming/rowing/biking (something that ain't so jarring).

Try to run on grass or dirt, concrete and pavement is the hardest on your joints.

I've got fucked up knees, so take care of your pair, man.

Posture. If you're going to run a lot, get a posture evaluation from a running coach (look up your local triatholon/marathon group for one). All you need is one or two sessions- show the coach how you run and ask him to make proper postural adjustments for you. It can save your hips and knees in the long run. A friend of mine is 35 with dual knee replacements due to running the wrong way his whole life.