Few things u did when u started running - Which u now feel shud have been avoided
May new runners visit this site often . I remember when i started running , i never heard of terms like Drifit , GAIT , PBs , PBJs , Splits , ITBS, Gatorade etc ......
I use to run wearing Track pants / cotton T shirt - and i use to feel proud when it use to get soaked in Sweat . Hydration was a no no during runs (As one of my uncles have instructed so and breathing through mouth was also given a thumbs down ) . Knowledge of what shoes to wear was a distant one . I still remember running in my PT shoe (Now i realised , that still has some scope because of Barefoot running trend ). Also, during my Navy days , we use to do cross country and there too , the knowledge about long distance running in terms of what to wear etc was non existent .
Its after joining RFL and meeting experts like Dan Sir, Giles Sir etc that i started knowing about the running attires and etiquettes . I still remember when during one of the runs , i saw a guy had badly bruised his nipples and the blood oozing out because of the friction generated . His family attributed the same to "Blood Pressure, heart disease etc".
I thought through this thread runners can share their experience during their initial running days and now look back and think "oops it cud have been avoided" or may be just visualise the same and give a gentle smile .
Cheers !
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chetan Gusani on -
Thanks Bijay for the post and if most of us share their Initial experience then it will be useful for those who are new to running.
Out of my 6 SCMM ( HM ) in 4 race I had wear cotton t-shirt and even having black colour. It becomes very heavy once u reach finish line but from last 2 year I am wearing so called sweat free tee and it helps in run alot.
This year only I came to know about seriousness of Carbo loading and Giles Sir have cleared my many doubt about it and also learning from regular discsusion on this topic from runners.
For me now running becomes serious sports and I would like to say thank to RFL for this site :)
Chetan
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Permalink Reply by Veera on -
Hi Bijay , Yes- Your discussion will be a gr8 info for newbies and all rec. runners like us .
-I used to run downhill very fast and was out of action for 3 months , later came to know that running downslopes ...has to be tackled with caution !! and one has to strengthen his/her quads to deal with this.
-Increasing intensity and distance simultaneously within months of starting running.....shin splits and is a sure path to injury(ies) !
Thanks for posting this Discussion, Bijay - See you at BNP !....No more Bike injuries......:-)
Cheers, Veera
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Permalink Reply by Ram on -
Yeah, Bijay, good post - i started doing things scientifically only after Giles came on the scene in RFL. so there were many things i was doing wrong and not doing right - too many to recount - did not know who hal higdon was - what is tempo, long slow run, track intervals, carbo loading, hydrating, etc.
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Permalink Reply by Bijay Nair on -
@ Chetan - thanks for being the first to post .I agree with u , many of the new runners dont know what to wear . frankly when i started this thread i thought it wud be funny but i am sure it will gather enough info for newbees and even serious recreational runners like us . Too me every event is an expereince by itself and i learn new things in each of the run .
@ Veera and Ram - thanks for sharing . Its because of people like dan and giles that we are learning a lot.
No bike fall any more veera, see u at BNP .
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Permalink Reply by V Anand on
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Bijay: Good discussion. I never knew that buying shoes required so much care. Bought shoes only on its looks and general fit. It is through these pages that I learnt about shoe-fit and feet types, about Garmin and hydration. It is now that I have bought shoes according to my feet types and bought it in the later part of the day.
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Permalink Reply by Mani on
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Nice Post Bijay bhai. Before I knew about RFL, i had participated in 2 Mumbai marathons...My first HM completed in 2.41 with many stops and cramps. Before my 2nd HM, I came across RFL in the expo. Logged on to the site. By the time I got to know Giles, the Marathon was over. finished at 2.11...We were about 7 to 8 runners (more of a sunday runner practicing in Palm Beach road). Didnt know about hydration, long runs (aur bahut kuch hai yaar, lamba story hai).
Once I got hooked to RFL, I came across Giles for the first time and exchanged few notes and then the 1st run at BNP 6K wherein I met other heroes of the Mumbai group viz., Ram, Bhasker, Dr. Sharma, This one really kicked. I was overall 5th in the run. Learnt a lot from Guru Giles from then on and got my 1st sub 2 at KTM 2010. The entire practice schedule before KTM was courtesy Giles.
And the story continues...........
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Permalink Reply by sumeet pathare on -
@Bijay thanks for the post
, as i started getting efficient in running , i increased my mileage quite fast , had serious IT Band issue ,for which i had to stop running for almost a month . could recover after lot of patience and advice from fellow runners on stretching and strength training.
For me three important takeaways
DO NOT Increase mileage fast , even if you can do it .
Warm up before run and stretch post run.
Strengthen muscles , especially ,quads ,glutes,calves for injury free running .
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Permalink Reply by Srivatsan M K on -
@Bijay - I took up running in April/May 2010 as a form of fitness and then got hooked onto doing the HM at SCMM 2011. A friend had run SCMM HM a few times and recommended Hal Higdon. So, I got introduced first to Hal. I also knew Vignesh who had been planning to run the SCMM 2010 but couldn't because of injury. He gave me leads as well. I joined a GYM since Hal was recommending strength training and my friend emphasised it a lot too. I was well into following the Hal Higdon program and came to know about RFL much later. However, my first post on RFL was in December 2010 when I developed a calf tear. The feedback that I received helped me thoroughly and I could run my first HM well. Things like taking care of chapped nipples, clipping one's toenails before the race, hydrating well, carbo loading etc thankfully I was aware of through my friends and a couple of good books. My actual active RFL interaction began post the runners bash and after that its been one joyful ride coming to know so many new friends, sharing experiences etc.
My basic points -
Always better to start slow and easy when one is starting new - better less than injury.
Take guidance of a coach, even if it is online.
Have realistic goals when starting running for the first time
Do not rush back to regular running schedule if you are getting back from injury. Gradually, ease into it.
You become better runner through experience. Experience comes from making mistakes and learning from it.
I second Sumeet's advice - warm up before run and stretch post run. If required, reduce your distance a little but provide for the post run stretching session.
Strength training exercises is critical - whether with free weights or with equipment -build up your muscles especially lower body - they play a vital role in helping you finish the distance, help in sustaining the pace for a longer period etc etc
Learn to keep regular rest days in your schedule even if you feel you don't need it - else, you will be forced to take longer rests due to injury.
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Permalink Reply by Shilpi on
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I was always told that running will make me sick and very very weak. :D.
After joining RFL, I realized the importance of long runs, speed drills (which I am still quite bad at) and cross-training days. However, still lacking in strength training dept.
Lately, around 4km, I get a dull pain few inches under my right knee (front and down towards the right). Goes away with rest. Is this ITB? I run at an easy pace usually. I warm up before run and stretch post run. Ironically my left knee used to have a problem before running which has now totally disappeared after regular running/cycling.
Also, what is PBJs??
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Permalink Reply by Bijay Nair on
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@ Anand , Vatsan , Sumeet , Mani - thanks for sharing
@Shilpi - thanks for sharing . hey PBJ- is Peanut Butter Jam - Its a gr8 source of carb . I think u ask Dan sir regarding ITB in MMR .
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PBJ - Got it. It didnt work for me though as a pre-run snack. Think my stomach is too delicate to accept protein before running. I felt terrible the day I tried it. I have been sticking to home made bread and jelly for races and longer runs. Dates for shorter sessions.
My ITB problem may just be at its beginning. It is quite mild so far. Yesterday I spent a few minutes massaging and stretching it (it IS tighter than the other leg) and I see some improvement in todays run. I think the key is not to ignore these little warnings otherwise you have a full blown case on hand. Hope I dont get myself to that situation. If I do, I know where to come for some advice! thanks.
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