Newbie

Thanks Joe, I plan to do a search for running shoes this week. I did jump on the tread at my gym today. I still don't have the right sneaks, but I did jog very slow. I made it a whole 20 minutes without exhaustion and without pain in my knees and shins. I can last much longer on other cardio machines, but anything past walking on the tread is a challenge. I don't want to have to go to a gym to jog. I want to be able to step outside of my home and enjoy a healthy run. I am pretty excited about running with all this great advice that I have been receiving on this site. Thanks to all!!

Did you get some shoes, i just had some bad shoe issues, would hate to see anyone else go through it.

Hey guys! Love all the expereince you guys share! I have been running about a year and cannot get beyond the run/walk pattern. My runs are not consistent. I make myself go the same distance but walk more than I want to some days. Any suggestions to get past this pattern. I usually run/walk 4-6 miles every other day when my schedule allows. I love running and want to get better every day.

I would say you might be running too fast, its very common for newer runners. With that being said, 4-6 miles is a great distance and running for year is a long time to stick with it, good job.

try slowing down next time you go out, dont pay any attention to your time, see how far you make it. In a few weeks you will be running the whole distance with little problem.
When I started my longer runs I ran at a pace where I thought I could carry on a conversation with someone. In other words I was running slow enough that I was gasping for air or in pain. Dont worry about your speed for now, you will automatically get faster as your milage increases.

4 - 6 miles of run / walking is a nice long distance. I agree with admin about maybe going slower. Since you are already going a long distance just try slowing it down, also I would try changing the route because I know that sometimes I psych myself out by going the same route - I catch myself thinking "The next stretch is really long" or maybe you have it in your head that you walk when you get to a certain point (at the next corner I walk), if you go somewhere different to run you won't have those preconceived ideas. Let us know how it goes - I am already impressed with your mileage!

I was having shin pains, even in my new shoes. On my coach's advice, before a run I took great care to stretch my calves and no shin pain.

I have fat calves, all muscle, none on the shin, have had shin splints since I was in college in the early '70 ties. I ran thru it for awhile, then the 1st of April one of the top flight runners in our club told me about compression calf guards. WONDERFUL! My wife and I wont do a run without them now. It has stopped the cramp's in our calves too.

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"Life should not be a journey to the grave arriving in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways- Chardonnay in one hand, choclate in the other, totally worn out and screaming: Woo Hoo, what a Run"

Go with a prescribed plan and stick to it. Stretching yourself a little more each workout in a controlled manner may be what you need to not over do it then withdraw. Try the Couch to 5K plan or Hal Higdon's One Hour Runner program.