Newbie

Hello, my name is Sherri. I am not a true newbie to running yet, but am very interested in adapting it as a hobby for a healthy and aerobic outlet. Unfortunately, I have tried to jog and am having difficulty enjoying the activity. I know I need to get better respirtory endurance and I will, I also know I need to get better sneakers and I will, but in addition, I can't seem to get pass the hard bouncing, my knees and shins hurt almost from the start position. I don't know what I am doing wrong and if there is anything I can do to make it more enjoyable.

Am open to any advise.

Thanks - Sherri

Welcome, and thanks for registering, you will find a lot of help here. I will start with some advice that helped me when i first started running.... slow down, it doesnt matter how fast your going. work on nice natural form, that feels right. if your running and hating it, and gasping for air, your probably going too fast, im sure you will get some better advice here, but thats a start

Welcome Sherri! Glad to have you here.

first and foremost, you need to get proper fitting shoes. And don't just roll down to any footlocker/sporting goods store and buy whatever the undertrained saleperson says you should have. Your running shoes are really the only piece of equipment you need for running, so invest a little more and go to a real running store where you can have a gait ****ysis done and try on several pairs of shoes, run on their treadmill and see what fits and feels best.

THEN, to build up your endurance when first start running, start with a running/walking ratio (maybe you've heard of Couch to 5K plans?). you only run a few minutes at a slow pace, then walk a few minutes, etc. Each week the ratio's will gradually change so that in no time at all, you'll be up to running a mile nonstop. The key is to start out only running a minute or two and building from that so that you don't end up hating it because it feels too hard or worse yet, hurting yourself.

Great to have you here Sherri!

two awesome answers for you sherri. slow down and add walking...when building up your endurance it goes by time on your feet. running it all will come.
if your shins and knees hurt it most likey is your shoes. GP said it right. go get your gait check out.

also try to run on grass if you can...maybe a softer surface will do you good.

remember 21 days to a habit...even a good one.

Wow, I didn't expect such a quick response. Thank you all so much for the great advice and the for welcoming me to this group. Maybe soon I will be able to understand all the runners lingo that I have been reading, You all sound like you've been there. What everyone is saying is exactly what I am going through. It's encouraging to know that I can start out by including walking, I was starting to feel wimpy. gp, I know what you are saying about the shoes. I already went that route and realized the mistake I made. That is my next step to get good shoes. I just hope that will solve the pain issue, especially in my knees. If my knees does continue to hurt, do you think it will help if I wrap my knee or wear a knee brace?

Thanks a bunch

Sherri where does your knee hurt?

Hello Geely,

I really can't say, not really good with anatomy; I guest the kneecap area. I tore a ligament in my right knee skiing about 15 years ago; nothing serious, no surgury needed. However I have been told that I will always have knee problems. And of course as one ages your knees get stiff. I don't normally have any issues. I belong to a gym and do group aerobic, elliptical, and I weight train, but when I try to jog it affects my right knee. And of course the word is, running is bad on knees. But I don't believe my knee problem is major enough that it should affect running. I just figure I need to learn how to run properly. What you said about running on softer grassy area is a good thought, except that I live in a city, not many grassy areas, and I also am limited on time. So its difficult to just jump in a car and drive to a park; at least on a daily basis.

I was wondering if these specialized stores that measure your gait would also check for proper running technique.

Thanks again for your advice - Sherri

Hi Sherri,

Even running on one of the school tracks would be good for you I think. The track surfaces are softer than asphalt. Avoid concrete sidewalks. The track I go to is crushed up rubber, so it really has some nice 'give' to it.

I also recommend getting different inserts for running shoes. I never keep the flimsy inserts that come with the shoes. I buy a more expensive brand insert by New Balance that are around $35, but even the inserts by Superfeet are good ones to use.

And really pay attention to your knee pain so you don't end up doing something real bad to it. I think if you get proper fitting shoes and you start out real slowly - doing a run/walk ratio and just very SLOWLY building up the distance, that'll help.

gp that is an excellent suggestion. There are many universities in the city.

Thanks again (:

Shoes and speed are the two most important things, i have to agree with that.
Go to a running store, I didnt even know there was running stores until i started running. try on different brands after they ****yze how you run.
if it doesnt feel right, dont get it. you will know what i am talking about when you are trying all those shoes on.

then start slow, really slow, and remember your doing this for yourself. friends and family will come up with 1000 reasons why you shouldnt run, but consider who is telling you not to run, people that most likely have never run.

you will hear, "i can walk faster than that"... well walking and running are completely different..
when i started running i could walk, all day no problem, my job required it, but i could not run around the block 1.8 miles. i slowed my run down, i probably could have walked faster, and i finally made it, and then again the next day. and again and again. the speed comes naturally, later, so dont worry about that.