Running is probably one of the hardest activities to start next to swimming... my team swims 3 times a week and that's it... (feeling a little burned out too)... BUT, I'd like to start running - and was wondering on if you guys have any tips.
I've googled it a bit and a lot of people say to start slow - walk a majority of the time and run in little spurts and build up from there.
Anyways, fellow swimmers - any other advice to give?
Running is probably one of the hardest activities to start next to swimming... my team swims 3 times a week and that's it... (feeling a little burned out too)... BUT, I'd like to start running - and was wondering on if you guys have any tips.
I've googled it a bit and a lot of people say to start slow - walk a majority of the time and run in little spurts and build up from there.
Anyways, fellow swimmers - any other advice to give?
I started running as an adult. If you're pretty fit, I'm not sure you need to walk a LOT. That's a bit extreme. Maybe alternate some walk/running. I just started running. But you should do what's most comfortable for you. Running IS a very difficult activity to start and uses different muscles. It will take awhile for your body to adapt and you'll feel like you have the plods for awhile. You have to expect it to feel "hard" at first and and be persistent. I love it for cross training and to be outside.
To start:
Get good running shoes from a real running store where they can give you advice on what type of shoe you need depending on whether your foot is wide or narrow or whether you have a high arch or not.
Stretch before and, more importantly, after.
Start with a minimal distance. Depends how fit you are. Maybe even just a mile at first. I think I started with 2 miles.
Only go up 10% a week. This is really important. If you ramp it up too quickly (as I have done in the past), you are susceptible to all sorts of stuff like shin splints and tendonitis and stress fractures. SO GO SLOW.
Don't run multiple days in a row. Give yourself some recovery time.
Don't let your ipod, if you use one, lure you into running further than you should.
Make sure you're properly hydrated.
I'm sure some other runners and triathletes here can give you more specific advice. Poolraat? Bill?
Have fun! Good luck!
Running is probably one of the hardest activities to start next to swimming... my team swims 3 times a week and that's it... (feeling a little burned out too)... BUT, I'd like to start running - and was wondering on if you guys have any tips.
I've googled it a bit and a lot of people say to start slow - walk a majority of the time and run in little spurts and build up from there.
Anyways, fellow swimmers - any other advice to give?
I started running as an adult. If you're pretty fit, I'm not sure you need to walk a LOT. That's a bit extreme. Maybe alternate some walk/running. I just started running. But you should do what's most comfortable for you. Running IS a very difficult activity to start and uses different muscles. It will take awhile for your body to adapt and you'll feel like you have the plods for awhile. You have to expect it to feel "hard" at first and and be persistent. I love it for cross training and to be outside.
To start:
Get good running shoes from a real running store where they can give you advice on what type of shoe you need depending on whether your foot is wide or narrow or whether you have a high arch or not.
Stretch before and, more importantly, after.
Start with a minimal distance. Depends how fit you are. Maybe even just a mile at first. I think I started with 2 miles.
Only go up 10% a week. This is really important. If you ramp it up too quickly (as I have done in the past), you are susceptible to all sorts of stuff like shin splints and tendonitis and stress fractures. SO GO SLOW.
Don't run multiple days in a row. Give yourself some recovery time.
Don't let your ipod, if you use one, lure you into running further than you should.
Make sure you're properly hydrated.
I'm sure some other runners and triathletes here can give you more specific advice. Poolraat? Bill?
Have fun! Good luck!
