Any runners here?

[DoubleJ]

I haven't been running in about three months now, and I can feel it. I stopped running for a while because my beloved dog of 15 years was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and I gave him close care. He died two weeks ago.

Now I'm looking to get back into running. When I was doing it regularly, I had a resting heart rate of just under 45. Right now it's in the mid 50s.

If you are a runner, how did you get back into it after a break? Did you find it easy to pick up again? I've only had one other long break myself, and I don't remember having any troubles getting my distance up quickly.

What do you recommend for getting back into the groove?

[Blckman]

Originally Posted by DoubleJ

I haven't been running in about three months now, and I can feel it. I stopped running for a while because my beloved dog of 15 years was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and I gave him close care. He died two weeks ago.

Now I'm looking to get back into running. When I was doing it regularly, I had a resting heart rate of just under 45. Right now it's in the mid 50s.

If you are a runner, how did you get back into it after a break? Did you find it easy to pick up again? I've only had one other long break myself, and I don't remember having any troubles getting my distance up quickly.

What do you recommend for getting back into the groove?

Wow DoubleJ. I am so excited because I've ran track and cross-country since I was in Jr. High School. This is the happiest I've been since joining the forum. Now, I would say your at least 20 years up on me. That doesn't matter though. However, the age factor does make a difference in this specific case. I put in about 12 miles a week at the Rose Bowl. That's pretty good for someone that is a sprinter. I would assume you're a long distance runner. If so, then you have slow-twitch muscles versus my fast twitch. Oxygen gets to your muscles much faster and longer for long distance running. Me, It's 9 to 48 seconds expanding from the 100m to 400m. Sorry for all of the jargin, but I'm working up to the point. When I take a break for that long I tend to jog at half the pace I usually run. Another thing I do is let's say you're normal run is about a 5k(3.1 miles exactly). I would run 1.5 miles at my normal pace and then break it down to a jog during the second half of the 3.1 miles. You can also do intervals. Meaning, run 3 miles and walk a mile.

Now, I must say as runner you probably know at your age that your diet and conditions have to be right. To ellaborate. I don't eat any red meat and haven't since I was 15. I'm in my 30's and that's why people say I still look like a young 20 something. I'm telling you that what you put in your stomach after a long layoff at your age can play a pivotal role in your recovery. I would say also stress that it has always been known that many long distance runners have problems with their knees and joints because of the asphault you run on can just tear up your joints and knees over time. Try to stay grass and trails. Trail running is great for runners of all likes. It's more giving on the legs. Running on the asphault is like a basket player playing for years on the hardwood. It evenutally just tears your legs up. At your age your metabolism has slowed down considerably. Dring plenty of water to help get the oxygen to the lungs quicker.

Why am I telling you all this? Because Track and Field and running has and always will be a part of my life. It is my favorite sport. I'm a running nut. Lastly, I also stated above that the conditions have to be right. If you can't get out in the outdoors on a trail because it gets darker earlier(now that the time has changed), you can supplement a running workout for a treadmill at the gym or at home. I usually start out at 7.0mph on a treadmill and break down the last say half mile at 9.5 mph. That's a nice 800m pace at that point for speed work. I'm just giving you an example of my regular workouts. Also, have incorporated weights and squatting into your routine? If you ever have a layoff like that again, than try something else that is aerobic such as jumping rope. This is a great alternative to running. Say, try 1500-2000 reps. It helps me when I feel like doing something totally different to work my cardiovascular system. Good luck and thank you so much for sharing your exeperience. Hopefully, I have helped a bit.

[rn101787]

Wel I was going to say something simliar to what he did, but since he just wrote you a book, there you go. THanks lol.

[BostonMA]

Originally Posted by DoubleJ

I haven't been running in about three months now, and I can feel it. I stopped running for a while because my beloved dog of 15 years was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and I gave him close care. He died two weeks ago.

Now I'm looking to get back into running. When I was doing it regularly, I had a resting heart rate of just under 45. Right now it's in the mid 50s.

If you are a runner, how did you get back into it after a break? Did you find it easy to pick up again? I've only had one other long break myself, and I don't remember having any troubles getting my distance up quickly.

What do you recommend for getting back into the groove?

sorry to hear about your dog, i ran for about 9 months from march of 08 to the following decemeber to lose weight and maintain it. when i wanted to start bulking up i stopped running and lifted much more, now i'm where i'm at to want to maintain, but i havent gained any added weight since so i haven't started running again. i dont think it'd be too bad at all to get back on it, but for me i ran on a treadmill, and did a combination of fast runs for half of a mile and speed walking to catch my breath for the next quarter. i might get back at it if i start gaining unwanted weight, but i'm lifting enough that the food i do eat gets used up the right way, so i think i'll be all set.

[JSmith]

All i can really say is... If you have been away from it for a while would be to build up gradually. Start off with a route you think you can handle to start off with. Dont bite off more than you can chew or you could put yourself off running for good. Gradually add on a little over time and most importantly.

Dont think about your age, think about what YOU believe you are capable of doing. Take it easy and after some time you will be back into it like you were before.

[DoubleJ]

Thanks, guys, so much, for the feedback/advice! FYI, I had my dog since I was 14, so that puts me at 29 years old now. My diet is rather fantastic for the most part, but I still sometimes put stuff in my system that is not healthy. No red meat whatsoever here, and I hardly eat any other meat.

Also, Blckman, yeah, I'm happy to start a thread here about running. I searched and didn't see one, but figured there had to be some runners on here.

[Blckman]

Originally Posted by DoubleJ

Thanks, guys, so much, for the feedback/advice! FYI, I had my dog since I was 14, so that puts me at 29 years old now. My diet is rather fantastic for the most part, but I still sometimes put stuff in my system that is not healthy. No red meat whatsoever here, and I hardly eat any other meat.

Also, Blckman, yeah, I'm happy to start a thread here about running. I searched and didn't see one, but figured there had to be some runners on here.

I'm so sorry about your dog DoubleJ. The wifey and I are looking for a cocker and a bigger dog right now. Just so expensive. I know the dog was a big part of your life. It's in a better place. We'll continue this forum and thread. I'm always thinking of new ways to get the ultimate workout in. I do have two other things you can do to work back that cardio gradually. How about stair climbing. I think I'm a real nut sometimes. If you find say ten flights of long stairs, then it's actually twenty in between say a building floor or outside near the beach. Try walking up them and working your way up to an all-out sprint. It burns the thighs up, but it works. Also, I don't know if you have one in Texas. But right down here in Manhattan Beach,CA is a park we call San Dune Park. It is amazing. You have these million dollar homes right behind it. It is one of the worst workouts I have ever done in my life. Everyone does it. This will get you going. Try sand running if you live near a beach in Texas. Check this out people. Many entertainers and athletes like the Lakers and football players on the off season do this workout. If you can run up this steep hill once without breaking a sweat you are in excellent shape. Good luck.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/sand-dune-park-manhattan-beach

[DoubleJ]

Went running tonight for the first time in a long time. Did just under seven miles, but near half of that was walking because my right knee began to hurt. This happened the last time, but I kept up every night after and my knee only hurt the first night.

I'm not sure if there are any places in the area available for sand running, but thanks for the suggestions. Regarding stairs, though, I love the idea. I'll look into it. There's a small gym on site here at my apartment complex, but I don't remember seeing a stair climber. I'll double-check.

In terms of the knees going bad, it has never happened to me. I also play basketball, although I haven't played it much at all during the last three months either.

Thanks for the support and everything. Losing my dog was one of the toughest things ever because he was the most consistent thing in my life for 15 years. Hard to come home from work and walk in the front door and not see him there.