Questions for the runners

Arkitech

Diamond Member
Apr 13, 2000
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I just started running again over the last couple of weeks and my progress is somewhat slow. I still can't run a full mile, I can jog that far but not flat out run.

Any tips or suggestions for a new runner?

As of this week I'm also incorporating at least 1-2 hours of walking into my fitness program. I'm hoping this will help build my stamina without putting too much stress on my joints.
 

Literati

Golden Member
Jan 13, 2005
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Yes, when you think you're going to die, keep running.

I run a little, and one thing I've noticed is a lot of new runners seem to taper off when they get decently tired.

By the end of a real run, at first, you should feel like your going to pass out / vomit.

It sucks, but it will get you up to speed pretty quickly.

[edit]

Also try to stay consistent.

I like running around my neighborhood instead of the track because there's tons of hills around here, all different lengths, sizes and steepness.

After I hit the hills for a few weeks, running on flat ground is like cheating.

You'll get something called a second wind after awhile. It took me a long time to get it the first time, probably around two months of running everyday.

Then I stopped for awhile, and recently started running again and it came back quick, in like 2 weeks.
 

You know you're working hard when you feel nauseous. Seriously, when your body is sending all its blood to your muscles and doesn't have enough for your digestive system, you're getting a great workout.

In the beginning, that's how you'll know that you're getting better. After a while, the nauseousness will stop and a hard run will just feel good.
 

Literati

Golden Member
Jan 13, 2005
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Originally posted by: jumpr
You know you're working hard when you feel nauseous. Seriously, when your body is sending all its blood to your muscles and doesn't have enough for your digestive system, you're getting a great workout.

In the beginning, that's how you'll know that you're getting better. After a while, the nauseousness will stop and a hard run will just feel good.

Amen to that.
 

Arkitech

Diamond Member
Apr 13, 2000
8,356
4
76
Originally posted by: jumpr
You know you're working hard when you feel nauseous. Seriously, when your body is sending all its blood to your muscles and doesn't have enough for your digestive system, you're getting a great workout.

In the beginning, that's how you'll know that you're getting better. After a while, the nauseousness will stop and a hard run will just feel good.

I felt like that this morning, I was hauling ass. Another thing that burns me out is when I do the side skip kind of thing (not sure what they call it). I also try to do at least half a lap of where I just run as fast as possible, which probably looks pretty damn hilarious considering I'm 270.
 

Originally posted by: Arkitech
Originally posted by: jumpr
You know you're working hard when you feel nauseous. Seriously, when your body is sending all its blood to your muscles and doesn't have enough for your digestive system, you're getting a great workout.

In the beginning, that's how you'll know that you're getting better. After a while, the nauseousness will stop and a hard run will just feel good.

I felt like that this morning, I was hauling ass. Another thing that burns me out is when I do the side skip kind of thing (not sure what they call it). I also try to do at least half a lap of where I just run as fast as possible, which probably looks pretty damn hilarious considering I'm 270.
It might look hilarious now but it won't look hilarious when you're down to 230 or so.
 

Arkitech

Diamond Member
Apr 13, 2000
8,356
4
76
Originally posted by: jumpr
Originally posted by: Arkitech
Originally posted by: jumpr
You know you're working hard when you feel nauseous. Seriously, when your body is sending all its blood to your muscles and doesn't have enough for your digestive system, you're getting a great workout.

In the beginning, that's how you'll know that you're getting better. After a while, the nauseousness will stop and a hard run will just feel good.

I felt like that this morning, I was hauling ass. Another thing that burns me out is when I do the side skip kind of thing (not sure what they call it). I also try to do at least half a lap of where I just run as fast as possible, which probably looks pretty damn hilarious considering I'm 270.
It might look hilarious now but it won't look hilarious when you're down to 230 or so.

thanks for the encouragement

I changed my entire diet as well, absolutely no fast food or junk food. I cook everything I eat now, I'm trying to stick with veggies, brown rice, turkey, chicken and the occasional steak. I even bought a juicer last weekend and I try to drink at least a glass of fresh vegetable juice in the morning and a homemade fruit smoothie in the evening. I'm also doing full body workouts (w/ free weights) at least 3-4 times a week.

 

James3shin

Diamond Member
Apr 5, 2004
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Don't stop...ever. Not for a untied lace, not for water, not for anything. Just keep going till you reach your desired distance.
 

91TTZ

Lifer
Jan 31, 2005
14,374
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One thing I'd like to point out is that my physique changed from I went from running longer distance to running sprints/football. Running distance is great cardio but it seemed to stop me from getting more muscular and I definitely lost explosiveness when I ran. I did lose weight, but I seemed to look a bit soft when I did that, I guess because I lost both muscle and fat. Doing sprints seemed to cut me up and make me more muscular looking and explosive.
 

91TTZ

Lifer
Jan 31, 2005
14,374
1
0
Originally posted by: Arkitech
I'm also doing full body workouts (w/ free weights) at least 3-4 times a week.

I don't know if it works this way for everyone, but when I used to do full body workouts I couldn't get as big. I have a real hard time putting on muscle, I seem to only want to be skinny or fat. Then I started doing one muscle group a day, and doing that every week. This way, I got better workouts.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,137
18,685
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Originally posted by: 91TTZ
One thing I'd like to point out is that my physique changed from I went from running longer distance to running sprints/football. Running distance is great cardio but it seemed to stop me from getting more muscular and I definitely lost explosiveness when I ran. I did lose weight, but I seemed to look a bit soft when I did that, I guess because I lost both muscle and fat. Doing sprints seemed to cut me up and make me more muscular looking and explosive.

Yep, I noticed much the same thing. Though I remained "cut," I lost a lot of size. I now do high intensity cardio for 20-30 minutes instead of running for an hour. After changing, putting on muscle was much easier.

There's a reason marathon runners look like holocaust survivors, and sprinters look built.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,137
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Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: Arkitech
I'm also doing full body workouts (w/ free weights) at least 3-4 times a week.

I don't know if it works this way for everyone, but when I used to do full body workouts I couldn't get as big. I have a real hard time putting on muscle, I seem to only want to be skinny or fat. Then I started doing one muscle group a day, and doing that every week. This way, I got better workouts.

Yep again.

Ask Red Dawn. I suggested this very thing and he exploded in size. It worked wonders for me, too.

Example of a week for me:

Mon: Chest and tris
Tue: Back and calves
Wed: Off
Thu: Shoulders and bis
Fri: Legs

I take the weekends off.
 

Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
One thing I'd like to point out is that my physique changed from I went from running longer distance to running sprints/football. Running distance is great cardio but it seemed to stop me from getting more muscular and I definitely lost explosiveness when I ran. I did lose weight, but I seemed to look a bit soft when I did that, I guess because I lost both muscle and fat. Doing sprints seemed to cut me up and make me more muscular looking and explosive.

Yep, I noticed much the same thing. Though I remained "cut," I lost a lot if size. I now do high intensity cardio for 20-30 minutes instead of running for an hour. After changing, putting on muscle was much easier.

There's a reason marathon runners look like holocaust survivors, and sprinters look built.
I'm proud of my emaciation! :)
 

Arkitech

Diamond Member
Apr 13, 2000
8,356
4
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Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: Arkitech
I'm also doing full body workouts (w/ free weights) at least 3-4 times a week.

I don't know if it works this way for everyone, but when I used to do full body workouts I couldn't get as big. I have a real hard time putting on muscle, I seem to only want to be skinny or fat. Then I started doing one muscle group a day, and doing that every week. This way, I got better workouts.

About 10 years ago I used to do full body workouts and I put on quite a bit of muscle and reduced my body fat to under 8%. Back then I lifted almost everyday, played b-ball frequently and I even did a lot of cycling. I also ate like a horse and drank beer by the gallons.

I'm hoping now that I know a lot more about bodybuilding and nutrition that I can eventually regain that physique. How are you progressing now, are you seeing any muscle gains? How many times a week are you weight training?
 

Arkitech

Diamond Member
Apr 13, 2000
8,356
4
76
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: Arkitech
I'm also doing full body workouts (w/ free weights) at least 3-4 times a week.

I don't know if it works this way for everyone, but when I used to do full body workouts I couldn't get as big. I have a real hard time putting on muscle, I seem to only want to be skinny or fat. Then I started doing one muscle group a day, and doing that every week. This way, I got better workouts.

Yep again.

Ask Red Dawn. I suggested this very thing and he exploded in size. It worked wonders for me, too.

Example of a week for me:

Mon: Chest and tris
Tue: Back and calves
Wed: Off
Thu: Shoulders and bis
Fri: Legs

I take the weekends off.


I'll probably move into doing splits like that, but for now I think the full body workout might help me lose fat a little faster. In fact I got the idea from the August issue of Men's Fitness. It definitely makes me sweat I feel much stronger after only a week.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,137
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Originally posted by: Arkitech
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: Arkitech
I'm also doing full body workouts (w/ free weights) at least 3-4 times a week.

I don't know if it works this way for everyone, but when I used to do full body workouts I couldn't get as big. I have a real hard time putting on muscle, I seem to only want to be skinny or fat. Then I started doing one muscle group a day, and doing that every week. This way, I got better workouts.

Yep again.

Ask Red Dawn. I suggested this very thing and he exploded in size. It worked wonders for me, too.

Example of a week for me:

Mon: Chest and tris
Tue: Back and calves
Wed: Off
Thu: Shoulders and bis
Fri: Legs

I take the weekends off.


I'll probably move into doing splits like that, but for now I think the full body workout might help me lose fat a little faster. In fact I got the idea from the August issue of Men's Fitness. It definitely makes me sweat I feel much stronger after only a week.

Fat loss comes from cardio. Weight training builds muscle. Neither does a very good job at the other.

If you're going to weight train, do it right.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,137
18,685
146
Originally posted by: Arkitech
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: Arkitech
I'm also doing full body workouts (w/ free weights) at least 3-4 times a week.

I don't know if it works this way for everyone, but when I used to do full body workouts I couldn't get as big. I have a real hard time putting on muscle, I seem to only want to be skinny or fat. Then I started doing one muscle group a day, and doing that every week. This way, I got better workouts.

About 10 years ago I used to do full body workouts and I put on quite a bit of muscle and reduced my body fat to under 8%. Back then I lifted almost everyday, played b-ball frequently and I even did a lot of cycling. I also ate like a horse and drank beer by the gallons.

I'm hoping now that I know a lot more about bodybuilding and nutrition that I can eventually regain that physique. How are you progressing now, are you seeing any muscle gains? How many times a week are you weight training?

Your fat loss came from cycling and basketball.

Full body workouts are a waste of time. Do a split and you'll see MUCH better results faster.
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
you have to set your distance about a mile to a mile and a half (depending on where you are, since you said you are nw) of how much you think you can do...

your gonna feel like hell and everything in your body is gonne be saying, F you Pal, I cant do this!....but you gotta keep going...thats how..
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: Arkitech
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: Arkitech
I'm also doing full body workouts (w/ free weights) at least 3-4 times a week.

I don't know if it works this way for everyone, but when I used to do full body workouts I couldn't get as big. I have a real hard time putting on muscle, I seem to only want to be skinny or fat. Then I started doing one muscle group a day, and doing that every week. This way, I got better workouts.

About 10 years ago I used to do full body workouts and I put on quite a bit of muscle and reduced my body fat to under 8%. Back then I lifted almost everyday, played b-ball frequently and I even did a lot of cycling. I also ate like a horse and drank beer by the gallons.

I'm hoping now that I know a lot more about bodybuilding and nutrition that I can eventually regain that physique. How are you progressing now, are you seeing any muscle gains? How many times a week are you weight training?

Your fat loss came from cycling and basketball.

Full body workouts are a waste of time. Do a split and you'll see MUCH better results faster.


full boldy workouts are NOT a waste of time...maybe i misunderstood you, but powerlifting is the basis behind everything....if you are after results fine...but you won't be that strong...full body is neccesary to lift properly and if you play sports it is a must

i hate to break it to you but just becuase u like curling and not doing that much...the guy over at the olympic lift that may not be as toned is getting stronger than you...

sorry if i misunderstood you though, if i did nvm ;)
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,137
18,685
146
Originally posted by: Son of a N00b
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: Arkitech
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: Arkitech
I'm also doing full body workouts (w/ free weights) at least 3-4 times a week.

I don't know if it works this way for everyone, but when I used to do full body workouts I couldn't get as big. I have a real hard time putting on muscle, I seem to only want to be skinny or fat. Then I started doing one muscle group a day, and doing that every week. This way, I got better workouts.

About 10 years ago I used to do full body workouts and I put on quite a bit of muscle and reduced my body fat to under 8%. Back then I lifted almost everyday, played b-ball frequently and I even did a lot of cycling. I also ate like a horse and drank beer by the gallons.

I'm hoping now that I know a lot more about bodybuilding and nutrition that I can eventually regain that physique. How are you progressing now, are you seeing any muscle gains? How many times a week are you weight training?

Your fat loss came from cycling and basketball.

Full body workouts are a waste of time. Do a split and you'll see MUCH better results faster.


full boldy workouts are NOT a waste of time...maybe i misunderstood you, but powerlifting is the basis behind everything....if you are after results fine...but you won't be that strong...full body is neccesary to lift properly and if you play sports it is a must

i hate to break it to you but just becuase u like curling and not doing that much...the guy over at the olympic lift that may not be as toned is getting stronger than you...

sorry if i misunderstood you though, if i did nvm ;)

You misunderstood me.

Full body workout = working the entire body every workout, 3-4 days a week.

Split = working individual body parts on different days of the week.

Example of a week for me:

Mon: Chest and tris
Tue: Back and calves
Wed: Off
Thu: Shoulders and bis
Fri: Legs

I take the weekends off.

The split is MUCH more effective at building muscle.
 

91TTZ

Lifer
Jan 31, 2005
14,374
1
0
Originally posted by: Arkitech
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: Arkitech
I'm also doing full body workouts (w/ free weights) at least 3-4 times a week.

I don't know if it works this way for everyone, but when I used to do full body workouts I couldn't get as big. I have a real hard time putting on muscle, I seem to only want to be skinny or fat. Then I started doing one muscle group a day, and doing that every week. This way, I got better workouts.

About 10 years ago I used to do full body workouts and I put on quite a bit of muscle and reduced my body fat to under 8%. Back then I lifted almost everyday, played b-ball frequently and I even did a lot of cycling. I also ate like a horse and drank beer by the gallons.

I'm hoping now that I know a lot more about bodybuilding and nutrition that I can eventually regain that physique. How are you progressing now, are you seeing any muscle gains? How many times a week are you weight training?

I'm progressing slowly. I'm not a naturally "built" guy so I need to work out a lot just to get small gains. I have no problem gaining/losing weight, I just can't hold the muscle if I lose the weight, and I can't prevent fat from packing on if I gain weight, even slowly. I was lifting about 5 days a week and didn't see much gain. Then I stopped going so much and started playing football. Then I saw gains, from sprinting so much. So I now lift about 3 days a week and play football about 3 days a week.

My bodyfat won't go much below 12%. Normally it holds around 15%, and if I really work on it I can get it down to about 12%, but that requires eating like a bodybuilder 100% of the time. If I try to cut down, I will just lose muscle.

 

As stated before, just don't give up. Keep at it, run until you feel like you are going to black out, and then run some more. Keep it safe, but push yourself. DON'T EVER GIVE UP. Give it awhile and you will be gaining like crazy, your body just has to adjust.
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,547
6,371
126
you don't want to workout the same muscles more than once every 4-5 days. I personally workout each muscle 1 time a week, and I do cardio high intensity for 25-30 mins 3 - 4 times a week too. before i went to Aruba i was doing the following:

Monday: Chest/triceps
Tuesday: Back/biceps
Thursday: Shoulders/Abs

I would do high intensity cardio on the eliptical machine for 25-30 minutes (about 80-85 rpm) each of those days as well, aftter i lifted weights. i don't do my legs just yet because my ankle still isn't fully healed since I broke it in january.

I would consider myself pretty muscular looking.

However since i've been back I've been slacking a little bit :p. But trust me and what the other guys are saying, you DO NOT NEED TO WORKOUT a muscle more than once every 4-5 days. if you are working out your full body 3 times a week, that is not good for you. i used to over train and i was very VERY cut, but i weighed only 155lbs and could only bench 155lbs like 6 times or so.

when i changed to doing each muscle 1 time a week i gained about 30lbs in weight (over some time of course) and i can bench my body weight (185lbs) probably 15 times or so if i tried. i just wasn't trainig properly before.

EDIT: and Amused, your plan looks good, you seem to know what you are doing. however i have a recommendation to you. Do your back/biceps in the same day. i see you do your chest/tri in the same day, which is good, because your triceps are a secondary muscle being worked out when you do your chest. The same goes for your biceps when working out your back. your biceps are secondary when doing your back, and you will get better bicep results doing your biceps right after your back exercise. when i changed my routine from my old one (i did chest/biceps same day) i saw MUCH better results.

i would also do calves in the same day as your legs, since it is part of the leg as well :p, but thats just me.