In an attempt (a permanent one, I hope) I've picked up running with my girlfriend. What's a good distance to start at for someone pretty out of shape? Should I change speeds or go at a constant (comfortable but not easy) pace? Should I occasionally take breaks? Any tips on this would be good...

everythings gradual. set a goal for a mile without stopping at whatever pace of jogging that is for you. listen to your body and if it starts to hurt or get tough push yourself for longer then if it just gets tougher slow your pace and if you cant push that on walk for a minute and try again at the slow pace and try to work yourself up.

i have a theory nearly everyone can run a mile without stopping within a week of practice

yeah, a mile is a pretty good starting point.


theory fails!

Do you smoke? That was the absolute biggest hindrance I had when I started running.

Other than that, just start out slow. Figure out a route, run half a mile, walk about 30 seconds, and run half a mile back. Keep increasing the distance every few days. The first several days will be hell, after that you get used to it. At the beginning of the summer, I was running about 1.25 miles and having trouble, and now I'm up to about 3 miles without stopping. The only thing that holds me back is my knee is fucked and starts to hurt after awhile.

Are you jogging on a track, a tradmill, or the sidwalk?

The reason I ask is, jogging on a sidewalk or paved surface is much harder on your joints and body than jogging on a jogging track or a treadmill. If you want to jog outside, that's fine, however, I'd start out walking to strengthen up your legs a tad and get them used to it so you dont start out by giving yourself massive shin splints and then never jogging again.

I think the best idea would be to start out on a treadmill and and jog 10 or 15 minutes at a time, then walk that much. Base it on time right now and not distance. try that for a week, then go a little farther ... you're more concerned with getting your heart rate up and keeping it at a specific level for a given amount of time than you are about going for distance vs. time.

After you've been doing that a few times a week for a few months, get a really good pair of jogging shoes and try it outside ...

if I jog outside I prefer jogging on dirt roads, or up in the mountains int he trees when the ground is soft with pine needles and whatnot.

ive heard treadmills are worse for you then street running. ive heard of a few people blowing their knees doing that

I don't see how that's possible .... unless you had one that was completley screwed up or something...?

I'm actually running at a park nearby. I've done the walking thing for 3 weeks now (the part of town I live in is centralized, so I'm right near EVERYTHING and in walking distance). Is it better to run in grass or on a track? If a track, I can find one nearby. I'm sure the university has a track I can use.

Also, what's a good drink supplement to go along with running.

And, I don't smoke. My only real habit is that of not working out. But, as you can see, I'm trying to change that.

i like drinking a monster khaos before I go run ... juice, no carbination.

Surfaces to run on in order of best on your knees to worst:

Treadmill
Track
Grass
Concrete/Pavement

I'd find a track and make yourself a GOAL to run for one mile without stopping. One mile on a track = 4 laps. If you can't make it the whole mile that's alright just stop and walk for a few minutes and then start up running again. I'd do this for about 3 or 4 days out of the week and in two weeks see if you can finish the mile. Once you can do that up your goal to 2 miles without stopping, again running 3 or 4 times a week. As you progress you can keep upping your goal and then branch out to running through parks on grass or through neighborhoods on the sidewalk. Just don't try to do too much at once, listen to your body.

As you're running around the track every two laps switch direction. You don't want to keep running the same direction because it will put too much strain on one knee (from the turns) and fuck your knee up.

The speed you run at should be comfortable enough for you to have a conversation with someone running next to you. If you find you're gasping for air, that's too fast. Personally, I run very slow but I still get a good workout. Speed is a minor factor. If you want to get technical you can get a heart rate monitor and keep your heart rate in the optimum zone for weight loss.

When I first started I couldn't run longer than a 1/4 of a mile without stopping. Within a year I could run 6 miles without stopping.

If you're trying to get in shape remember that cardio/running is only one aspect of what you need to focus on. Nutrition, resistance training, and stretching are three other things you need to pay attention to. If you focus on only one (cardio/running) but neglect the other three you won't see much change. When you have all 4 balanced completely you'll be amazed at the results. Stretching is the main thing people ignore, I can't stress enough not to ignore that one.

Lastly, download this: http://www.techsans.net/lance/Burn_the_Fat...Plus_Extras.zip

really good fat burner when you have access to a track:

sprint the straightaways as hard as you can and walk the turns.

you people are silly


i wouldnt drink juice as an energy booster before you run. the sugar will give you cramps

But that's the only way I'll know what it's like to feel like a girl without wearing a dress and sucking cock and whatnot .....