PM: CB41

Just catching up. I run regularly, I do marathons and everything. But not six years ago I literally couldn't run a mile. Running/jogging is for me because it's low-hassle - none of this jump-in-the-car-pay-to-park-it-pay-to-get-in-a-gym/pool-jump-back-in-the-car s**t, just kit on and outside. And the only thing to spend on is the shoes, it really really doesn't matter what else you wear.

When I started I just walked briskly for half an hour. Then for 40 minutes. Then started jogging a hundred yards a few times per walk. And so on. At some indefinable point you become A Runner. In my case an old, slow, fat one, but who gives a s**t. Running 2-3 miles regularly three times a week is a good "checkpoint". Then get it up to 3-4 miles four times a week. Most stop there, but I've got the kind of personality that's not sure when to stop, really.

Good shoes really are important, though, as is warming up properly before and stretching properly after (I thought it was a load of old squit. Damaged most of myself in one way or another proving myself wrong. Learn from my mistakes :-)

At first, any good make running shoe will do - Nike, Asics, Saucony, all the brands you've heard of, whatever's on offer. I always get "the shoe from two years ago" - it's bloody good quality, certainly for someone of my (lack of) athletic ability, engineered to really high standards, but about a third of the price because all the cool kids want this year's model, or at least last year's, and the shops want rid of the old stuff.

Later, if you get really into it, you can think about the right fabrics for your top, when to use Vaseline and so on (yes it sounds funny - ha ha - but I made my nipples bleed a few times before I gave in and put a blob of Vaseline on each before any run over about 45 minutes or so). But at first you need none of that.

Swimming is technically better exercise in a lot of ways, but involves a lot of faff I can't be bothered with. Your mileage may vary. Whatever, you'll feel a million times better after a few weeks whatever you do. Good luck mate.

Posted By: Old Man, Jul 17, 20:17:37