Running, Walking, Weights, and Pilates!

How funny Dance Girl. You just made me look at my hands. I better start taking better care of them. My face looks really young but my hands are getting a beat down.

i haven't experienced that just yet and i am forty-something. i love my resistance training i get with my bowflex. genetics, i'm sure, plays a huge role.

Tuna ><((((*> the other white meat!

And some people just have bigger veins that are closer to the skin surface - like Angelina Jolie.  And my middle school PE teacher.

On a treadmill. you will be able to run a very noticable faster pace with the same effort and heartrate and for a longer time.  Running on the street, you are pushing your weight across a horizontal plane and that takes more work - mostly your butt and the backs of your legs.  Running slight hills makes a huge difference.  On a treadmill, you are keeping up with a moving belt while your mass stays in the same place.  Your legs are not pushing your body through space - an incline adds effort but your mass is still in the same place.  So that's why it's easier.

I look forward to overnight trips because I love the occasional treadmill workout.  Because I know I can go faster and sooner on a treadmill, I know to start my speed at 8mph (7.5 pace) and within a minute or two, Ill bump it up and cruise at 8.5-9 mph for the next 45 minutes.  That's a WAY faster pace I can sustain for 45 min when I'm running on the street.  I can't run anywhere near that fast on the road.

And isn't it weird when you just stop all of a sudden and get off?  Heh.. it's like you have no control over your legs and they just want to walk off on their own.  I know you're supposed to taper down, but sometimes I'm short on time and it's just funny to have your legs walk away without you telling them to.  I know... I'm goofy.

But back on the machine... with my legs moving that fast on a belt, there's little room for error.  I have to concentrate and I can't be looking around the room or at a TV unless it's right in front of me.  I keep my eyes to myself if there are other types of "distractions".  And unless there's a water bottle holder on the console, I do without. 

yes! i initially purchased the tread for my home gym because when it is 105 degrees at 6am, i need to be running indoors, not out. the only drawback is the risk of foot injury, which is simply due to repetitive landing. this article here is excellent and a real must read for tread users! especially new ones.

Tuna ><((((*> the other white meat!

please do! it should be the type of material/information included in the owners manual.

Tuna ><((((*> the other white meat!

Well I just came from the podiatrist and yes i strained all the muscles in both feet. She told me i could still use the elliptical if i wanted to, but to keep the incline at 20 or below or above 30 to avoid strain on my calves/ankles etc. So im on meds for the swelling and was told to put ice packs on every evening for 5 days. Ugh, I hope this works.

Yes, i've learned my lesson, i was too gung ho to get fit too quick. I will definitely be pacing myself from now on. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast

I am back in full swing, but avoiding that "devil" machine. LOL. The feet FINALLY went down after the long drive to VA. Funny I know, but the morning of July 4, I had my slim feet back. So I am back to normal in the gym, but will be careful never to overdo it again on any machine. Thanks for asking 2na

how long of a break did you give your feet? at least a week? then yes, if it were me, i would see a podiatrist.

Tuna ><((((*> the other white meat!

I'd go to a doctor about...NOW! It's not normal and I think you should have it checked out!

Thanks Stevie..i will try that when i go back, im gonna rest it up for a few days. Also should i be wearing running or walking sneakers or another kind....? I was on such a roll i hope i dont lose my momentum because i know how easily that happens.

yes. and different types of running shoes as well. i use a different type for street running than i do on my treadmill. i prefer nike shox turbo+VI for my treadmill, and the nike shox experience for pavement/street running. but everyone has their own preference. stevie has also made some good recs. look for his posts here as well.

related to the treadmill injury, this happened to me when i first got my tread. if you are using the incline feature on the treadmill, you will experience arch pain and soreness. this is common. running inside is so different than outside. your foot lands in the same spot and position each time. thus being repetitive and causing the aches. good shoes will help. also, give it a rest for a few days. once it feels healed, then get back on with the new shoes and you will notice/feel a difference.

Tuna ><((((*> the other white meat!

I can't do that.  Never been able to time it out.  Or hula-hoop.  Just can't.

I will pay good money to see you hula hooping!!!!  

Stevie - do you incorporate any resistance into your routine/runs?

Tuna ><((((*> the other white meat!

i totally agee with you. and it is NOT fun. there are days that i am so dragging *ass* that i have to bargain with myself to get through it. however, this article did it for me, and husband-of-mine, who is only 3 years younger. he thinks i am a "genetic freak" because i've managed to maintain my same size and weight since 8th grade. four kids and 19.5 years of marriage later, i feel and look fabulous! but i also enjoy sweets like there is no tomorrow!

Tuna ><((((*> the other white meat!

thanks, me too! when i initially asked, hubby wanted to see what type of interest the "exercise" subject would generate. if we have enough interested and active members, we will eventually get the exercise forum area we are seeking. fingers crossed & stay active on this thread!

Tuna ><((((*> the other white meat!

Some bio-mechanics just can't be fixed by shoes or inserts.  Podiatrists who are good at sports-type corrections are rare and even then, sometimes THEY can't figure things out.  I assume someone has watched your stride and gait from several angles.   Are you a clopper, heel-striker or a ball-striker?  Did they tell you to try to alter anything?

I'm lucky... my foot lands where it is "supposed to".  I land on the outside edge of my heel and roll inward as my foot rolls forward and I spring off of the middle-inside ball area.  You can see this wear pattern on the sole of my shoes.  I use Asics DS Trainers and support my higher-than-normal arches with Powersteps inserts.  I use Powersteps in everything but my sandals.

My wife's feet used to bother her.  She's a pharmacist and although she only works a few days a week, the day is long and her feet hurt.  She tried a few types of running/walking shoes at my advice (even Powersteps) but the shoes that finally worked are Easyspirit Traveltime.  She absolutely loves them.  But I don't think they would make good running shoes...

As far as the techno-shoes go, I have never used the pumps but a few years ago, I was given a pair of Nike "robot" shoes to try.  These had a mechanism that supposedly adjusted as you ran.  They were heavy, uncomfortable (for me), and not very well cushioned.

Barefoot running?  No.  Never.  Not for me anyway.  I like my knees.  Haha!  I even wear runners if I'm doing my run on a beach.  The one time I ran barefoot in the sand, I got a huge blister on my big toe.  Massive, puffy blister.  When I drained it, it created a puddle and kids gathered wanting to know when the wading pool was going to be ready.  This was from a short 4-mile run close to the water where the sand is wet and packed.  I'll never do that again.

I have used a type of shoe called "racing flats" which are minimally cushioned and very light.  The idea is to train in a heavier shoe and wear the flats on race day to give you "happy feet".  Flats are typically good for 100 miles or less then you pitch them.

So anyway... I do prefer pavement AND cushioned shoes.  I hope you find something that works.

One time I had a running injury which needed therapy and a sports-injury specialist looked at my walking and running mechanics.  I have one foot that lands a bit differently when I run (I sprained it really bad in HS football) and he glued a 1/8" piece of rubber on some arch supports I was already using.  I don't think he knew much cause that thing made the problem worse.  I tore it off after 3 days.

I would like to meet someone like you are talking about who knows their stuff.

has anyone tried the MBT line of shoes? a swiss made fitness shoe that claims to change your life forever. *it better do dishes!* i'm thinking that for $149 for a pair of sport sandals, and $300 for the trainers, i am going to need some "word of mouth" feedback first! if not, i'll just have to buy them so i can provide the feedback to others.

anyone?

 

Tuna ><((((*> the other white meat!