Jogging!

[Scribbly]

Didn't see a single thread, so yes, Jogging, man's last resort when it comes to getting your ass off the couch and sport around without paying a dime

This thread is for you people out there who are (or should be) jogging or running or whatever you call it.

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Seriously though, I tried fitness but all I do there is, yes, running. Basically I'm paying to have a tv in front of me while I am.

So jogging then. My reasons are simple, I'm getting kind of a belly and I'm way out of shape. Reasons why I'm not out there right now: Boredom. I run about 8km (5miles), dear jesus I get so bored :D I could easily run twice the distance if it weren't so dull (slight exaggeration there).

So! Here are a few things I've found out that help. Please submit your own, as I could use a little help getting my motivation back:

- Music. Never go out there without a fully charged mp3player with pumped up music of your choice (club, dance, rock, hell I went with lounge once)

If you don't feel like going out with your 800 dollar iPhone, get yourself one of those cheap 128mb ones, that's two hours of music right there

- A goal. I used to run to a friend of mine, just chill with him for about 15 minutes, drink a glass of water, and go back.

- Get a partner. For running that is ^^ Isn't as easy as it sounds. You will need somebody who will be able at the same time/dates, is as motivated as you, runs at about the same speed and isn't going to stop half way through, bitching about how he or she can't go on.

- Go at night. Well that's just me, but I absolutely hate going before, let's say, 17:00. Usually I just eat at 17:00 and go running around 21:00.

[Disgruntledgoat]

Me and my housemate go for a run every couple of days. Not too long, but we're working up to a 6k regular circuit. I say we, he used to run crosscountry for Hertfordshire when he was at school, so its really just a matter of me working on my fitness.

[AngryPaul]

I did a 5k for the British Heart Foundation not too long ago. That was alright. I fancy trying my hand at a half marathon soon. Mainly so I get a medal.

I used tor un, now I'm a gym-goer. However, when I did run I'd listen to podcasts. I found paying attention to what people were saying took my mind off of the dull thud-thud of my feet. It was different to simply 'listening' to music as it took concentration and more brain power. This mean less was focussed on my legs falling off. :)

I think this is the reason I like watching Watchdog while on the cross-trainer.

[Scribbly]

Cool, I try :) Any podcast suggestions?

[AngryPaul]

Cool, I try :) Any podcast suggestions?I personally used to listen to Russell Howard and Jon Richardson (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/rh6m/), Russell Brand (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/brand/) (nice and long, normally an hour+) and The Best Of Chris Moyles (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/moyles/).

I also listened to Diggnation (http://www.diggnation.com/) which is a show looking at the best things found on Digg.com (http://www.digg.com)

The BBC have a good selection of podcasts (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/directory/) to choose from. BBC 6Music also have Adam and Joe which, although I've never lsitened, I imagine to be very good.

[Nuclear Spoon]

Try listening to Dark Side of the Moon whilst running.

I have no idea what the effects are, but I find that album does funny things to people.

[basstard]

I want to take up jogging (as it's free, I have good weather and I need to exercise more).

I'm set in terms of music, I just need to work out how much jogging I should do, as a complete beginner. I suspect the answer is 'it's up to you', but I have no willpower so I would probably manage to the end of the road and back.

Could anyone, therefore, suggest a vaguely reasonable daily target (either distance or time) for a complete beginner, please?

[Scribbly]

You're about my age so unless you're a fat person you should be able to do 5km (within 45 minutes) first time, 8km (within hour) third time

You should run at a speed you're comfortable with. Personally I like to go fast so it's over faster :)

[Boyinabox]

I've been meaning to start doing jogging again for ages now, I try and do 50 minutes at a time on the cross trainer each day but it feels silly being indoors when running. I don't even have an excuse, theres a lovely footpath by the river within a km of my house. :p

A bit of an odd suggestion for a podcast to listen to whilst running but have a try with Adudathuda DVDpodblast (http://www.adudathuda.com/dvdpodblast/index.html), its your standard alternative dvd commentary podcast but it works when running because a) they do films that are so bad that you can either read a one sentance summary of the plot on wikipedia beforehand and know all you need to know or they've been burnt into your brain due to awfulness and b) I find them absolutely hysterical. I'm just like AngryPaul in that I find spoken word a lot easier to run with than music, I tried listening to Underworld whilst running and ran flat out for 9 minutes insync with a track and then absolutely died because I hadn't realised what I was doing.

[mrsnuffles]

Could anyone, therefore, suggest a vaguely reasonable daily target (either distance or time) for a complete beginner, please?

you need to run for about 20 mins minimum to improve aerobic fitness

best way to deal with lack of willpower (in my experience) is to get a gym buddy

[AngryPaul]

You should run at a speed you're comfortable with. Personally I like to go fast so it's over faster :)I differed and did a target time. I liked to do around 45 minutes. This is how much cardiovascular exercise I do at the gym now, so I carried on that trend.

However, if you want to plan a distance run you can use Map My Run (http://www.mapmyrun.co.uk) and you can create a route and find the distance.best way to deal with lack of willpower (in my experience) is to get a gym buddyThis helps a lot if you're not listening to music. It helps set a comfortable pace and also helps you keep going as you think "I don't want to look ghey in front of them"

[Dr S]

I have a Nike+, its great slots into your iPod and tells you how fast your going, how far, time and stuff, and if you don't want to pay loads for the trainers you can just stick it to your own. I also downloaded a training thing from iTunes, its abit expensive but I find it works and really motivates you.

also I only run on my tredmill

[basstard]

You're about my age so unless you're a fat person you should be able to do 5km (within 45 minutes) first time, 8km (within hour) third time

You should run at a speed you're comfortable with. Personally I like to go fast so it's over faster :)

Hah, take that, perception that I am a fat person!

5km done in 41 minutes, from my house to the bassins, in the rain and with the wind against me. (And funnily enough it took me 35 minutes to get back on public transport).

Handily hitting (almost) AP's 45 minutes of jogging target, as well as a distance one.

Also I can't afford gym membership (and frankly all the big machines intimidate me), so gymming is probably out (the school has a fitness room but I'm too fat and don't want to show myself up in front of the pupils), so I will continue with this jogging business, possibly combine it with some swimming.

[Scribbly]

Nicely done basstard ^^

My brother has that ipod/nike thing, is f'in brilliant if you can afford it :) He could actually show me how/long far with charts 'n crap

[AngryPaul]

Handily hitting (almost) AP's 45 minutes of jogging target, as well as a distance one.Well done. Great effort. When I started running I only did about 25 minutes and biult it up. Going for 40+ minutes on the first time shows good determination and stamina.

Did you have a running buddy or were you listening to music?

[Lawrence]

Yeah, i've been trying to ifnd a flak jacket to run in (extra weight). Any ideas where i can find one?

[AngryPaul]

Any real reason it has to be a flak jacket?

Why not get some proper ankle and wrist weights?

[Scribbly]

I just went jogging, pretty nice, I listened to a diggnation podcast :) 's fun

Kind of a bitch when half way through the mp3 player turned off and I couldn't skip to the part where I was

Does anybody have experience with carrying heavy vests or stuff like that? I thought only, ehm, Piccolo did that stuff :D

[Martinus]

I know this might sound like a cop out but the reason I'd been cycling rather than jogging was the low-impact nature of cycling; I've been told by physio's that road running can be quite stressful on your joints.

[AngryPaul]

I know this might sound like a cop out but the reason I'd been cycling rather than jogging was the low-impact nature of cycling; I've been told by physio's that road running can be quite stressful on your joints.It can. Its like a pounding motion whereas cycling is nice and peaceful on your joints. Just means you have to go further! :p

[BekyLou]

I started last week. Really enjoying it, not so much when it rains though...
I always take my mp3 player with me, I couldn't run without it, too boring.
The only problem I'm having is picking a nice route though. I want it to last about an hour for now, until I get used to it all. Oh and I am a bit funny when it comes to running down main roads...or even past houses...just don't want people to see me I guess. So I've been sticking to near the canal that goes through our town. I could go at night but just wouldn't feel safe.