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In this post from late August 2008, I explained how I was going to take up running – four times a week for starters.

As it turns out, someone like me, quite tall, slightly overweight who has never done any kind of actual exercise before, will not be able to “just” do this. Unfortunately, no one told me before it was too late. Here’s what happened.

The experience

First, don’t take any of this as facts, nor professional advice. Consider it an average guy talking from experience and stuff I have read and been told various places.

So, I started running at the beginning of September 2008 and everything went great the first months when I ran 1 and 2 km. I found myself to be quite disciplined and also energized as expected. One month in when I began my 3 km route, my right shin started to hurt. Two weeks later it became really bad. I continued however thinking that it was just bad shape putting an act on. For another week I was able to stand the pain of running 4 km, but after that in the last week I had to give up. For two days I wasn’t able to finish my route anymore, and furthermore, pushing it caused me to nearly not be able to walk for a week or two. I stopped and haven’t run since those weeks back in September-November.

It turns out I had an infection in my shin. A common injury among new runners that should’ve been stopped way earlier. Apparently, it takes up to a year to heal from excessive load caused to your leg.

The comeback

Anyway, I decided to start running again in the new year when I’d be more or less over my injury, and during my break I was told several times both by incompetent but also competent people that I should not run right now or maybe ever. Maybe I was just not capable of getting to the point where I could actually run whereever whenever.

What kind of freaking BS is that? Yes, I had an injury and yes, I’ll probably not run a marathon next year like some people, but sure I can learn how to run. Man was after all built for it. Although, the injury and the realization that I cannot “just” do this has indeed been a set back, I really got to the point where I enjoyed my new circadian rhythm and my running with steady improvement. That’s also why I’ll not just stop and give up, but instead accept that it’ll take me a bit longer.

I am however taking some points with me.

For the record

The development of tendons and joints will not follow the development of muscles and shape. Actually, the process of tendon and joint development will be about four times delayed compared to muscles and shape. And as I’ve learned, it is indeed an easy trap to fall into, that can cause serious injuries to legs and your back.

Furthermore, running, being a somewhat rough and monotonous kind of excercise, causes heavy impacts to be sent up through your body, resulting injuries also if you – like me – are untrained.

To overcome these problems and continue running, I’ve made the following strategy. It is going to be a long but acceptable way to be able to run. I don’t know exactly what my goal is – if I even have one -, but the strategy also just covers the startup and some basic precautions I have to keep in mind.

The new strategy

Basically, I’m starting from scratch following these guidelines. Random order.

1. Run on softer ground. Back in the fall I just ran on what was nearest, which was all just pavement and asphalt. Now, I’m going to seek whatever ground is still left from nature in the city.
2. Start slowly. Very important one. In order for my tendons and joints to keep up with my muscles and shape, I’ll have to keep back and actually perform less than I’m capable of. This means only running every other day at most and keeping the walk/run relationship below one (mathematically speaking) for a long while.
3. Get supporting shoes. I read everywhere that the key equipment for running regularly is shoes. Quality shoes that support exactly your feet. Actually, I bought these a couple of days ago and I must say that besides from being great compared to what I usually walk in, they’re also a motivation in themselves. Maybe I’m delusional, but I feel my activity level increase just by putting them on. Also the fact that you spent a fortune on them give you some sort of commitment to your running project. I had neutral feet by the way but in general my running style was not very gentle to my legs at all – another thing against me.
4. Keep getting up early. My early mornings and bedtimes were another great reward when I ran in the fall. So this I’m going to continue.
5. Excercise legs and back more. As you probably know, I also started going to a fitness center when I started running. This I’m keeping up very ambiciously if I may say so myself. Without injuries. I’m already doing legs and back when I’m there, but I guess I could spend a little extra time on them.
6. Lose weight. I figure it’d be convenient to lose my overweight. Not because I’m uncomfortable with it – it’s only about 5-10 kg or something – but rather because it’ll reduce the before-mentioned impacts between my feet and the ground greatly in the long run. After all my feet are have a small area of contanct for all that weight. With minor adjustments in my eating habits, biking to school and a bit more cardio in the gym I don’t think this will be a big challenge. What’s important though is for me to lose it before I start some more serious running. Simply so my feet won’t suffer in the beginning either.

That’s it. I’m looking forward to continue my adventure, and of course I’ll keep you guys posted – whether you like it or not.