Question:I'm planning to start a long-distance running program for myself and I have a
number of questions:
What are the best running shoes on the market (brands and series)?
What are the critical points I should be concerned about when running for a
long
distance? Running in cold weather?
I've run before but I want to improve my breathing technique. Any
recommendations?
What sorts of leg weight training exercises would you recommend to improve leg
strength for running?
Is there a particular brand of pants I should buy for cold weather running?
Gloves?
Where's a good source/website to get information on upcoming triathalons on the
East
Coast (MD, VA, NC area)?
Answer:
I will not give a strong answer---I will vacillate: What I
like and what you like might be different. I think that each brand
has strong styles and that the best bet is to try on many styles at a
good running shoe store.
Being well-hydrated and well fed (after shoes that is). The
other point would be to start out conservatively since you can run for
the rest of your life---why rush it?
Running in cold weather?
Dress in layers and use synthetics that will wick moisture
away from the body. Also figure that once you get running you will
heat up so that dressing accordingly comes with experience.
>I've run before but I want to improve my breathing technique. Any
>recommendations?
Not much on the "breathing technique" thing. To me breathing
happens and I do not try to control it. I pay attention to it for
feedback, but I do not try to breath a set rate or rhythm.
Squats are about the best all round leg exercise. Hamstring
curls and leg extensions will also balance the strength. There is no
conclusive proof that strength training helps one become a better
runner, but I think that for overall fitness strength training is an
essential component and might help reduce injuries from a strength
imbalance.
I am a tights man all the way.. I like the "second skin" feel
so that they are not flopping around like loose pants. Avoid cotton
pants since they might (will probably) get wet and thus heavy and
uncomfortable.
Aside from my favorite (cotton gardening glvoes which goes
against my "no cotton next to skin" general philosophy) try the
synthetics or a pair of CoolMax socks over the hands work well for a
lot of folks.
Well, depending on how heavy you are, you can almost never go wrong
with the big names - Nike, Asics, New Balance, Brooks... Adidas...
I recommend going to a runner's only shop to get properly fit based on your
foot arch.
Personally, for the first couple of weeks, I would concentrate more on
constantly
moving for 20 minutes 3 times a week. Walk whenever you start getting
short of
breath until you feel you can start running again. GO SLOW! Get your
breath first -
the distance will come soon.
How cold? Where do you live?
Breathe from your stomach, not your chest. Get as much air into you as you
can.
How long since you've run last?
I shy away from weight training. Others swear by hitting the weights. If
you run, the
strength will come.
I like my RONO running pants - very toasty in the cold. I don't really use
gloves unless
it's below zero. My jacket is long enough to pull my hands inside the
sleeves if they
get a little chilly.
