Running questions

Okay, if I'd like to start running, what do I need to know? Do I have to stretch? Do I need to lose more weight before I start? What kind of surface is easiest to run on when starting out? Do I have to check my pulse? Will running interfere with my weight lifting? My goal is to really step it up a notch or two and do some major fat shedding. HELP! Jennifer

First, I am by no means an expert. You get what you pay for here. My advice and $2.50 will buy you a cup of coffee at Starbucks. The only thing that makes me an expert is that I had WLS and I run. Your questions are as follows: What do I need to know? Take it slow and buy good running shoes. I wear the Brooks Breast. They are designed for big runners. They cost $120 bucks but they are worth every penny. It almost killed my to hand over the money. I am very cheap An expert runner (my son) told me to buy them. I am on my second pair. Do I have to stretch? I don't stretch much before I run, but I stretch a lot after. Do I need to lose more weight before I start? I don't know your situation. For me, walking fast was not raising my HR enough and running was a natural progression from walking fast. What kind of surface is easiest to run on when starting out? I run on a bike path or cement. I don't like gravel because I get rocks in my shoes. Do I have to check my pulse? Staring out I don't think so...your body will let you know if you are pushing it too hard. I have wrist a HR monitor that reads HR from a strap on my chest... so it makes it very easy for me to check.(it helps me pace myself). Will running interfere with my weight lifting? No...You should do both. Weight training is just as important as running. Good luck!!

I am not able to provide "professional" help yet......so my thought is as follows!! Congrats on the want for exercise!!! I believe the rpevious post covered everything eloquently!!! I agree whole heartedly that you will need weight training with your cardio work out. Remember this - muscle will raise your metabolism....it helps to equal out and provide balance and symetry to your body! I wish you the best of luck in your decision to run!!!! Kepp us posted on your progress!!!

Hi, this again is stacy's husband this post caught my eye. I am a USAT coach which is where everything I am stating is coming from, though remeber there are many ways to point b in exercise my way may not work for you. Here is the quick and easy guide to start running 1- Shoes save your knees, shins, ankles and lower back, try and find a good running store in your area that does gait assesment and fitting. The shoes will cost you give your take 5 dollars more than normal but will help tons an from then on you know what to buy. 2- Take it slow, i can't stress this enough I meet at least 2 ppl a week with shin splints or an IT band problem and it can be prevented. Start with walk / run intervals (walk 2 min jog 2 min) slowing increase the jog interval until you are jogging through 20- 25 min consecutive 3- Increase slowly no more than 10% mileage a week to be safe. If you take time off, remeber it will take you the same amount of time to work back to what you were doing... so if you take 3 weeks off for an injury or something, it will take 3 weesk to get bac kto where you are. -Form, try looking at a place called pose running and barefoot running you can google them. they are awesome sites that will tell you more about good form. we run incorrectly there are different ways to run some are better than others. -lastly I am not sure of your physical activity level but sprints of 40 - 100 yards (30 seconds on 30 seconds off) rest and then repeat is much better for burning fat.

Thanks Dana! I told Stacy that y'all need to move south so you can be my personal trainer! LOL. How is she doing today? Send her our love! Jennifer