Hi, so as this thread shows, I'm a new runner and am wanting to ask a few questions 
1) Stretching, how important is it?
I can't help but think of the quote from Zombieland:
"Stretching. I don't believe in it. You ever seen a lion limber up before taking down a gazelle?" And it got me thinking, what other animal stretches before they do something?
Living in a semi-rural town in South Africa as well, I've never seen any of the Khoisan hunters I've been around limber up before setting out. Although, this is possibly also because they have a far more active lifestyle where they naturally stretch more without having to actually take time to do it, whereas mine is a lot more sedentary.
I'm not flexible at all, but pilates has helped with that, as well as running. Recently, though, I haven't been doing pilates, but still running and I find that doing some minor stretches while I run helps, but I don't feel the need to stretch before a run, maybe just a little warm up and a short stretch after a run.
So, I wonder, if one simply runs more and leads a more active lifestyle, will the need to stretch so often before doing something, become unnecessary? And does barefoot running stretch the legs more and increase flexibility?
2) Nutrition.
Seeing as I am currently overweight, this is one of the more important questions.
In South Africa, we eat A LOT of meat, and I believe this has contributed to my current health issues. I'm changing my diet to one involving more veggies, fruits, carbs, nuts and occasional meats. I'm also cutting out pre-packed meals and junk food completely and eating up to 6 times a day, making sure what I eat is considered "healthy" or "wholesome", which isn't difficult to figure out really, just eat what's more "natural". As a result, I'm feeling tons better and have far more energy!
So, for running, what kinds of foods should I be focussing on?
I'm going to be eating healthier in general, but are their any recommended foods? I've been making and eating/drinking iskiate and pinole which are making me feel great, and are very similar to foods I grew up eating here anyway, except for the addition of the chia seeds and some other slight differences.
3) Where should I be feeling it? And how do I know if I'm doing it right?
Currently, when I run I feel it in my calves and achilles tendons mostly. They hurt afterwards, but not in a bad way, just like they've been worked and they feel great once I give them a day or so to rest. My musculature overall is also improving, especially in my legs. I don't hurt anywhere and I don't feel it really anywhere else. Is that normal?
When I was running with shoes, my inner calves, ankles and feet hurt, and I would have knee problems as well.
Technique is also very important. I'm obviously using the foot-strike form, but mostly just running in a way that feels right. My pilates instructor was running barefoot for a few months before me, and she took a look at my form and just suggested I watch my right foot as I kick it out to the right too much, which meant my hips were swinging a bit (probably as a result of my car accident which gave me occasional hip problems), so I have to concentrate on that when running as well. But, how do I know if I'm doing it right? I'm told that running barefoot you will automatically get the right technique as long as you give your body time to adapt.
I'm not doing too much at once, I currently run 2-3 times a week, about 3kms (2 miles) in about 30 min, and I stop if anything hurts. I'm taking it slowly as, even though I ran barefoot as a kid, it's been years since I've run at all and I'm bound to injure myself if I'm not patient with my body.
4) Overall fitness results? Any other exercises?
Runners always seem to be rippling with muscles, or at least are thin and cut.
If an unfit, overweight person just runs a lot (and eats right etc), will they gain a "runners body" (something like this http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/12/article-0-091999F4000005DC-118_468x662.jpg) or will they need to do other exercises as well, such as push-ups, sit-ups etc?
If other exercisers are required, what do you recommend? Currently I do pilates exercises mostly as well as running, but time requirements soon might mean I only have time for running...
I'll post more questions when I can think of them, but these are the four that spring to mind right now! I'd appreciate any advice and general tips
Thanks!
1) Stretching, how important is it?
I can't help but think of the quote from Zombieland:
"Stretching. I don't believe in it. You ever seen a lion limber up before taking down a gazelle?" And it got me thinking, what other animal stretches before they do something?
Living in a semi-rural town in South Africa as well, I've never seen any of the Khoisan hunters I've been around limber up before setting out. Although, this is possibly also because they have a far more active lifestyle where they naturally stretch more without having to actually take time to do it, whereas mine is a lot more sedentary.
I'm not flexible at all, but pilates has helped with that, as well as running. Recently, though, I haven't been doing pilates, but still running and I find that doing some minor stretches while I run helps, but I don't feel the need to stretch before a run, maybe just a little warm up and a short stretch after a run.
So, I wonder, if one simply runs more and leads a more active lifestyle, will the need to stretch so often before doing something, become unnecessary? And does barefoot running stretch the legs more and increase flexibility?
2) Nutrition.
Seeing as I am currently overweight, this is one of the more important questions.
In South Africa, we eat A LOT of meat, and I believe this has contributed to my current health issues. I'm changing my diet to one involving more veggies, fruits, carbs, nuts and occasional meats. I'm also cutting out pre-packed meals and junk food completely and eating up to 6 times a day, making sure what I eat is considered "healthy" or "wholesome", which isn't difficult to figure out really, just eat what's more "natural". As a result, I'm feeling tons better and have far more energy!
So, for running, what kinds of foods should I be focussing on?
I'm going to be eating healthier in general, but are their any recommended foods? I've been making and eating/drinking iskiate and pinole which are making me feel great, and are very similar to foods I grew up eating here anyway, except for the addition of the chia seeds and some other slight differences.
3) Where should I be feeling it? And how do I know if I'm doing it right?
Currently, when I run I feel it in my calves and achilles tendons mostly. They hurt afterwards, but not in a bad way, just like they've been worked and they feel great once I give them a day or so to rest. My musculature overall is also improving, especially in my legs. I don't hurt anywhere and I don't feel it really anywhere else. Is that normal?
When I was running with shoes, my inner calves, ankles and feet hurt, and I would have knee problems as well.
Technique is also very important. I'm obviously using the foot-strike form, but mostly just running in a way that feels right. My pilates instructor was running barefoot for a few months before me, and she took a look at my form and just suggested I watch my right foot as I kick it out to the right too much, which meant my hips were swinging a bit (probably as a result of my car accident which gave me occasional hip problems), so I have to concentrate on that when running as well. But, how do I know if I'm doing it right? I'm told that running barefoot you will automatically get the right technique as long as you give your body time to adapt.
I'm not doing too much at once, I currently run 2-3 times a week, about 3kms (2 miles) in about 30 min, and I stop if anything hurts. I'm taking it slowly as, even though I ran barefoot as a kid, it's been years since I've run at all and I'm bound to injure myself if I'm not patient with my body.
4) Overall fitness results? Any other exercises?
Runners always seem to be rippling with muscles, or at least are thin and cut.
If an unfit, overweight person just runs a lot (and eats right etc), will they gain a "runners body" (something like this http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/12/article-0-091999F4000005DC-118_468x662.jpg) or will they need to do other exercises as well, such as push-ups, sit-ups etc?
If other exercisers are required, what do you recommend? Currently I do pilates exercises mostly as well as running, but time requirements soon might mean I only have time for running...
I'll post more questions when I can think of them, but these are the four that spring to mind right now! I'd appreciate any advice and general tips
Thanks!
