by *Giddy Up* » Sat Mar 12, 2005 12:11 am
#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#If you are going to run, then start off going for some shorter distance runs to get your started and into basic shape, then you can look at increasing your distance, and the type of run you do. Since it's mainly for your own cardio health benefits you could just stick to distance runs and increase the amount of time, or milage you run each week (I run on the school team, so I have a plan that's given to me by my coach, but in the summer when I start up again after my break from outdoor track I'll start at say 20mins, and then each week I add on 5 more mins)- this will vary on how in-shape you are as to how long you can start. You can also make a few of those runs shorter runs where you run repetitions (the same distance, same route a few times in a row- like a rep/set idea-i.e. run 1km rest till a heart rate of 130, then run the 1km again, and do that a few times). A neat sort of run you can do is to sprint from one telephone pole to the other, then jog from that one to the next, then sprint again. YOu can then vary how many telephone poles you do at once. Yes, running on the road is going to have an impact on your joints. If you can, run on the grass. However, if you can't there isn't much you can do, but take the road over the sidewalk. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Other cardio you can do is swimming, biking and yes jump rope. Jumping rope is very good for you, really targets the calves and gets your heart rate up. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#The point of your cardio is to get your heart rate up into it's upper limits and sustain it there, generally for atleast 30mins, and 3 times a week. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#As for modivation, I find it hard to, but it's easier being on a track team afterschool, because I don't get the chance to go home and be distracted, I'm already there at school. Some days you just don't feel like running, and on those days you just have to make yourself do it.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Good luck!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#
*God forbid I go to any heaven where there are no horses*