Running

Don't know as this is the right place - but didn't know where else to put it....

I am applying to the army (for entry when I have finished uni) and will have to gone on the selection days. This includes the physical tests. I am not too bad on the sit ups, am struggling abit with press ups but I am improving.

But I am really finding the running hard, I have always struggled with running, so I have always avoiding doing it, but I can't get out of it now. At the moment I can't even run the distance (1.5miles) let alone do it within the time limit. I start ok, but get out of breath really quickly, I seem to end up gasping for air. Also, I end up with pain down the front of my shins. I am better at running on the treadmill in the gym rather than outside as I find I pace myself better.

Has anyone got any tips as to how I can improve, I don't think my technique is very good, which probably makes it worse!!

Reply 1

john171

11

Rest your body, don't run every day. But as always, practise makes perfect. Every time you run aim to match the distance you did last time or run further. Slowly you will improve.

I prefer running on the roads to the treadmil in the gym.

If you live in the country don't run on the side of the road as the road is curved and puts more strain on one leg than the other, run in the centre of the road.

And just remember, the army is tough. Some solders run for miles and miles with a heavy backpack.

Reply 2

mikeyT

2

You need to rest. I had pain in the front of my shins and the doctor told me to rest it. And it worked.

Reply 3

kookabura

OP

13

john171

And just remember, the army is tough. Some solders run for miles and miles with a heavy backpack.

I know, I guess thats why I am beginning to worry abit now, I feel like I am getting there with everything else. The rest of the fitness and the other parts, interviews, tests etc I should be fairly ok at, but its just the running that I am really struggling to improve with.

Reply 4

john171

11

Cathie86

I know, I guess thats why I am beginning to worry abit now, I feel like I am getting there with everything else. The rest of the fitness and the other parts, interviews, tests etc I should be fairly ok at, but its just the running that I am really struggling to improve with.

Relax, I'm sure you'll be fit as a fiddle in plently of time. 20 minutes every couple of days is all it takes. (even less)

Reply 5

white_haired_wizard

16

Initial poster - you may have shin splints - in which case, you need to rest or you'll cause yourself damage - i have it/them at the moment, and it sucks...rest is the only cure...

Reply 6

Barny

17

The pain you're experiencing is shin splints, which can occur for a variety of reasons, but basically, you better start improving your capacity for exercise, as if you get shin splints during selection you won't be put through!

Reply 7

sierraleone

I noticed some sort of breathing equipment thingie in the Argos catalogue the other day, about 50 quid I think. Might help you run for a bit longer.

Reply 8

xelprep

your complaining because you might not be able to die early in a foreign country?

just kidding :biggrin:

- maybe the army isn't for you then?

Reply 9

Aristogeiton

Breathe in twice through your nose and let air out through your mouth whilst running - my throat always starts to hurt if I run for a long time but that really helps, I don't know it might be useful?

Reply 10

SamTheMan

17

shin splints can come from bad running technique. You're right in thinking that there might be something wrong with your technique. Try not to throw your weight on your knees and legs when you "land" but "scratch" the surface.

I used to do a bit of long-distance running at an athletics club and you might think that it's all about just going for it but the technique is important:
ideally you would only use the front of your sole to land (only your toes are to have contact with the ground) but that's litterally impossible. I can't describe it easily but the idea is that when your leg comes down to make contact with the ground, don't throw all your weight vertically down your leg, but "scratch" the ground with the front (toes) of your foot and push forwards. If there was a more experienced athlete, they could maybe describe this technique better.

Many people don't run properly. It's especially difficult for people who are rather overweight and who don't have dynamic legs. I see them throwing all their weight onto their knees and shins and of course those are very fragile parts of the leg!

All I can say is remember to "try" to only make contact with the front part of your foot and think "light".

As for improving, with weight-lifting, endurance running is the only sport activity where you're bound to improve (according to my old coach). If you put in the effort, it always pays off. If you run 1 mile every day, there's a time when 1 mile will seem easy and you'll move to 1.5 mile. It's that simple.

Reply 11

danni_bella

17

Cathie86, start small! Like run only a few laps on the first couple of days, then increase this to 5 or something. And go in the morning! :cool:

Or at least two hours after not eating anything, you're less likely to get a stitch that way *I think. Ok someones been watching too much Celebrity Overhaul :rolleyes:

*

Anyway hope that helps :smile:

DB_x

Reply 12

Catski

To be honest with you, I think you'll do just fine as you really seem to have the commitment to practice and improvement that you need. And, I don't think you'll be the only one having problems with one or more disciplines.

Reply 13

Spiral Architect

1

First off try and get out on the road. Treadmils are alright but they don't work all the muscles in your leg which you do on the road. You can expect to lose at least 30 seconds on the road compared to the treadmil. When I done mine I lost 45 seconds!

As for actually running the 2.4k. First aim for 1.5k, then try gradually building up .1k at a time. You'll soon be able to do it.

Reply 14

_EMMA_

16

start with a shorter distance and increase it as time pass. don't stress it, if you haven't been running before it takes some time to get the technique and the strenght to run longer distances. investigate some money in proper shoes (if you haven't already) i went to one of these specialised shops for it they do tests and such too, they costed a fortune but it was worth it. or you could just go to any sport ware store they have good shoes as well.

Reply 15

Barny

17

SpiralArchitect

First off try and get out on the road. Treadmils are alright but they don't work all the muscles in your leg which you do on the road. You can expect to lose at least 30 seconds on the road compared to the treadmil. When I done mine I lost 45 seconds!

As for actually running the 2.4k. First aim for 1.5k, then try gradually building up .1k at a time. You'll soon be able to do it.

Running on the road will make her shinsplints worse..

Reply 16

kookabura

OP

13

Thanks for the advice people! I need to see my doctor anyway to sort medical forms out, so I will ask her about the pain in my shins whilst I am there. Otherwis, if they are ok I will try what has been suggested and go from there!!!

Reply 17

kristoffee

long distance swimming will improve ur lung capacity so u wont get out of breath so easily...and u can do it whilst recovering from shin splints!

Reply 18

SamTheMan

17

imasillynarb

Running on the road will make her shinsplints worse..

I confirm this... I should have mentioned it in the first place. Running on tarmac/pavement is really bad for your knees and shins. Every time you land on your foot (even worse when you're running "heavily" with a "thudding" movement), vibrations up your leg fragilise all kinds of things.

Always look for a park, a dirt track to go running to avoid knee pains and shin splints

Reply 19

34253

2

Don't invest in nice shoes, the army will only make you run in boots for the tests anyway so its probably best that you practice in what you are going to wear in the field. Officers have a lower level of fitness to cannon fodder so you should be ok if you just keep at it :smile:

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Running

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