stackoverflow wrote:I agree. In fact I decided this year while watching it that I want to do it. How do you start though? I used to run (more for exercise & enjoyment than anything else) but stopped when I got a stress fracture in my right leg.
Hmmm ... a good question. I'm not a medical expert, but given your previous injury it may be worth getting an opinion from a specialist (probably an orthopaedic surgeon) before starting a running programme. A stress fracture is a pretty serious injury, and not very common amongst runners. If you have a predisposition to this type of injury, then you may even need to consider modifying your diet. Alternatively, stress fractures can arise from overuse, or from following a programme in which you increase the volume and intensity of running too quickly. And of course, running shoe technology is always advancing, and it may be that with the right shoes, you could avoid a repeat of the past. This implies that, before you start a running programme, you should visit a specialist running store and get the right shoes for you. You could even consult a podiatrist for advice about shoe types.
Okay, so once you've got the green light to run and you're kitted out with the right footwear, what next? Well, in South Africa the running scene is largely club-based. There are hundreds of running clubs around the country, and if you're in a major city, there'll be one close to you. You could consider joining one ... and if you're going to pursue your goal of running Comrades, you'll almost certainly have to. The key will be to find a club that has something of a "Comrades culture"; one where you'll find like-minded people with whom you can train. For beginners, the Run/Walk for Life" franchise can be very useful - and they are a registered running club too.
As for getting started, well, the best way is to get out there and start doing a bit of running. But the most important thing - especially considering your previous injury - will be to start conservatively. Begin by running slowly, over short distances, and alternate between running and walking: for example, run 500 m and then walk 300 m, or run for three or four minutes and then walk for two or three. Begin doing this two or three times a week, and gradually increase it to four or five times a week. As you progress, the golden rule is never to increase your weekly distance by more than 10%.
From there, you should progress towards running 5 km continuously at a time, and then to 8 km and 10 km. There are many 10 km races on the calendar, and you may set yourself a goal of running a 10 km race in a few months time. As you can imagine, there is a huge amount of useful information available on the internet. A quick search will locate running programmes suitable to get you started, and which will build you up gradually. A few local sites that may interest you are:
Runner's World
Runners' Guide
This is one of my favourite sites (with lot's of very technical stuff about running):
BrianMAC Sports Coach
I hope this helps you a bit, and I encourage you to get started. Some inspiration for you: I began running just under nine years ago, after spending most of my life drinking too heavily, and smoking 30 Camels a day for nearly 10 years. Four years later, I ran the Om die Dam 50 km Ultramarathon on my 40th birthday - my first ultra. Three months later, I completed my first (and only) Comrades Marathon in 7 hours and 22 minutes, thus earning a silver medal. And nine months after that, I ran a standard marathon (42.195 km) in 2 hours and 54 minutes. Next year, I plan to run my first Two Oceans 56 km Ultramarathon (and I won't be satisfied with anything less than a silver medal, which means I have to finish in under 4 hours).
Anyone can do it.
I'd better go see a specialist soon!
