Hey Everyone (Read 971 times)

So i've been lurking for a couple of days and I have to say I completely love this community here. I love how supportive and helpful everyone is. Anyways, I'm new here, just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm trying to get back into running as a stress reliever and because, well, I just miss it. I started running in 4th grade and stoppped when I graduated high school about 11 years ago. Since then I've kept active with this and that. For the past several years I've been a pretty avid cyclist. However in the past about 7 months with work, and with the conditions of the roads/aggressiveness of drivers recently, I've cut my riding back significantly. I feel I need to be doing something to clear my head regularly, stay healthy and inspire a little healthy competition (if it is only against myself). I went out on my first run last night, made sure I stretched plenty before and after and feel great (and yes, a little sore) today. Made it through 2 miles at a slow, easy pace, but I feel great today about it. I look forward to talking (typing?) with all of you and have an awesome day!

Welcome. I'm still a relative newcomer here (since April) and I love it. Learned a lot. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll scream, you'll sigh, you'll say, "hmmm". Just beware of apes and monkeys. Oh, BTW - lot of debate on this but stretching after a run is good. Stretching before, not so good. Can actually hurt you to stretch a cold muscle. There! You're first piece of unsolicited advice! Congrats and welcome. And create a training log!

Correction: The thing about stretching was actually your 2nd piece of unsolicited advice. The first was about the apes and monkeys. It will all make sense in time.

Correction: The thing about stretching was actually your 2nd piece of unsolicited advice. The first was about the apes and monkeys. It will all make sense in time.

I'll be on lookout. Now that I'm not looking for people dooring me as much, I'll divert that attention to the primates. PS - I think I fixed the log thing.

Less injury risk after a warm-up. But I don't find stretching necessary before a run, I just start slow and warm-up. Some folks walk before they run. Search the forum and you'll find a lot of posts on it. There have even been some articles saying it doesn't help much before exercise and can actually decrease your performance. But it's really important after a run. Happy posting.

Interesting, I had no clue. Thanks for the heads up!

Welcome to RA! You're right, a very supportive crowd gathers here Your profile says Springfield, PA. Is that the Montgomery County Springfield? You might want to check out this User Group to meet some friendly SE PA'ers: http://www.runningahead.com/groups/Montco_PA/ Looking forward to reading about your progress, Jeff

Thanks for the info and the welcome! I'm actually in the Delaware County Springfield. I'll check out the group anyway though, never know when I might be around those parts either. Whoever's idea it was to put two towns with the same name about 45 mins apart was just cruel.

Thanks for the info and the welcome! I'm actually in the Delaware County Springfield. I'll check out the group anyway though, never know when I might be around those parts either. Whoever's idea it was to put two towns with the same name about 45 mins apart was just cruel.

Stop trying to figure out PA - you'll hurt your head and go blind... I'm in Willow Grove, Montgomery County, myself. The group has actually expanded to Southeastern PA, so come on in!

Just thought I'd add my hello - I'm very new here too and it's been terribly fun so far...