new runner - days off? (Read 956 times)

I'm not sure if I ought to be posting this here or maybe in the cross-training section? Well here goes anyway. I am a really new runner. I am currently in week two of a 13 week learn to run programme. I used to play hockey but I have messed up my wrists and so need to take some time off. Running seemed like something I could do without hurting my wrists! I have a lot of weight to lose as well but doc has given the okay for me to do whatever I want. The learn to run program has me running 3 or 4 days a week. But I want to do more. Someone suggested swimming and I'll check out the local pools. Running, swimming. That leaves biking I guess - or would cycling be using my legs too much? Or does it use different enough muscles? Someone also suggested not neglecting weight training. Should I do leg weights on off days? It seems like my legs would be tired on the run days then. Any and all advice greatly appreciated. Thanks RL

Basically, all good options. If you are going to weight train, I recommend sticking to total body workouts rather than leg only workouts. You'll get more bang for your workout buck. Do exercises such as squats, deadlifts, lunges, pullups, and pushups. Combine to create compound movements that work a lot of different areas of your body at once, and add in some twists and turns as you go to mess with your balance and call your stabilising muscles into play. Good workout, that... As for biking or swimming, both are great cross training activities. I don't recommend doing anything but easy workouts until you have a good base level of fitness, but otherwise they are well worth mixing in on your rest days.

Thanks everyone! mebeingme - you're right, there's loads of great info here! I'm really glad my uncle told me about the site when I told him I just started running. About the wrists - seems that carrying around a goalie stick for 3 or 5 games a week for a couple of years, as well as just general genetics I suppose, can lead to significant median neuropathy in your wrists. Another way of saying bad carpal tunnel really. For me it means that I cannot do a lot of sustained gripping without losing feeling in my fingers. Now, if I remember correctly, with most weights you don't really want to be gripping too hard anyway, more directing the bars. I'm also pretty sure that push ups and pull ups are out of the question! Of course, I could be wrong... I'll be seeing the surgeon at the end of August and so will have a better handle on what I can and cannot do but in the meantime I've been given the okay by my doc to try whatever I like based on the promise that I stop as soon as the numbness flares up.

swimming definitely swimming!!!

Interesting. For the last month I've been running 2 a days with a 4 miler in the mornign and 2-4 miler at night. Am I setting my self up for disaster? Who knows? However, it feels great in the mean time.

Interesting. For the last month I've been running 2 a days with a 4 miler in the mornign and 2-4 miler at night. Am I setting my self up for disaster? Who knows? However, it feels great in the mean time.

Every day? I think that would kill me at this point - but I've been running for all of 2 weeks! (plus 3 weeks earlier this year)

I think stick with what you are doing for now you don't want to do too much too soon. Then if you find you want to stick with running you can build it up over time but gradually. I've been running consistently since 2003 but its only this year i've been running everyday