FORUMS > Cardio Training Forum Rules

OMG, I tried jogging for the first time today, and I totally got my ass kicked. I've been doing a lot of cardio the past six months, mainly on the elliptical machines at the gym. I figured now that I'm in better shape,I would try jogging to mix things up. I can't believe what a tough workout jogging is. My chest was sore, and my calves were burning after. When I'm done my half hour on the machines at the gym, I'm completely wet and a bit out of breath, but I've never felt like this. Really makes me wonder if those elliptical machines are worth it. I'll be doing a lot more jogging now

A few months ago I went for a jog in the park with a friend who runs several miles a week on a treadmill. I think he's in good shape, but he was clearly uncomfortable and a little surprised by how different running on the ground is. I think jogging--ideally outside on grass--is way better than any machine.

SockMonkey saidA few months ago I went for a jog in the park with a friend who runs several miles a week on a treadmill. I think he's in good shape, but he was clearly uncomfortable and a little surprised by how different running on the ground is. I think jogging--ideally outside on grass--is way better than any machine.

Yeah, I couldn't agree more. Try jogging outside for a couple of weeks, THEN go on the treadmill. You'll feel like you can run a marathon on the treadmill without breaking a sweat.

I can vouch for treadmills (and, for me, ellipticals) being a ton easier than jogging. Once I even hopped on a treadmill and beat a PR (for the 5 K) without even realizing until I finished. If you're transitioning from treadmill to road, or better yet, grass, I'd take it very slowly.

A great alternative to grass is sand. But it's actually quite harder to do since you can't get much traction.

It's very good on your joints and is less stressful than hard pavement.

You know i experienced a similar thing a month back. I has been running on the treadmill for a while now and i was telling oh how much i enjoy it, and how ive mastered running and such. So she suggested that we go running on the beach on a Saturdays morning. Im all hyped and such, excited, even got out their and stretch on the beach before the run. God damn, was all i could say. The body knows what pavement its being planted on, and i had not fatigued like that in such a short time for a while.

It's amazing how changing cardio can really give you a whole different workout. I've been running a lot lately and building up endurance. I've also been walking a lot. However, I still get winded walking up the damn stairs! Now I'm trying to run up and down stairs whenever I can. I went running a few days ago in a different area and I made a rule that I had to run up and down stairs when I saw them (luckily there weren't that many!).

Well I must have really over did it, because I was sore for almost a week after my jog. For the first three days afterward, when I woke up, my calves were completly stiff, and walking down the stairs really did a number on me. I decided to try and work my endurance up a bit more on the tread mill. I'm gonna try another jog this weekend, and see how it goes. This time, though, I'll jog for 5 minutes, and walk for two. That should help me!

Regina_Guy saidWell I must have really over did it, because I was sore for almost a week after my jog. For the first three days afterward, when I woke up, my calves were completly stiff, and walking down the stairs really did a number on me. I decided to try and work my endurance up a bit more on the tread mill. I'm gonna try another jog this weekend, and see how it goes. This time, though, I'll jog for 5 minutes, and walk for two. That should help me!

Get some potassium in you as well - it helps with the lactic acid buildup. Try stretching before and after running as well. Make sure you have good shoes with a tread designed for running. Shoes make a huge difference for me.

SockMonkey saidA few months ago I went for a jog in the park with a friend who runs several miles a week on a treadmill. I think he's in good shape, but he was clearly uncomfortable and a little surprised by how different running on the ground is. I think jogging--ideally outside on grass--is way better than any machine.

I agree with running on the grass. It's less impact and a lot better on the joints.