Questions from a newbie jogger :)?

[StephanAtkin]

I want to start jogging on alternative days then do upper body on other alternative days so.. I havent jogged in awhile so what would you recommened for warm up and how far should i go the first time.? Then how much to keep increasing it to? OR should i just jog and end when im tired? This may sound stupid but should i take water or juice.. does it matter? Also any tips would be useful Finally is there anything you think i should buy for jogging (e.g monster energy drink)? Thanks Alot!
WAIT! ... Breathing control, every time i used to jog breathing control was the main reason i got so tired... I inhale threw my nose and exhale through my mouth (like my p.e teachers said) but i must be doing something wrong, ideas?

 

[diana]

It depends on how long you want to jog in the end, but you might want to start with 1/2-1 mile. Don't forget to take it easy too! You don't want to go out and sprint a half mile without any training. Take water (but take small sips regularly instead of all at once). Don't use breathing control if it doesn't help you, because then you might not get enough air and just because it is uncomfortable. Coconut water may help with cramping and bananas are supposed to help too (personally these don't work for me but one of my friends who runs marathons says they are very helpful they might work for you too).

 

[Njordhrsdeath]

Start slow, short times and slow speeds, see how it goes. Increase every week the time and speed but not the days. You need time to recover. For warm up just a mild stretch, a quick massage on your legs and fast walk for five min will do, then start jogging very slowly another five min. Drink water every two miles as too often might make you feel bloated. Energy drinks or Gatorade stuff is good but after six miles or more. But at the end of the day we are all different and the more you run the more experience you get so you will exactly know what you need
good luck!

 

[Jeilrac]

Jus start out slow. I can't tell you how long or far you should be jogging because I don't know your current fitness level. Just do what feels comfortable for you. If you decide to end when your tired, there's a good chance that you won't be running for very long. I don't know what your goals are as far as running is concerned so it's hard to say what you should be increasing by. Your warmup should be a slow jog roughly 5-10 minutes and then you would increase you speed for your workout. You need to try to jog one day and keep track of the time and speed(if possible) to see what you're starting with and then just go from there. Runnersworld.com has some great training programs and advice for runners.

I wouldn't recommend drinking juice. Water is the best thing you can drink. I would definitely not recommend using any sort of energy drink with caffeine or OTC painkillers. I'm an endurance athlete and there have been studies showing increased cell damage with the use of these products during exercise. I don't know how familiar you are with anatomy, but causing kidney damage is not something that I want to do to myself. If you go to a store like gnc or vitamin world, they usually have a section with products for athletes. If your unsure what you should be taking, you can ask a sales associate. Chances are that if your just starting out, using some sort of energy booster won't do you much good with running because you wont have much endurance to use the energy on.

As far as breathing goes, it will take a while to get used to it, but breathing in through your nose and out of your mouth is unnecessary. Sure some people can breathe like that, but I never do and I don't know too many people that actually do. It's a matter of comfort, although you definitely won't be comfortable at first because the feeling of your chest being on fire may take a while to get used to ;-). It's more important to keep your breathing systematic and evenly paced so that your not gasping for air. If you are gasping, that means that you're overexerting yourself or not breathing right.