Running

[Shotokan-kez]

Hey everyone. Here i am again with lots of questions I can't run! I get out of breath quite quickly. I train 3 times a week at the dojo and cycle but when i run i have to stop after a short while. So why can't i run? I have made a quit date to stop smoking and then i want to join our local athletics group. Why don't i get out of breath the same when i do karate? Is there a certain way i should be running, do you have to do it gradually? Any advice will be most welcome

Kez xx

[Orion]

Firstly if you can do something else other than running IMHO do something else. Running is great for fitness but alot of people have problems with there, hips, knees, legs and back because of the constant pounding that they take. Me for example my shins hurt so badly that I can't walk.

Back to your question, I think that because running is a constant thing and your moving all your body, where as karate wouldn't be as constant. If you want to run I suggest that you start off jogging slowly, then when your out of breath, walk quickly, then start jogging again. I found that this helped and also it reduces your recover period. This is only my opinion, but your smoking will be the big thing.

[lordtariel]

If you want to take up running, do it in intervals. Here's a really good way to train:

3 min of walking and 2 of running(6 times)

2 and 3

3 and 3(5 times)

4 and 1

5 and 2(4 times)

6 and 3(3 times)

8 and 2

10 and 2

12 and 3(twice)

14 and 1

30 min(once)

Just keep going up in the intervals and soon you'll be running for 30 min straight. You'll want to be lightly jogging, meaning you can talk with somone while you're doing it, but not able to sing. Generally, you do each different interval for a week and go to the next one, but you can keep at it until you're comfortable. Or, you can skip an interval if you're finding it too easy. Make sure you're stretching and taking a 5-10 min brisk walk to warm up and cool down. If you find you're hurting too much running, you may want to consider training on an eliptical machine at a gym. If you find you're getting shin splints, try standing up straight and tapping each foot 50 times or so before a practice. I don't know exactly what this stretches, but it helps prevent them. I also recommend you get a good pair of running shoes.

[elbows_and_knees]

nobody has really touched on the answer yet - the true answer. you are working two different systems. Running is aerobic. fighting is generally anaerobic. doing a kata really fast several times over, or doing several rounds of sparring is more akin to a short, fast sprint - very anaerobic.

anaerobic work will not help your aerobic system at all. This is why you notice no difference. In order to improve your aerobic system, you have to work your aerobic system.

[TigerDude]

So why can't i run? I have made a quit date to stop smoking

I think you already know why. Stopping smoking will have a huge impact.

[Sohan]

You should have a decent aerobic base for most martial arts training, but that doesn't mean you need to be a marathoner to be fit. In fact, excess aerobic activity will make your muscles smaller and weaker, and you will have many of your Type 2 muscle fibers convert to more oxidative fibers that support aerobic energy systems. That said, aerobic bad-->anaerobic good, if you want to be a quick and powerful martial artist.

And yes, you're out of breath for a very obvious reason. Quit smoking ASAP and give it a year to let your lungs clear out the nasty gunk that's in them keeping you from taking up oxygen, and you should be breathing much easier.

With respect,

Sohan

[Shotokan-kez]

OOOO Sohan your so clever, you make loads of sense. I have set a quit date for next tuesday!! Fingers crossed.

Kez xx

[Sohan]

Good luck with your quit date. Lesser folks than you have successfully quit, and so will you. Let us know how it goes!

With respect,

Sohan

[Shotokan-kez]

Thanks Hun. I had quite before for four months last year and i was gutted when i started again! I hate smoking, it's something i will really hit home with the kids. Although my eldest son is always shouting at me for it, he is 9 going on 50 lol.

Kez xx

[Red J]

Thanks Hun. I had quite before for four months last year and i was gutted when i started again! I hate smoking, it's something i will really hit home with the kids. Although my eldest son is always shouting at me for it, he is 9 going on 50 lol.

Kez xx

He just wants to make sure you make 50.

The running comes with time, patience and effort. Google beginner running plan and you will see plenty of good ideas out there or go to https://www.runnersworld.com .

As far as Sohan's point about excess aerobic activity being counter productive to MA is true, but you are not there yet. Having a goal of being able to go and bust out some quality miles can build both systems especially when you throw in tempo, sprints and hills. The average person who runs for fitness really doesn't have to worry about that.