who here runs/jogs for cardio that has the muscle mass of a bodybuilder? (need help)

Dave_19 · Apr 8, 2008

I have to say next running is my favorite form of cardio next to boxing/jiu jitsu. It terms of what makes me feel the best when I'm done, its running though. Especially in a nice environment like across the beach.

There is only one problem for me that I haven't been able to over come. My legs, mainly my shins get such a giant pump that I cannot continue. If I'm on the treadmill I can barley run for 15 minutes with out my lower legs hurting so bad that I need to switch to elliptical. The beach has softer sand so I can go maybe 25 minutes before I need to stop to let my legs recover.

Does any one have any tips for this? Honestly I don't train my legs very hard or often. I'm happy with the look and size of them, I'm not sure if that is a factor. I just bought some new running shoes designed to absorb the shock from your foot thinking that would help, but so far its very minimal. Any tips I would appreciate.

Dave_19 · Apr 8, 2008

I found some good info on here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shin_splints

It says training can help, I don't think I'm training my lower legs enough. All I ever do is seated calf raises once in awhile. Any tips on exercises designed for prevention of shin splints?

paulwigan · Apr 8, 2008

used to run when i was about 235lbs. had the same problem. Good running shoes helped that were specifically made for running and changed my running style so i landed more on my toes than bouncing down on my heels. it was a more circular action from the knee that a distance runnner showed me.
it worked but also tried to stay off hard roads and more on grass etc.

jawbreakerkid · Apr 8, 2008

You need to strengthen the anterior muscle in the lower leg. When I played football, as I increased in muscle mass shin splints became a huge problem for me. Also be sure to stretch the muscle prior to and after exercise.

One thing that helps to is to ease into running. It is a shock to the body that this 200lb+ guy decides he's a Kenyan marathoner out of nowhere. Start with walking at a brisk pace, work up to jogging then running. The time intervals are important too. Work your times up to a certain level just like your intensity.

flexmaster · Apr 9, 2008

the best exercise i have found for myself and other's shin splints is tibialis anterior curls. basically sit on a bench with just your feet and ankles off the bench. put a 15-30lb db between your feet and do toe raises.

MilitaryMuscle · Apr 9, 2008

well if you truly have shin split, then there is a bunch of micro damage done to your fibia/tibia and it needs rest to heal on its own.

But if its just your muscles hurting you then i would do what other have said and slowly build up on running.... running on the beach is a good idea to, a lot less impact.

The only time my chins ever hurt me when i ran was when i had to run at a slower pace. Im naturally fast so when i had to run witha group my chins would kill me, because my stide would be shorter. COuld be your stride, when running long distances you have to learn how to glide.

Retriever · Apr 9, 2008

I get severe pains in my shins/calves if I take more than 500mg test. I now stay at 500 and have no trouble anymore.

pesty4077 · Apr 9, 2008

Dave_19 said:
I have to say next running is my favorite form of cardio next to boxing/jiu jitsu. It terms of what makes me feel the best when I'm done, its running though. Especially in a nice environment like across the beach.

There is only one problem for me that I haven't been able to over come. My legs, mainly my shins get such a giant pump that I cannot continue. If I'm on the treadmill I can barley run for 15 minutes with out my lower legs hurting so bad that I need to switch to elliptical. The beach has softer sand so I can go maybe 25 minutes before I need to stop to let my legs recover.

Does any one have any tips for this? Honestly I don't train my legs very hard or often. I'm happy with the look and size of them, I'm not sure if that is a factor. I just bought some new running shoes designed to absorb the shock from your foot thinking that would help, but so far its very minimal. Any tips I would appreciate.

Dave, I am in the same boat as you, I too, like to run. Even though I am only 210 at 6'1', I am 48 and can not run like I use too. When I was 250 I really didn't run much. You are carry alot of muscle mass, that effects it. This is what I do, I run 2-3 times a week only and do something else 2 times a week. Since I cut running down to that my ankles and knees feel alot better. By the way, I do 20-25 minutes only but My heartrate is pumping at 160bpm, I also like to do hills and intervals to change it up.

HawaiiMuscle · Apr 9, 2008

The only things that have helped me with my painful calve pumps (not shin splits) is running a lower carb diet or losing wieght.

HawaiiMuscle · Apr 9, 2008

pesty4077 said:
Dave, I am in the same boat as you, I too, like to run. Even though I am only 210 at 6'1', I am 48 and can not run like I use too. When I was 250 I really didn't run much. You are carry alot of muscle mass, that effects it. This is what I do, I run 2-3 times a week only and do something else 2 times a week. Since I cut running down to that my ankles and knees feel alot better. By the way, I do 20-25 minutes only but My heartrate is pumping at 160bpm, I also like to do hills and intervals to change it up.

Great advice. Interval training helps quite a bit too.

Big Bapper · Apr 9, 2008

I try to run and hit the heavy bag twice EW in the off season. But I have noticed lately alot of the boxers that use my gym even the younger ones are suffering from bad knees.

I was talking to one of the boxing coaches about it, who also has bad knees and he put it all down to running.

So thinking about changing to the cross trainer.

OuchThatHurts · Apr 9, 2008

I'm a big runner. All my life. I've been through everything from shin splints to yeast infiections from a constantly sweaty crotch. Yes, men can get yeast infections too. Especially runners. And chaffing infections. Ringworm also, which is like athletes foot but on your body can also be a royal pain to get rid of.

First thing you need to do is go to a ski-shop or a custom shoe shop that is pretty advanced. You stand on a plate and they make custom insoles that match your feet exactly. It's the best investment I ever made and not really all that expensive. If you don't already have shin splints, stretching before running is good (as opposed to after which many lifter do), and jumping rope. Jumping rope is almost all calves and will help your calves with some longevity.

Keep at it. Your calves will learn. What I do when I haven't been running in a while is walk as fast as I can without having to break into a run on a steep incline treadmill. You can do that for 40 or 50 minutes and your calves will feel it.

lbg · Apr 9, 2008

You can tape youre shins with sports tape to alieviate shinsplint pain, Its very simple to do but very difficult to exlpain lol. Any trainer should be able to show you how.

gogotren · Apr 9, 2008

I get pain in the shins (I think it is more muscle pain) when I have not run form awhile. I just continue to run thru the pain, stretch, and run more often then it stops bothering me and I can run longer without pain. I think its just because I dont use the muscles on the front of my calf much in any other workout

Dave_19 · Apr 10, 2008

Great feed back guys! thanks for it all. I have been doing a lot of extra stretches for the lower legs. I just don't think its enough.

Curiousity · Apr 10, 2008

Dave_19 said:
Great feed back guys! thanks for it all. I have been doing a lot of extra stretches for the lower legs. I just don't think its enough.

There is one thing that I do that may help you if it is a muscle issue/pain.

With a leg press, I put my heels on the very top so that the rest of my foot hangs over. Then I basically do curl motion with my toes. It's a short range of motion so you really have to focus contracting that muscle. It's basically the same motion as what flexmaster recommended, but I think this way is easier. Make the safety bars are in the locked position just in case your heels slip off.

It's the weakest link that is hurting... Make it stronger.

Dave_19 · Apr 28, 2008

taping sounds worthy of trying, thanks.

Gunsmith · Apr 28, 2008

Like i always say "running is for people that can't fight"

I had knee trouble in the past from football and a car accident , if i jog I get knee pain but if I actualy run at a pretty hard run I don't have any pain in the calve of knees but I run on my toes , the thing is that in a bust ass run I can only get about a mile and a half and I'm done and thats less then 10 min , I personaly think that grapling is better cardio.

I've started doing 15-20min cardio pre workout on the seated bike , set the resistance at around 15 on 1-20 scale and keep the RPM's at 90-100 , it will wear you down pretty fast thats why I only do 20 min max but if gets your heart rate up realy fast so your in the peak zone for the majority of the time

Armageddon · Apr 28, 2008

Train your legs and run and tapping most likely isn't going to help. I run alot and mostly for football and it comes and goes. You just have to keep pushing on.

OuchThatHurts · Apr 28, 2008

Armageddon said:
Train your legs and run and tapping most likely isn't going to help. I run alot and mostly for football and it comes and goes. You just have to keep pushing on.

Unfortunately this has been my experience. I ran tailback and I ran for a few years before I even started lifting weights seriously (one obsession to another) but yeah, I got 'em. Then you tone it down, then your rest 'em, then you go, then you rest 'em. It's hard to totally avoid them. Try those custom orthotics though. They also help alleviate the spot of low back pain I sometimes get.