tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674707.post4836610349907231814..comments2010-02-05T13:50:53.924-07:00Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02879512265582253237noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674707.post-78796187066408674822010-02-05T13:50:53.924-07:002010-02-05T13:50:53.924-07:00First, a general comment. Spend some time in my training blog at <a href="http://runninginjuryfree.org" rel="nofollow">http://runninginjuryfree.org</a> You&#39;ll find answers to most of your questions.<br /><br />Combining walking and jogging, as you are doing, is great. In fact, I recommend that people start by walking and don&#39;t do any jogging until they can walk half an hour without stopping. Walking puts much less stress on your body than running. I also suggest that the only people who should jog are those who enjoy it. If you don&#39;t enjoy jogging, stick with walking.<br /><br />Concerning whether you should change how your foot hits the ground. In the beginning, don&#39;t try and change your natural gate. Trying to change your gate will put more stress on your body.<br /><br />Concerning form, aim for a cadence of about 175-180 steps per minute. Take relatively small steps such that your feet hit the ground under your body. A common error is to take big steps. Keep your body erect while you run. Bend your arms into approximately a 90 degree angle, and move your arms in sync with your feet.<br /><br />Congratulations on starting to walk/jog! Keep it up and make it a life-time habit. You&#39;ll gain big dividends from your investment of time and energy.Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02879512265582253237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8674707.post-48959760621660586622010-02-05T10:26:06.313-07:002010-02-05T10:26:06.313-07:00I started walking/jogging on Monday three weeks ago (On an 8 week beginners schedule) and have been out already 3 times each week with sessions taking between 30 and 45 mins. To be honest, I don&#39;t really enjoy it that much but the feeling when in a shower afterwards is great. I have only jogged for 1-2 mins at a time and then walked for another 2, then start again for 5 repetitions. Although I am reasonably fit,I am struggling a bit to jog more than the 1-2 mins as I seem to just stop and continue walking for about a minute before starting up again.<br />I&#39;m 53 and only about 8lbs overweight (It&#39;s only a beer belly) but feel I don&#39;t do enough (If any) exercise. I&#39;ve just bought a new pair of proper running shoes to help (Asics GT2140) but I&#39;m not too sure about the correct way to move the foot when jogging (land on the heel and move off forward). I guess it is the co ordination I need to get right.<br />I seem to be very flat footed as I think I seem to do most of the <br />work on the balls of my feet and not the heels. Maybe I do but it <br />just doesn&#39;t feel like I do.<br />Can you please offer me some advice on these 2 issues as I would be extremely grateful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com