Park Run's ?

[KiwiCol]

Drink lots of beer before you start Mike - you'll be stopping for a pee instead of back ache!  Problem sorted.

[Gra Har]

At Devonport parkrun #102 this morning I run an improving 30.19, far from my pb of 26.29 from 2015, I too am trying to overcome lower & back sciatic pain down my left leg, I am getting better though, I can feel it in my old bones

We dropped from 238 runners last Sat morn to just 78 this morning - it was pissing down and freezing cold

[VladTepes]

Got any tips for exercises for helping lower back pain?

[Andre]

Got any tips for exercises for helping lower back pain?

Yes lots, but it depends on the condition causing the pain. And on your current fitness level.

Start by moving around. Do not sit longer than 30 minutes (and check your sitting position). Start walking, working up (very slowly if needed) to 5k. In the beginning it might hurt. Keep going but let the pain be your guide as to distance and speed. Walk erect! Envision a cord on top of your head that pulls you up. Constantly remind yourself to do this! Then improve walking speed. Three times/week at least! Do not jog/run. No stupid sit-ups! The above alone might be enough to make you feel much better.

I had a long recovery from back issues. The above advice is the basis for recovery. Nothing really works without it! I eventually was able to get into powerlifting and didn't do to bad. I got there step by step - slowly and methodically, thanks to a wonderful sports therapist.

I'll be happy to share my thoughts/experiences with you, but start first with the above for now.

[Tony Nitrous]

Haven't been for several weeks.
Tired from work, bad knee's from my 10K runs, a few lame excuses.

Went an did a steady run at Mitchelton this morning.
Didn't go too mad after my time off.

29 minutes 12 seconds.

[Gra Har]

Yes, I did Devonport parkrun this morning, 29.52, first time I have been able to do a sub 30s this year - me thinks I'm on  the comeback from my backpain.

[VladTepes]

I haven't been for a while - back problems seem worse.  Could hardly walk yesterday when I got out of bed.. day off work and trip to physio...

[Tony Nitrous]

28:03 this morning.

Within a minute of my best so I'm slowly shaving a bit off and getting back into it.

Small meet this morning. Quite cool until the sun was up.

[GSXKING]

I would suggest a visit to a good chiropractor for a thorough check up and potential treatment programme.
I have back issues and my Chiropractor I see every 3 weeks sometimes its a hard adjustment other time not much. A top quality pillow helps to so your neck is supported during sleep.
I couldn't run out if sight on a dark night, so I choose to cycle, not weight bearing and gives good muscle tone. No lycra for me though I think my arse is too big for that     

GSXKING 3:^)
Chris

[Tony Nitrous]

My Doctor recommends swimming or cycling.
Either are very "low impact" compared to running.

My problem with that is I enjoy running and it motivates me,
swimming or cycling don't and are a chore for me,
where as getting up at 6am in Winter to Park Run isn't.

I doubt I have too many years of running ahead of me but we will see.

[gsxbarmy]

I too have back and neck issues, having split and slipped 4 discs in my lower back some years ago and had 3 discs replaced in my neck. This used to cause me many issues just in daily life, but especially in riding a motorcycle and meant wearing a back brace much of the time to help support my spine. I'm not a great fan of swimming and cycling is a no-no for me as I can't do the crouched position of bikes.

Like you Tony, I enjoy running, but over the past year or so, its taken its toll both on my back and knees. Having visited my back consultant (who is a keen biker), we discussed this and he suggested visiting a gym 2-3 times a week. Now I've always hated the formality of gym, but agreed to give it a go. 3 months on, and I find that its starting to give me a new lease of life, really quite enjoying it, do 2-3 hours of gym each week and optionally about 30 mins of swimming working mainly on my lower body (upper body work starting soon) and have found that I'm now able to get back out running (albeit gently) without strain, I've been able to take my back brace off, and feel a lot healthier in myself.

Not saying that doing gym would work for you necessarily, but by working on the different back and leg muscles over the past few weeks for a couple of hours each week has helped me enormously.

[Tony Nitrous]

I had it pointed out to me when I asked about those "step counter
walking things" that measure your amount of steps, that my phone
was already doing it. Looking into my phones history I'm averaging
over 18,000 steps a day at work most days before I go running.

I wondered why I'd worn 3 pairs of trainers out this year!

[Tony Nitrous]

I stopped doing 5K Park Runs in January.

Lots of reasons, pneumonia, influenza A, getting up at 3.15am for work, being over seas, broken wrist... and lots of other bullshit reasons why I couldn't go.

9 months later I got my act together.

The last 3 weeks I've run a 34, 33 and 32 minute 5K. F#ck me, it's hard work! I'm nowhere near my old 27 minute time and I'm really struggling.

Not being real smart, I wait until the start of the hot weather to start running again. Feckin' Eegit!

[VladTepes]

Full credit Tony, but you are mad running in this heat !

[Tony Nitrous]

Last year there was a HUGE Xmas Day Park run in the city along Riverside. That was a bit warm!

Mitchelton where I normally go are haveing one on New Years Day. Not sure about that. I like a New Years Day lap of Somerset Dam on the bike leaving home just before sunrise, it's a bit cooler and very little traffic.