New to running

alc649

Does anyone have any tips on how to like running? I know this is kind of a silly question..I did the c25k for like a week and a half..and quit because my knees were killing me (I was doing a squat challenge at the same time, so that probably didn't help) I know I definitely get a better workout while doing the c25k, but I absolutely dread it. I don't have a treadmill so I have to do it outside, and I'm alright on flat road, but the hills at the end of the run kill me. I know most of you are going to probably say just do it. And that's probably what I need to do. But I'm scared of the "ding" that tells me to start running. I listen to music too when I"m doing it. Just would like some advise please:)

peleroja

Slow down. Slow waaaaay down. Like to a walking pace with a running gait if you have to. Tons of new runners try to go way too fast and just get frustrated because it's so hard. Try the C25K again but make your "run" intervals as slow as you can while still actually running, and I bet you'll find it a lot easier. Speed can come later, just building the endurance to run for 30 min straight is enough.

alc649

I'm not sure how fast I was going, I wasn't actually running, just jogging really. I'll try and keep that in mine @peleroja thank you I've got alotta weight I'm lugging around..I've lost 20lbs but still at 264.

Philtex

Running isn't for everybody. Why are you doing it if you dread it?

cbro70

I run an hour almost every day and I would have to agree with @peleroja, slow down !!! Once you are able to jog at a nice steady pace you will start to enjoy it more, make sure you have the music to match, sometimes faster music will cause you to run faster.

alc649

@Philtex When I did do the c25k I lost more weight. All I'm doing now is walking and hip hop abs. I feel like I need to step it up as far as working out goes.

@cbro70 Yeah I know listening to fast music makes me walk faster..Maybe I just need to focus on the music on not on worrying about that "time to run ding"

Joanna2012B

I get so excited when I see people new to running!! I was new to running a year and a half ago. I too hated it!!! I travel with my son for baseball and found it much easier to pack my running shoes than my bike...LOL!!! I started with Walk/Run intervals. Run as long as you can, then walk to catch your breath. Once you have recovered run again as long as you can. Don't worry about how fast you are going. Once you have mastered being able to run without stopping then you can work on your speed. The number one problem for new runners is trying to do too much too soon. I hope that you'll learn to love running as much as I do!!!!

If you'd like feel free to add me as a friend, we can motivate each other!!!

cbro70

The other thing you want to focus on is your form. think about how you run so this will help you avoid injuries and pulled muscles. Just take it slow you will get faster and better with time. I started last year and couldn't jog longer than 2 or 3 min and now I run for 60+ 5 times a week.

cbro70

That great advice @Joanna2012B, I did the same thing last year. I remember my first 5K I had to stop 3 times to walk and catch my breath. The last one I did a few months ago I ran in under 30 min. The best thing is once you love running you will always love and miss it when you don't or can't run. It is so relaxing and the best way to burn fat.

You can add me to if you like, I will do the best I can to help. I have ran for a long time (13 years in the Army) !!!

Joanna2012B

I will certainly try to help you not dread running!!!

Agree with @cbro70 your form is important. Try to land mid foot rather than heel to toe! Have you thought about joining a running group or signing up for a race to have some incentive? I sign up for a race every few months. My next race is November 5th...hoping to beat my time!!

cbro70

True it is important to set some kind of goal. Like finish a 5K without walking, or run for 30 min non stop. Then you can always set new goals.

Philtex

alc649 wrote: »

@Philtex When I did do the c25k I lost more weight. All I'm doing now is walking and hip hop abs. I feel like I need to step it up as far as working out goes.

I hope it works out for you.

alc649

Thank you for all the advise guys! I'd like to sign up for a 5k, but low on funds right now wish they had a free one!

cbro70

You are welcome !! Wish you all the luck, I think you will be fine and will grow to love running. If you ever need help or motivation you can always ask

alc649

I do alright in the beginning..it's like mid way through I'm like ah man..I don't wanna run anymore.lol first week of c25k is like a 3 min walk warm up, then alternating between 60 mins jogging and 1.5 min of walking

alc649

Dude, you guys are AWESOME!

Gotrek1

I don';t run per say, I walk fast and add small runs in my walk. I set goals. for example as I'm walking I find an object like a bridge or whatever and say to myself I'm going to run to that bridge. It motivates me not to stop. I often tell myself "woah that bridge is way farther then I though" but push through because that's my goal.

rinse and reapeat. I imagine eventually I'll just run all the time but I'm happy even if I don't make it there

So try setting a visual goal for yourself when you're thinking about stopping.

dancin_homie

I absolutely hated running as well until I got into C25K, and then I still didn't love it the first few runs :P but like others have said be sure to pace yourself comfortably and work up to running longer and faster. I haven't been at it too long yet (only week 3 of running 3X a week) but I now find it to be a nice addition and change to my typical strength workouts, and a great time to relax and jam to some music

cbro70

One thing I think about sometimes to help motivate me to keep pushing is to think of all the people who would love to be able to do what I can (no matter how much you run/walk). Thousands of people who can't because of health reason or just to lazy. It is like running for them in a way.

cbro70

@dancin_homie congrats !!! just keep doing what your doing and before long you will running all the time !!

Mamzelc606

I am doing c25k right now. I had already started in the past and quit because it was killing me. This time I run waaaayyy slower and I enjoy it, actually look forward to my runs. I am on week 4 now and I can already see my speed naturally increasing. (I run on a treadmill btw)

VioletRojo

alc649 wrote: »

Does anyone have any tips on how to like running? I know this is kind of a silly question..I did the c25k for like a week and a half..and quit because my knees were killing me (I was doing a squat challenge at the same time, so that probably didn't help) I know I definitely get a better workout while doing the c25k, but I absolutely dread it. I don't have a treadmill so I have to do it outside, and I'm alright on flat road, but the hills at the end of the run kill me. I know most of you are going to probably say just do it. And that's probably what I need to do. But I'm scared of the "ding" that tells me to start running. I listen to music too when I"m doing it. Just would like some advise please:)

Do you actually want to run? I don't see the value in trying to force yourself into a hobby you don't actually enjoy. There are so many types of exercise, it should be easy to find one you love.

If you actually want to run, my advise is to slow down. Even if you think you're already going slower than a turtle, slow down. You can work on speed later, but in the beginning you just want to finish the run.

cbro70

@Mamzelc606 Way to go !!!! Keep it up. Glad you are enjoying your runs. I too run mostly on the treadmill. One thing I do to help build up my speed is to use inclines. I might run 5 min at 0% then 2 min 1%, then 5 min at 0 again then 2 min 3%. It keeps you thinking and makes the run a little more fun.

alc649

I want to want to run..if that makes sense. I want to be able to run. To even be able to run a mile without stopping..would be such an accomplishment for me..I would feel unstoppable if I could do that!

Capt_Apollo

I'd say ditch the app, and you do you. just go out and go for a run. when you are feeling out of breath, slow for a walk. when you are no longer breathing heavily, start running again.

as far as pace goes, you shouldn't really be pushing yourself too hard for like, 80% of your runs, especially in the beginning. one day you might be looking to do a marathon or come in under 20 minutes for a 5k, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. at the moment, your pace should be comfortable enough that you could talk to someone next to you. if you don't have a running buddy, just try humming or low singing.

good luck.

alc649

That's a good idea @Capt_Apollo . How would you recommend logging it on mfp? Just as a walk maybe?

cbro70

If you do intervals you log part as a walk and the rest as jogging. I good walking pace is like 3.4/3.6.

alc649

Would you do half walking half running?

alc649

as far as logging i mean

cbro70

Yeah, that is what I would do. Last year when I started I wrote everything down. Is an great way to keep track of what you did. I look back now and it feels so awesome to see how far I have come in just 8 months

Spliner1969

I walk because I never thought I'd run again with all of my previous injuries, nerve damage, etc. But, I found that this summer I could run up hills when walking which seemed to make the hills easier. Then I simply ran a bit more and more, and now I run about half of my walking routine which is a 5k or more six days a week. I love to run, but am not good enough to run a full 5k, I can do about half if I walk in-between spurts of running. However, I lost the majority of my weight by fast walking up to 4mph. If you don't like running, don't do it.. just walk as fast as you can. When you lose your weight that you want, you will find it easier to run, and you may enjoy it better. Both running and walking are great forms of exercise!