New to running

girlinahat

Mamzelc606 wrote: »

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)

Really really don't worry about speed right now. In a couple of weeks you'll hit the dreaded 20minute run, and I found the best way through that was to go at a slower pace until o got to the end. Otherwise you become one of the many who fail at that week.

C25k is about increasing your endurance not speed. The key idea is to get you to run for 30 minutes continually. That may or may not get you to a 5k distance (it probably won't).

I started c25k about this time last year. I'm now considering a half marathon in the spring and am in a constant state of surprise that I am actually now a runner.

cbro70

@girlnahat that is awesome !!! congrats. The same happenes to me, I was amazed last week when I ran 8 miles. I have not ran that distance since I was in the Army, a very long time ago. I am now able to run a faster 2 mile than ever have. It comes with time !!!

SwtHedgehog

Check with your local running stores; they often have running groups, and sometimes they will have a beginning running group. I go to one once a week. The group does a lot of walk/run intervals, or whatever pace/interval/run as the group that day feels like. It's a good pace plus you get to converse to take your mind of the running, and you get the benefit of getting advice from others that have been running and/or are recently new.

BeeerRunner

I used to hate running, but have since come to love it. I'm actually training for my 1st marathon which I would have thought was crazy!! You do want to start very slow, doing walking / running intervals. Your pace when running should be one where you can hold a conversation while talking. Gradually build to longer times / distances running.

The other thing is that neither running nor squats should cause pain in your knees. If it does, you probably need to correct your form or you could have a medical issue with your knees. I myself used to experience knee pain and once I corrected my form, the knee pain has went away. I'll still get it on occasion when I do long runs (over 10 miles), but it's very rare.

Here is a link on proper running form: http://www.runnersworld.com/run-faster/proper-running-form

With squats, make sure you are sitting back in your heels and that your legs/glutes are doing the work. don't let your knees go past your toes.

Hope that helps!

newhighnewlow

alc649 wrote: »

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.

For me, when I was 225... running was out of the question. Too much weight on my knees. Instead, I rode a bike until I had built up a bit of quad/hamstring strength, and then went back to running. I think at that point, I was closer to 200 or 210... but I had enough leg strength to support the weight... at about an 11 or 12 minute mile.

Fast forward 6 months and I can run 10+miles without feeling like death, and I'm running about 4 minutes faster per mile (I have been an on and off runner for a long time, so I wouldn't necessarily expect most people to get down to 7 minute miles in a 6 month period... but I do think you can gain endurance and speed that will make running feel much more rewarding!)

alc649

OH man I dk what to do..Maybe I should ride my bike instead before I try running again? I don't know man.

josette06

I used to be able to run maybe 2 minutes and give up. That was when I was skinnier a few years ago! I hated running. This summer I gave C25k a shot. Like others have said, go slow. I used map my run while using C25k. When I started, my runs were 15-16 minutes per mile. I jogged at a walking pace to ease my joints into it. You have to pace yourself or you'll never get to your goals. Four months later and I'm running 4.5 miles in under an hour! I never thought I'd be able to run for a solid 45 mins! Running is a mental game, keep telling yourself you can do it. Don't worry about pace, that will come with running more and going farther. I did a 5k in 30 minutes last month. Which is a huge improvement from my 45-50 minute 5k.

Good luck OP. You'll be amazed what you can accomplish by staying motivated.

avonarlene86

I started the C25K back in May and then other commitments (rehearsals 3 times a week which were also a good workout!) And re-started the app today. Was running for 60 secs and walking for 90secs, definitely didn't feel as bad as when I started the first time! There is a 5k in my area in 12 weeks so going to sign up for that this week!

alc649

@josette06 that's about what my time was when I was doing the c25k week 1.16 mins per mile..I think I might give the running thing a shot again. Just go slow. And I might not do that app right away..just run/walk on my own and build up to the app. Thank you so much for all of the advise. You guys are AWESOME!!

JennieMaeK

I listen to the Zombies, Run app. They have a Zombies, Run 5k as well. Similar to C25K. I enjoy the story line and it distracts me a bit from running.

kshama2001

I stopped running decades ago when I got out of the military and no one could force me to run anymore.

I do very much enjoy walking outside - hills and all.

alc649

@JennieMaeK ohhh that sounds cool. I'll have to look that up!

Naija82

If you really want to run, keep at it, as others have said slow down and don't do too much too soon as you can burn out pretty quickly.

When I first started running I could barely run a mile and I hated it, I almost stopped because I thought why should I put myself through this torture but being the stubborn person that I am refused to quit. Now I've ran half marathons and full marathons. If someone had told me when I started I would one day run a marathon or that I would end up loving running I wouldn't have believed them.

Don't give up, you can do it. I do recommend following a program as sometimes a training schedule helps especially if you are very new, it helps you pace yourself. Going out and just running as far as you can sometimes make you do more than you should.

Good Luck!

Joanna2012B

I agree with @CaptApollo ditch the app and just go at your own pace! I use MapMyFitness for all of my activities and it syncs with MFP.