First day running

britt7797

So today was my first day back running... I felt like my heart was going to fall out of my chest... But i also feel really proud of myself for going out and pushing myself.. but seriously... I wanted to quit sooooooo badly. I have walked the dogs... I've walked to work... I've walked around the park, but i had been afraid to run. Terrified of what people think when they see a bigger girl running, but i did it. And it was awesome! I didn't run very far or very long, but i did run!

I was wondering if anyone has advice on how to get past the mental block though... those days where i know i should be out there... but i get afraid... I get afraid of what the world thinks... How do you get yourself to the point everyday where you go... Today I will run?

MeanderingMammal

Set yourself some objectives, either time or distance related, and plan how to get there.

There are a load of standardised plans to get you to 5km or 10km distance, or 30 minutes of continuous.

When I started I used the NHS Couch to 5K podcasts to get me up to 30 minutes continuous.

It's also quite motivational to track and map your progress, so that you can see the improvements. If you have a smartphone then something like Runkeeper, Endomondo or Runtastic would be a good option. There are others, several on here advocate MapMyFitness or it's various specialist tools, although personally I've found that one unreliable.

Personally I really enjoy it now, doing between 35 and 40 km per week.

britt7797

Wow! Thank you! That is really goo advice! I think i may start tracking my distance, I really enjoy numbers and going over little math problems in my head while i work out! Its something that is fun for me and helps me to pass the time so I think tracking it would be a fun way to keep me motivated and competing against myself!

time4kim2014

Congratulations on your first day of running! I've done a fair bit of running and no matter who I see when I'm out, if they are thin or not, slow or fast, all I think is "Yes! Someone else has discovered this amazing type of exercise!"
Be proud of yourself!
Maybe look at signing up for a 5km fun run, it is great motivation to keep you going. You'll find that the more you run, the more you won't want to miss a run.
Good luck!

FatKidAtHeart88

I second the suggestion of signing up for a 5k. Pick a race that is meaningful to you (or you really enjoy). And give yourself enough time to train for it! Some of them give finishers medals so you don't have to do anything but finish and you get a medal

Then I would suggest finding an interval training plan (there are lots of free apps for smartphones that you can play your music and it tells you when to run and when to walk). And if you can, find friends who run who will keep you motivated. I have been walking for a while but only started running this year. A really good friend of mine inspired me to start running and I haven't looked back!

Get sized for running shoes at a store where the people know what they are doing. I would suggest a local running store. When I started I was running in shoes a size and a half too small and my feet were killing me. I thought they were out of shape until I got new shoes!

Most of all, take your time. Listen to your body. And have fun!!! Anyone who sees you running will either think you are awesome or be super jealous that they aren't brave enough to run!

addean1

WTG! I love the suggestions if choosing a race and getting registered - for me, once my money is in and I've paid, I'm totally committed. I love to map new routes on mapmyrun, makes it interesting to see new sights as I go. When I first started out running, I followed Jeff galloways run/walk/run plans. Finally one day I decided instead of walking, I was just going to run slower during those breaks, and I've been running straight through ever since. Oh, and don't be afraid to go slow, I think sometimes new runners start out trying to go too fast.

rmhmartin

Great work! I agree that setting some mini-goals will help you (time/distance/race). The more you get out there the more confident you'll feel. Keep it up!!

csk0018

I'm a bigger girl and I try to run around my neighborhood twice a week. Trust me, people are not judging you. I mostly have people who wave and smile and tell me they should be running with me! :bigsmile: I think most people know it takes a lot to get off your butt and get out there so they are going to respect what you're doing because it is a lot more than what others are doing. Just go out there, give it all you got and get that runner's high after you're finished!

MyChocolateDiet

for me the couch to 5 k program saying i could do it made me do it. it was just a do it situation.

MeanderingMammal

I really enjoy numbers and going over little math problems in my head while i work out!

In that case I'd recommend Endomondo, it has the most sophisticated analysis tools of those applications.

solrak1969

I used the Nike+ app it kept me motivated. Don't worry about what the world thinks. Even if you were skinny they would still talk *kitten* about something.

GillianMcK

There was a post on FB that went viral (some people find it condesending, hoping you don't as it shows that most people out there are applauding you for making the effort not making fun of you)

To the fatty running on the Westview track this afternoon:
You, whose feet barely lift off the ground as you trudge around the track.
You, who keeps to the outside land, footslogging in the wrong direction.
You, who stops for water breaks every lap, and who would probably stop
twice a lap if there were bleachers on both sides. You whose gaze drops
to your feet every time we pass. You whose sweat drenches your body
after you leave, completing only a single 20-minute mile.

There's something you should know; You ****ing rock.

Every shallow step you take, you carry the weight of more than two of
me, clinging to your bones, begging to be shaken off. Each lap you run,
you're paying off the debt of another midnight snack, another dessert,
another beer. It's 20 degrees outside, but you haven't let that stop your
regimen. This isn't your first day out here, and it certainly won't be your
last. you've started a journey that lasts a lifetime, and you've started at
least 12 days before your New Year's resolution kicks in.
You run without music, and I can only imagine the mantras running
through you mind as you heave your ever-shrinking mass around the
next lap. Let's go, feet. Shut up, legs. **** off, fat. If you'd only look up
from your feet the next time we pass, you'd see my gaze has no condescension in it.
I have nothing but respect for you. you've got this

Vivh1765

I use the Couch to 5k programme and think it is really good - I haven't run in over two decades, and after just 5 weeks I can run 3km / 2 miles without stopping. I also downloaded a Ministry of Sound running album which I find really helpful.

When I am running I try and focus on posture, how I run - where on my feet I land etc. I don't care how slowly I go, how fat I look, I just care that I keep going. I also have the RunDouble app - and I like to see my pace improving.

Good luck with your running. I hope I keep it up, I feel healthier, it has helped with my weight loss and it is free. All I needed was a decent pair of running shoes.

StroNgasgLass

Hi. Do you mind sharing the info about the ministry of sound running slbum? Is it upbeat music? Whats the name? & where did you get it? I am a new runner looking for resources

GillianMcK

If you go onto Amazon.co.uk you can hear a clip of each song that's on the CD's, there's also Now That's What I Call Running, most of them are pop songs that have been turned to dance type music. You can also read the reviews as well.

The ministry of sound one is meant to have quite similar BPM's so you can get a consistent beat/pace.

More depends on if you like that sort of music, I don't run with music (I'm normally up the woods with the dog so always listening for him finding another dog walker or cyclist to annoy)!!

Fit_Fox88

Eh, people are gonna think what they want. I used to feel that way when I lived in my last neighborhood (but also b/c my legs were snow white- haha!) but I thought to myself "You know what, you're doing this for you and you are going to feel great so just do it!" And I would give it my all every time.

I used the couch 2 5k app and it really helped. I paid for a version but it was totally worth it. Once I get fitted for some new running shoes and save up for a new pair in a couple of months, I'm going to start again.

Also, very proud of you for going out and doing it even with all the anxiety you felt. That's great progress in itself! Next time you feel uneasy about it, just remember how good you felt when you finished this last time and how much better you're going to feel knowing you completed it again.

meca85

Wow! Thank you! That is really goo advice! I think i may start tracking my distance, I really enjoy numbers and going over little math problems in my head while i work out! Its something that is fun for me and helps me to pass the time so I think tracking it would be a fun way to keep me motivated and competing against myself!

Yes dp track your distance and time. Your progress will be your own motivation.
I felt i was going to die the first time i ran in my life!! I then checked/tracked my distance and it was only 1 mile in 20/25 minutes!!
LoL =D
You have to start somewhere though.
After several weeks at it I had managed to run 3miles nonstop in about 35min!
I had a friend that helped me though and.she was very patient and.takinh baby steps.
For example one mile at a time, a few breaks here and there, and it all led to a straight run, no stops/breaks.
It's all about your progress.
Best of luck.

fayefayee5

another vote for endomondo. I love it. At the end it shows you allsorts of cool bits of information... cals burnt, pace, time, incline, etcetc. Very interesting.

GillianMcK

My vote would have to be for MapMyRun, like you I like the maths and have a spreadsheet set up that shows me my route, distance, total time, average pace and my splits (helpful when you think you've had a bad run adn it turns out to be one of the better ones). I used to use endomondo but fell out with it when it kept pausing my workout whilst I was moving!!

Vivh1765

Here is the Ministry of Sound running DVD that I have- and I love it to run to

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00EUCAHXO/ref=oh_d__o00_details_o00__i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Eric_DeCastro

I applaud bigger people running. doing there best to get healthy. when I see them while driving, i want to get out and run with them to motivate them. there should be nothing compliments for bigger people running.

mgpearce4

I just started back. From my experience, pacing is everything. Don't try to run too fast! I thought, "Okay, I should be going at a 12 minute mile, or and 11 minute mile"...don't! Run the speed you're most comfy with.

amycuz14

Good for you for getting out there!!!! I hear you, I was so self concious when I started - I still am sometimes. But I remind myself that I'm running for ME, not them, and what they think isn't on me.

I have Runkeeper on my phone, and it tells me how my intervals are doing and if I'm ahead or behind my average and my best time. I have it set to tell me every half kilometre how I am doing. It motivates me, my goal is always to try to beat my last time, even if it's by a second. I'm my own competition that way!

Seriously, starting is the hardest part. I hated running when I started, and you know, somedays I still do. But when I hear that voice in my ear (the app, not the crazy voice LOL!), telling me I've beat my best time, there's a high right there!

britt7797

A little update! I have still been running! At least a few times a week. Still not too long at a time but i find myself running longer and longer each time, need less or shorter breaks in between my jogging! I have a sunburn from being out today... I'm gonna rock this sunburn soo good! Thank you all for the support and kind words! Its all been amazing advice