Things I wish I knew when I started running.

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Replies

  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    Good topic and I think you captured the two keys to running: Consistency + Persistence.
  • rockabyesarojane
    rockabyesarojane Posts: 471
    BUMP
  • tlcAK
    tlcAK Posts: 671 Member
    bump
  • jcm214
    jcm214 Posts: 157
    This is awesome. Thanks for posting! It gives me hope!
  • 1FitMom326
    1FitMom326 Posts: 228
    Very good advice! I never considered myself a runner or never even thought I could do it. 9 weeks ago I started the Couch 2 10k program and have to say I have shocked myself. Every week I have challenges and wonder if I will move up to the next level but it never fails I surprise myself.

    I completely agree that there are days that I don't run my best and it sometimes seems more of a task and then there are days I am so proud that I can't wait to share my results. It is really about finding your pace, what works for you how you can challenge yourself and what it is your looking to accomplish. A friend of mine registered me for a 10k saying I know you can do it. I was so scared doubting whether I could ever run that far. Now as I am running consistently at 5 miles I know the 10k is just a matter of time. Set a goal or sign up for a race it is really rewarding to work towards the goal and just finishing the race for me is going to feel so good.

    In addition to good shoes... Good Socks. I had a great pair of shoes that I never wanted to wear because they hurt my heel and when I went to the running store they suggested a different pair of socks and the difference was amazing.

    Thanks for sharing.
  • Leslie2273
    Leslie2273 Posts: 152 Member
    BUMP
  • AbiNichole
    AbiNichole Posts: 300 Member
    So many great tips! Thanks for sharing! I've just recently started "run till you feel like walking- walk till you feel like running" and I like it. I'm not a runner, but I'm learning. And it's so funny becuz now when I'm doing the running part and ppl see me they point to me and say --> look at that runner. Which is a trick becuz I"m really just a walker in disguise lol. :laugh:
  • spacecase76
    spacecase76 Posts: 673 Member
    great post! TFS!
  • _SusieQ_
    _SusieQ_ Posts: 2,964 Member
    OH MY GOSH....I soooo needed this today! I am on Week 3. I am literally twice the size I should be and have never run in my life. My best friend talked me into this C25K class, and I HATE IT! I hate running, I can't keep up, I'm tired of being last. blah blah blah. I esp love where you said "I really thought I was just going to tell my body to run and it would to it. ". That is totally me.

    Good inspiration, I WILL stick to it and hopefully be talking about my success before too long!
  • taletreader
    taletreader Posts: 377 Member
    Thanks for posting this!
  • jackiekjames
    jackiekjames Posts: 89
    Thanks so much for sharing...i have just started running and yesterday i accomplished 1 mile (at a slow pace) without ever stopping...i know it's nothing to anyone else ...but it was awesome to me...i plan to continue..i love running!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Love this. :heart:

    I'm another C25k poster child. :smile: Started four months ago, and tomorrow evening is my 3rd 5k. Then a 5 mile race on Sunday. It's amazing how addictive it is!

    I used to drive along and see people jogging and think, "WTF is wrong with them?!" Now I'm one of them! :laugh:
  • jackiekjames
    jackiekjames Posts: 89
    Hahaha...that sounds JUST like me!!! :)
  • baldzach
    baldzach Posts: 1,841 Member
    I'll just add my endorsement to just about everything you've said. I've been running for just about 6 years, have run multiple marathons, and can honestly say that I agree with just about everything. Thanks for posting this, it looks like a lot of people needed to hear what you had to say.
  • BlueEyesAllDay
    BlueEyesAllDay Posts: 29
    Want to save for later
  • TS65
    TS65 Posts: 1,024 Member
    Thank you, thank you, thank you! I just started week 6 of the c210k and have had 2 crappy runs in a row (I'm on a TM and am now thinking of taking it outside). Not that I thought about quitting, but this is exactly what I needed to read today.
  • outersoul
    outersoul Posts: 711
    I'll add my support for C25K also. I started out not being able to run to the end of my street to just finishing up W9 right before my 5K. As others have said...good shoes and socks are a must!
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    I echo a lot of that. I think it's been 18 months since I started C25K, thus that's when I say I started "running". I ran my first 5K in December of 09 and finished last...by 10 minutes, my time was 36m something. Persistance is the key. My 2nd 5K in Jan 2010 I was excited when I finished ahead of more than a handul of people.

    I take my bibs hand hang them up on a floor joist in my "Man Cave" in the basement. I write the date, and time on them. I was counting them when I hung my 10K bib up this weekend. I've ran in 7 timed events. I've finished near the back in all of them. I doubt I will ever place at a race, unless it has a Clydedale Division. However, when you're as big as I was, and as big as I am, running any distance is a huge victory. Just the look on peoples faces when they see me trucking along is enough in my book.

    The biggest disapointment came last fall when I signed up for a Half Marathon. 5 days before the event I came down with a nasty virus that kept me in bed for over 72 hours. I could barely walk to pick up my packet, I switched to the companion 5K, not even knowing if I would finish that. I did, in a little over 40 minutes. I think the disapoitment from that turned me off to running for a while.

    I started back running after the Christmas Season. Like I mentioned earlier I finished a 10K this past Saturday, and that event really got me excited about running again. I'll register for another 10K in June as soon as registration opens. I've spent a lot of my free internet time researching other races in the area. I'm going to get another crack at a Half. The thought of running an Ultra intreagues me. But I can't justify an Ultra if I haven't even gone 13.1.

    Enough rambling. There are a lot of things to enjoy about running. Don't let your preception of how other people will precieve you stop you from running. I aside from running being high impact, I find that to be the biggest excuse as to why people don't run. I know a lot of people hate this statement on MFP, but it's true. If a 280 lb Man can run, you can too. (barring other medical problems)
  • skinnyack
    skinnyack Posts: 683
    Sue- Aren't you glad you said something!? :wink: Oh so many of those things I already know- but so nice to hear them again. And I'm still holding onto the dream that i"ll magically be able to just go 50 miles straight tomorrow... at a sub 9 min pace. A girl can dream....
  • bmorebatman
    bmorebatman Posts: 50 Member
    bump
  • godblessourhome
    godblessourhome Posts: 3,892 Member
    great tips!
  • jeffrodgers1
    jeffrodgers1 Posts: 991 Member
    Get good shoes and replace them when they start to wear.

    Great story!! Good for you for sticking with it!! You've done an amazing job and deserve to be proud.

    I do want to highlight the part about good shoes. For you rookie runners out there, don't just go to Target and pick up any pair. Go to a store that specializes in running and get fit. They will find the right shoe for YOU. It doesn't matter what I like, what the OP likes or anyone else. You have to have the right one for your foot. The right shoe feels great and the wrong shoe can be uncomfortable (at best) and lead to injuries (at worst). You should replace them every six months or every 300-400 miles. Shoes are important to a runner!! :smile:

    As a long distance runner, there is absolute truth in this. The padding, cushioning, etc break down very quickly when running. You can be driving up to 7 times your weight into a few square inches of foam and rubber... and this happens thousands of times each run. Shoes break down and no longer support your foot properly leading to injury. As a heavier runner (228 lbs) I find I need to replace my shoes every 300 miles maximum.

    The best advice I can offer is to go to a store which deals with runners almost exclusively (think Stride Ahead, Fleet Feet, Running Room etc). Don't trust your feet to some high school student working part time at the local department store. A good runner supply store has trained staff who can look at your gait, they can look at the wear patterns on your shoes and tell you what you need (Stability, Motion Control, Neutral).
  • ashleymcquown
    ashleymcquown Posts: 80
    really inspiring story. thanks for sharing this : )
  • messyhare
    messyhare Posts: 366 Member
    I appreciate you taking the time to share this with all of us!

    I just ran outside for the FIRST TIME yesterday. I say ran - funny, it was really the slowest jog I'm sure most people have witnessed!! For me, that was a huge accomplishment. I hope it gets easier to be the spectacle I feel I am when I'm out there in public... It certainly felt much more effective than running circles in my house!

    Thanks for your post, I'm going to refer to it often as I continue my lil running journey :smile:
  • jeffrodgers1
    jeffrodgers1 Posts: 991 Member
    I appreciate you taking the time to share this with all of us!

    I just ran outside for the FIRST TIME yesterday. I say ran - funny, it was really the slowest jog I'm sure most people have witnessed!! For me, that was a huge accomplishment. I hope it gets easier to be the spectacle I feel I am when I'm out there in public... It certainly felt much more effective than running circles in my house!

    Thanks for your post, I'm going to refer to it often as I continue my lil running journey :smile:

    For most people endurance comes before speed! Unlike most people who stand by and watch... you are doing it! Great job! Keep it up! It gets easier.
  • Pangea250
    Pangea250 Posts: 965 Member
    God bless you for this post! I'm a new runner. I'm not that good at it yet, but I am determined.
  • sherrymo6
    sherrymo6 Posts: 79
    Thank you for your posting. I have just started to run and is has been slow going, so I thank you for your insight. Very helpful.
  • TheGoktor
    TheGoktor Posts: 1,138 Member
    Thank you! :flowerforyou:

    I started c25k yesterday and today my calves and shins ache, and my chest is still wheezy (I am not a smoker!) but I'm going out again tomorrow. I also have more than 50lbs to get rid of, so your post was real inspiration. In fact, I've just copied and pasted it into a Word document (I hope you don't mind), so I can look at it as and when I need to, and remind myself that I *can* do it! And I know I can...I just know, y'know! :bigsmile:
  • chantalbennett
    chantalbennett Posts: 91 Member
    Thanks for this :) I just started running and have a feeling that I will need to revisit this post for inspiration!
  • BigBoneSista
    BigBoneSista Posts: 2,389 Member
    Thank you for this post. I'm not interested in running any races but I have just recently started jogging outside since its started to warm up. While it was cold I was hitting the treadmill. I'm a slow jogger (13 min mile) but I love it. No pressure just me and nature.
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