I am a jogging virgin.

Klbryce1

I have always avoided jogging out of vanity; the thought of people seeing me huffing and puffing in public kills me, but i have decided enough is enough and i am GOING JOGGING TOMORROW! I've enjoyed running on treadmills in the past (well, as much as one can enjoy running on a treadmill....) but I find myself getting really bored having nothing to look at apart from those super fit gym going types and more exercise equipment. I want to discover the great outdoors and get fit at the same time!

All of you expert joggers out there, how long is a realistic route for a virgin jogger like me? How long is an acceptable walking break? Please ease me in gently, its my first time.

Thanks!

yes_i_can

It really depends on what you can already do on the treadmill. If you're really starting from scratch, I recommend C25K all the way... as will many others.

brittanyjeanxo

A lot of people will say to alternate this many minutes of walking and then this many of jogging, etc. But I'm a firm believer in BABY STEPS! I started jogging recently. Day one, I was so tired I thought I was gonna pass out before I got all the way home (I just went to my stop sign and back.) But the next day, I was able to get a little farther. The third day, by the time I got home, I wasn't even really tired! It's just a matter of easing into it, doing what's comfortable for you, and working up. It'll take some time, but I'm sure you'll get there.

jeanie✰

My jogging/walking obsession started with me marking a route. I used google maps to mark out what would be a mile one way from my apartment (one mile there, one mile back). I walk/run the entire way there, then walk/run the way back. If you burn yourself out on jogging, just walk the rest of the way. I started small, now I'm working up to further distance/more time running. Start small, work big. Even if you can't run the full mile, you can still walk the rest and work your way up to running it completely, then lengthening your route.

fmbarbuto

Visit coolrunning.com - the C25K program is great! I'm on week 2 and am NOT a runner at all! There are many support goups on these boards - just do a search on C25k! Good luck! :flowerforyou:

SheGaveChase

The best advice I was ever given about starting up running: walk when you have to. If you quit as soon as you feel tired, you won't go as far as you will if you allow yourself to take a few walking breaks. Start up again when your heart rate has calmed down a bit.

Here is a basic interval workout that you can adjust to your fitness level: run 2 minutes, walk 1 minute, run 2 minutes, walk 1 minute. Repeat for 30 minutes (or whatever your time target is). If that's too hard, start by running just one minute at a time.

Once this is easy (and maybe it is if you're already on the treadmill), up your run times: run 5 minutes, walk 1 minute.
Then: run 10 minutes, walk 2 minutes.

If you keep ramping up your running intervals to keep it challenging, soon you'll be able to run a mile or 2 without walking!! The good thing about this run/walk pattern is that you can keep adjusting it as you get in better and better shape.

I started this plan a month ago, and my current workout looks like this: Run 15 mins, Walk 2 mins, Run 5 mins, Walk 2 mins, Run 5 mins, Walk 2 mins. I've also added some hills into my route to make it more challenging for days I feel extra energetic!

Good Luck!!

JennysMan

Couch to 5K (C25K) has a lot of good tips from starting at zero (Google it)! I recommend you simply get a pair of good running shoes and just hit the pavement. Have some good tunes to listen to (distract you from the pain), and before you know it, you'll be amazing yourself. If you like gadgets or have a smart phone, there are tools that will automatically map your path and help you estimate the calories burned. I use CardioTrainer Plus on my Droid.

Add friends on here that like to run/jog too! I'm still a noob myself at running, but I like it!

BobsySpud

Another vote for Couch to 5K!! I've just graduated this and into week one of 'Bridge to 10k', which is the follow on. I literally hadn't done any running since my school days (25 years ago!) before I embarked on C25K!

luvgreen25

These are all great suggestions. I too have been intimidated by running and I think this is giving me some hope.

onetwentysomething

I also want to recommend the couch to 5k program, I did a similar program through the running room and it had me running 20 minutes straight by the end of it!

polar135

I hated running till now. I started running/walking/jogging based on time not mileage. Example for the first two weeks, i ran/walked/Jogged for 15 mins, (at 7 1/2 minutes turn around and go back) after the first two weeks up it to 25 mins, then two more weeks, 35 minutes, then two more weeks 45 minutes.

I am now running/Jogging/Walking 45 minutes, and doing over 3 miles each time. I even quit smoking so i can cover more ground lol! head phones with music/talk programs are a must. I use a program called runkeeper for your android or iphone to keep track of my times/how far i have gone and my runs. great free program. I have my first 5k this month on the 27th. Can't wait!

emmuci

I have always avoided jogging out of vanity; the thought of people seeing me huffing and puffing in public kills me, but i have decided enough is enough and i am GOING JOGGING TOMORROW! I've enjoyed running on treadmills in the past (well, as much as one can enjoy running on a treadmill....) but I find myself getting really bored having nothing to look at apart from those super fit gym going types and more exercise equipment. I want to discover the great outdoors and get fit at the same time!

All of you expert joggers out there, how long is a realistic route for a virgin jogger like me? How long is an acceptable walking break? Please ease me in gently, its my first time.

Thanks!

u know, i used to be fat and actually the same. I didn't want to go out because i was afraid people would see me.So i started jogging in a smaller park with fewer people and went out early in the morning.And now i run almost 7 km about 4 times every week and feel great.Even if i have some problems with eating..
I suggest u go first time early in the morning, first warm up, than run slowly and not very much.For example 800 meters. Than after u got in shape u can run more and more...and by time u'll be able to run kms
Good luck!

Klbryce1

thank you all so much for the advice! i've checked out the C25K website and I am going to head out at the crack of dawn and have a go at the first work out on their list .

BobsySpud

That's excellent - best of luck!