"Learning to Run"-open support group
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There are some great interval apps out there for Android, most of them free. I had one (My Interval Timer, I think) that I loved before my Android went kaput. It is completely flexible for your warm up, running and walking intervals and cool down period. A voice tells you "high" or "low" when it's time to either run or walk so you don't need to watch a clock. Once I get a new phone in a few weeks, I'll be downloading it again.ohhh and for anyone who has a smart phone....I just downloaded the "my tracks" app (its by google and its free) and it is sooo cool. It maps your run...tells you distance, route, pace, total time, plus time just when you where moving and even total elevation!!! It almost makes me want to run just to play with it!!
Awesome, i'm going to download it!
ETA: I agree on not running until you can't run any longer. I tried that method and while I could run for 5-6 minutes, I wasn't able to keep up the run 3/walk 1 pace I wanted for more than a mile afterward. Pushing yourself like that won't help you in the long run. It's much better to pick a set pace that you can maintain for the whole distance and slowly keep increasing the run intervals over time.0 -
Started training on an elliptical in April to save my joints- especially my knees- from grief. By July I'd lost enough weight to run a bit and discovered I really enjoy it. In a mania, I signed up for a half marathon on September 25th, my first organized event since Spring 1986. Wish me luck, I'll need it!
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I have never been a runner or physically active - even when I wasn't overweight. In my last PE class in HS (sophmore year) I got a pity point for jogging the entire mile (I use the term jogging LOOSELY) even though it took over the 10 3/4 minutes we were supposed to run it in.
Just started adding some jogging to my walks and I actually really like it (shockingly). can someone tell me about the run your butt off program? I looked at C25k and I find it too irritating to have to stare at my watch constantly. Right now I just run until its really hard and then walk and then run again. The running sessions tend to get shorter and shorter until I realize thats as much as I can do that day and I walk the rest.
Thoughts?
Don't run until its really hard! You are wearing yourself out and can't build more stamina. I know the watch thing is a pain at first but you will be amazed at how after maybe week 2 or 3 you will know when its about time to walk again.
Stick with it!
Why would this prevent me from building more stamina? That's not meant to be snarky, I'm just wondering why you say that. The watch thing isn't just a pain at first, its a flat out freaking pain. I have to lift the arm with the watch up so I can see the seconds, activate the light with my other hand and I have to go through this every 15 seconds or so. Maybe its because the timer on my watch (its a HRM) is really small so other people can just glance at theirs and I have to get it a bit closer to my face? But I find it unbelievably tedious and the start and stops felt artificial.0 -
I'm doing the Couch 2 5K app and have been stuck on week 2 for 6 weeks. My left knee aches from runner's knee so I rest it for 5-7 days at a time
Just yesterday I discovered that stretching my calf stops the ache. Anyone else discover a stretch that relieves runner's knee?
I'll give week 3 a shot tonight! ( Just got fitting with good running shoes at the Running Company. )0 -
I am starting W2D1 tomorrow morning... week 1 went pretty well... much better than expected. I also used to be a runner before I got fat. I was training for my first half and had to have surgery done. That was 3 years and many many pounds ago. I completely let myself go so I am back to square one. Looking forward to hearing about everyone's success!!!! :drinker: Cheers!!0
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My right knee was really bothering me when I started running until I switched shoes. Have you been fitted for running shoes yet? If not, it might be the right time to shell out a few sheckles for good ones. I ran in my cross-trainers that didn't cause problems until I started running more than 3 miles on a regular basis. Then it was time for the "right" shoes. Go to an actual running store and have them check out your gait and foot form so they can recommend the proper shoes for you.I'm doing the Couch 2 5K app and have been stuck on week 2 for 6 weeks. My left knee aches from runner's knee so I rest it for 5-7 days at a time
Just yesterday I discovered that stretching my calf stops the ache. Anyone else discover a stretch that relieves runner's knee?
I'll give week 3 a shot tonight! ( Just got fitting with good running shoes at the Running Company. )0 -
ohhh and for anyone who has a smart phone....I just downloaded the "my tracks" app (its by google and its free) and it is sooo cool. It maps your run...tells you distance, route, pace, total time, plus time just when you where moving and even total elevation!!! It almost makes me want to run just to play with it!!
I use a similar app from Trimble outdoors love it!!0 -
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Yay!! I just started running about 2 weeks ago! i have ALWAYS wanted to be a "runner" ! been working myself up and am ALREADY addicted to running
after only two weeks! I am excited to wear this can take me 0 -
Hi Abby - :flowerforyou:
Thanks for getting this started. I'm new at running myself. I've started the C25K and am on W2D1 last night. I'm very anxious to keep going and am worried about week three as a previous person relyed too. I am 53 years old and want and need to lose 50 lbs. I really enjoy the feeling I have after my run/walk but some days I have to force myself out the door....but Walking back in that door is an awesome feeling of accomplishment when I do. So good luck to everyone and I look forward to the support and encouragment.
Kathy :drinker:0 -
I want to read all of the above comments later ... but also wanted to introduce myself a little first (again!)
like I said above.. I just started running about two weeks ago! and my name is SARAH! I've always wanted to RUN as I have hyperactivity problems and just NEED to calm myself at times and finding this really helps my sanity
My first run/walk, I didn't think I could get past ONE MINUTE OF JOGGING... seriously, that's how much i thought my lungs were going to collapse. but now... after ONLY TWO WEEKS of slowly working myself up and just increasing my time running and decreasing my time walking (not following a program just doing it on my own) i have improved significantly!!!
Yesterday, I ran/walked almost 6 miles! My runs were at a 6.2 pace for about 2 minutes to 4 minutes at a time! and walks were anywhere from 1 minute at 3.5 pace to 4 minutes at 2.5 pace for a total of almost 80 minutes or something INSANE like that!! it was AMAZING! i loved it! it was a great workout and i wasn't even too sore today
i thought it'd take me years to get up to THIS POINT if at all! I can't wait to see where I can go a few weeks from now, a few months from now, a year from now!! !!!??
edit
good luck everyone on running!
and i cant wait to come back to this thread and read everyone elses beginning running tips and stories0 -
And one last thing I want to mention....I've learned running is the opposite of drugs. With drugs you get the high first, then the crash. With running you get the crash first, then the high. Much better don't you think?
i just copied and pasted this onto a word document and read it over and over until it was scripted it in my brain.0 -
I used to be a distance runner, with marathon times of appox 3 hours 30 minutes.
I can't run anymore due to injury, but here's my two cents for those starting:
1. Get a good pair of RUNNING shoes (not cross-trainers). Do not use your running shoes for general walking or training, but only for running.
2. Replace your running shoes after about 500 miles or about 6 months. Do NOT attempt to use your shoes until they disintegrate!
3. If you are training for a marathon, never run a full marathon distance in training!
4. Go as slow as you need to in the beginning, just gradually build up your pace and time a little bit each time.
5. You should really aim to run for no more than one hour a day , 4 times a week.
6. If you are training for a marathon, reserve one day a week for your "Long Run". Start out at about 10 miles, and gradually elongate it until you get to 20-22 miles.
7. Make sure you reserve 1-2 days a week for rest!
Good luck!0 -
Great advice!I used to be a distance runner, with marathon times of appox 3 hours 30 minutes.
I can't run anymore due to injury, but here's my two cents for those starting:
1. Get a good pair of RUNNING shoes (not cross-trainers). Do not use your running shoes for general walking or training, but only for running.
2. Replace your running shoes after about 500 miles or about 6 months. Do NOT attempt to use your shoes until they disintegrate!
3. If you are training for a marathon, never run a full marathon distance in training!
4. Go as slow as you need to in the beginning, just gradually build up your pace and time a little bit each time.
5. You should really aim to run for no more than one hour a day , 4 times a week.
6. If you are training for a marathon, reserve one day a week for your "Long Run". Start out at about 10 miles, and gradually elongate it until you get to 20-22 miles.
7. Make sure you reserve 1-2 days a week for rest!
Good luck!0 -
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*saves spot*0
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I want to be a runner. My goal is to run 1 mile. I have never done this before!!!! starting the c25k today. Wish me luck!0
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You all are getting me psyched up! I'm just starting my journey to health and am currently working on my cardio health so I can then improve my strength and lose over 100 pounds. my first goal is to get to 289 and then I will start the c25k program with the help of the app on my phone/ipod. I'm excited because I've seen the changes in two friends who have taken up running and I know I can do it, even at 36 and never having been a runner. So I'll keep an eye on you guys and watch as you all attain your goals and then, and it'll be soon! I'll start 0
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GREAT idea! For anyone who is interested, here is the "couch to 10K" program I've been using: http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=1462924
I actually started at week 4, but now I'm on week 12 and I LOVE IT! It has been challenging but doable. I am so psyched that I can run for 60+ minutes straight now at 6mph!0 -
Just started adding some jogging to my walks and I actually really like it (shockingly). can someone tell me about the run your butt off program? I looked at C25k and I find it too irritating to have to stare at my watch constantly. Right now I just run until its really hard and then walk and then run again. The running sessions tend to get shorter and shorter until I realize thats as much as I can do that day and I walk the rest.
Thoughts?
If you have a smartphone, there are really inexpensive apps you can download for the C25k program. I have the one for my Droid (was $2.99) and it "walk" "run" and also tells you when you're halfway done so you can turn around! It's amazing.
I'm totally in. I started the C25k on Saturday. Today was W1D3, but I stopped halfway through. I was trying it on a treadmill at the gym and I am now convinced treadmills are the work of the devil
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Hi! I've never been a runner, but walking gets boring for me. I haven't been active in a long time so I'm starting out walking this week (3 times so far!) and I hope to progress to jogging within a month. Baby steps, I keep telling myself. The journey begins with a single step......0
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I have never been a runner or physically active - even when I wasn't overweight. In my last PE class in HS (sophmore year) I got a pity point for jogging the entire mile (I use the term jogging LOOSELY) even though it took over the 10 3/4 minutes we were supposed to run it in.
Just started adding some jogging to my walks and I actually really like it (shockingly). can someone tell me about the run your butt off program? I looked at C25k and I find it too irritating to have to stare at my watch constantly. Right now I just run until its really hard and then walk and then run again. The running sessions tend to get shorter and shorter until I realize thats as much as I can do that day and I walk the rest.
Thoughts?
Don't run until its really hard! You are wearing yourself out and can't build more stamina. I know the watch thing is a pain at first but you will be amazed at how after maybe week 2 or 3 you will know when its about time to walk again.
Stick with it!
Why would this prevent me from building more stamina? That's not meant to be snarky, I'm just wondering why you say that. The watch thing isn't just a pain at first, its a flat out freaking pain. I have to lift the arm with the watch up so I can see the seconds, activate the light with my other hand and I have to go through this every 15 seconds or so. Maybe its because the timer on my watch (its a HRM) is really small so other people can just glance at theirs and I have to get it a bit closer to my face? But I find it unbelievably tedious and the start and stops felt artificial.
I am not familar with all the science behind it but its what I am told by my three time Ironman Father..:) I know...hes a show off.
I am proof that it works though. I did it when I was trying to get ready for my first half. He wanted me to be up to running 6 miles before I started my program. I know looking at the watch is a pain. I dont know if you run with an MP3 player but maybe try the songs. Like run the verse and walk to chorus....idk... then add a min or 30 seconds to the run element and subtract that from the walk segment.
Try the run your butt off plan. Its super easy.0 -
I learned to run between my first kiddo and the second and even did a 5K. Now I am trying to get back to it, I am on week two of C25K. I am planning on running a 5k in February.0
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Hi! I just joined MFP last week and would love to be a runner, but never thought I could. I mostly want to run for 2 reasons - to prove to myself that I can be a runner, and I really think it's the most effective form of exercise for cardio/wt loss (based on calories/min). I haven't ran since high school, and that was just to get conditioned for tennis season.
I went out for a walk/jog tonight - much more walk than run
I noticed that a lot of you use or have used the C25K program - I, too, couldn't stand checking the time constantly when I tried it before. I think I downloaded a (free) program on my mp3 - I thought about checking it out this weekend to see if it's something to try again.
I would love to join in this group!0 -
Hello! I use to run a 5K in 24 minutes this time last year when I was in Marine Corps bootcamp but after having to come home to deal with a family Emergency I havent kept up with my runs in a long time. I use to be able to run 1 mile in about 7 minutes to 7:30 but now I am having trouble running 1 mile in 10 minutes to 12 minutes. I use couch to 5k on and off and I want to use it more. I just run a slow pace for as long as I can but now I have trouble doing it. I love running though.0
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This is a really cool group!!
I started the c25k program back in May/June.. and now I'm doing a half marathon this Sunday!
I kinda got out of the whole running kick when school started back up (I'm in college) but I just ran 4.5 today.. and I feel pretty good A little worried about my knees.. but I figure I'll just do a short run tomorrow, then see how it goes on Sunday.
That's a pretty awesome app! I've never heard of it.. I use "run keeper" or any of the other free apps on my phone. Then again, I also have a garmin cause there are times when running without music (and with a friend) is just more fun!
Wow - did you really not run before May/June and you were able to be ready for a half? That's amazing! Good luck!0 -
Tomorrow I will attempt to run a 5K without walking at all......not a race, just on a trail that is exactly 3.1miles. Hoping I can make the whole thing!!!!0
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Hi,
I am going home to do week 5 day 2 on C25K. Cant believe that I have made it to week 5. Never been a runner, or should I say jogger as that is a much close description but I am doing it and to me its a major achievement. I really hope to be able to complete the C25K.
I would like to be able to do the race for life next year and to do it jogging rather than walking.0 -
Ran 3.1 mile trail (very hilly) in 30 mins and 54 seconds...my best time yet!!! I did have to walk, but only for 50 seconds. Hopefully next time I make the whole thing....0
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Great job on the race and the new PR! Are you going to celebrate? (I won't ask about food rewards!)0
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