Maybe a Marathon?

its_B

Hi there!

My name is Brittany, and although I have been crazy busy lately and unable to get to the gym I would still like to do a marathon or walkathon or something of that sorts in the fall of 09.

I am extremely out of shape, so could someone with experience or expertise break down for me a good way to start training as a beginner?

thanks so much:flowerforyou:

B

its_B

Hi there!

My name is Brittany, and although I have been crazy busy lately and unable to get to the gym I would still like to do a marathon or walkathon or something of that sorts in the fall of 09.

I am extremely out of shape, so could someone with experience or expertise break down for me a good way to start training as a beginner?

thanks so much:flowerforyou:

B

bluroses

Welcome!

That's a huge goal. I'm not saying it's impossible, but maybe starting with a 5K would be a better place to start. After a 5K, a 10K. Then a half-marathon. Work your way up!

its_B

okay... so I start small. I get it! Thanks! ^_^

So a 5K.. (goes and googles options for local area)

Alright! Now what! Someone help me with the next step! ^_^

dclarsh

okay... so I start small. I get it! Thanks! ^_^

So a 5K.. (goes and googles options for local area)

Alright! Now what! Someone help me with the next step! ^_^

I started training for my first 5K in January. In the beginning, I did intervals of two minutes running and three minutes walking for a half hour. If that is too much, start with one minute running and four minutes walking. Work your way up each week making the run period longer and the walk period shorter. Once you can run for 8 minutes straight, then change strategy, and start tacking on an extra couple of minutes with each run and walk the rest. You'll be running 3 miles straight in no time.

One more tip... try and train as much as you can outside. Treadmills are great, but running on the road is a lot harder. Make sure you can finish all three miles outside before your race day.

MFS27

Hey Brittany,

First, I think it is awesome you are starting to set physical goals - being healthy is much more attainable when it is a natural part of your life and lifestyle. Kudos!

Second - it's really important to make sure you take it slow with running/walking. This is something I found out the hard way. I've been pretty active and fairly fit for the past 3 or 4 years with swimming and hiking. Two years ago a friend invited me to do a half marathon (13.1 miles) running/walking and I said sure! I thought since I was already exercising and we would be jogging/walking - there was no need to train intensively. I've hiked for 13 miles with no ill effects, so this should be a shoo in, I thought. Ummm, not exactly how things went. I was basically hobbling like my legs were fractured for two weeks. My hamstrings were screaming in agony and one foot was blistered. Wow! Talk about eating humble pie :laugh: However, running injuries are no laughing matter, as I found out, and they are the hardest kind of injurys to heal from in my experience.

So, this time around I'm doing things differently. I went to a running shoe store and was fitted with appropriate (albeit $$$) shoes, learned about fueling my body, hydration, joined a running group with a trainer, and train regularly. I will do a half marathon on May 2nd, and a full marathon in December. I'm still cross-training with swimming and hiking, plus some stretching and yoga. I'm psyched for my upcoming half marathon, and know it will be much better than the one I foolishly pushed through two years ago.

So you can do it, but do it wisely and slowly. There are lots of programs out there to help people ease into running (like the couch to 5K program). If you are brand new to running, I strongly recommend joining a running group for at least a little while so you can have the trainer correct your posture and technique (if needed) as well as learn other helpful hints from seasoned runners (the motivational factor of meeting up with other people helps a lot too!) Keep us updated! :flowerforyou:

its_B

okay... so I start small. I get it! Thanks! ^_^

So a 5K.. (goes and googles options for local area)

Alright! Now what! Someone help me with the next step! ^_^

I started training for my first 5K in January. In the beginning, I did intervals of two minutes running and three minutes walking for a half hour. If that is too much, start with one minute running and four minutes walking. Work your way up each week making the run period longer and the walk period shorter. Once you can run for 8 minutes straight, then change strategy, and start tacking on an extra couple of minutes with each run and walk the rest. You'll be running 3 miles straight in no time.

One more tip... try and train as much as you can outside. Treadmills are great, but running on the road is a lot harder. Make sure you can finish all three miles outside before your race day.

Thanks so much! and I hope you don't mind but I totally copied what you said made it into bolder bigger print and just printed it out... I could use all the advice that I can get!!.. Now are there other types of work outs or weight training that i should be doing with the running to aid and improve my workouts and success that much more?

amymeenieminymo

Welcome!

That's a huge goal. I'm not saying it's impossible, but maybe starting with a 5K would be a better place to start. After a 5K, a 10K. Then a half-marathon. Work your way up!

I agree, it can be exciting to want to take on something big, but it really is taking on a huge goal, and huge goals can easily be thrown by the wayside if it's unrealistic.

I walked all last spring, biked last summer and fall, biked on my trainer all winter and started walking again in February....I just walked my first 10k and while it was great and I loved it, I really don't think I could have done much more right now.

If you plan to start running, I hear couch to 5K is a great program. For walking, I would just start out and see how far you can comfortably go and work your way up. When I started walking last fall, I started walking on my lunch break and usually did about a mile and a half. The more I did it, the further I walked and before I knew it I was doing 3 miles at home (no time for that at work) and like I said, just finished my first 10K (6.2 miles).

You can probably also googling some walking programs that might give you a more structured schedule. Good luck.

its_B

Hey Brittany,

First, I think it is awesome you are starting to set physical goals - being healthy is much more attainable when it is a natural part of your life and lifestyle. Kudos!

Second - it's really important to make sure you take it slow with running/walking. This is something I found out the hard way. I've been pretty active and fairly fit for the past 3 or 4 years with swimming and hiking. Two years ago a friend invited me to do a half marathon (13.1 miles) running/walking and I said sure! I thought since I was already exercising and we would be jogging/walking - there was no need to train intensively. I've hiked for 13 miles with no ill effects, so this should be a shoo in, I thought. Ummm, not exactly how things went. I was basically hobbling like my legs were fractured for two weeks. My hamstrings were screaming in agony and one foot was blistered. Wow! Talk about eating humble pie :laugh: However, running injuries are no laughing matter, as I found out, and they are the hardest kind of injurys to heal from in my experience.

So, this time around I'm doing things differently. I went to a running shoe store and was fitted with appropriate (albeit $$$) shoes, learned about fueling my body, hydration, joined a running group with a trainer, and train regularly. I will do a half marathon on May 2nd, and a full marathon in December. I'm still cross-training with swimming and hiking, plus some stretching and yoga. I'm psyched for my upcoming half marathon, and know it will be much better than the one I foolishly pushed through two years ago.

So you can do it, but do it wisely and slowly. There are lots of programs out there to help people ease into running (like the couch to 5K program). If you are brand new to running, I strongly recommend joining a running group for at least a little while so you can have the trainer correct your posture and technique (if needed) as well as learn other helpful hints from seasoned runners (the motivational factor of meeting up with other people helps a lot too!) Keep us updated! :flowerforyou:

o.0 *immediately googles running group*
Sorry about the missfortune of the marathon 2 years ago!
Sounds like you are going to do Wonderfully this year! good luck!!!

And I certainly will. haha.
^_^ I hiking by the way.
Back in high school I did the big annual hiking trip down in NC/ Tennessee boarder every year. (usually ended up adding up to around 100 miles hiked or more by the end of the 10 days)

its_B

Welcome!

That's a huge goal. I'm not saying it's impossible, but maybe starting with a 5K would be a better place to start. After a 5K, a 10K. Then a half-marathon. Work your way up!

I agree, it can be exciting to want to take on something big, but it really is taking on a huge goal, and huge goals can easily be thrown by the wayside if it's unrealistic.

I walked all last spring, biked last summer and fall, biked on my trainer all winter and started walking again in February....I just walked my first 10k and while it was great and I loved it, I really don't think I could have done much more right now.

If you plan to start running, I hear couch to 5K is a great program. For walking, I would just start out and see how far you can comfortably go and work your way up. When I started walking last fall, I started walking on my lunch break and usually did about a mile and a half. The more I did it, the further I walked and before I knew it I was doing 3 miles at home (no time for that at work) and like I said, just finished my first 10K (6.2 miles).

You can probably also googling some walking programs that might give you a more structured schedule. Good luck.

Thanks! and congrats on your 10k!! that is super exciting!

*goes and checks out Couch to 5k.*

dclarsh

okay... so I start small. I get it! Thanks! ^_^

So a 5K.. (goes and googles options for local area)

Alright! Now what! Someone help me with the next step! ^_^

I started training for my first 5K in January. In the beginning, I did intervals of two minutes running and three minutes walking for a half hour. If that is too much, start with one minute running and four minutes walking. Work your way up each week making the run period longer and the walk period shorter. Once you can run for 8 minutes straight, then change strategy, and start tacking on an extra couple of minutes with each run and walk the rest. You'll be running 3 miles straight in no time.

One more tip... try and train as much as you can outside. Treadmills are great, but running on the road is a lot harder. Make sure you can finish all three miles outside before your race day.

Thanks so much! and I hope you don't mind but I totally copied what you said made it into bolder bigger print and just printed it out... I could use all the advice that I can get!!.. Now are there other types of work outs or weight training that i should be doing with the running to aid and improve my workouts and success that much more?

Of course I don't mind :happy:

Strength training is very important for runners, and not just your lower body. A strong upper body (arms, chest, core) helps take some of the strain off the lower body while you run. Also, strengthening the muscles around the knees helps keep your knee stable while you run and will reduce the risk of injury. You will probably want to cross train because there will be days when you are very sore from running and you'll want to take a break. I recommend working out on the elliptical machine, a stationary bike, or swimming. Something low impact is good. Also, yoga can be very helpful for runners because it increases your range of motion which reduces the risk of injury and makes your stride more fluid.

I think you'll really like running. I love it now. It gives you something to be proud of every day that you do it. I'm still amazed when I run farther than I could the week before, or when I realize that this time it's easier and I'm not struggling as much as I used to. And when you're striving for a goal like a 5K, it helps take the focus off the number on the scale. It's not just about losing weight anymore, it's about running farther and faster than you ever thought you could.

its_B

okay... so I start small. I get it! Thanks! ^_^

So a 5K.. (goes and googles options for local area)

Alright! Now what! Someone help me with the next step! ^_^

I started training for my first 5K in January. In the beginning, I did intervals of two minutes running and three minutes walking for a half hour. If that is too much, start with one minute running and four minutes walking. Work your way up each week making the run period longer and the walk period shorter. Once you can run for 8 minutes straight, then change strategy, and start tacking on an extra couple of minutes with each run and walk the rest. You'll be running 3 miles straight in no time.

One more tip... try and train as much as you can outside. Treadmills are great, but running on the road is a lot harder. Make sure you can finish all three miles outside before your race day.

Thanks so much! and I hope you don't mind but I totally copied what you said made it into bolder bigger print and just printed it out... I could use all the advice that I can get!!.. Now are there other types of work outs or weight training that i should be doing with the running to aid and improve my workouts and success that much more?

Of course I don't mind :happy:

Strength training is very important for runners, and not just your lower body. A strong upper body (arms, chest, core) helps take some of the strain off the lower body while you run. Also, strengthening the muscles around the knees helps keep your knee stable while you run and will reduce the risk of injury. You will probably want to cross train because there will be days when you are very sore from running and you'll want to take a break. I recommend working out on the elliptical machine, a stationary bike, or swimming. Something low impact is good. Also, yoga can be very helpful for runners because it increases your range of motion which reduces the risk of injury and makes your stride more fluid.

I think you'll really like running. I love it now. It gives you something to be proud of every day that you do it. I'm still amazed when I run farther than I could the week before, or when I realize that this time it's easier and I'm not struggling as much as I used to. And when you're striving for a goal like a 5K, it helps take the focus off the number on the scale. It's not just about losing weight anymore, it's about running farther and faster than you ever thought you could.

Your smart! (*nerdily pulls out glasses and notepad and writes everything down*)
Thanks again for the advice! I really appreciate it!

dogoreo

Congratulations. Go for it. Just pick one next spring and use this year to train. You could enter a 10K in the fall or maybe a half marathon in Oct. Here is a website that has great novice training programs and info for free. I used one to train for my first marathon. Good luck.

http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/Mar00index.htm