New to running...will I ever get it?

BrandyontheRun

I'm pretty sure the above responders have covered the advice bit (definitely some great words of wisdom to start with!!). I just wanted to add that I LOVE this thread and that it is absolutely fantastic you want to get into running. It is, in a way, an under-appreciated sport!! You can do it!!!!

mrsred79

I've done a modified version of C25K when I started out over 2 year ago. I was up to running 2 miles straight when I got pregnant with my 3rd child. I was slow, but knew speed would come gradually. My doc cleared me to keep running throughout my pregnancy as long as I felt up to it. Morning sickness took me out of the game and so here I am. Baby is now 9 months old, and I'm finally getting back out there. I'm training for this event.

http://runforyourlives.com/

Nothing says "RUN YOUR *kitten* OFF!!" like a bunch of zombies, right? LOL

lisajnz

What Rubybelle said Her points are pretty much what I would have said - so I don't need to type them all again!!

I started on the C25K program 3 years ago - purely because I worked out I could burn the same number of calories running 30min as I could walking for over an hour - so for time efficiency figured it was a good idea

I come from a family of runners and had spent most of my adult life thinking they were all nutters - now I'm the biggest nutter of them all - it still amazes me how much I've come to love running.

About 7mths after I started I ran my 3rd 10k race (fun run) - and won the major spotprize - entry to the London Marathon (plus airfares and accommodation - I'm in NZ) - first reaction was NO WAY would/could I run a marathon ... but I then decided it would be a huge regret if I didn't try and give it a go and got stuck into training - 16mths after I started C25K I ran my first marathon - ended up being Rotorua in NZ because of the huge ash cloud and not being able to get to London, but a year later (last year) I got to London - a couple of times I was in tears just with awe and amazement at how far I'd come and at what I was doing.

Still running, still loving it, I'll start training for my 4th marathon next week.

I'm amazed every day that I've come from being anti-running, overweight (I've also lost 60lb in that time) to the person I am now.

Basically - if I can do it - anyone can do it - so go for it!!

darrenkitchens

After getting out of the Army I was pretty much burned out on running. For years I stuck to power lifting, resulting in a 6'1" 260lb frame. as I have gotten older I realized that 260lb is not a good weight to carry around, even it is (mostly) muscle. I decided to get down to about 215lb (hope to keep BF to <20%). Still did not enjoy running, mainly because I had not done it so long and sucked at it, but I knew I needed to mix at least some in with my cardio. struggled with it for a while, shin splints, knee problems etc... A trainer friend of mine talked me into trying a pair of Vibram Five fingers shoes. this seemed to work for me, corrected my stride and form. I know some people think they are a gimmick, but since I have worn them I have had 0 knee problems or shin splints. my wife wears them now too and loves them.

another thing you may want to try if you get bored with distance running (like my wife does) is HIIT training. if you haven't already heard of it, just google it. my wife does HIIT training almost exclusively and has very, very good results.

vicmonster

Check out Hal Higdon's beginner programs. I have always hated running and I'm 5 weeks into his novice 10k program and loving it. The best parts are that you do different activities, not just running and that each day you know exactly what type of activity to do and for how long. Good luck!