Wannabe Runner-Any advice?? :)

KristenStone

Hi Everyone!

So I have never been a runner-hated it, never did it, and was always "sick" in PE in school on run a mile day.

I am 25 years old and I recently started on my weight loss journey 2 months ago. I have been walking on the treadmill and mainly walking outside of the gym. So here is the kicker-I want to run. I started out on the treadmill and ran a full 30 seconds before almost passing out. (hahaha terrible right?) and I kept trying and trying. So 2 weeks ago I ran for TWO MINUTES STRAIGHT. Biggest deal of my life...lol

So I want to run. I ordered a jogging stroller so my 3 year old can come, even though I'm pretty sure if she was on foot she could run farther than me.

Any advice for a wannabe runner? I need to get fitted for some running shoes and other than that-i'm pretty much stumped! I know to just run, but does anyone have any advice? I have no clue why, but i'm kinda scared!!

Minnie_Moo

Did you think about trying the C25K programs ?

Hope this helps you out a bit......

I found an application for iTouch/iPhone/iPod on iTunes and it is called Ease into 5K by bluefin software which is very good but not free, maybe around $2.99 This app has good ratings and lets you use your music playlists from your iPod in it.

I believe there is anothe app similar to the one above by someone else and is free but don't know about it......


I also found a podcast on iTunes called NHS Couch to 5K which is "free" and like that one too but it doesn't let you use your own music and it has its own music built in......

visiri

I second using C25K programs. I use Get Running on my iPod. Can't remember the cost - the speaker is Australian and is really good at keeping you going with comments like 30 seconds left, 10 seconds left, you've just run 3 times longer than you did 2 weeks ago etc.

Good luck!!!

militarydreams

Start slow and be patient. Keep pushing through the C25K program. Know that you have to want it more than you want the burn to stop, in the beginning that comes from tenacity but later on it will fuel itself as a hobby.

Running is an amazing exercise but requires an unusual mix of patience and determination, a structured program like C25K helps

stephlw

I've tried many C25K programs and I'm sorry. I'm not the kind of person that can listen to someone tell me, "Start running, Stop running, almost there" I run farther when I can tell myself...run till the stop sign and don't stop till you get there, okay my heart rate is lower, now pick it up again.
I run and find little goals. Like this past time I ran 3 blocks without stopping. thats a goal for me big time. I'm not a huge runner but my plan is to go out there and always go further! First to the mail box, every other phone pole, every other stop sign..Just keep pushing yourself and soon you will see results. Its also cheaper.
And I run every other day mostly. I try. Sometimes life gets in the way and I'll do a big cardio workout instead to keep my endurance going. (I don't like to run at night)
Anyway just keep it up, sounds like you are doing a wonderful start.

2012asv

That sounds like ME. I absolutely hated running. I'll admit I'm still not a huge fan of it, but I hate it much less now that i "can" do it. 50% of people like treadmills, while the other like the outdoors... first figure that out. Second, get some GOOD music. Third, stretch "really" well.... then go. Dont try to "run"... start by jogging. Focus on your endurance and breathing first. Once you get that down, you'll find yourself struggling WAY less and going faster.

I [make] myself run everyday on my lunch. Some days are harder than others, but generally I am getting better. My first day took me like 20 mins to run a mile!! By the end of the second week I ran 2 in 25 mins.
The best thing you can do with any exercise is... DON'T GIVE UP.

Good luck! :drinker:

meagalayne

Any running, jogging, walking, crawling is progress. You won't be a good runner from the gates. Hell, you might not even be able to run for more than 100m at first without breaks. That's where I was when I started.

Don't let yourself get discouraged if you aren't instantly awesome at it. It will be uncomfortable and hard. Don't stress out too much over having the right gear, the perfect form, the right "training program". Just get out and move and move a little more each time than you did the last. Know that every run won't feel good. Or be your best run. And some days will just plain suck.

And know that the HARDEST part is getting out there for your runs. Leaving the house is often the worst part. Just don't think about it - it's not a choice or option. Throw on your workout clothes without thinking about it, lace up, and get out of the house right away. No time to talk yourself out of it.

You will NEVER regret a run. I promise ya!

sma83

Bump....I would like to run to and am curious to see what people have to say on this.

luvmybeebees

Bump - looking for ideas too! I am signed up for a 5k soon!

mitchellmom71

Just remember that no matter how slow your start to running is... your still going faster than someone sitting on the couch!

meagalayne

Sorry - I forgot to mention: I did NOT do C25K when I started out. I waited until the weather was getting warm, found a trail that had markings every 200m, and just tried to run a little further each and every time I went out. I stopped to walk when I needed a break but would set out with a few small goals in mind and try to hit them. For example, I'd go out for 5 running intervals, or 8, depending on how short they were. Or I'd say "I'm going to spend 30 minutes on my feet, regardless of the activity level".

The best way to make progress is not to sell yourself short. 9 times out of 10 you can do ONE more interval. You can try ONE last time. You can push yourself ONE extra minute. It's those "extras" past your comfort zone where you'll be making most of your progress. Both in your physical endurance and running abilities and your attitude and confidence about running.

Once you realize "I CAN push myself further than my body is telling me I should go" you will be amazed at the progress you can make.

In Oct 2010 I ran my first ever 5K and I had to take multiple walking breaks.
By the end of Oct 2010, I ran a 10K race.
By Dec 2010 I was able to complete a 10mile race in 1:44:09
By 2011 I had run my first 1/2 Marathon, and this month I will be running my first ever 30K.

If you are willing to push yourself outside of what's comfortable - you can do it.

militarydreams

A few tips that might not be so obvious:

To run faster don't lengthen your stride, quicken your steps
When going up hill shorten your stride to reduce strain on your lower back
Your head weighs a lot, don't move it around too much, keep it in a neutral position looking straight ahead when possible
Don't cross your arms over your chest, keep them low and parallel. High arms is a big noobie mistake and wastes energy
Breathe into your tummy, not your chest, your chest has to move a lot more weight to expand thus costing more energy
Don't bounce around or move side to side, concentrate on keeping energy expendature to a minitum in your strides
Breathe with strides, In for 2, Out for 2
Strike the ground with your heel and roll onto the ball of your foot to spread the impact
Run on grass/mud where possible

thinclo

good post! bump

meagalayne

A few tips that might not be so obvious:

Strike the ground with your heel and roll onto the ball of your foot to spread the impact

Heel striking can cause major joint discomfort for some - If you can land on the forefront of your foot instead, do so. It is more effort and can be difficult to get used to, but heel striking is also a big noobie "no-no" and it's a TOUGH habit to break!

KristenStone

A few tips that might not be so obvious:

To run faster don't lengthen your stride, quicken your steps
When going up hill shorten your stride to reduce strain on your lower back
Your head weighs a lot, don't move it around too much, keep it in a neutral position looking straight ahead when possible
Don't cross your arms over your chest, keep them low and parallel. High arms is a big noobie mistake and wastes energy
Breathe into your tummy, not your chest, your chest has to move a lot more weight to expand thus costing more energy
Don't bounce around or move side to side, concentrate on keeping energy expendature to a minitum in your strides
Breathe with strides, In for 2, Out for 2
Strike the ground with your heel and roll onto the ball of your foot to spread the impact
Run on grass/mud where possible

Thank you for this! I saw a tip not to long ago to breathe in to your tummy and it made such a difference! It really makes it easier to manage jogging/running because you are not stopping due to shortness of breath-but because your legs are on fire!

islandjumper

So I starting writing a response and it just disappeared :-/...so anyway, take 2
I'm very much the same way. Hated running...could never do "the mile" in school. I'm not about halfway through c25k, and while I don't absolutely love running, I do like it, and I like what it's done for me.
My advice:
Take it slow....stay within your own physical limits. The first few times I tried running I tried doing too much and going too fast and I ended up hurting myself (knee injury). C25k is a great program for that reason...it lets you ease into running. If however c25k week 1 is too much for you (like it was me) you can create you own...example jogging 30 seconds walking 1 minute...or some kind of similar intervals.
If you choose to go with c25k (and I really recommend it, or a something similar) there is an iphone ap...or you can download podcasts for your mp3 - which has someone reminding you when to start and stop jogging. It beats looking at your watch.
Get yourself fitted for a good pair of shoes. Good shoes can balance out a stride (if your foot strikes too far one way or another), so getting a fitting is the only way you'll really know what kind of shoe you need...go to a non-chain real running store for this.

militarydreams

Heel striking can cause major joint discomfort for some - If you can land on the forefront of your foot instead, do so. It is more effort and can be difficult to get used to, but heel striking is also a big noobie "no-no" and it's a TOUGH habit to break!

The heel strike is the preferred method in British Army training. While I totally respect that both are valid it's a bit much to call Soldiers noobie runners.

Interesting that it causes discomfort for some though, I didn't know that

thelovelyLIZ

Honestly, I just worked myself up to it. I started out doing 30 minutes on the elliptical, and one day went "sure, I'll try running" and I ran for like... eight minutes at a 15 minute mile pace. But I slowly started getting better. Each time I would challenge myself to run longer or faster, and I would stop and walk when needed. It's been about five months, and now I consider myself a runner. I've run four miles without stopped, and three miles in under half an hour. I'm doing my first 5k in April. It just takes time a patience, and a little perseverance.

I know some people love C25k, but that program never appealed to me. I just ran until I was tired.

Kirsty_UK

I started doing some jogging this time last year, on the c25k programme, and I was struggling to do the full 1 minute jog in each interval. For various reasons I stopped with c25k (the programme is great, I just got distracted with other exercise etc), but started jogging again a few weeks ago.

I can now proudly say that I can jog for 20 minutes none stop, and last night covered 4.75km with two 0.25km walking breaks in the middle.

So start slow, build up gradually, and I'm totally recommend the C25K programme. You can do this

MandaJean83

Hey there! I always HATED running. My endurance only let me go for 30 seconds before feeling like I might die! LOL But I've always been curious about running and admired the people I see running on the treadmill or out in the neighborhood.

Through a bout of confidence and curiosity, I decided to try C25K to see if I could improve my endurance. I'm now starting Week 5 and feeling absolutely AMAZING about my progress. Don't get me wrong, the progress is slow...and some days are just awful. But there is progress being made each week. I don't follow the program to a tee...I do some extra intervals when I have time...and I change up the intervals a bit. For instance, this week (week 4) I was supposed to run 3, walk 90 sec, run 5, walk 2.5...I was feeling strong, so I decided to instead run 5, walk 2.5, run 5, walk 2.5, etc. I push myself a bit harder when I'm having good days, and I think it's paying off!

Here are some tips for a noobie, from a fellow noobie..
1) Get fitted for running shoes! I know they are expensive, but the cushioning is amazing and it really helps with your stride. My ankles have stopped hurting when I run - it's amazing!

2) Go SLOW. My boyfriend calls my running "barely a jog" (jerky comment from him, I called him out on it...he's a couch potato so he has NO room to talk!!! LOL)....but going slow allows me to go LONGER. The speed will come eventually!

3) If your aim is to run a race, for the love of God, practice running outside atleast half of the time. A treadmill is totalllllly a different workout. The pavement is much less forgiving. Besides, the weather is gorgeous right now!

4) If you're afraid of people looking at you jog/walk...get over it. It was a BIG hang up for me, and kept me from pursuing this goal for YEARS. Anyone who has the audacity to make a snarky comment about your form/speed/weight is an *kitten*...and you'll be leaving them in the dust as you run/jog off!

Femtec74

just do it - start on the treadmill or on a track - start with C25K program or make up your own (that's what I did) I started out running as long as I could and then walk a couple minutes - then back to running. Once you get started, you'll want to keep challenging yourself. Make sure that you do strength training as well so you don't injure yourself. A tip - if you really want to find a good training program, find a site for a marathon and look at the training tips on the page.

Here's the one I started using - I got it from the Disney Marathon page... http://www.jeffgalloway.com/

Good luck!