New to running

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  • pittskaa
    pittskaa Posts: 319 Member
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    Definitely C25K....go slow....there's no need to go out and run 5 miles at once. Definitely get good shoes!

    this!! make sure to stretch a TON! even if you think it's enough. it will make you feel way better.
  • GetFitE
    GetFitE Posts: 247 Member
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    Ditto on the shoes! They REALLY do make a difference in the world when you have the RIGHT pair of shoes. I used to have REALLY bad knee probs as a result of the wrong shoes. And once you see a specialist 1x, you won't really ever have to see them again as long as you get the info on what type of shoe is right for you. I think it also helps narrow the search too.

    And I agree with interval training, i.e. start off with like walking 4min, running 1min, or whatever you find comfortable...and then over time you decrease your walking time and increase your running time. You can even go as low as running for 4.5 mins and walking for .5 mins. But just play around with it... (Or try a C25k program of sorts--I didn't know about them when I started running 3 years ago and just intervaled it out)

    I also recommend setting a weekly goal (i.e. by the end of this week I'm going to run the full 5 mins). Pushing myself towards that 1x weekly goal is what has helped me to add on time and distance because I get to the next week and want to prove to myself that I can run that full time again/length again...and eventually THAT challenge becomes easier and I just keep increasing.

    And I HIGHLY encourage signing up for a race of sorts. Maybe 1 or 2 to give you that extra push of motivation, cause even if my running/training is slacking, I'm still going to run the race because I don't want to waste the money I spent on the registration fee!
  • Cwyman1
    Cwyman1 Posts: 72 Member
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    I've been running regularly for a couple years now. I average around 15-20 miles a week. Get the right shoes! Get the right shoes! Get the right shoes! I can't stress this enough. When I started running I had a lot of knee issues. Changing my shoes to a minimalist style shoe forced me to change my running style/stride (New Balance Minimus Trail). I've been injury free ever since (knock on wood). I've also improved my pace by about 2 minutes per mile. I also believe that having the right socks helps a lot with blisters. Get the moisture wicking style. Start slow and ease into it. Mileage, speed, and pace will come. I use Runkeeper app to track my runs. It helps keep me motivated. Running can be addictive. GOOD LUCK!
  • SL22268
    SL22268 Posts: 59 Member
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    Definitely C25K....go slow....there's no need to go out and run 5 miles at once. Definitely get good shoes!

    I agree on all of this! Before I did the c25k, I could barely run a quarter mile - now I run 2-3 miles 3-4 days a week :) And definitely good shoes, but you don't have to spend a ton of money on them either. Good luck!
  • Trechechus
    Trechechus Posts: 2,819 Member
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    I haven't done C25K. I just started running one day and recently finished my first 5k.

    Make sure you have good shoes and comfy clothes. Do not skimp on the shoes! Start slow, work your way up and good luck!
  • Camilletherealdeal
    Camilletherealdeal Posts: 26 Member
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    I have always been a big Nike girl. Especially since they came out with Nike+. Although they may not be the top-end running shoe I love my Lunarglides with Nike+. They are super squishy, not too heavy, and have better support than other Nikes. The Freeruns are super light, but are not as supportive. Plus they have pink soles, yay! They come in any color online so you can match them with your workout clothes. I have slight supination and they seem to help with that.
    The best part is Nike plus is AWESOME. You have a transmitter in the shoe that connects wirelessly to your iPod/iPhone (probably other smartphones too) and it keeps track of your time, distance, pace, and calories burned. Then it stores all that and you can graph your progress on their website (I think it is Nikeplus.com) It is gratifying to see all the miles add up after a few months. (I am over 100 after 7 months!)
    I've tried almost every brand over the last like 10 years; Asics and Sauconys are probably better, but look kind of dorky.
    Finish Line has tons of customer reveiws for all their shoes that are really helpful. I went in to the store and tried them on, then bought the color I wanted online.
    Just try a bunch of different kinds of shoes and see what feels the best, all brands differ in width and other fit. I know Reeboks tend to be narrower, Asics wider. New Balance makes the best trail shoes, etc.
    Getting a high quality insole can make almost-perfect running shoes perfect for your feet, like if you need more arch support. Most of the running shoes I have tried come with crappy insoles and need to be upgraded.
  • herillusion
    herillusion Posts: 62 Member
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    Definitely C25K....go slow....there's no need to go out and run 5 miles at once. Definitely get good shoes!

    I agree on all of this! Before I did the c25k, I could barely run a quarter mile - now I run 2-3 miles 3-4 days a week :) And definitely good shoes, but you don't have to spend a ton of money on them either. Good luck!

    I agree! I ran my first 5k last October and went from hardly being able to run a minute to running 9/10ths of a 5k in 9 weeks. Find a 5K to sign up for so that you have a goal. Also, I didn't buy any new shoes but I did have shoes specific for running and they were only a few months old.
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
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    *Shoes. Get a good pair, they will last you around 400-500 miles (personally I don't believe in having to get fit for a pair, find a good shoe that feels good and go with it!
    *SLOW. Start out slow and don't over do it.
    *ENJOY !!!
  • roch1972
    roch1972 Posts: 113 Member
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    Can you train for a race like C25K using a treadmill? I can't get outside to run that much...
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
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    Can you train for a race like C25K using a treadmill? I can't get outside to run that much...

    Of course!
  • roch1972
    roch1972 Posts: 113 Member
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    Can you train for a race like C25K using a treadmill? I can't get outside to run that much...

    Of course!



    Yeh! thanks
  • JustAGirlyGeek
    JustAGirlyGeek Posts: 149 Member
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    The NHS C25K podcasts are REALLY good.

    http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/couch-to-5k.aspx

    She will talk you through the walks/jogs to help you improve your pace, etc. Give it a shot. You can either download them from iTunes or at this link:

    http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/couch-5K-running-plan.aspx

    As for shoes, go to a running store and get properly fitted. As for clothing, I use the Active compression pants I picked up from Old Navy, a sports bra, and loose fitting t-shirt. Have fun!!!
  • taylor_lynn
    taylor_lynn Posts: 27
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    I ditto C25K... it really helps ease you into running.
    Also, consider getting a heart rate monitor to make sure you're not pushing too hard, or not hard enough, and to more accurately track calories burned.

    My running app of choice (for GPS tracking... not C25K) is Runkeeper. I've tried MapMyRun, Endomondo, and others and this is by far my favorite.

    Good luck!
  • ribye
    ribye Posts: 59 Member
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    Start slow and build only 10-20% increase a week, depends on your health but if your not sure start slow prevent those injuries 2-5 minutes to start
    Walk to warm up do calf stretches before and after things like touching your toes or as far as you can,
    good solid shoe and getting advise on that is a good idea
    the c25k is a great place to start
    Starting slow is no fun but nothing kills it faster than getting an injury
  • grimsin
    grimsin Posts: 78 Member
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    great that you want to start running! here are a few suggestions I have for ya

    1. decide the type of running you want to undertake. heel strike, natural, trail, street, treadmill
    2. get proper shoes for the type of running you decided upon
    3. research proper running form and technique before going out. this will save you pain and blisters in the long run, I consider this the most important thing you can do before learning to run
    4. start hydrating yourself days before you start so you are fully hydrated prior to starting to run as you will probably need every drop.
    5. don't give up!! running can be hard at first but it gets better :) enjoy yourself

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