best way to start running?

Krystal7786
Krystal7786 Posts: 103 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
i want to be a runner, how do i get started!!
«1

Replies

  • StarIsMoving
    StarIsMoving Posts: 437
    I recommend the C25K program (Couch 2 5K). It's an app for phone or IPod... wonderful tool for a beginner
  • KellyUK1987
    KellyUK1987 Posts: 75
    Downloaded!

    Thanks for this recommendation - definitely going to have a look at this app tonight and try it out :)

    I <3 this site!
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    Another C25K-er here!

    Started the program in june and I am now up to running 25 minutes or 2.5 miles at a time.. before I could barely run for 6 minutes straight.. let alone 25!
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    I also vote for C25K - excellent program to get started running. Gradually works you up into being a runner.
  • stefnylynn
    stefnylynn Posts: 1 Member
    I'd just take it slow in the beginning and try not to get too frustrated if you're not improving as quickly as you'd like to. My best advice would be to keep track of every run, in as much detail as you can--how many miles, average pace, how much you walked, how long it took, etc. That way, even when a few weeks in you think you had a miserable run, you can look back at day one and see how much you've actually improved.
  • determined136
    determined136 Posts: 330
    Honestly.... One foot in front of the other .... and do a little more everyday. I know that sounds stupid and simple. When I startes I litterally ran around the block. Gradually I increased it to two blocks and then 3...then a mile, then 2. Once you start to get some distance behind you start working on upping your pace. It takes time and don't get discouraged...enjoy the process.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    what is your current fitness level? how long can you jog for now?

    C25k has helped some people, but me personally, i just went out there and did it. i started on my bike, just riding around, losing some weight, and building my cardio strength/endurance. then one day it was raining, and i didn't want to ride in the rain. so i went for a run. i ran for the first time in years. i think i did two miles in 30 minutes. but i started running.

    so just go out there, and put one foot in front of the other. you don't need fancy apps, or a perfect running playlist, or brand new running shoes and sweat wicking clothes. you don't need fancy water bottles and a top of the line heart rate monitor. you just need to want to go out there.

    every time you run, just try and be a little better then you were last time. you'll do great.
  • carlynn13
    carlynn13 Posts: 281
    I will add a vote for C25K :)
  • jamers3111
    jamers3111 Posts: 495 Member
    I recommend the C25K program (Couch 2 5K). It's an app for phone or IPod... wonderful tool for a beginner

    ^This! I never did it (I have been running for as long as I can remember) but I hear great things about it! And when I looked at the program it makes sense to me. Start slow and get a GOOD pair of shoes!
  • Susdewald
    Susdewald Posts: 4
    Me too! I'm by no means a professional runner, but I'm up to 2 miles without taking a break and dying. Here's how I started...
    I tried the Couch to 5K program and did really great the first couple of weeks, then I go to the 3rd week and felt defeated, exhausted and hated it! Left me feeling like I would never be a runner. I tried this 2 seperate times with the same results. :(
    Then I tried something different - I walked at a brisk pace for about 30 minutes to warm up, and would jog at a pace I felt comfortable with for 2 minutes. Then, I would walk for 2 minutes. I would do this interval (2 min jog - 2 min walk) for the next 30 minutes. I used a stop watch and looked like a total nerd, but it worked for me. I decreased my warm up time and increased my interval time as I felt I could. Then - I got in my head - so I threw away the stop watch, put on some tunes, walked to warm up and then jogged for as long as I could. I would recover and again jog for as long as I could. I would then get in my car and drive my workout - to see how far I was going. I realized I could jog a half a mile, then up to a mile and now I'm up to 2 miles. Slow and steady and not in my head works great for me. I'm still longing for that runner's high I keep hearing about...I want that! My goal is to run a 5K in October.
  • Bailey543
    Bailey543 Posts: 375
    I started couch to 5k and hated it! A lot of people really like it, but I just didn't. I just increased my running time each time. I would make mini goals during my run. I'd tell myself, run to that tree, then walk to that driveway, then run to that.... and so on and so forth. Worked! I'm not a huge runner, but I can go about 3 miles at a time now.
  • Sox90716
    Sox90716 Posts: 976 Member
    i want to be a runner, how do i get started!!

    Get a good pair of comfortable running shoes. I recommend being fitted for a pair after a gait analysis.
    Start a program. Couch to 5k is a good one.
    Have fun, vary your terrain and be consistent! Good luck!
  • UnleashingLovely
    UnleashingLovely Posts: 205
    Couch 2 5k!
    Amazing stuff, yo.(:
  • Bailey543
    Bailey543 Posts: 375
    Yes, the shoes are soooo important!
    i want to be a runner, how do i get started!!

    Get a good pair of comfortable running shoes. I recommend being fitted for a pair after a gait analysis.
    Start a program. Couch to 5k is a good one.
    Have fun, vary your terrain and be consistent! Good luck!
  • nikinyx6
    nikinyx6 Posts: 772 Member
    I also vote C25K, but I warn you, take it slow! I had enought stamina to do C25K easily, but my knees were not able to keep up. I ended up with 'runners knee' and was out of commission for 2 weeks. Just take it easy, get good running shoes, stretch, and ice your knees after running...just in case!
  • AubreySue81
    AubreySue81 Posts: 167 Member
    C25k is also how I got started, and would highly recommend it. :happy: :happy: Good luck!
  • redhousecat
    redhousecat Posts: 584 Member
    http://www.jennyhadfield.com/training-plans/
  • saracatherine89
    saracatherine89 Posts: 291 Member
    Start little by little. I used to do an hour of elliptical. Then I'd run for 15 minutes, do 45 minutes of elliptical. Run for 30 minutes slow, do 30 minutes of elliptical. Then once I was able to run 3 miles straight, I bumped up my time little by little. I was struggling to run a 12 minute mile, and now I can run 5 miles in under 50 minutes.
  • sthrnchick
    sthrnchick Posts: 771
    I too, wanted to be a runner...it just sounds cooler than sweating my butt off on the eliptical, right? "What do you do?" And being able to reply- Oh, I run... LOL...kidding aside...I went out, bought shoes and thought it was as easy as literally just starting to run...NOT!!! I hated every second of running....every.single.second!

    I found the C25K app for my phone...and slowly I started learning to run....still hated it...but did it....my knees dont always cooperate, but I can say FINALLY...I LOVE TO RUN!!! I get so excited on my running days, and I definitely owe a lot of that to C25K!! Even signed up for my first 5k on Labor Day this year.... :bigsmile:
  • NormalSaneFLGuy
    NormalSaneFLGuy Posts: 1,344 Member
    Rob a bank.
  • speedisoverrated
    speedisoverrated Posts: 38
    C25k +1 from me. Helped me to shift weight and go from doing no exercise at all to running a 5k race. Even if you end up not liking the routine of it, it gives you a very good idea as to how to go from nothing to running.
  • Zeromilediet
    Zeromilediet Posts: 787 Member
    If you don't have a smartphone, a beginners program is here http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

    You don't need to buy expensive shoes in the beginning but if you start to do well and progress, get running shoes that are appropriate for your feet, foot strike (what part of your foot hits the ground first--heel, ball of foot), terrain and mileage. Starting with a mix of walking and running is a good way to strengthen your legs and feet.

    Personally I'm a barefoot/minimalist shoe runner and love it in preference to typical shoes I used to wear (running mileage 6-10 km / day; 10-18 km long runs). After you learn more about running (do some reading), you will do what suits you.
  • clandic
    clandic Posts: 2 Member
    Intervals

    there's a great guided podcast called NHS Couch 2 5K based over 8 or 10 weeks....helps you start and build I believe there are other Couch to 5K podcasts too.

    I'm on week 6!:happy:
  • Donnaakamagmid
    Donnaakamagmid Posts: 198 Member
    I vote for C25K. I couldn't run down my very short driveway. Yesterday I ran 3 whole minutes straight. That may not seem like a lot to some, but I have 50 years of laziness behind me. I consider a step in the right directtion.

    Beat of luck to you whichever method you choose.
  • jzsor12
    jzsor12 Posts: 69
    wear suitable attire, charge your ipod and go out there

    don't push too hard though you can't run long distance in one day
  • IronmanPanda
    IronmanPanda Posts: 2,083 Member
    I also recommend C25K. I had never been what I consider to be a runner. The most I had ever run had probably been a couple laps during football practice.
    I picked up C25K in February of 2011 and ran my first 5k in March. While I wasn't "ready" it was something I really wanted to do.
    Since then I've finished multiple 1/2 marathons and triathlons including my first 1/2 Iron distance tri in December of last year.

    Just remember to hit your local running store and get fitted for a proper pair of shoes.
    I also recommend you pick up a foam roller and/or "The Stick"
  • StarIsMoving
    StarIsMoving Posts: 437
    Downloaded!

    Thanks for this recommendation - definitely going to have a look at this app tonight and try it out :)

    I <3 this site!

    Anytime! I love it, and I can listen to my own music through it all. If you want to, a lot of sites now have C25K podcasts too with a certain genre of music already selected
  • 2012asv
    2012asv Posts: 702 Member
    Honestly.... One foot in front of the other .... and do a little more everyday. I know that sounds stupid and simple. When I startes I litterally ran around the block. Gradually I increased it to two blocks and then 3...then a mile, then 2. Once you start to get some distance behind you start working on upping your pace. It takes time and don't get discouraged...enjoy the process.

    This^^
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I did Couch to 5k. Twice. Once when I first wanted to be a runner, and again as "rehab" after a stress fracture.

    I like it, but also think that "run until you need to walk, walk until you're bored" is a good way of approaching it. It's actually what I do now. I know I can run the distance, but I find the running experience more enjoyable if I allow myself to walk a little here and there.
  • Still_Fluffy
    Still_Fluffy Posts: 341 Member
    Running is not hard... you just have to stick with it. When I started I couldn't run a minute without wanting to throw up. 2 1/2 years later I ran a marathon. I am not an expert but I have lost 130 pounds running, done 3 marathons, and 5 half marathons. So here is some stuff I learned along the way:

    1) When you start running don't worry about speed, focus on being able to run for 1/4 mile or more without stopping. Once you can run 3 miles without walking then you should start worrying about speed. If you can’t talk in complete sentences when running you’re going too fast. Remember slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Too many people run as fast as they can then walk too long when starting.

    2) Sign up for a race and get a friend to sign up too. This will keep you motivated to keep running.

    3) Go to a running store (not foot locker or other chain store, but a running store) have them find shoes that match your gate and other needs.

    4) if you have the cash a GPS watch is a great tool

    5) Lots of people love the C25K program, but there are lots of programs out there. Personally I follow Hal Higdon's programs for all my races.

    Lastly remember we were built to run. The crap about it being bad for your legs is crap. Being fat is bad for your leg/knees. Your legs are muscles and the stronger they are the better shape your knees will be.

    Good luck, add me if you’re looking for running friends.

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