For the Runners and Joggers!

Lauralsaur

I want to take up jogging, since I love the feeling of it! O hate running, but jogging is something I can do in bursts So this is why I'm asking the pros
1. How will stay motivated to jog even when I don't want to?
2. How do I log my jogging if I don't know how fast I'm going, and I can't seem to jog for more than 5 minutes
3. How do I get my endurance up?
4. Is there anything else I can do to help shed those lbs? (while jogging and such)

I'm a University kid, so I don't have all the time in the world, especially this coming Christmas break, since I'm going home to work and help my mom move. Any advice and tips are welcomed!

josiereside

Running and jogging are the same thing to me... First sign up for a 5K about 8-10 weeks from now... that will keep you motivated. Try the C25K program, it will ease you into running... I always had a love/hate relationship with running but I have not been able to run due to some knee issues and oh how I miss it... it becomes addicting but it doesn't happen overnight!

wonderstruck91

The more you run the more you get motivated to keep going. That "runners high" people talk about is real ... I never believed it until I started running and started feeling it. It can be addictive! Check out these training programs: http://www.jeffgalloway.com/ I highly recommend walk/run intervals to build your endurance (and speed!) Good luck!

Lauralsaur

Great! Thanks guys I love the feeling, it's just keeping me motivated to feel that way :P That's a great idea about signing up!

readthat

I used "gmap-pedometer" to figure out how far I ran. If you save the route and put in your time, it will even give you your pace per mile. Just plug that into google and you should be able to find the website.

gemmalu

Use walk breaks e.g. jog for five minutes, walk for 2. you can then increase running, decrease walking as you progress. I find that a running app helps motivate me as I log how many KMs I run. I also like to look at how many calories I have burnt and work out a little treat that I can have with a few of those earnt back calories. Good luck!

Haikugurl

Like josiereside, I also recommend the C25K program. Helps you gradually build up endurance without having to kill yourself along the way.

To track distance/speed/time I use the Map My Run app on my smartphone.

umfan85

One of my best recommendations I give anybody interested in starting a running program is this: Get running shoes that are fit for YOU. Go to a local running store, where they will watch how you walk, and then will offer their advice on the shoe to get.

They will not be anymore expensive then what you would pay for "generic" shoes. They CAN be, but I don't ever spend more then $100 on a quality pair of shoes that fit MY foot.

When I always tried to get into running previously, I would hate it. After a week or two of my knees/ankles/shins hurting, I would give up. Thinking I just wasn't a runner. However, as soon as I bought shoes that fit my foot and walking style, all of my issues went away! It is seriously the best advice I can give anybody.

AmyRhubarb

I always HATED running. But for some reason, something clicked in my brain last January, and I challenged myself to give it a shot. Sounds like your brain is doing the same for you.

I used the c25k program and signed up for a 5k run, as many have suggested here. The program kept me focused, and the pending race kept me motivated. After completing both, the feeling of major accomplishment and the thrill of racing kept me going, and I'm still running. Ran 6 miles this morning - me, the girl who hated running.

Now I just do it. I set new challenges for myself, speed, distance, races, to keep me going. The fun of getting out there early when it's hot in summer, and watching the sun come up as I hit mile 2. The thrill of being "the crazy one" out running in the rain and seeing the looks on the faces of drivers in the their nice warm cars as they pass me. I don't always get out there all bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to go, but once I'm done, I always love the feeling and I'm glad I did it. That's what keeps me going.

There are heaps of free apps you can download to a smart phone or iPod - I used c25kFREE by Zen Labs - worked great. You can also use an app like Nike+ or Runkeeper (both free) to track your distance, time, pace, and route - they also estimate your calorie burn, or you can use the pace given to enter it in MFP's database. Or you can get yourself a heart rate monitor (or put it on your Christmas list!) for a more accurate calorie burn.

Go for it!

LittleMissRainey

Might I suggest the Zombies, Run! app for starting out?
It's the best money I ever spent. I'm not a jogger (yet!) so I just use it for walking, but it's a good story and game, and the zombie noises are rather realistic, I find myself looking behind me on quiet mornings!!

They have 5K and 10K missions but I'm not at that stage yet.

Scottish_charlene_84

1. How will stay motivated to jog even when I don't want to?

As soon as i get in from work or out my bed i change into my running gear straight away and remember how good it feels wen im done

2. How do I log my jogging if I don't know how fast I'm going, and I can't seem to jog for more than 5 minutes

I use the goggle distance calculator and i time my run on a watch. once ive did my run i use the distance calculator to ma my run and u can put the time in and it comes up with an average speed which will then help u log it on mfo

3. How do I get my endurance up? day at a time. when i started running i could run for more than 6 minutes now i can easily manage 90 mins. i took it minute by minute
4. Is there anything else I can do to help shed those lbs? (while jogging and such) i run, do zumba and i use jillian michaels dvd for strength training

bluefox9er

I always HATED running. But for some reason, something clicked in my brain last January, and I challenged myself to give it a shot. Sounds like your brain is doing the same for you.

I used the c25k program and signed up for a 5k run, as many have suggested here. The program kept me focused, and the pending race kept me motivated. After completing both, the feeling of major accomplishment and the thrill of racing kept me going, and I'm still running. Ran 6 miles this morning - me, the girl who hated running.

Now I just do it. I set new challenges for myself, speed, distance, races, to keep me going. The fun of getting out there early when it's hot in summer, and watching the sun come up as I hit mile 2. The thrill of being "the crazy one" out running in the rain and seeing the looks on the faces of drivers in the their nice warm cars as they pass me. I don't always get out there all bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to go, but once I'm done, I always love the feeling and I'm glad I did it. That's what keeps me going.

There are heaps of free apps you can download to a smart phone or iPod - I used c25kFREE by Zen Labs - worked great. You can also use an app like Nike+ or Runkeeper (both free) to track your distance, time, pace, and route - they also estimate your calorie burn, or you can use the pace given to enter it in MFP's database. Or you can get yourself a heart rate monitor (or put it on your Christmas list!) for a more accurate calorie burn.

Go for it!

^^^^^^^. 100% THIS. ^^^^^^

lc52820

I cannot say enough good things about Couch to 5k, it totally works! If you're worried about motivation, find someone to do the program with you, that will give you some accountability. It helps tremendously & so does listening to music!

Sometimes I feel more motivated than others but usually once I've changed into my workout clothes and am out the door, it's fine. Usually half the battle is just making yourself get out and go. Imagine how good you'll feel when you're finished and also the next time you're weighing yourself. Whenever I am running 2-3 days a week, I consistently lose weight

lunglady

There are countless FREE smartphone apps out there to give you your pace. To name a few: Endomondo, mapMyRun, Nike +, Garmin Fit, Google Tracks, Sports Tracker,.....etc.

If you can afford it, I would recommend a Garmin GPS watch. For a host of reasons, I don not recommend the Nike GPS Sportswatch.

In terms of motivation, no one can help you with that. That has to come from you.

fldiver97

I always HATED running. But for some reason, something clicked in my brain last January, and I challenged myself to give it a shot. Sounds like your brain is doing the same for you.

I used the c25k program and signed up for a 5k run, as many have suggested here. The program kept me focused, and the pending race kept me motivated. After completing both, the feeling of major accomplishment and the thrill of racing kept me going, and I'm still running. Ran 6 miles this morning - me, the girl who hated running.

Now I just do it. I set new challenges for myself, speed, distance, races, to keep me going. The fun of getting out there early when it's hot in summer, and watching the sun come up as I hit mile 2. The thrill of being "the crazy one" out running in the rain and seeing the looks on the faces of drivers in the their nice warm cars as they pass me. I don't always get out there all bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to go, but once I'm done, I always love the feeling and I'm glad I did it. That's what keeps me going.

There are heaps of free apps you can download to a smart phone or iPod - I used c25kFREE by Zen Labs - worked great. You can also use an app like Nike+ or Runkeeper (both free) to track your distance, time, pace, and route - they also estimate your calorie burn, or you can use the pace given to enter it in MFP's database. Or you can get yourself a heart rate monitor (or put it on your Christmas list!) for a more accurate calorie burn.

Go for it!

^^^^^^^. 100% THIS. ^^^^^^

me too!!! Used the same app for C25K, signed up for a couple of 5 K races and found running shoes that work for me........

bluefox9er

There are countless FREE smartphone apps out there to give you your pace. To name a few: Endomondo, mapMyRun, Nike +, Garmin Fit, Google Tracks, Sports Tracker,.....etc.

If you can afford it, I would recommend a Garmin GPS watch. For a host of reasons, I don not recommend the Nike GPS Sportswatch.

In terms of motivation, no one can help you with that. That has to come from you.

Actually, I THROUGHLY RECCOMEND the Nike+ system, and the sport watch in particular. That system has made me go from a non runner to running 13.1 miles with the sheer wealth of data and information it provides. I'm guessing the person who I'm quoting has either never heard of the Nike+ system, never used it or has no idea how it works.

Lily26Wal

I might be able to help. I started running a few months ago and now I can easily run 3 to 5 miles in one burst with ease. Start with running 30seconds and then walk 30 seconds continously, to slowly build yourself up, you should never feel totally out of breath if you do take a walking break, but never break for longer than 30second. after a week or two then build it up to 1min run, 30 sec walk. Just build it up slow, it will work, you will see results and you will enjoy it, if you start off to quick you will become demotivated!

add me if you like for more tips or advice, hope it goes well all the best, Lily

dorianaldyn

I've also heard great things about the various c25k programs, so you should definitely try one of those.

I had to laugh when you said you don't have much time because you're a university kid. Just the other day I was thinking that I should have started running in college. My current life is that I work (more than) full time and have two toddlers to take care of too. I never have time to myself, let alone time during daylight hours! I get up at 4:20 am to workout and when I start training for my next big race, all my running will be in the dark. I so long for a student schedule where I could squeeze workouts into the middle of my day!
Oh, and I've never, ever considered myself a strong runner, but I've done several half marathons and now I'm going to train for a full, so you can do it! Intervals (walking breaks) have helped tremendously.