Running?

christy3565

This morning I thought I would try to run/jog a bit on my treadmill. After using an elliptical every morning 30 minutes for the past 4 months I thought I could handle it. Yeah right lol. I would run for 1 minute every 5 minutes, only getting up to 4 speed so nothing really trememdous. and I was soooooooooooo winded at the end of those minutes.

I would love to be able to run this spring outside and I'm just wondering if there is anything else I should do to build up? I plan on adding longer times at a run/jog on my treadmill as I get used to it.

meghannrenee

Just keep doing it - over time you'll improve. There are a lot of great programs out there if you'd like a schedule to follow- Jeff Galloway has a good run/walk program for several distances that you could look into, and a lot of people here suggest the Couch to 5K schedules.

capnrus789

Couch to 5K will do it. It's all about the slow progression to longer running times. I finished it recently and can go about 3.5-4 miles without walking. I started out the same, huffing and puffing like mad after about 1 minute. It's a great program.

billsica

Couch 2 5 k. I bet your really good at the elliptical now though.:drinker:
I gave up the elliptical, stair climber or anything like that.

Now its just the road or a treadmill. I want to be better at running.

scottb81

It kind of undermines the notion that the eliptical builds cardiovascular fitness.

hbrittingham

Couch to 5K.

I was using the arc trainer and I know that my heart rate would be up there because I was using my hr monitor. Then I decided to start running on the treadmill. I thought I would die the first time I ran 60 second straight. With the C25K program, I was able to start running and I am still at it.

christy3565

Thanks everyone I will look into the Couch 2 5 k

Scott not sure I agree with you. I think maybe my body is used to doing the elliptical and this is a way to work the muscles differently? yes? I do get a good workout on the elliptical just thought I would try something different

lowpro1983

Definitely look into Couch to 5K......it will help prepare you to run/jog. Don't give up.

jrocnrun

everyone is right! Couck to 5k will get u where u want to go! Best thing I ever did!

LoraF83

I'll add another voice to Couch to 5K.

The elliptical is a nice machine and a decent workout - but it's not running and the 2 shouldn't be compared.

JennaM222

The hardest part or funning is that first 5 mintues, or for some, the first mile.

erickirb

Skip the elliptical the only thing that makes you better at is the elliptical. Since the motion on that machine is not one you do in real life, it is hard to translate any gain there to any other aspect of life (other than some increase in endurance)

dsjohndrow

Well, if you are going to run, GET GOOD RUNNING SHOES.

Then I suggest C25K or s 5K running/training plan.

DanOhh

I concur, C25K

Brandywithrow

Keep doing what your doing and your breathing ( being winded ) will change quickly!

Last year ( Jan ) I wiehged 255 and I could run for 20 seconds but I did exactly what your doing and I just kept going, in May I ran my first 5 k race which gave me motivation to keep up running and I did it in 31 minutes which for a beginer I think was a great time I have since lost 70 lbs and I think running/jogging is where I lost alot of my weight I am now starting to train for a half marathon sometime this year! I NEVER thought I would be a runner but the thing about running is, it doesnt matter about anyone else everyone is different and everyone has a runner in them Keeep it up ands you will get there too!!!

FitbeTMF

-Make sure you have good shoes.
-No one likes running at first. You do, over time when you stop getting so winded and start getting the runner's high
-Do intervals and push yourself. Run walk run walk run walk (Self did an article a few years ago that got me started-Day 1 was run one minute, walk three for 18 minutes, beginning with a a 5 minute brisk walk warm up and warm down)
-Sprinting will help you tremendously.
-Remember to stretch.
Repeat daily.

BerryH

That's a brilliant start, well done for making those first vital steps!

As others have said, try C25K, which you can get as a written plan, apps or podcasts, here's a link to it in various formats:
http://www.c25k.com/

If you like a story to keep you motivated, I thoroughly recommend the Zombie 5K training app:
https://www.zombiesrungame.com/

Here are my beginner's running tips. you may find point 1 is particularly relevant:
"When you start out, it’s HARD! Even if you think you’re fit, running is so different to anything else you’ve done before you will get out of breath quickly. Stick with it. Can’t manage a minute? Go slow. Still can’t? GO SLOWER! "

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-about-running-when-i-started-103936

Good luck, add me if you're looking for virtual running buddies! :flowerforyou:

Erica262

I did Couch to 5k about 4 years ago with the Ullrey podcasts (http://www.c25k.com/podcasts.htm). Now I've done a dozen 5ks, some other random distances, six half marathons and a full marathon! Be careful... It's addicting

Duck_Puddle

The hardest part or running is that first 5 mintues, or for some, the first mile.

Or the first 1/2 hour for some of us

Codefox

Just keep doing what you're doing. To get better at running you have to just run. When I started a few years ago I could do as much as you could now and within a month I ran a 5K. Now I do half & full marathons. Just takes time and effort! Eventually you'll get to the point where its even fun. 8) Also, read this thread because there is important anti-injury advice in here:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/842297-ways-to-avoid-shin-splints

yoovie

youre doing it right. keep doing what youre doing and add a little time each circuit.

kudos babe :drinker:

akrnrunner

Couch to 5k
Good running music (helps to set a pace)
Good running shoes
Keep with it! You'll me amazed how far you will come! I seriously couldn't do intervals between lamp posts last March and now I'm training for a half marathon! I'm not a running lover but I have such an appreciation for going from not being able to run a minute continuously to being able to run a 10k now You'll get there!!!

MorganLeighRN

The hardest part or running is that first 5 minutes, or for some, the first mile.

Yes^^ I didn't do Couch2K, I started on my own. Go slow when you are first starting out. It'll take at least 30 days for your body to get used to it so stick with it. Feel free to add me if you'd like.

sally414

Couch to 5k is awesome! The mobile app (if you have Android or iPhone) is awesome - it guides you through the workouts so you don't even have to think, just follow what it tells you to do!

I got up to Week 7 and stopped - my body/knees are just not fit for running long distances, but I can run for about 30 minutes without stopping now. Which is good enough for me!

gretchenwb

I think the key is to persist, keep pushing yourself, and MIX it up. At least I hope this is correct because I have been jogging/geriatric shuffling since May but my weight loss has stalled, so as of Dec 31 I have added strength, cardio, classes, Fartleks, etc. From all I have read the key is properly combining strength and weight training with cardio, and using interval training in both of those areas in order to demand more of our bodies...not to mention to keep things from getting boring:)

jgollnick

I hear great things about c25k. I am actually going to check it out myself. In the meantime this is how I got started. You need to build endurance. On the treadmill I did 20 min of power walking at 4.0 mph. My treadmill has a mode that throws random inclines. This will get your heart going. It's important for fat burning and physical gain that you periodically spike your energy exertion. So out of that 20 minutes, every 5 to 6 minutes I would bump up to 6 mph and run for a minute which gives you about 3 to 4 minutes of running. After 2 months I have lost almost 20 lbs and can run a mile in about 10 min.


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scribb

Try the Couch to 5K and do not give up. The more you run, the longer you will be able to go. I started off running 5 to 10 min's, and now can run a rull marathon.

Good luck

clioandboy

Good for you! C25k as plenty of others have suggested. I started running with the programme a couple of years ago, did a half marathon Nov 2011.... since lost the plot on so many levels BUT today I just did C25k day 1 week 1 using a free app from itunes and I feel fab! If you want to build up running together please send an add I would like company getting back into running

Still_Fluffy

When I started running I could only run a minute and then had to walk a minute. Over time I was able to run a little longer. The key is to not run too fast when you do run. You should be able to speak in complete sentences when you’re running. If you can't, slow down. Good luck, it took time for me to be able to run and now I'm addicted. I went from not being able to run, to running multiple marathons in only a couple of years.

rciszek

Just keep slowly increasing, stay at this for a bit. I'm using the Couch to 5K program and that gets you slowly up to where we want to be. I actually seem to breath better running outside than in the gym, I think it's because of the warmth of the gym when it's cool outside myself.

souperficial

If you can, start running outside instead of inside. I can run for 45 minutes straight on the treadmill, but I can barely run for three minutes outside. Right now, I'm trying to get faster on a treadmill, so I've been running for 30 minutes, but increasing my speed by .1 every day.