Thinking about running

LoosingMyLast15

these are just the tips i use (may not work for all) and also my opinion on my biggest pet peeve suggestion.

i eat 1-2 hours before a run (and it's light a banana or string cheese at work or toast with a little peanut butter if on the weekends. my stomach does not do well when it's full or even half full when i run (i'd rather be a little hungry then end up with heartburn).

stretch before and after.

start out slow build up speed (you start too fast you'll loose steam) let your muscles warm up

i never did the c25k program but i hear they are very good.

get outside and run it's very different from a treadmill. map a course using either gps or even a site like mapmyrun.com. you can use this site to track your progress as well.

sign up for a 5k race (one that's a few months out not next week). find one who's charity is important to you (it'll keep you from backing out) and the race will give you something to work towards (so what if you don't RUN the whole thing - it's important your goal is to finish)

lastly this is a pet peeve of mine. run in the best shoes you can afford - try running first before you run out and spend hundreds of dollars on good sneakers. find out if you like it first and if you're going to stick with it THEN get fitted for shoes (unless you have feet issues and need to be fitted). great running sneakers are expensive. why spend the money if you're not 100% sure you're going to enjoy it and stick with it. once you've determined you love running then yes please get fitted for running sneakers. i never understand why people go out and buy every imaginable item for a brand new sport they have no idea if they like then use the stuff once or twice and quit because they don't like the sport - complete waste of money.

good luck!

HermioneDanger118

I started a year ago and I'll echo those who said get fitted for running shoes. When I first started my women's 5K running group, I was having a ton of knee pain. My coach said to get fitted for shoes at a running store and I thought that was much too simplistic an answer - it couldn't be that easy. It was! Once I was in the right shoes, the pain stopped immediately. Amazing.

I also run by the Galloway method, which works better for me personally than running straight through. Mentally I do better if I know I only have to run for x more minutes rather than x more miles.

My other trick is to have music/audiobooks/podcasts downloaded to listen to. The podcasts especially are great!

Have fun! :happy:

andread67

Thanks again everyone! I DID it!! I started yesterday am.. I did ok I guess for having never done it. I did get pretty winded at times, and I had to walk thru 2 of the run phases..I did 1.22 miles including the warm up and cool down walk. But I am planning to go again tomorrow providing it is not pouring rain like it has been doing since last night. I do think I need to try the treadmill, I'll just see when theres not a ton of people so if i plie off the thing I won't be so embarrassed! I thought I'd try to get thru until next week until I buy good shoes..gives me a chance to see how I do. But, i felt an accomplishment even if I didn't do it the exact way..I'll just keep at it until it becomes more comfortable.
I did figure out I don't want to eat ahead of time..I only had coffee an hour or so before and it threatened to come back. I need to control my breathing..I was trying to breathe in thru my nose, out thru my mouth, not as easy when you are running. I also should probably start where there aren't any hills.. lol..:laugh:

melaniecheeks

Well done, overcoming all your mental barriers and getting out there is a great first step (ha ha)

Keep at it!

AlessisMore

That's great! Keep us posted on your progress. You did the hardest part--the first step. It really does get easier!