Running

meredith1123

There are a lot of programs out there that help you 'work your way up' to a full run. the couch to 5k program really seems to be one of the biggest that i've seen people use.
want to hear how I started running? no, well i will tell you anyways.........

in retrospect btw, i have never ran a day in my life. never wanted to, never thought I could, and never thought I would.

One day four years ago while at work, I had a really bad day. and by really bad day - I mean bad day. Some unprofessional B got in my face (so close I could see her lunch in her teeth) yelling at me for something that i had no involvement in. I didnt like her anyway but she got in my face for some one elses problem and I just happen to be the middle man in the situation. you know - wrong place wrong time kind of deal. well - i was basically 'warned' for the first time in my career at work verbally by my manager only because i said something BACK to this lady who got in my face yelling at me so because i said ONE thing back to her, i was marked as unprofessional. now mind you - as i said - i have never been marked for anything at work, and at that time i was 34. So that day i was SO MAD when I went home - i decided i need a stress reliever - one i'd never used before. I put on what tennis shoes i did have, what clothes I could run in and I set out for a run, until i could not run anymore. I ran 1.8 miles non stop for the first time ever in my life. I was 40 pounds over weight and I did not care. I remember at 1.5 miles i was like ok i am done....... but i didnt stop. I finished at 1.8 miles and WOW DID I FEEEL GREAT!!! Not only did i burn the stress off and forgot all about why i felt so bad to begin with. I also felt accomplished, proud, relieved, happy, ecstatic...... for myself!
I have never quit running since.
so whether you have stress to burn, fat to burn or you just want to run - go give it a shot. do the couch 2k5 program and see if that helps you.
whatever works, give it a try.
And remember, its MIND over MATTER.
When your body is in REAL pain, walk. When your mind is saying let's stop - DONT. you keep telling yourself you CAN and WILL do this!

MoreBean13

I was just wondering what weight you guys all were when you first took up running/jogging? Im 237lb - can I do this without killing myself?!

And just to point out I am an avid walker. I could walk forever!

People do it at all different weights, it really will depend on your body. The mechanics of running and walking are different, and running is much harder on the joints. What you can do is take it slow. Add a few blocks of running (SLOWLY!) to your regular walk, and give it a couple days after to see how your joints react. Unfortunately, you must give it time, because joint feedback is not always immediate. If after a day or two your joints feel OK, then add a couple more blocks. If you do it this way, without pushing it too fast, you'll be able to get there safely. Risking a joint injury that could bench you from exercise completely is not at all worth it.

amruden

I would like to add if you are female..
Invest in a good supportive bra!! :-)

Doodlewhopper

Youve been given a lot of good advice here so I can only add.... Avoid the Terrible Too's - Too much, too long, too hard.

Be patient & take a couple of days off between each run for a few weeks.
Allowing your body to recover between each workout is a vital part of your training.
Drink a lot of water to help your kidneys filter.
Listen to your body, if you have pain (not soreness) stop. Ive been successful because Im a sissy. I will not run through an injury.

Once you build a good base then work on speed.

Running for most of us is a love affair, and love affairs get better with age.
If you start running then you become an athlete. Welcome to our world.

cedder1

Google "Hal Higdon" and it will give you his training plans. I started the Novice 1 plan for a 1/2 marathon and it is great

OutsideCreativ

Start with a run around the block. When you can do that, and not feel like you're going to die... add another block. And so on.

nataliescalories

You'll be totally fine. I started a version of C25k that I modified with RunKeeper five weeks ago and it has been an amazing experience . I started (41 days ago exactly) at 340 and today I'm 316 (down 24lbs and 25 inches). The first time I went out, I just walked at a steady pace for one mile, then two, then three. When I could do that steadily, I added 20 and eventually 30 second sprints every eight and now every four minutes. You'll be amazed at how much faster and stronger you get in a short amount of time. In this short time, I've already competed in three 5ks. Actually, the first day I got back on MFP, I went to active.com and signed up for seven different 5ks (where walkers were welcome) for this winter and spring. It really kept me driven to improve.

Just look at this progress (and again, I'm morbidly obese and recovering from a fully severed achilles tendon from two years ago--you'll likely blow my numbers out of the water):

January 25th: 1:04 (Pace 20.40 per mile)
February 3rd 5k: 1:01:02 (Pace 19.43 per mile)
February 10 5k: 00:56:27 (Pace 18.13 per mile)

Just find tools and goals suited for you (I fell in love with Vibrams KMD LS, Runkeeper Pro on my iPhone, Great headphones, and a Polar Bluetooth HRM). The great thing about it is that you are only competing with yourself. You can totally do this!

Xiaolongbao

Another vote for C25K.

As for the shoes what fixed a lot of my problems was taking up barefoot running. Now it's winter I'm in Merrill Barefoot Shoes (which I love but aren't at all barefoot). I have vibrams but for me they're not comfy with socks and it's just too cold not to have socks now. I'd tried C25K before and had all sorts of knee issues but this time I started it barefoot and it really did make a huge difference.

RMNPHike

When I started, I did run-walk intervals by listening to music on my headphones and alternating with each new song. Not very precise, but fun.

Also, taking it slow is super important - my brother told me to run slowly enough that I could carry on a conversation. I still run only slightly faster than I do a brisk walk - but I do run consistently.

And, once you get going, sign up for a fun 5k race. Until I started enjoying running for its own sake, the only thing that made me get out there regularly was if I had a race coming up. I certainly didn't run those early races without stopping to walk, but the challenge and the atmosphere and the satisfaction of finishing were all super motivating.

This is good advice! I used to run to lose weight and it was hard to get started, and hard to keep going. I quit many times. When you sign up for a race, you automatically become an athlete instead of a chubby person trying to lose weight. My husband and I did a half-marathon a couple of years ago - never thought we could! It was hard, but we did it, and without even stopping to walk (we ran pretty slow for a lot of it). It felt so great to have done it. I loosely went by the Hal Higdon training schedule, except I never had time for the really long runs on the weekend. I plan to do two 1/2s this fall.

CorvusCorax77

I had a friend who would go for two miles- run a block walk a block- and just increase the amount she ran each week. That seems like a good plan.

Note: by "run" I mean "jog"....at a comfortable pace....

Me, I jut start running 2 miles and work my way up from there- but I've always been active. But going from 2 miles to 13 miles can't be all that different from going from zero miles to three- practice first in a way that is comfy, get a decent schedule going (2-3x's a week), push yourself gently, and when you really can't run, walk. Oh, and don't give up

mkorich

I use the zombies run 5k training app for iPhone or is great fun if you are a nerd!

martinh78

Get good shoes, break in slowly (important so you don't injured your shins. Easily done going from never running to lots. Did this last year! No fun)

I normally loop my key over my HRM strap.

Zara x

I didn't think about this. I got new running shoes and had pains in my shins for a few weeks (tried running through it on and off).

Will remember this for my next pair of shoes and maybe wear then for walking in for a week or two first.


Also like the idea of looping a key over your HRM strap. Simple idea!

icwendon

Tons of great advice here!

tiffanyheth

All my answers were taken, except don't forget to do appropriate stretching prior to running. www.runnersworld.com has a lot of great stretch ideas for different areas. I would strongly suggest reading up and practicing stretching before running!

conorpatmanCHANGED

Couch to 5 k abbreviated c25k is what most people use.

I just walked one mile for a week then started walking 1/2 mile run 1/8 then walk the rest of the way home. I started adding a1/8 of a mile each time till I could run a mile. Just pick a pace you can stay at.

Most important, have fun.

good advice