New runner saying hi!

kristafb

Just wanted to introduce myself, I started C25K this week & am on w1d3 and I feel so incredibly awesome about doing this!! I've always wanted to be a runner but started MFP 90 lbs overweight so I didn't think I could run. I'm down 15lbs now & decided to start now instead of waiting and never doing it.

I find I want to run even on days off but when I did that yesterday I felt some slight pain in my shins & don't want to end up with shin splints so I'm going to enjoy the days off from now on. Perhaps I'd do that Jillian Michaels dvd gathering dust on the shelf :happy:

Any newbie advice you can pass my way is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!:drinker:

timeasterday

Any newbie advice you can pass my way is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!:drinker:

Congrats on starting the program! Looks like you already discovered the main advice I would give - take it slow and don't push the program. Do some strength training or yoga on off days. And enjoy at least one rest day a week. Good luck!

kristafb

Thank you! I have been considering yoga. I think it would help with my weak ankles & feet. I've had trouble with plantar faciaiitis & tendonitis in my feet & ankle for some time but thanks to some fabulous new orthotics I'm finally back to normal. I think anything that incooperates balance will help me with my running.

timeasterday

Me too - I started C25K late last year, and after a few weeks started getting PF & tendonitis (I was pushing it too much and too fast). I ran my first 5K in January and then totally stopped running for 6 weeks. I restarted C25K again and started getting PF pain even though I was taking it very slow this time. Saw a sports medicine doctor and he could not find anything obviously wrong. He suggested Superfeet insoles so I am running with those right now. The pain isn't getting any worse but it's not totally going away either. Massage and a hot foot bath seem to help a lot.

I finish week 5 this weekend and will run a 5K later in April. I'm also signed up for the Peachtree Road Race on July 4th so I need to be up to 10K by then. Hopefully I can eventually be pain free.

kristafb

One of the best things I found for my PF was to fill an empty pop bottle with water & freeze it & then roll the arch of my foot over it for a while. its really helped a lot. Also lay a towel on the floor & pull it towards you using only your toes, it exercises the arch & helps as well. My physiotherapist told me about this one & it does work.

Good luck with your 5k. I want to sign up for one but right now I'm concentrating on getting my breathing under control. I'm having a hard time imagining running for longer than a minute right now. Its almost like i get panicky when I hit 1 minute and my heart rate goes up & my breathing goes crazy. Luckily I see an improvement daily so even if I have to do week 1 twice or add a few extra days it wil be fine.

WAHMto5

Best of luck to you!! The main thing I would say is so many try to go to fast, slow and steady pace is the best way to start. The main things I learned through the program is slow & steady, paying attention to my breathing, and getting through the mental part of not giving up and pushing through!!

kristafb

Best of luck to you!! The main thing I would say is so many try to go to fast, slow and steady pace is the best way to start. The main things I learned through the program is slow & steady, paying attention to my breathing, and getting through the mental part of not giving up and pushing through!!

I am shocked at how mental the whole thing is really. Thats going to be my biggest obstacle for sure, that & my breathing. Thanks for the well wishes!

kristafb

Got through week 1. Start week 2 tomorrow. I didn't find it got easier by the 3rd run, in fact I struggled last night with w1d3. Perhaps I was tired or some other reason, I'm not sure but my legs were just really heavy feeling. Is there anything I can do to help with this?

Kadi82

Yep I'm new as well. I've done Day 2, week1. So am looking forward to finishing it all and moving on to 10k

Luthien007

When I started c25k I used mapmywalk to plan out a 5km route that was fairly flat. I did c25k timed not distance and after finishing each day I would continue on and walk the full 5km. I actually repeated the intervals until I did the full 5 km.

likitisplit

The biggest obstacle in the first few weeks is going too fast. Try running as slowly as you walk.

The other thing that makes you feel "heavy" or that you're plodding is slumping over. Keep pulled up through the front of your body, from your chin to your pelvic bone. Look out at least 15 strides ahead of you. This will help with your breathing. Also, to help with your breathing is to make sure you are breathing out all the way.

The other thing that really helps is getting the right forward lean from the ankles. You can look this up on cool running, runner's world, or just google it on youtube as "good running form". What it feels like to me is that my hips are balanced over my toes. This will fall into place naturally so don't necessarily force it, but it helps keep you light on your feet even when you are going slowly.

kristafb

When I started c25k I used mapmywalk to plan out a 5km route that was fairly flat. I did c25k timed not distance and after finishing each day I would continue on and walk the full 5km. I actually repeated the intervals until I did the full 5 km.

I love this idea!! Right now I"m using my treadmill but once I start running outside I am going to do this!

kristafb

The biggest obstacle in the first few weeks is going too fast. Try running as slowly as you walk.

The other thing that makes you feel "heavy" or that you're plodding is slumping over. Keep pulled up through the front of your body, from your chin to your pelvic bone. Look out at least 15 strides ahead of you. This will help with your breathing. Also, to help with your breathing is to make sure you are breathing out all the way.

The other thing that really helps is getting the right forward lean from the ankles. You can look this up on cool running, runner's world, or just google it on youtube as "good running form". What it feels like to me is that my hips are balanced over my toes. This will fall into place naturally so don't necessarily force it, but it helps keep you light on your feet even when you are going slowly.

Thank you for the advice. Right now I'm walking at about 3.5 and my runs average around 4.5, on the treadmill. I'll try a slower run next time & see if it helps. I have been very conscious of my of my posture and don't slump at all but I will definitely check out the videos for runners form & look into the ankle leaning thing. I think I could be doing that, I find I get cramps in the front of my ankles at times & perhaps this is why. .