I want to try to get into running

Any tips for beginners? Nervous to start, don't want people staring at me lol, If you were nervous when you first started, how did you overcome it?

Replies

  • drop_it_like_a_squat
    drop_it_like_a_squat Posts: 377 Member
    No reason to be nervous! :)

    There's actually not much to care about; running is the most naturally work out. Just make sure you have the proper running shoes for your feet, e. g. the right cushioning.
  • abideedum
    abideedum Posts: 71 Member
    I started C25K (google it) Its great and following a program makes me feel like im in training so if anyone criticizes me im like 'sorry im in training' Also i go fairly early in the morning when the only people around are runners who literally dont care that your there :D
  • White_n_Nerdy
    White_n_Nerdy Posts: 22 Member
    I have really bad asthma, so running on the treadmill was always something I avoided. I was worried that I would start wheezing and everyone would stare at me. But one day I got on the treadmill. I didn't go very fast, and I eased into it. Just take it slow, and don't worry about what other people think of you. Do what you want to do!
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    i started a year ago and i love it now,,, when i first started, oh i was panting like crazy, i am real good at it now, YOU CAN DO IT!
  • mariagabriella
    mariagabriella Posts: 267 Member
    I think you need to change your attitude into - I'm going to get into running. (Everytime I said I want to try in regards to running.. I never did it).

    Alternate walk/run. have fun :)
  • spamantha57
    spamantha57 Posts: 674 Member
    I decided to start running too. I'm going to start next week & use C25K (Couch to 5K) since so many people seem to have enjoyed it, & I looked it up & it seems really feasible to me.
    Although I was always very active, I haven't been able to run since Jr High because asthma I got then. I wish to defy odds. :smile:
  • haroon_awan
    haroon_awan Posts: 1,208 Member
    C25K

    Just f what other people think! Who cares? All you are doing is concerning yourself about others, they aren't concerned with you. If you saw someone running would you judge them negatively? No, you'd be thinking "Man, I wish I was doing that right now".
  • SenseiCole
    SenseiCole Posts: 429 Member
    3 weeks ago, i started at a gym, I was worried too, didn't last long, I go to the gym all the time now
  • EdTheGinge
    EdTheGinge Posts: 1,616 Member
    Shoes on, one foot in front of the other, head up and away you go. Start off slowly and in time your pace will increase, as for being nervous don't. Whether you can run 100yards or 10miles you're still running and if you're concerned about what people might think when they see you, again don't as you're getting out there and making it happen. People can only have respect for you.

    Get on out there and most of all enjoy it, alone time with the road is one of the best feelings there is. Tunes on and you're off :)
  • A decent pair of trainers, Try to run further each day, really isn't much else to say :) I can run 3 miles in 17mins now, when I started a year ago a couple hundred yards and I was dieing, it depends if you're going jogging or high Intensity, I prefer running quickly as jogging is boring.
  • grizzlymaze
    grizzlymaze Posts: 185 Member
    Running is an awesome thing, however, it can be scary when first starting out. We all look at ourselves in the mirror with a different view point. I like my wife is sexy and hot where as she thinks she is ugly and fat. We all see differently that that messes with our emotions. Running is no different! I'm not skinny by any means but love to run, so when I go running I sometimes think people see a huge whale coming down the street. But the secret is i don't care! I'm out there doing it where other people that judge are sitting on there rear end. I"M DOING IT! Enough said, right? Not always...

    For a beginner, I suggest running with a friend. A true friend will never judge you and will always encourage you. Download the C25K program on your phone and any up-beat music to make you move. I love the Rocky theme song! Take it slow, you don't want to get injured right away. That will discourage you from trying again! But most importantly, DO YOUR BEST AND FORGET THE REST!!!!!!

    Have fun out there and enjoy the fresh air.

    Cheers!
  • grizzlymaze
    grizzlymaze Posts: 185 Member
    Get on out there and most of all enjoy it, alone time with the road is one of the best feelings there is.

    I have to totally agree with this! Running outside is not only refreshing, but its my favorite time for prayer. Its my "alone" time with God. Thats a daily for me!
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Any tips for beginners? Nervous to start, don't want people staring at me lol, If you were nervous when you first started, how did you overcome it?

    people might stare, but who cares....
  • determinedbutlazy
    determinedbutlazy Posts: 1,941 Member
    C25K, good shoes and patience. That's literally all it takes. A good pair of headphones and a thousand yard stare helps with the embarrassment too. Do it for you, do it because it's a challenge. Every week when you "level up" in c25k, high five yourself and attack the next week. Learning to run is its own reward.
  • GrabacrPD
    GrabacrPD Posts: 94 Member
    Take it slowly so you dont develop shin splints (speaking from experience) C25K is a very good system but I advice using High Intensity Interval Training.

    Run for a minute, walk for a minute and build yourself up that way.
  • mum2candd
    mum2candd Posts: 37
    I just started running a month ago with a friend. Booked ourselves in for a 5k run at the end of May so that was the motiviation to do it. Alternate between walking and running at first and try to increase the running time gradually.

    Go for it - its such a great feeling after you have been for a run
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    Just run. It's what we do as kids & it comes naturally. Just move your legs & run. Simple as that. I only started running Sept 2nd last year, but by Oct I was running 10km a day.... still am. I could not run to the end of my street before that. Just run.


    Oh and get the Zombies Run! app. Don't bother with a C25K app cause basically they teach you not a damn thing IMO. Just run till you can't. Then run more till you can't the next time. You are going to feel like your lungs will burst, but they wont. Don't stop when your mind tells you to.... you are not going to die, you are NOT going to give in.
  • happystars82
    happystars82 Posts: 225 Member
    I'm 246lb and I don't give a poop if people stares at me belly and bits flapping about, at the end of the day i'm trying to do something about it......good luck
  • adairbrum
    adairbrum Posts: 68
    Start today with 10 min walk and run for 2or3 mins walk again for another10mins fast
    Tomorrow add 1 more running min and so on
    Or
    Don't count running mins walk for 10 so you can worm up and see a distance like the next corner or light post and run to it not fast just paced walk a bit and run again the same distance Tomorrow add a few steps to that distance
    Remember to always worm up and stretch before any exercise
  • adairbrum
    adairbrum Posts: 68
    Run a bit more every day worm up and stretch before and always use a very good bra
  • russellbrand69
    russellbrand69 Posts: 132 Member
    I felt like this too - after hemming and hawing about it for a few months I realized I just had to start, and get over it, so I downloaded C25K.
    I was very self-concious at the start, but after about day 3 I realized no-one was looking at me, no-one cares - everyone is busy with their own lives.
    And I've spoken to runners who've been running a long time, and the ones I spoke to have nothing but admiration for anyone who tries and perseveres with it - especially if they are out of shape.
    PLUS the sooner you start, the sooner you'll get good, and the less self-concious you'll feel!
    I'm in my 30's, I hadn't run since school but I was inspired by a work colleague who is a serious runner. So I started C25K in January, and now I run 40 minutes 3 times a week, and I look forward to it! It's really great for both body and mind - so just get out there!
  • GeekAmour
    GeekAmour Posts: 262

    Oh and get the Zombies Run! app.

    Zombies, Run! Is WHERE IT'S AT. <3
  • Jennvandemark
    Jennvandemark Posts: 179 Member
    I used c25k and did my first 5k this past Sunday. I am not fast by no means but I ran at my turtle speed the whole way with out stopping. I didn't care what people thought because 6 months ago this was not even an idea to try. To tell you the truth no one is watching you just get out there and try.
  • OmegaAlpha007
    OmegaAlpha007 Posts: 70 Member
    This is what worked for me yet I don't know if you can run or how long whatever the case myself I started walking/jogging/running
    Pick a distance, set a goal, pick a distance, set a goal, pick a distance, set a goal.... this goes on forever...
    This is a rough estimate cant remember everything

    Here is me...
    1mile walking 20min sad... whatever
    1mile walking 15min...
    1mile jogging 13min got tired :/
    1mile running 10min
    etc... 1mile running 6min
    2miles jogging 17min
    2miles jogging 14min
    etcs... 2miles 11min
    days passes by I kept doing this I'm currently at 3miles @ 17:30min and 5miles at @ 35min

    That was for speed, distance just switch the two around :)
    10min - 1mile
    10min - 2 miles :D

    Small goals ;)
  • gourmetgal77
    gourmetgal77 Posts: 73 Member
    I started some running/jogging/walking last summer and am starting up again. I have read about Interval Training in a few different articles. Is there anyway to Interval Train without taking a stopwatch with you? I had thought about Interval Training by song, but not sure if that would work as well or if I am setting myself up for too long of a higher interval trying to run a whole song. Any thoughts? TIA!
    Take it slowly so you dont develop shin splints (speaking from experience) C25K is a very good system but I advice using High Intensity Interval Training.

    Run for a minute, walk for a minute and build yourself up that way.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I'm with the people who recommended C25K and Zombies Run.

    Both are awesome programs and I use/used them both.

    Also, try to run outside if you can... Treadmill running is fine, but boring.
  • I'm 246lb and I don't give a poop if people stares at me belly and bits flapping about, at the end of the day i'm trying to do something about it......good luck

    Honestly, when I see a person with some meat on their bones out jogging, I am totally & completely impressed. It takes some serious guts to make the choice to change your life. If anyone out there has rude thoughts, let them stew in their own ignorance. I guarantee a seasoned runner would not snicker & look down.

    to the OP: There's a fine line between nerves and excitement. You can make those feelings work for you.
  • mrp56839
    mrp56839 Posts: 159 Member
    I'm pretty self conscious about my running - I've only been at it a month, so I'm fairly new to it too. Here's what I do:

    I don't make it a topic of conversation with my family. Yep, running is pretty much my dirty little secret. (my husband knows and is mildly supportive, but I can hear doubt in his voice) My mother laughed the last time I told her I wanted to run, so forget it. In July she's coming out to watch the kids - I've got my first 5K. She has no idea she'll be at a race.

    I run during my lunch hour at work. I found a 2-3 mile track about a mile away that is off the road and scenic. If I get there around 11:45, I only see a handful of people the entire time.

    I steer clear of experienced runners on the track. They're probably a great resource, but I'm there to focus on my running. I'm sure they are too.

    I use Endomondo to link my runs to my facebook page. It holds me accountable - my friends won't hesitate to comment if they see .5 miles of walking at 2mph. They also won't hesitate to comment if they see 2.5 miles of running at 5mph.

    That's what I do. Once I feel a little more confident about my abilitites, I want to join our runners group in town, but I'm still a long way away from beign able to hang with the big dogs!