Running...?

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kaylaskupkakes
kaylaskupkakes Posts: 10
in Fitness and Exercise
Okay, so let's be honest...I am terrible at running. Now, I know that a big part of that is from being out of shape, but I watch other runners and they just make it look so easy (and don't have that terrible "I'm dying someone please save me" look on their faces either...) and from what I've heard, some of them even...gasp...enjoy it! So how do I do that? I have been trying to incorporate running into my workouts the past week but I can only do about .15 miles at one time and to be honest it's kind of discouraging! :/ Have any of you had the same problems and gotten over them? How? I don't know if there are any 'tricks' to it, per say, but I want to set a goal of a 5k in the spring (for breast cancer) but I'm so afraid of not being able to accomplish my goal... Thanks for the help in advance, and good luck with your journey!
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Replies

  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
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    C25K

    It's a program that you can either download to your phone, or just google and it will help you run a 5K.

    I used it, and I was never a runner.. and now I love to run.
  • PollyWolly98
    PollyWolly98 Posts: 112
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    Yep, C25K is the way to go. Good luck!
  • cls_333
    cls_333 Posts: 206 Member
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    1. You are 18, you can run more than .15 miles!
    2. You are stronger than you think you are.
    3. Tell yourself you can, and you can. Tell yourself you can do .15 and that's what you'll do.
    4. Running is 90% mental. You gotta convince yourself you are young & you can.
    5. If a zombie was chasing you, I'm pretty sure you could do a mile, and pretty fast too.
    6. Be the strong woman that you are, and just do it. Then the next day, do it again a little farther.
    7. It's addicting, so be careful. Keep it up, and you'll love it.
    8. GOOD LUCK!
  • mmcgille
    mmcgille Posts: 60 Member
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    C25k all the way. I was like you when I started last summer. It took me 2 weeks to be able to get through the 1st week of running 1 minute at a time. I finished C25k in December and walked/ran a 5k at midnight on January 1. Starting the new year off right! Running is still hard for me, and I'm extremely slow, but I just keep telling myself that I'm faster than anyone sitting on the couch, and I'm in better shape than I was last summer when I first started. Keep at it. YOu can do it! I found C25k to break each workout into more manageable pieces so its not so overwhelming, and it does a good job getting your confidence up for the next workout. Good luck! Add me as a friend if you want.
  • Nikiki
    Nikiki Posts: 993
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    like the others said c25k is the best program for learning to run, when I started I would be best red and my lungs would feel raw from the week one workouts I'm not through the whole thing yet but I can run about a mile and a half straight and I don't feel like I'm gonna die anymore :)
  • SloRunner25
    SloRunner25 Posts: 89 Member
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    C25K. Running is about conditioning. I ran at 155 lbs and I run now at 193 lbs. It's all about taking it SLOW and working up to a great time. I'm a happy slow runner and do it because it is enjoyable and I can get lost in my thoughts. I love listening to music and imagining myself crossing the finish line of my first half marathon. I've got a long way to go to work up to that (gotta run a few 5, 10 and 15Ks before then!), but it is super motivating. Or maybe I'm a headcase, lol. :wink: :laugh:
  • shamah84
    shamah84 Posts: 110 Member
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    <div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/160088961726092134/' target='_blank'><img src='http://assets7.pinimg.com/upload/160088961726092134_dw57d9Ub_c.jpg' border='0' width='554' height ='831'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href=''>Uploaded by user</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/shamah84/' target='_blank'>Shamah</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div>
  • shamah84
    shamah84 Posts: 110 Member
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    How do I post this pic I got on pinterest? My friend showed it to me since I am interested in starting to run. :) Help someone?
  • ashlinmarie
    ashlinmarie Posts: 1,263 Member
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    I'll reiterate...C25K! I was like you when I started...felt (and looked) like I was dying, couldn't go very far at all. I started C25K and graduated and now I love running! I still look like I'm dying and it is still really hard, (especially after getting pneumonia and having to start back at week 4) but I feel so much more accomplished afterwards!
  • fittertanme
    fittertanme Posts: 259 Member
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    I to love running but have been doing it for a year now and I to would recommend the c25k program and if you look up parkrun they do 5k runs on a saturday at 9am and you run at your own pace and work up to beating your last time have a look and see what you think
  • alliesamcat
    alliesamcat Posts: 7 Member
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    I could only run for 30 seconds straight when I first started. I would run 30 seconds and then walk 1 or 2 minutes to catch my breath. Slowly I started running 45 seconds and walking 1 minute and eventually 2 mins running and 30 secs walking. Build up gradually and you'll surprise yourself with your progress. I started running winter 2010-2011 and just ran the Chicago marathon October 2012.

    Set attainable goals for yourself to stay motivated. Sign up for a 5k and give it your best. Don't worry about finishing last. Keep it up, it only gets easier and more enjoyable!
  • srcardinal10
    srcardinal10 Posts: 387 Member
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    Small. Measurable. Steps.

    Right now, give yourself a freaking PAT ON THE BACK for even making as far as you have. You are lapping everyone on the couch with each step you take. My suggestions are:

    1) Find a running/walking group where you live/work (which ever you prefer). It will help you meet people that also may enjoy running and take the not fun part of it away. It's really different when you have a running buddy and someone to talk with while you run.
    2) Sign up for a race like a 5k and find a training group for it.
    3) Don't be hard on yourself. You're trying something new and that is great. BE PROUD!
  • sarakenna1
    sarakenna1 Posts: 261
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    I may be stating the obvious but if you are new to running, C25k is short for couch to 5 k. It's a fantastic training app that you can buy for your smart phone that will help you increase your endurance and the distance you can run without stopping. Did I mention its fantastic? Make sure you have great shoes. I recommend going to a running store that can video tape your stride so they can fit you with the right shoe and let you know if you have any issues that you need to work on, like keeping your feet pointed forward.
  • ru4msu
    ru4msu Posts: 1 Member
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    Before I started running, I joined a 3 month long training program for a 10-mile local race, which made it easy!! We first ran 2 & 2's...ran 2 minute, walked 2 minutes...then we did 4 & 2's....run 4, walk 2, then 6 & 2's, 8 & 2's, etc. We were taught by a marathon runner that it takes 2 minutes for your body to recover...so start out just trying to jog 2, walk 2 & then increase if you can. If you can't, then don't! Even if you run 2, walk 4...it's still great!!
  • Granada88
    Granada88 Posts: 40 Member
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    The hardest part is just getting out on the road, or track. Then, setting your stopwatch and just stepping off. Just continue to take small steps. Don't think about your speed. Just think about form and how your body is reacting to the stress....which will help you determine your speed. The longer you do this stuff the more you learn. TONS of info on running. Dig in to it and try it out. Have fun!
  • chubbygirl253
    chubbygirl253 Posts: 1,309 Member
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    I think the previous poster who said you can do it is right. If you want it, you can. I'm 35 and I started c25k at 300 lbs in august. On dec 1st I ran my first 5k. I have another coming up this saturday. Now I routinely run 2-3 miles a day, 5 or 6 days a week. My goal is to do a 10k this year.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
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    Go slower. Most people think they suck at running because they go out too quickly and their cardiovascular system isn't ready to pump enough oxygen for that. Slow down. At first it should be like a shuffle. And take walking breaks if you want. The Couch 2 5k program is great.
  • EricInArlington
    EricInArlington Posts: 557 Member
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    I just posted something on running my my profile just yesterday, after not running for a long time I just started back and ran just a lap or two for the past few weeks then yesterday I had a great run and I think it mite help you out.

    Oh 11/30/10 I could only run for about 2 mins then had to stop, 316 pounds on the treadmill don't work...lol but, by added more and more time I started running 5K every other day and down 70 pounds. So when everyone on here tells you that you can do it, it because you can and will.

    write down the way your feeling today in your blog or make a note on your profile because in a years time you will be shaking your head at yourself about the .15. here's the post

    **secret to a long run** cover your treadmill with a towel and put you music on shuffle, then run till your pooped then try and run for one more song. I used to do this every two weeks or once a month to see what I could. good tip to get more out of your workouts.
  • Derpes
    Derpes Posts: 2,033 Member
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    Okay, so let's be honest...I am terrible at running. Now, I know that a big part of that is from being out of shape, but I watch other runners and they just make it look so easy (and don't have that terrible "I'm dying someone please save me" look on their faces either...) and from what I've heard, some of them even...gasp...enjoy it! So how do I do that? I have been trying to incorporate running into my workouts the past week but I can only do about .15 miles at one time and to be honest it's kind of discouraging! :/ Have any of you had the same problems and gotten over them? How? I don't know if there are any 'tricks' to it, per say, but I want to set a goal of a 5k in the spring (for breast cancer) but I'm so afraid of not being able to accomplish my goal... Thanks for the help in advance, and good luck with your journey!

    It takes a lot of time and practice to build yourself up.

    I used to be a runner and have not participated in a 5k since 2000!

    Now I find myself working my way back into running.

    Fundamentals are the key - breathing, pace, posture, etc....

    It takes time to build stamina but everybody starts somewhere.
  • carenscuisine
    carenscuisine Posts: 15
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    I did the C2K program about 5 years ago and stuck with running for 4 years. I ran almost every morning with my neighbor. I never loved it, I waited for that to happen but especially looking back, I hated it. There were sporadic good days where I felt like i could run forever or the morning was beautiful but other than that no. I stopped last year because I developed such horrible hip issues, I went to therapy for them and still no improvement so I had to give it up and you know what I do not miss it. I am in much better shape now, I work out at the gym which is not quite as pretty but I get it done quick and painless. I lift a lot more and do resistance training to get my heart rate up and will incorporate some cardio but only on the eliptical, stair climber or maybe steep hills on the treadmill. Life is too short, so if you don't like running, find something you do like, there are a ton of things you can do. I even would find the largest hills in my neighborhood and just walk them, my heart rate got up much higher and I didn't hate it!! Good luck, listen to your body and realize that running is not always the best for everyone. You reach plateus and have to push past them and so you run faster, or farther and thats about it. good luck.
    Caren

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