Beginner Runner - Tips?!

Invest on good and comfy shoes, I think it's worth it. Yeah, stretch your legs before running, it will help. Start on jogging slow, don't sprint, build your endurance first. When you think you're already trying to catch your breath, walk fast and eventually your breathing will be fine then go back to jogging on your own pace. Just do it for 30 mins at the start and go up little by little and maybe move your speed up. Don't let your body cool down completely coz you can feel tired (based on my experience). I don't use any apps or whatsoever, I just time myself. I am no professional, this is just from experience and I love running!

And don't forget to hydrate before running! Just take sips of water during the run. Don't take lots of gulps, you'll find yourself catching your breath faster.

Edit: And I forgot, walk a couple of mins first before running.

i was not a runner either, and was like 70+ lbs overweight when i started. the thing is, theres going to be a transitional period where your body is trying to adapt to this new routine. so theres going to be a lot of bumps and bruises (so to speak) along the way at first. i had "shin splints" pretty bad at first because that perticular muscle was not used as much as it is when running. i was running with a marine (trust me i looked miserable and rediculous at first also) and he told me a trick that i was somewhat skeptical of at first, but he said wrap your shins with ace bandages (it will hold the muscle in place along the front of the leg, so it does not flair out away from the leg and cause so much pain) they do this in bootcamp he said. i did a lot of standing at my job at the time also, which was painful too. (if this is shin pain your talking about, when you say leg pain) i came across my ace bandages and wrapped them up and it was a ton of relief. i even kept them on under my pants at work later those days to help also. i used them for almost 2-3 months befor i graduated from them. also i have the luxury of a low impact (bark and compost type of outdoor) trail in town. running on pavement and hard surfaces like that will cause alot of extra stress on the joints, especially if your overweight. highly advised to look for a place with low impact. maybe even the high school track. i had that same "draw" to running when i was overweight. it has changed my life for the better. make sure you bring the right frame of mind with you when you go. hate it while your doing it, but dont talk yourself out of it. its more mental than anything. you have to think positive and confident thoughts an you will succeed. if your destroying yourself in your head each time you will not last long and give up.

my advise would be to find someone who is an established runner (if possible, people always love running partners, dont be shy to ask someone you might know who is!!) and team up with them if you can. i run with people all the time when they need help. just to get them over those initial barriers. anytime you do something with someone that is better than you, it will (typically) naturally increase your own ability more. if you start running with someone who is the same or not as good condition it could (possibly) hinder your own results. unless your already of strong mind. example..if your thinking about how hard it is (while running), and the person your running with is verbally just as miserable. chances are your both not going to get as far as you could and possibly even give up. seriously! but when you run with someone who is encouraging and positive you can advance faster by just having the right mind set. just listen to your body also, dont push to hard till you build up the strength to do it.

running is like therapy for me now, its such a great stress reliever. plus it makes you feel amazing when your done. just know if it were easy everyone would be doing it. good luck and stay confident!!!

Like you I always wanted to "be a runner", I like it because it doesn't cost anything (but shoes) and it is convenient for me, as it was hard for me to leave and spend an hour at the gym when I can go for a run anytime I can get the chance and be home faster.

When I started, I couldn't run for more than 30 secs, so I set a distance of 2 km, and did that until I worked up to running 1 km, and r/w the second km - quite quickly I got up to 2 km, and did that for a month, but it was hard and I saw no results (on the scale, or in getting better at running).

It wasn't until I started the 30 day shred videos, and a lower body bootcamp at our local community centre that I really saw results in my running. After a 4 month hiatus from running (and exersize in general), I could easily do the full 2 km and r/w another 2 km. Since January, I have been doing the bootcamp 1 time a week and running 3 times a week (3-6 km per run), and I throw in a 30 D/S video every once in a while when it is too crappy to run outside. And I just ran 9 km this morning (at only 5 mphr mind you). I found it most helpful to strengthen my lower body (legs and abs) to get better results with my running so you might too...

All this to say - don't give up, you CAN be a runner! Some days it will suck and other days you will have the greatest sense of accomplishment!

Good luck!!

I started the NHS couch to 5k podcasts a few weeks ago and have found it really helpful..I used to get really out of breath and like you, had the pains in my leg..I'm at week 5 now and really starting to enjoy running

Are they good? i'm quite unsure about c25k. Do the podcasts tell you your half way so you know when to turn around lol

Love this thread! Just started the C25k Saturday. Legs hurt today but feels great Will check out the zombie run! Sounds fun and might offer variety!!!!

i didn't know what i was doing when i started. i just starting walking the dog every day, then after a while walking wasn't fast enough for me anymore, then i was jogging, and some time after that the DOG wasn't fast enough for me anymore...

i'd been jogging for over a year when i found MFP and the C25K prog. turns out the natural, intuitive program i'd put myself on (just by doing what felt good and PUSHING myself, a least a little bit, every day or almost every day) is almost exactly in line with C25K anyhow.

i don't have fancy running shoes. i don't have fancy athletic clothes. i tape over my ankles and below my knees to keep the soreness down in my legs. i just try to keep track of how many minutes i can run without stopping, so i can be aware of my progress.

when i started i couldn't get to the end of the block. now i can jog for ~5 min without stopping. all on my own.

I'm with you! I've been wanting to take up running for awhile, but scared of the pain, and difficulty catching my breath. C25k starts Wednesday!

I don't know about anybody else, but after what happened in Boston today, I'm really fired up to take up running! Let's prove to the world that we are not afraid!

I love the NHS podcasts as well! The lady who talks you through the sessions is really great! Enjoy!