Jogging/running tips

As far as safety at night goes, I would suggest carrying pepper spray and a cell phone.

For shoes, a lot of people tend to find that properly fitted shoes do work better. Wearing the right shoes cuts down on pain, shin splints, blisters, etc. If you can, get fitted at a running specialty store.

My other advice would be to go slow and increase your distance a little bit each week. Couch to 5K is a good app to get started with.

i bought some running shoes that fit comfortably at th beginning of my weighloss journey. After about 600 miles ran in them and unbearable shin splints later my friend who is a personal trainer dragged me into a running store.

i ended up purchasing a pair of legit running shoes for a pretty penny, but they are amazing!

good quality shoes really are a must, my shin splints were so bad they put me outta commisison for a good month or two and had to rely on KT tape to even walk, sucked

Don't run at night. You'll be safer running in the day. Who cares what you look like when you're running?? You're up and moving and that's more than most people. I started running in 2010 and in less than 3 weeks will be running my 2nd ultramarathon (anything over a marathon distance)-in this case, a 50 miler. I remember the first day I ran, not being able to make it 1/2 a block. I have heard great things about the Couch to 5k app but haven't tried it. I say if the $20 shoes are working, go with it. Good luck and keep it up!!

I only jog in day light because I don't want to trip on an unseen crack or pothole and twist my ankle. I did that years ago and haven't run at night since.

I wear minimalist running shoes, so to me shoes are less important. The key is to land on the balls of your feet, not the heels. Most expensive running shoes concentrate on cushioning the heels when you land, if you don't land on them then its not a problem.

Running shoes - You get what you pay for and doing a gait analysis can save you from agony.

Build slowly.

Rest days! from personal experience don't try and run 3 miles a day as your legs will just end in knots

Stretch! Calves, Quads and Hamstrings, 30 seconds per muscle per leg as a minimum before and after your run

Hi ahappydancer, and welcome to running, you'll like it here!

First up, please don't feel you have to run at night. Honestly, more people will think "Good on you!" than anything bad. I'm always hearing "Wish I could do that," or "I should be doing that". But other than fellow runners giving you a cheery wave, most members of the public will ignore you entirely.

If you still feel you have to go out after dark, honks and catcalls are harmless; better words shouted on a busy street than going somewhere with no-one about. My rule of thumb is run somewhere you'd feel safe walking at the same time of day or night - running in and of itself doesn't increase the risk. I never use headphones at night to stay aware of my situation.

But, honestly, you'd probably draw much less attention in daylight. I run from work at lunchtime to avoid having to run in the dark.

No need to invest in super-expensive shoes to begin with, but it's worth Googling running style to avoid injury. Heel landing is the biggest cause of aches and pains in new runners, so try to let your leg swing naturally under, not in front of, your body and land mid-foot.

Once you're running three times a week for half an hour or more and you feel like you'll stick with it, go to a proper running shoe shop where they will assess your gait while running. The first pair it's worth spending the extra for, but once you know what make and model suits you, you can buy last seasons colours online for half the price. You may need to go up half a size from your regular workout shoes.

Here are some more beginner's tips:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-about-running-when-i-started-103936

Good luck, and do please come back and let us know how yo get ion :flowerforyou:

For those of you that were fitted for shoes, what brand did you end up with? I am considering getting fitted but the closest running store that does fitting is 1 1/2 hours away. :-(

I thought the whole "get good socks" suggestion was a load of BS. Holy COW! Get good socks! What a difference it makes. I have Smart Wool running socks and they are amazing.

Also, I wouild discourage running at night -- especially in the area you have already experienced concerns. If it is a habit that other people are noticing it could make you a target. If you have no other choice, I'd vary your route making sure someone always knows which route you are on - carry a cell phone, pepper spray and DO NOT turn your music up so loud you cannot hear someone approaching you. Perhaps only one earbud in and music low if at all.

And, have fun! I love Couch to 5K and I am on Week 8 with my first 5K on Sunday :happy:

Run during the day. I would rather be seen by more people than be seen by people who make me feel unsafe. If that's not an option you could get a taser.

http://www.securityandselfdefensestore.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=107&page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=1237&category_id=4944&gclid=CI6Vv6rhlbcCFcU7Mgod6DIAdw

For those of you that were fitted for shoes, what brand did you end up with? I am considering getting fitted but the closest running store that does fitting is 1 1/2 hours away. :-(

What works for other people won't necessarily work for you and you could end up injured. That three hour round trip will pay for itself in spades, and like I said you can then go on to buy more of the same online later. Generally speaking, stay away form street brands like Nike and Adidas, and you should find you're given brands like Brooks, Asics and Saucony to try.

For those of you that were fitted for shoes, what brand did you end up with? I am considering getting fitted but the closest running store that does fitting is 1 1/2 hours away. :-(

It is worth the trip.

The brand that anyone else wears doesn't matter, you need tow ear the right shoe for you. My husband wears New Balance, they kill me. I wear Asics--he hates the way they feel. I've worn Nike in the past, but they are no longer right for me, so you do need to get refitted now and then.

Also have them fit you for insoles--the right ones make a world of difference.

Also get good socks. I've tried them all--Feetures, Swiftwick, you name it--and the only ones worth buying are the Wright Socks double layer. I never, ever, ever get blisters with those, they are the only ones I can say that about.

I took up running in cheap shoes and ended up injuring myself due to my pronation. Got measured and tested, new shoes, no problems.

Thanks for the advice, everyone! Feel free to keep it coming.
I started the c25k last night and it was different. Usually I just jog until I want to die and then go home and laze around. Last night I felt the burn without feeling dead. I think if I make it to week 5 I'll get a pricey pair of shoes. Plus, four weeks from now I'll have enough money saved to get a pair.
I also run at night because it gets unreasonably hot during the day where I live.

Wait. You might very well find that the right shoes for you aren't pricey. I have a number of friends who have been professionally fitted and their "right" shoe is only $50 or so.