Just started running, could use some encouragement

Definitely keep it up! I am on week 8 of the Couch 2 5k, and am running 28 minutes without stopping, whereas before I started I was exhausted by 60 seconds! It's amazing how quickly you improve. Just don't push yourself too fast too soon - take it easy and slowly build up. I really recommend following a program like Couch 2 5k - I think it's brilliant.

If you're going to do a race start with a 5K. Accomplishing that will motivate you to keep getting better, and you'll feel good knowing you finished something. I've done 4 5Ks and 1 10K, and I started running last year.

The best headphones are Yurbuds. They make some specially for women, with two different sizes of earbuds so you can figure out which is best for you. You can buy them online.

As others have said, the c25k program is pretty awesome. I restarted it a couple of weeks ago and I am still repeating week 1 but I think next week I am going to have a bash at week 2. What's the worst that could happen?!

In terms of headphones, I really like the earbud type, though I'm not sure what brand I have. I do find that they tend to pop out of my ears when running, so I crocheted myself a wide headband that goes over the ears and it works really well at keeping them in!

A good pair of shoes is really important, and I also found that I had to slow my pace down earlier on in my runs so that I didn't exhaust myself early. Try and keep an even pace on all your jogs. Try to focus on breathing regularly and evenly. I personally like to wear clothes that are a little on the thin side in winter so that I can heat up during the jog. I think that about covers everything I can think of!

Hang in there, stick with it! Dont quit. Slow and steady. speed will come. (at least I hope so, cuz Im not very fast!). I have just taken up running, and am training for a half marathon next summer. I have my first official 5k next weekend. I have done a few 5ks as part of sprint triathlons, but they were mostly walking, after swimming and biking wore me out! I don't have a fancy phone with any of the cool apps, but I bought a gym boss timer, that I can set for intervals, my 8 yr old likes to go running with me if I set it for run 3 minutes, walk 1.

I, too, used to despise running. I finished the c25k program at the end of September. I found it kind of intimidating to look at the later weeks when I was in the earlier ones, but by the time I got to them, I could handle it!

I'm now training for a half marathon in January (my husband decided he wanted to do one and I'm always up for a challenge :drinker:). I think the best advice I've received so far was to just know that not every run is going to be a good run. Sometimes it really sucks! But I have found that more often it's at least decent and sometimes even really awesome! You can totally do this!

Don't give up, i couldn't run for more then 60 seconds when I started 8mths ago and I've now ran 6 5k races, a 10k race, and training for a half marathon (13.1 miles).
One of the most amazing things about running is how quickly you improve.
And a helpful hint, don't buy running shoes because they are pink. Go to a running store or athletic shoe store and have them fit you, for example I love the look of Nike's but can't wear them running because of how my foot lands.
Best of luck

Cold weather running can be rough. When I was in the police academy we ran outdoors up north when it was sometimes -19F. (the actual cutoff where we weren't allowed outside was -20F lol).

I would recommend adding up some sprints if you can (if there's no ice out). But you don't have to do maximal sprinting. Just increase your speed by an extra 25% or so for a few blocks or quarter mile

About the shoes... I was using a pair of Nike's when I started but I found them to be uncomfortable. I checked out a pair of Asics that were on sale and turns out they are so much better! Do a little research online, then look for sales or ones that were last years styles. You will find them cheaper and probably in PINK since the bright colors are in! The right kicks do make a difference!

Congrats on starting running!! I kinda flirted with running for about a year and half before something "clicked" about 3 months ago, and I'm addicted now! When I first started this, my friend (who is a work out fiend!) asked when I last ran, I told him when I was forced to, in middle school. (I just had my 25 high school year reunion!) So...if a fat 44 year old chick with bad knees can do this, then you can too!

I second (or third, fourth, fifth?) the getting good shoes. I started on cheap Wal-Mart shoes, & really hurt my knee, was off it for a few months with brace & prescription Naproxen! Good shoes are a MUST! And I also bump it up more & say good running socks, too. A little more expensive but worth it. I have New Balance ones with an arch support (can't remember the name of them, sorry) & after 3 months of nearly daily use they are only beginning to "pill" along the heel area.

And agree with 5K's. I ran my 1st one in October, and since have since run a "virtual" one, and my next one is planned for Thanksgiving day! (2 more lined up in December...you get addicted! lol) My goal for next year is a Zombie run, my sons & 1 of their friends said they would do it with me - they are gonna be the zombies!

I have never done the C25K, I just started running by numbers, so to speak. 3 months ago, I did a run 2 mins, walk 2 mins for 20 mins. I barely made it. Every so often, I bumped that up to 30 seconds (run 2.3 mins, walk 2 mins) now it has evolved to running 5 mins, walking 1. I'm right on the verge to bumping it to 6/1 and that's a minimum 2.5 miles, about 37 mins or so.

Earphones: I currently use ear buds I got at Wal-Mart for like $9-10. I like them, but I have noticed after a little while, they do bounce out. I have seen the Yurbuds @ Wal-Mart for $28 & change. Those I think will be my next ones, I've seen a LOT of people say nothing but good about them.

Wow - didn't mean to be long-winded! But get a runner to talk about running...lol But keep it up!!!! (I live in FL, btw.)

Tigerlily,

Well done you for hitting the road! Honestly no other form of exercise is the same for straightout calorie burning. Can I make two suggestions please?

First, you might want to look at a marathon as a 3 year goal rather than a next year goal. Most marathon running festivals include a variety of events - 5km, 10km, half marathon and full marathon. Work your way up - do three 5k events, three 10km and then three half-marathons before attempting your full marathon. Once you get into the third and fourth hour of your first full marathon, you'll realise why. It really is a whole different level of endurance athletics.

Second, I wouldn't be worrying so much about times at the moment. In fact, if your goal is to run a marathon, I wouldn't worry about times for at least a year or so. Concentrate on just adding endurance - either a little extra distance each day, or an extra 60 seconds each day. When you get to the point where you can run 6 miles daily (it will happen, sooner than you think) then - just for the fun of it - do a timed 1.5 mile run and compare it to your current times. I promise you, it will come down heaps.

Good luck - and remember, no matter how slow you're going, you're still lapping everyone who's at home on the couch :-)