Running (Newbs) or those that once were!

I've added you! I am a total newbie. Just did Week 1 Day 3 of C25K.

There's a group for c25k-ers here on the boards, check it out. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/47-couch-to-5k-running-program-c25k-

I still consider myself a noob. I still for the most part suck at running, but I'm getting better. When I started, it was impossible to run for .1 miles. That's POINT 1. Just couldn't do it. I've worked my way up to running about a mile and a half now and I signed up for a half marathon in October. Absolutely insane, but that's how I work. LOL

I started in the spring (June) of last year with the C25K app. I wrestled with that (it has bugs that start a few weeks that persist to the end) and AccuTrainer (lets you train by time or by distance) and by the end I think I had switched to just using RunKeeper because it supports custom training plans and has the audio alerts, will let you control your music and cut in for the announcements.

With the C25K training, there were some key things I had to learn. (1) I wish I'd learn sooner then week three that running is so much about regulating breathing. You start with that, and don't work your body any more then what you can handle from the amount of oxygen you can process. The only exceptions to this are sprints, and the final finish of a race where you're bound to exceed your thresholds. (2) Don't push yourself too hard. I got so excited about running at the beginning that I ran like a mile continuous in week 2 when my body, and particularly my knees, weren't prepared for it. I endured a continual nagging knee pain for the coming weeks until I wisened up and did some of my training on an elliptical to reduce the impact making it worse. (3) Shoes shoes shoes are uber important. Properly fitted. Properly cushioned. Spend the $100 - $120 for a proper pair of shoes at a running store. And depending on the brand, you may want custom insoles as well (not Dr. Scholls - think FootBalance) that could round out your costs to about $200. I had been using a pair of 5 year old Nikes during my training. New shoes were a night and day difference in the cushioning. $100-$200 may sound like a lot but it is a miniscule price to pay to take care of your feet, ankles, knees, etc. you name it.

In August, right after I finished C25K I completed my first race with a time of over 32 minutes. I had lost I think 35 pounds or so from when I started. I did another race in September and the last one I did for the year was at the end of October where my times had gotten down to 26:17!

I still consider myself a newb as there is much I don't know. I've kept up training through the winter and my goals this year are to do a sub 25 minute 5K, and complete a 50K. To that end, I've gotten my long runs up to 17.5 miles so I'm more then halfway there. At distance though, other issues come into play. What you wear, hydration and fueling become super important, as what you eat influences GI issues. All of that is true for shorter distances as well, just not as pronounced.

The only other races I've signed up for are a 5K fun run (untimed so Im not focusing on my 25 minute goal for that one), and this morning I signed up for a 10K race that covers the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in November.

I'd be happy to share my experiences.

I just started running outside too, and I'm in the same spot you are. I thought I was going to DIE yesterday. I'll be back in the gym tomorrow because its supposed to be sub-zero tomorrow, but I do know that running outside is a major change from the treadmill. You no longer have the moving belt to help propel you along, you are doing all the work now. Also, you're running on different terrain and weather plays a role too. I want to get back outside, but the weather isn't going to cooperate the next few days. First 5K is May 3. Good luck.

I tried the apps but I kind of just preferred to try and run as far as I could, which wasn't really far. Like, to the end of the block maybe...

Yeah, I tried that approach, but it only resulted in burnout and feeling terrible about my abilities as a runner. The apps really made a difference for me - kept me from pushing myself *too* hard, if that makes sense?

I first started running by using C25K in about 2006 then I lapsed and then three of us have got back into running since October using it. Haven't run for a couple of weeks since I overdid it when my ankle was sore - but it feels better now and so I want to run (I'm really missing it). Good luck - it does work!

I am a "second time around" newbie! I did and completed C25K two summers ago and ran in a few 5ks. Life happened and I dropped running (boo!). I'm getting ready to start it up again, so feel free to add me! I'd say running was the most challenging and rewarding things I've ever done!

I don't know what c25k is but I started running, or I should say jogging since I dont run really fast, last year then had to quit for awhile, but am back at it. I am running a 5k surviors mud run in June in the Seattle are with a friend. Another friend provided me wth a treadmill training program for beginning runners and I am on week 6 of eight, which means I will walk 1 minute and jog 5 for a total of 30 minutes. It is a 8 week program and once I finish this I got on to the next section finish a 5K. So please add me and also wish me luck.

By the way I was never a running and never really planned to be but I do find myself smiling when I'm done with my 30 minutes, wow who know that would happen.

I know what you mean about the smiling - today i plucked up the courage to go running - or should i say, a slow jog. I only intended to do 10 laps (2km) but found myself doing perfectly fine and so decided to continue on, ending up doing 21 laps (just over 4km) On a few of the laps i just felt so proud of myself, and was enjoying doing something that i sincerely could never picture myself doing, that i couldn't help but smile Wednesday i aim to give it another shot!