Need Advice...New Runner
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jplayer13
Posts: 3 Member
I want to RUN. I want to be a RUNNER. I was faithful to it a few years back in the gym on a treadmill but the gym is not in my budget right now. I have started the C25K at the park by my house but I am finding it a lot harder than it was in the gym last time. I am not in great shape but know I can do this. I have done it before. Any advice on technique, form, breathing would be greatly appreciated.
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I have couch to 5k as well. I noticed my stamina had picked up a lot and that the app works better for you when you run outdoors against the natural elements vs a treadmill. The issue I have found with myself is remaining consistent after about the 3rd week especially with weather changes . I decided to start over. I also hear it is good for runners to stay stocked up on bananas and peanut butter. I run better on an empty stomach (first thing in the morning) and then I have protein rich breakfast and feel great.0
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My advise is son't put so much pressure on yourself. Remember you are a few years older than before. Be patient. Start out walk/run and gradually increase your running. Good things come to those who wait. Enjoy!0
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Just keep at it. You will be amazed at how much you will improve in a short amount of time. Keep a log so you know and see results. I use Mapmyrun as a tracker. Push yourself to do go a little longer and a little further each time you run. Consistency is the key. Keep up the good work
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I am by no means an expert, but I started running again a little over a year ago. The thing that improved my running the most was incorporating sprint intervals. I warm up with a steady run at around 5 to 5.5 mph. Then I sprint as fast as I can, really pushing as hard as possible for 30 seconds, then walk or jog for a minute or two, then another full out sprint. I do this at least 10 times. Then finish off with more steady running or walking. I also use the Runtastic app to track my runs. I now do trail running which I find to be a lot more fun than running on pavement. The trails are uneven and challenging and I have to watch every step to stay safe. It really requires a lot of attention and makes the run go by quickly. Plus I feel like a kid again, running and jumping over stuff and getting dirty. Good luck!0
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My advise is son't put so much pressure on yourself. Remember you are a few years older than before. Be patient. Start out walk/run and gradually increase your running. Good things come to those who wait. Enjoy!
^this. It's also much harder to run outside than on a treadmill. At one point when I was doing all my running at the gym, I could run on the treadmill at a good pace for an hour, but couldn't complete a 5km race outside. Give it time, it will get easier and you will love it so much more than running indoors.0 -
One of the best pieces of advice I ever got told was 'you didn't get out of shape in 4 weeks, what makes you think you can get fit in 4 weeks', keep at it, it will get easier, perhaps book yourself in for a 5km race (something fun like Colorrun), a date to get fit by will keep you pushing yourself and doing a fun race will mean if you don't make it all the way then walking won't matter.0
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I find running outside more difficult in some ways, start with the c25k as it tends to start you off at run 1min walk 1.5min, it's not about speed at the beginning (it's never really about speed get the miles in the legs and the speed will come itself to a degree) it's just about keeping moving for the interval.
If you haven't already, go to a specialist store, get gait analysis done and get proper road running shoes (I am assuming here that you're running on a concrete/tarmac path in the park, if it's trails consider trail shoes) and a proper running bra, they both help you feel more comfortable.
Is there someone else that can run with you or even meet you there, whilst I'm quite disciplined and will go out regardless I know a lot of people that will really only make the effort if they're meeting another person, but at the same time you need someone that runs at a similar pace as you (running with someone that runs a lot faster than you isn't nice as you'll be pushing for too much of the time).
Remember your outside on a hard surface rather than inside a nice climate controlled gym with a treadmill that takes some of the impact (trail running is even easier on the joints but tends to involve hills and slippy mud), also if you can vary your route I find that helps, if I run the same route all the time I get bored or start anticipating the hills and back off a bit, mix it up!!
As above speed doesn't mater, it doesn't matter if it's an 8min mile or an 18min mile it's still a mile, get some tunes on and go for it:)0 -
As far as form, look at this website ... http://goodformrunning.com/
Also, its ok to slow down ... you have to build gradually or you will most likely hurt yourself (shin pain sucks). Getting a good pair of shoes is also important, find someone to do a proper fitting and gait analysis if you can.
But whatever you do, don't give up - there's a great sense of accomplishment when you run further than last time or finish a race!
Good Luck!0 -
Breathe how its comfortable for you. When I started 3 years ago I was told by numerous people that I should breath in through my nose and out through my mouth. HOWEVER I was almost dying that way bc I couldnt get enough air and in result I couldnt run at all!!!! So I simply ignored what everyone said and I now only breathe through my mouth. Now I can run long distance. So find the breathing pattern that works for you.0
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I did the C25K program in Winter of 2012. By late fall of 2013 I ran my first half marathon. Later this spring I'll be doing my first full marathon.
The best piece of advice I ever got when I first started was to slow down. There really shouldn't be much difference between your faster walking pace and your slower jogging pace. Basically if you can't carry on a conversation, you are going too fast. Speed will come with time.
Don't feel like because you incorporate walk breaks/intervals into your runs that you are not a runner. I started out with C25K, gradually increased to running 10 miuntes, walking for 1 minute on longer runs, and now I tend to run for 20 minutes and walk for 1 on my long slow runs.
Don't over do it - give your body time to recover between runs.
Some runs will be better than others. This is still true and will always be true for me, for the elites, champions. Runs that are harder give us things we can take away with us and learn from, but they happen.0 -
Beat me to it, just dug around to find that post as I think it's really well written and covers the majority of questions faced by most new runners (wish I'd had it to had a couple of years ago when I first started)!!0 -
Thanks! I haven't found anyone to run with me yet but there are tons of people running at the park so maybe I will meet someone there. I haven't gotten shoes yet but hope to. I did by a new bra yesterday so I hope that helps too.0
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Beat me to it, just dug around to find that post as I think it's really well written and covers the majority of questions faced by most new runners (wish I'd had it to had a couple of years ago when I first started)!!
This is the best article EVER! Thank you guys!!!0
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