New runner looking for buddies!!!!

I just recently got back into running myself and I'm currently training for a half marathon. I second what the first reply said about the shoes and I will add that running socks make a huge difference as well. Make sure that the socks you get are not cotton! Cotton retains moisture and will give you blisters while running. Also you can download a free app like Nike+ or runkeeper to track all of your runs and distances. It's a great way to see how far and how fast you've run and try to beat your records.

You can add me as a friend-
I am a new-er runner. I actually suck at running, but I try. I could use some encouraging running friends! I like to run outside, but the weather in Ohio is not always the best for it. I use the Nike ap too and i think it is a great help. Without a doubt get good shoes. My biggest suggestion would be to stretch after running; not just a few seconds, but for like 15 minutes afterwards. It helps the sorenessand prevents injuries. It has really made a huge diffference for me.

I'm a new runner! We'll, I'm slower than a snail, but I'm still doing it and loving it! I just finished week 6 of c25k, 2 months ago I never would've thought I could go for 22 minutes straight . Once I finish c25k I plan on working on my speed-according to map my run I go between a 12 & 13 minute mile, the c25k program seems to be set for a 10 minute mile...anyway anyone can feel free to add me too! I'm up north so it'll be interesting to see how winter running goes. Good luck everyone!

Welcome! I used to run a lot, and got back into it this year, soon after I decided to get really serious about getting fit and joined MFP. I love running outdoors and hate the treadmill (I'm starting to find uses for it, though), but when I first got back into it the sidewalks around me were icy, so I started there. This time of year I run outside almost exclusively, and have just started a 16-week half marathon training program. (Heat can be tough, but it's been a mild summer where I am, and I try to run in the morning.)

You've gotten the good shoes advice--that's important! Socks, too, but you may need to try different ones to see what works best for you. I never did the C25K program because I had run before and started again before I heard of it, but it seems like a great option for a new runner. I think starting with walking plus running intervals is a great idea. Another thing to keep in mind as you build up is that you will be running very slow at first, and that's just fine. Pacing yourself too fast is probably one of the main things that frustrates new runners.

Another thing that is worth focusing on is form. We can all run, but there are technique things that will make it easier or harder. Back when I used to run I put in some work on dealing with muscle imbalances and so on that were contributing to soreness and injury, and yet this time when I started to get the same thing I just chalked it up to me being overweight and didn't worry about it. Yet when I did hurt my knee (I stepped on a rock and twisted it, so I'm not sure it was really the form thing) and was working on rehabbing it I had my form looked at and got great advice about shortening my stride and running more with the glutes and hamstrings, and I've been working on strengthening my hips, glutes, and hamstrings in connection with this (which is what I recall doing before). I'm still having to think about it and catch myself falling into bad habits, but it's finally clicked some so that this way is starting to feels more natural and my running stride feels a lot better.

Welcome to the running world!

1. Find a good C25K program you like. There are plenty of them out there, some are smartphone apps, some are podcasts; find one that works for you.
2. Follow the rules of said C25K program; they are there for your safety and well-being. A good program should have you only running every other day and running slowly at the start. No, really. Slower than you think slow is.
3. Don't do anything high impact on the days between running. You need to give your joints and shins a chance to recover between runs. If you want to workout on the days between, choose strength training (PICK ME!), biking, swimming, yoga, etc.
4. Shoes shouldn't be an issue the first few weeks as long as they aren't 5 years old and raggedy. You'll be doing more walking than running at first. I didn't start having issues until I was running more than 3 miles 3-4 times per week.
5. Once you've decided that running is defintely for you, go to a dedicated running store and get fitted for shoes.
6. Most injuries come from trying to do too much, too soon. Never increase the mileage you're running by more than 10% from one week to the next.
7. Treadmills are boring, run outside.

Most of all, have fun!

I am not exactly a runner YET, but I am working my way toward it! I am using Active.com's Couch to 5k app and yesterday completed week 5 day 1 intervals. I love the way the program eases me into running. I surprise myself every time!

A few things I have learned along the way:
1. properly fitted shoes are a must
2. synthetic (non-cotton) socks are fabulous
3. a great playlist is a huge plus
4. trails are way more fun than flat roads
5. treadmills are the devil, seriously
6. runner's high is not a fable!

I wish you nothing but great success as you run. Ready! Set! Go!

Everyone has given you fantastic advice!! Follow it, don't give up, the beginning is the hardest and feel free to add me. I'm on week 8 of the C25K app but am always finding motivation in watching others strive and meet there goals!!

We'll everyone has spoken of the shoes so you got that. Run walking is a great way to start it's how I did.
Keep form in your mind but really as new runner getting out there and doing it is more important. You can focus on techniques as it becomes habit. Slow is the key for now. Don't worry about how slow you are, that's the way you'll avoid injury. Good luck to you.

Any one can feel free to add. Always happy to have running friends.

Run someplace INTERESTING. Running on a treadmill is boring and it is easy to quit. Run where the terrain changes, the sights change, the people change, etc.

I run at a nearby park which has several ballfields, dog runs, playground for little kids, basketball hoops, skateboard ramp, gravel, grass, parking, etc. So I run past some junior high kids on skateboards, then past some teenagers playing pickup basketball, then past couples having picnics, then past little kids playing flag football, then past people with their dogs, then past some senior citizens sitting on a bench, etc. Some parts are a little bit uphill, others flat, some parts a little bit downhill, some have curves, some have straight parts. Each time around, the people change a little bit.

But a treadmill? After about 30 seconds, I have seen everything, and I am bored.

Welcome to the running world!

1. Find a good C25K program you like. There are plenty of them out there, some are smartphone apps, some are podcasts; find one that works for you.
2. Follow the rules of said C25K program; they are there for your safety and well-being. A good program should have you only running every other day and running slowly at the start. No, really. Slower than you think slow is.
3. Don't do anything high impact on the days between running. You need to give your joints and shins a chance to recover between runs. If you want to workout on the days between, choose strength training (PICK ME!), biking, swimming, yoga, etc.
4. Shoes shouldn't be an issue the first few weeks as long as they aren't 5 years old and raggedy. You'll be doing more walking than running at first. I didn't start having issues until I was running more than 3 miles 3-4 times per week.
5. Once you've decided that running is defintely for you, go to a dedicated running store and get fitted for shoes.
6. Most injuries come from trying to do too much, too soon. Never increase the mileage you're running by more than 10% from one week to the next.
7. Treadmills are boring, run outside.

Most of all, have fun!

Wow, fantastic advice!

I'm currently doing a run walk program on my iPhone and have it set to one minute walk, one minute run and I'm on week 3 of 7. By the end of the 7th week I should be able to walk run a 5k. My friend and I are training together but because our fitness levels are so different she's started out on a 30sec 30 sec program. I felt like this was too easy. The 5k we're signing up for is in the first week in October so I need to figure out what to do at the end of the 7 weeks to get from a run/walk program to running the full 5k. I'm not worried about time...I just want to be able to run the full way.

Hello fello losers! I am looking for some people to help guide me in my efforts to start running. I want to make sure that I dont hurt myself. What things do I need (shoes, clothes, ect...) and do you use the ground or treadmill? What is more effective for a new runner?

ALSO FEEL FREE TO ADD ME , I COULD USE THE SUPPORT!

Hello!! I've been running since last September and I am in love with it. I only run outdoors (in winter and everything!) and I find it best because it keeps my interest...running on treadmill is dead boring. To begin with, I highly recommend a C25K app (I love RunDouble) and you don't need special shoes or clothes to start. After 3-4 weeks if you're still into it and really love it, I highly recommend getting fitted for good running sneakers. Pricey, but worth it.

I'd suggest outside! Its a lot less boring. I found myself bored on the treadmill. The transition from being able to run a mile on the treadmill to going outside was not easy.

another great piece of advice my friends gave me when i started running is to sign up for a race - 5k or whatever a couple months down the road so you have something to work towards... after you get your first on under your belt you will be HOOKED