nervous about running?
LokiDokiArtichoki
Posts: 36 Member
Hi everyone!
I'm really trying to get myself interested in more physical activities. I'm interested in running - it looks so fun! I'd love to be able to do the color me rad and zombie races! And it's low-cost, for me (I have a gym membership through my university -there's an indoor running track- and I live in a "granola" town where there are a lot of walking trails).
My problem: I feel so hesitant to start. I've researched some plans (The plans go like: 2 mins walking, 1 min running 7 reps, for the first few days and increasing intervals as the weeks go by). I have shoes, clothes, and an ipod full of music. I just don't know why I keep dragging my feet. It doesn't feel like it has to do with my laziness, as much as my anxiety. I have a hard time with the thought of running and people watching me. Has anyone else had this problem? What kind of motivation did you use?
I'm really trying to get myself interested in more physical activities. I'm interested in running - it looks so fun! I'd love to be able to do the color me rad and zombie races! And it's low-cost, for me (I have a gym membership through my university -there's an indoor running track- and I live in a "granola" town where there are a lot of walking trails).
My problem: I feel so hesitant to start. I've researched some plans (The plans go like: 2 mins walking, 1 min running 7 reps, for the first few days and increasing intervals as the weeks go by). I have shoes, clothes, and an ipod full of music. I just don't know why I keep dragging my feet. It doesn't feel like it has to do with my laziness, as much as my anxiety. I have a hard time with the thought of running and people watching me. Has anyone else had this problem? What kind of motivation did you use?
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Replies
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Like the commercial says: Just Do IT. C25K seems most popular to train for your first 5K.0
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When I weighed almost 400 pounds, I was sure that I looked pathetic to everyone else at my Planet Fitness, but I got in there and exercised anyway. Over time, as I lost weight, random strangers would come up to me at the gym and tell me how good I was looking and that I was motivating them to work harder.
I now play racquetball (I left Planet Fitness and joined a YMCA), lift weights, and climb over 200 floors on a StairMaster, and it all started with going 1/2 mile for 10 minutes a day on an elliptical (upon which I can now do 5.5 miles in 30 minutes).
Do what you can. Do what you love. But do it.0 -
+1Like the commercial says: Just Do IT. C25K seems most popular to train for your first 5K.
AND: get good shoes!0 -
Yes, download a C25K app and just do it! I know it's scary at first, but once you get started it's not that bad. There's a pretty active C25K group on MFP too that you could join.0
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Just go. C25K is the bomb.
Try it out for a week or 2 and see how you like it. If you fall in love (like I did), go get fitted for proper running sneakers. Other than that, have fun!!0 -
I like to think that everyone else is just as self-conscious as I am. They aren't worrying about what I look like cause they are too busy worrying about what THEY look like.0
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You could try finding a running group. Sounds counter intuitive, but sometimes it is nice to have a pack of cheerleaders, and runners I find like to help other people get into the sport. I have 2 that I run with, one for fun short-mid length runs (to a bar, because yes) and the other sponsored by a sports/fitness store in town that is geared towards long runs to prep for a marathon. There are at least 2 more that I can think of that do the short-mid length runs (one is getting amazing donuts tonight, and fried chicken, kinda wish I was going with them tonight) during the week.0
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I second the "just do it" notion!! I walked every day the first 5 months of my weight loss.. then I started a c25k program and would be out of breath within 5 seconds. . Literally. . Months went by and I started weight lifting and decided I wanted to really pursue running.. it's nothing to brag about but I ran my fastest mile this morning of 13:36! I'm proud and hope to keep improving. .
When I first started I still weighed close to 200 so I'm pretty sure I looked ridiculous. . Who cares?! At least you will be getting fit and healthy!
I am now addicted to running! Every morning at 7 after getting my daughter to the bus, I hit the road!0 -
I like to think that everyone else is just as self-conscious as I am. They aren't worrying about what I look like cause they are too busy worrying about what THEY look like.
Yup. As a species we are too self-centered to pay much mind to what other people are doing. Get out there and have some fun!0 -
Start walking the trails, get yourself out there and get familiar with the area, let yourself naturally jog just go with it, if you're going to become a runner it's already inside you just start by putting one foot in front of the other, the trails are there whether you walk, run or crawl.
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If entering zombie races are your desire, OP, there's even a C25K program called Zombies, Run! 5K.0
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I've run 30 marathons....and the best advice I got before I ever ran a step---the first mile is always the hardest.
I say, leave the music at home.
Find a nice shady park and walk a few steps, run a few steps, walk a few, run a few. Each day add a little more
running. If running is for you, you will soon love it.
You can do it.0 -
+1Like the commercial says: Just Do IT. C25K seems most popular to train for your first 5K.
AND: get good shoes!
Agree and disagree.
First get good shoes, then do C25K.
As the other poster above said, when I weighed over 300 pounds, I was nervous to run at all. Less than a year later, I regularly do between 10K and 10 miles. "Just Do it"!0 -
I still have plenty to lose before my goal weight, so when I go running, I feel like people are snorting with laughter and thinking "That fat woman is no runner!" But I run anyway. I put on my headphones, power up some motivating music, and remind myself that this is my workout, not theirs, and the only person I need to worry about right now is me.0
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OMG, I love that app! I don't even really need it, and I have the original, too, but when I started back to running after several months off I thought it might be fun to use that app along the way. I was so right!!If entering zombie races are your desire, OP, there's even a C25K program called Zombies, Run! 5K.
It's a bit different than C25K as they have periods they call a "free form run" where you are supposed to run as much as you can and walk when you need to and those are interspersed with several sessions of intervals like run for 30 seconds and walk for 2 minutes that gradually get longer. They also throw in things like knee lifts. half squats and heel raises to help strengthen your muscles. The very last run in the program is a warm up walk and then a free form 25 minute run. I think this app is much more friendly to beginners and people who intend to run and walk in intervals (me!) forever.
Whatever you do, OP, get out there and just run. No one is paying attention to you specifically. They're too busy worrying about you paying attention to them or they look upon anyone running as part of their "community". You're more likely to get a high five or a thumb's up from a passing runner than anything else.0 -
just to echo what everyone else has already said: just do it! I started by using the C25k plan, and because of how it is structured I'm really starting to enjoy running again. I definitely recommend it.
also, when you are just starting out running, don't try to think of how much you are doing mileage wise, instead view it in terms of minutes. every time you run, tell yourself that you are going to do one minute more (or more than that if you can). soon those little added minutes will feel like big victories!0 -
Actually, I don't necessarily agree with that. When you start, you're doing so little running that specially fitted running shoes aren't really necessary. I ran in an old pair of cross trainers when I first started running in 2011. I didn't notice any issues until I was regularly running more than 3 miles and that had more to do with my toe nails turning black than anything else.
+1Like the commercial says: Just Do IT. C25K seems most popular to train for your first 5K.
AND: get good shoes!
Agree and disagree.
First get good shoes, then do C25K.
I'd suggest starting in a decent pair of trainers (sneakers, running shoes, tennis shoes, whatever you call them) and just keep attention on how you feel during and after the run. If you start to notice any kind of pain in your toes, feet, ankles, shins or knees then you'll want to head to the nearest store dedicated to running to have your gait analyzed and get a great pair of running shoes.0 -
Hello Loki-
I know how you feel, I started running about 1 year ago and have finished many 5k's. Just finished on in Atlanta (I'm ion Caly) and will be doing a biggest looser one in November. By the way I am still on team turtle. I would encourage you to just "get out there" believe me no one will be looking at you. Those who are serious runners are in a zone, and those who are looking are either impressed and envious that they are not out there or studying your form to see how they can be better runners (I am in both camps). I would suggest three things. 1) find a local 5k to run/walk, you can google those in your area having a goal will keep you motivated give your self 3 months 2) find a friend who is willing to run/walk with you. 3) If you have a smart phone I would suggest using the Nike running app which has a coach feature. It will coach you through to the 5k. and just get out there.....its worth it!! Let me know how it goes. You can add me as a friend Msjules65 I'd love to know how your doing.0 -
I started c25k with the shoes I had and had pain in my knees and shins. I went and got fitted with shoes that really made the difference. My shins started hurting again recently and another new pair of shoes fixed the problem. Just pay attention to how everything is feeling and avoid injury.
I was a lifelong non-runner when I started. When I finished c25k I went on to a 10k app since I wasn't close to finishing 5k in 30 minutes. I'm very slow, but have come to really love running. I've moved onto a half marathon training plan now, and am just gradually adding on to my miles per week.0 -
Find a C25K app (or podcasts) as everyone has said. Personally (if you can stand the music) I can recommend the NHS one, search for NHS C25K and you'll find it. Laura (our running mentor) is very encouraging.
Then for your running/support group head on over to healthunlocked.com (https://healthunlocked.com/couchto5k), a group of people that were all like you at the beginning, nervous, unfit, unsure. We blog (ups and downs, good days and bad days, after a run, while on the injury couch), chat, support, encourage and a fair few of us are on MFP.0 -
Just get out and start and try to go a little farther each day. Invest in some good shoes and have fun. Beware though running is addictive. My first 15k is this Sunday.
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I started out with the C25K app also. I only did it halfway though before I wanted to just run and see how far I could go. Now I'm at 4.88 miles in 60 minutes. Just do it and don't worry about anyone else. You won't regret it.0
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If entering zombie races are your desire, OP, there's even a C25K program called Zombies, Run! 5K.
I have this app...I love this app...
also...
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1217573-so-you-want-to-start-running0 -
What's the worst thing that can happen if they do watch you? They see you. In reality most of the population don't care what other people are doing. When I started running at 280 odd pounds I was convinced people would stop and point and stare. In reality no one did and if they did I didn't notice.I have a hard time with the thought of running and people watching me.
I wrote a blog post on this very thing. Feel free to look at it (link below) you don't have to though
Good luck
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/_Zardoz_/view/i-m-not-paranoid-it-s-just-everyone-s-looking-at-me-6927650 -
you don't have to follow a program. it's running. go out there and run. run until you feel really tired, and then stop and walk. little by little you'll build endurance and stamina. you'll even learn how to intuitively pace yourself and say "yeah, i can hold this for 3 miles."0
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Just get out there and do it!! I was like you. I have everything ready to go and was nervous to start. I never imagined myself as being a runner. That was about 4 months ago. Tomorrow I run my first 5K race! Yesterday when I was out running I kept telling myself that I can do this! That I AM doing this! Four months ago I wasn't able to run even a minutes and now I am running upwards of 35 minutes before I stop!0
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I started running when I was 300 pounds. What I found was more support than anything else -- no one ever scoffed, no one ever said anything negative. Was I noticed? Of course, I was huge, it was hard to not be noticed. But most other runners never said anything or stared. The ones that did say anything were encouraging.
Now that I'm fitter and have been running for a long time, I try to follow the same philosophy. Having been in their situations,I'm thrilled when I see new runners or "out of shape" runners and walkers out there. They are taking the first necessary steps. And that's what matters the most. I don't ever go out of my way to say anything, but if a conversation starts up, I'll be encouraging and offer advice if the person asks.
Now, as far as getting out there. The hardest step is the first step. Even now, if I don't just get up and get moving for my long run on Saturdays, my brain can find a million and two excuses not to. But once I'm moving I'm moving and I forget all those.
The hardest run will be your second. The first one will be work and your body will be sore. But as you're strapping your shoes on for that second run...your body and mind will give you the "we just did this, and it was teh suk. You sure you want to do this again?" It gets easier from there.0 -
Hi everyone!
I'm really trying to get myself interested in more physical activities. I'm interested in running - it looks so fun! I'd love to be able to do the color me rad and zombie races! And it's low-cost, for me (I have a gym membership through my university -there's an indoor running track- and I live in a "granola" town where there are a lot of walking trails).
My problem: I feel so hesitant to start. I've researched some plans (The plans go like: 2 mins walking, 1 min running 7 reps, for the first few days and increasing intervals as the weeks go by). I have shoes, clothes, and an ipod full of music. I just don't know why I keep dragging my feet. It doesn't feel like it has to do with my laziness, as much as my anxiety. I have a hard time with the thought of running and people watching me. Has anyone else had this problem? What kind of motivation did you use?
I hate the thought of someone seeing me running. I'm slow, have poor form, and breathe like a wounded walrus. It is not something I'm OK presenting to the world. So when I run, I run on trails in the woods. There's no chance I'm going to get out in my neighborhood and put on that display.
It's not that there are no people in the woods - there's occasional people in the woods. Oddly enough, that has helped my running. As I'm shambling and wheezing and I spot someone else on the trail, all of a sudden my posture gets better, my strides get longer, I up my speed a little, I control my breathing ... and what happens after that is I think - well if I could do that for 30 seconds while someone was around, why can't I do it for 30 more when nobody's around. The existence of other people combined with my reluctance to "look bad" has made me a better runner.
As far as a program is concerned; I started with C25K. I did that for 3 or 4 weeks, then I downloaded Endomondo because I wanted to map my runs. First day out with Endomondo I didn't have my C25K timers telling me what to do, so I decided to see how far I could go before I had to drop to a walk. It turned out to be 2.5 miles ..0 -
I have a hard time with the thought of running and people watching me. Has anyone else had this problem? What kind of motivation did you use?
Honestly there are always people who will make fun of someone for what they are doing. May it be weight training, swimming, running. walking... The thing is tho, as long as you are out there doing it, trying and reaching for a goal you will find very very few actual athletes making fun. A lot of us have been there done that and at some point felt self concision while doing it. Its not a great feeling. But the feeling of hitting that goal or overcoming that feeling of insecurity is by far better than being the person who is just sitting out because of people watching.
Go for it! Running groups are a great way to make friends or find someone to help keep you accountable. I personally run with a buddy when both our schedules match up. The C25K program is a great way to fall in love with this sport without feeling overwhelmed and MapMyRun is a great free app so you can track progress.
Good Luck!0 -
Put on a baseball hat and/or sunglasses if you feel that people are looking at you. It might lesson your anxiety for the first few runs. Once you have been out a few times you will feel more confident I am sure. Good luck.0
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