How did you become a runner?

I read this discussion.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1217573-so-you-want-to-start-running

Then I tried to do mostly what it says. Definitely check out a good running store (Not Footlocker, Payless, Walmart) and have someone look at how you walk/run to help you with shoe selection. It's worth it. The shoes I had been wearing all summer were annoying my shins and I just replaced mine (with some helpful advice from a staff member at said store) and it fixed my issues instantly. That's probably the best tip I can give you.

Secondly, be patient and take things slowly.

Wanted to see if I could do it after losing my first 25'ish pounds. Turned out I could. What kept me going was constantly being able to do more than I ever thought possible. Running my first half marathon this saturday, shooting for 2 hours with no walking. Previous to this june I don't think I had ever run more than a couple hundred meters at a time, at least not without near cardiac arrest...

I also have 2 small kids and work full time. I run in the morning before work and typically get up around 5, run from 5:15 - 6:15'ish. On weekends one morning I get up at 5 and go for a 1.5-2 hour run.

My wife does not like it, but she appreciates it :P

I just started going, and kept going even though it hurt and wasn't that fun. Gradually it hurt a lot less and became fun. Now I run 10 - 30 miles a week, have done 6 or so half marathons, etc.

Finding some tricks to make yourself enjoy it really helps. For me, that was finding loops and trails that I really enjoy running on... nice paths, interesting scenery, easy to get to from my house. Also, I keep a stock of podcasts on my phone and those keep me entertained on longer runs.

Be sure that you don't start off too fast... take it nice and easy. They say it takes 3+ weeks for anything to become a habit, so don't give up. And don't be surprised if you're super sore after the first few times. That happens to me every time I stop running for a few months and get back into it. It'll get better.

PS - we're about the same age - feel free to friend me if you want Lauren

I downloaded the free app C25K and followed it. Then I went onto the follow up program C210K and now I am running 10 kilometers three times a week. I am 49 years old, female and used to be a smoker until a year and half ago. I was not able to run more than 100 meters without running out of breath. Last weekend I participated successfully in the Terry Fox Run here in Vancouver and I ran the 10k without a stop or problem. I have to admit...I am very proud of myself!
Stef.

That's awesome, congrats on your progress!

I've also never been a runner, I had asthma as a kid and still struggle with it sometimes but it's getting easier now that I'm stronger and exercise regularly. I just started the C25K program last night, it was great. I was tempted to go ahead and run faster/longer but I held myself back because I know I have a hard time pacing myself. I'm planning to invest in some good running shoes after I lose more weight (I stay motivated by treating myself when I reach a short term goal). Does anyone have a preference on a brand of running shoe?

After using the elliptical for about a year I decided it was time to try the treadmill. I started there and got my endurance up enough to run a couple miles. Once I started training for a sprint triathlon I took to running oustide and now it is my favorit thing to do. I was never a "runner" growing up although I play volleyball, basketball and softball...I just never enjoyed running. Now I try to do it several times a week.
I also like biking and swimming and both have helped with my running endurance.
Good luck to you future runner!!!

I started doing yoga, which helped with joint issues. At that point I wasn't concerned about weight, just moving without pain. Then I signed up for a 5k with my husband who was starting to get into running as a show of support.

As the weight came off running became a bit easier, but wasn't easy (I was probably still north of 200lbs.) That first 5k was over 40 minutes. Considering I would only train/workout at about a half hour at a time it wasn't that bad.

Somehow someone talked me into a 10 mile race the following year. I survived it and was at this point running regularly. Then came the half marathons, tough mudders, trail runs...

TL/DR; I kept at it until it became a habit.

Growing up I was an athelete, but never a runner. I could run and sprint a basketball court for an hour easy but tell me to run 2 miles and I'd die.

But after the sports stopped, the weight came on and I knew I needed to find an exercise that was efficient and effective. I started running by running as far as I could and then each day I would run just a little farther. It was never far in the beginning but overtime it came to be. Then later, I downloaded the C25K app and followed and completed it. I liked that method much more.

I then stopped running for years and just recently got back into it. I started C25K again but then just decided to do it on my own. I an currently trying to get up to 5 miles and then a 10K.

I run with my dogs, which makes it much more enjoyable for me. And I have discovered that running releases a lot of stress and had become my me time. I work a full time job, and have 2 step-kids half of the week. So I just work my runs around my schedule. Sometimes I only run 1 day a week on really busy days and others time its 3. But 1 run is better than none.

Finishing my first 5K was an amazing feeling. And signing up for runs is a great motivator also! I keep signing up for them now to make sure I don't slack off or stop my routine.

I started at 40. Heaviest I'd been in my life, exercise induced asthma, never was able to run, etc, etc.

I downloaded C25k on my phone and headed out. I've been a runner for nearly two years now, including finishing a half maration.

I downloaded the free app C25K and followed it. Then I went onto the follow up program C210K and now I am running 10 kilometers three times a week. I am 49 years old, female and used to be a smoker until a year and half ago. I was not able to run more than 100 meters without running out of breath. Last weekend I participated successfully in the Terry Fox Run here in Vancouver and I ran the 10k without a stop or problem. I have to admit...I am very proud of myself!
Stef.

That's awesome, congrats on your progress!

I've also never been a runner, I had asthma as a kid and still struggle with it sometimes but it's getting easier now that I'm stronger and exercise regularly. I just started the C25K program last night, it was great. I was tempted to go ahead and run faster/longer but I held myself back because I know I have a hard time pacing myself. I'm planning to invest in some good running shoes after I lose more weight (I stay motivated by treating myself when I reach a short term goal). Does anyone have a preference on a brand of running shoe?

Don't worry about what works for other people. Go to a running store and get professionally fitted.

A little more each day. Even just a tiny amount. That is the trick and that is what makes running fun- challenging yourself to go a little bit further and succeeding is a wonderful feeling.

Figure out if you over or under pronate. I failed to do so and trained for a ran a half marathon with shoes that were awful for me. I crossed the finish line, looked down, and saw that I had bled through the entire front of my sneaker and couldn't even feel it! Now I don't so much as get a blister with my better shoes

In March 2012 I decided that I wanted to do tough Mudder for my 40th birthday. I spent four weeks doing p90x, then decided that if I could complete a half marathon I could reasonably complete TM. I scheduled the half for August, and after the month of p90x, just wanted to see what it felt like to "go jogging." I hadn't run since elementary school, having been exempt from formal physical education from middle school on due to being a competitive figure skater. I went out and did 3miles. 3 slow miles, but I did it. Two weeks later I was doing 5 but walking up two of the "big" hills. My third time trying five I was able to run the whole thing (again, slowly.) I was just astounded at how adaptable my body was, even at 39 years old.

At the half I couldn't believe how great it felt to cross that finish line, especially after one of the "veteran" runners told me that I really shouldn't be running THAT half marathon as my first, and what was I thinking...didn't I read the web site? He finished 26 seconds ahead of me.

On a more positive note I met a guy with a JFK50 shirt. I asked him what it was for, and he said "50 miles." "Over how many days?" "It's all the same day." "You're s#!++!ng me." "No, I'm not." So there was my goal for the following year- to qualify for and complete the JFK50 in November 2013. I ran my first marathon in March 2013 and entered JFK but decided to do my first 50 in June, just to see if I could.

I'm only just starting to consider myself a runner- I'm not really that fast, but I'm stubborn. I like the challenge. Now I run almost entirely on trails, and the community of local trail runners is a very special group of people. I'm a mid-back of packer and just love being out there.

I did it, back in the 90s, with guidance from Jeff Galloway, in Galloway's Book on Running. It's still in print (2nd edition) and he is still helping a new generation of runners.

Couch to 5K is also great, but Galloway has lots of useful advice on training, dealing with injuries, pacing, etc. There are other books, too.

If you find you hate running, though, don't force yourself to continue. Quiet country roads are also great for cycling, walking, rollerblading, etc.