Skip to content
  • Register
    • Viewing the message boards in:

    So you want to start running

    1…1516182021…37

    Replies

    • Posts: 253 Member
      Thank you for all the advice!

      I really like the idea of adding miles to one of the runs. In terms of time, it does not feel as much a commitment. I think 5k is all that I'd like to do, at least for now. I would like to do other things too, like swimming and strength training. Deep inside, I kind of hope to get one of those medal thingy for my age group, maybe in one of the local, less competitive race :# And maybe even to be in a sprint triathlon one day... Maybe I'm dreaming too much.
    • Posts: 2,064 Member
      AglaeaC wrote: »
      It's good that you're following a programme rather than winging it. If you haven't finished all of it by your race day, remember there's no shame in walking part of the distance, as long as you cross the finish line eventually. Good luck and have fun!

      Thank you! As long as run most of it and cross the finish line I will be happy. Then it's off to the next! :)

    • Posts: 56,142 Member
      mom3over40 wrote: »
      Thank you for all the advice!

      I really like the idea of adding miles to one of the runs. In terms of time, it does not feel as much a commitment. I think 5k is all that I'd like to do, at least for now. I would like to do other things too, like swimming and strength training. Deep inside, I kind of hope to get one of those medal thingy for my age group, maybe in one of the local, less competitive race :# And maybe even to be in a sprint triathlon one day... Maybe I'm dreaming too much.

      Heh. I remember saying that.
    • Posts: 228 Member
      Very informative and useful - thanks, OP.
    • Posts: 1,974 Member
      mom3over40 wrote: »
      Thank you for all the advice!

      I really like the idea of adding miles to one of the runs. In terms of time, it does not feel as much a commitment. I think 5k is all that I'd like to do, at least for now. I would like to do other things too, like swimming and strength training. Deep inside, I kind of hope to get one of those medal thingy for my age group, maybe in one of the local, less competitive race :# And maybe even to be in a sprint triathlon one day... Maybe I'm dreaming too much.

      You might enjoy this then. Not everyone is into long-distance running:
      http://www.runnersworld.com/5k-training-plans/10-reasons-the-5k-is-freaking-awesome
    • Posts: 2,717 Member
      mom3over40 wrote: »
      Thank you for all the advice!

      I really like the idea of adding miles to one of the runs. In terms of time, it does not feel as much a commitment. I think 5k is all that I'd like to do, at least for now. I would like to do other things too, like swimming and strength training. Deep inside, I kind of hope to get one of those medal thingy for my age group, maybe in one of the local, less competitive race :# And maybe even to be in a sprint triathlon one day... Maybe I'm dreaming too much.

      I've gotten 2 such medals (small races, local, age group). Feels awesome. If I can do that, so can you. :)

      Just keep working at it and settings goals for yourself. You'll be amazed by your progress.
    • Posts: 2 Member
      Thnx! Running I'd definitely not my best friend. How about breathing while running?
    • Posts: 1,974 Member
      oothy wrote: »
      Thnx! Running I'd definitely not my best friend. How about breathing while running?

      Don't forget it? :)
    • Posts: 100 Member
      Great post!
      My question is I just started running again back in November. I have a few 5k's under my belt but I have never been a serious runner, until now.
      I am trying to run 5 times a week weather permitting. I started with 2miles and am now up to 3 miles and I am focused on getting my times down. I currently average 9:13 per mile and I am obsessed with getting my time down to under a 9 min mile (way under would be great). Am I going about it wrong? Should I focus more on distance and not time? One contributing factor is time itself. I keep telling myself if I get my times down I can fit more miles into my mornings? What to do?

      Thanks
    • Posts: 13,049 Member
      mmabry72 wrote: »
      Great post!
      My question is I just started running again back in November. I have a few 5k's under my belt but I have never been a serious runner, until now.
      I am trying to run 5 times a week weather permitting. I started with 2miles and am now up to 3 miles and I am focused on getting my times down. I currently average 9:13 per mile and I am obsessed with getting my time down to under a 9 min mile (way under would be great). Am I going about it wrong? Should I focus more on distance and not time? One contributing factor is time itself. I keep telling myself if I get my times down I can fit more miles into my mornings? What to do?

      Thanks

      Read the first post in this discussion.

      http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1217573/so-you-want-to-start-running/p1
    • Posts: 22,511 Member
      AglaeaC wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      Don't forget it? :)

      haha, yes.

      Mostly don't overthink it. If you're huffing and puffing and struggling to breathe (and you're not doing some intense speed workout), slow down. Some people will tell you to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth, but [shrug]. New runners usually have irregular breathing, while veterans tend to settle into a pattern. I usually breathe in for three steps and out for two (I will quicken this pattern for speed work).
    • Posts: 14 Member
      How do you control your breathing while running/ jogging ?
    • Posts: 22,511 Member
      mmabry72 wrote: »
      Great post!
      My question is I just started running again back in November. I have a few 5k's under my belt but I have never been a serious runner, until now.
      I am trying to run 5 times a week weather permitting. I started with 2miles and am now up to 3 miles and I am focused on getting my times down. I currently average 9:13 per mile and I am obsessed with getting my time down to under a 9 min mile (way under would be great). Am I going about it wrong? Should I focus more on distance and not time? One contributing factor is time itself. I keep telling myself if I get my times down I can fit more miles into my mornings? What to do?

      Thanks

      First off, a 9ish minute mile for someone who has only been running a few months is great!

      As for the question, you're still at the point where more miles will benefit you more than running faster. Instead of 5 2-3 mile jogs a week, try 4, but make one longer. Something like 3x3 and 1x4. work that one long run up. You don't have to make all the runs longer, but one long run will help a lot more. For a relatively new runner, the easiest way to drop your 5k time is to train to run 10k. Also, know that there are different paces when running. You should not be trying to PR each and every workout. Racing is for race day. Your pace should slow on the longer runs. That is what is supposed to happen. After a few more months of getting your mileage up, you can ease into 5k directed speedwork.
    • Posts: 100 Member
      Great advise! If we get some temps in the + numbers soon I will try to get one run to 4 miles. I started out with the goal of running 5 miles but I got so obsessed with breaking 9 minutes I kind of lost sight of that. Sounds like I can cut back to 4 times a week and be fine also? My off days now I throw in P90x3. Any other good "at home" work outs for off days?
    • Posts: 2,717 Member
      Laramiepayne wrote: »
      How do you control your breathing while running/ jogging ?

      As said in the post above yours, don't over think it. Just breathe. If you feel like you're dying, and you're not trying to do some sort of speed work, then slow down, because you're going too fast.

      Run at a pace where you feel you could have a conversation with someone next to you.
    • Posts: 13,049 Member
      brandiuntz wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      As said in the post above yours, don't over think it. Just breathe. If you feel like you're dying, and you're not trying to do some sort of speed work, then slow down, because you're going too fast.

      Run at a pace where you feel you could have a conversation with someone next to you.
      Is it okay to talk to yourself? I hardly ever run with anyone. How do I know if I can carry on a conversation unless I talk to myself.
    • Posts: 2,717 Member
      _Waffle_ wrote: »
      show previous quotes
      Is it okay to talk to yourself? I hardly ever run with anyone. How do I know if I can carry on a conversation unless I talk to myself.

      I say go for it! Might even be good for safety. Who's going to bother someone talking to themselves?
    • Posts: 1,974 Member
      edited January 2015
      Laramiepayne wrote: »
      How do you control your breathing while running/ jogging ?

      The only thing I want to add is that many naturally find a rhythm where the lungs work at the beat of the legs.

      What the ratio is of (the number of steps taken for an in-breath) to (number of steps taken for an out-breath) varies between people.

      Often I read three steps for in vs. two steps for out, but there's also two in for two out and other combos. This part is what you shouldn't focus on at all, but merely check in the future if you're curious about how you work.

      It's simply about creating an experince of movement that is harmonious somehow and where the air flows in a way that isn't blocked by some body part crunching the lungs. Hope it makes sense?

      The same idea is to be seen in bodyweight training (one exhale when "contracting" and one inhale when opening the body back up somehow) or yoga (Ashtanga moves according to the breath so that one asana is an inhale, the next an exhale).
    • Posts: 2 Member
      im really unfit and over weight I can walk for hours usually 4 but I want to start running badly for my physical and mental health :) I currently weigh around 20 stone tho is it even possible to start couch to 5 k or should I try aerobics first or something ?
    • Posts: 283 Member
      edited January 2015
      I've posted here before, but since I know we have a lot of new additions, I thought I'd share and update my story. This thread was a huge inspiration to me when I started running back in October.

      Since then, I've run two 5Ks (finishing the second one in under 30 minutes!). But perhaps best of all, since completing C25K (highly recommend it), I've continued running, building mileage, registered for races, and loving every minute of it. This weekend, I ran a 15K (that's 9.3 miles!) without stopping to walk, and with an average pace of about 10:30 min./mile. If you had told me a year ago that I could run almost 10 miles, I would have laughed in your face.

      I'm running a half-marathon March 29. So, the bottom line is it's not easy, but you might find that it gets fun and addicting. Take care of your body, get good shoes, and just go run—slow, fast, somewhere in-between, it's all running!
    • Posts: 22,511 Member
      riotgurl87 wrote: »
      im really unfit and over weight I can walk for hours usually 4 but I want to start running badly for my physical and mental health :) I currently weigh around 20 stone tho is it even possible to start couch to 5 k or should I try aerobics first or something ?

      Its possible, there are some stories in here about those who were overweight when beginning to run. Reading some of those will give you an idea of what to expect. The same basic rules apply - get good shoes, and go slow. Shoes perhaps become even more important, since you may need extra support at first.
    • Posts: 22,511 Member
      loratliff wrote: »
      I've posted here before, but since I know we have a lot of new additions, I thought I'd share and update my story. This thread was a huge inspiration to me when I started running back in October.

      Since then, I've run two 5Ks (finishing the second one in under 30 minutes!). But perhaps best of all, since completing C25K (highly recommend it), I've continued running, building mileage, registered for races, and loving every minute of it. This weekend, I ran a 15K (that's 9.3 miles!) without stopping to walk, and with an average pace of about 10:30 min./mile. If you had told me a year ago that I could run almost 10 miles, I would have laughed in your face.

      I'm running a half-marathon March 29. So, the bottom line is it's not easy, but you might find that it gets fun and addicting. Take care of your body, get good shoes, and just go run—slow, fast, somewhere in-between, it's all running!

      Awesome! Congrats on all the success!
    • Posts: 1
      Awesome info!! Is there a group for people that are actually using C25k? Anyone want to start one? Thanks in advance!
    • Posts: 1,974 Member
      SoulFlower298 wrote: »
      Awesome info!! Is there a group for people that are actually using C25k? Anyone want to start one? Thanks in advance!

      http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/30-couch-to-5k-running-program-c25k
    • Posts: 49 Member
      I love this post thank you! When I first started I barely could run a mile now I can run 2 miles straight then a 30-60 sec walking break then run for the next 3 miles! I love running! I've been getting blisters on the sides of my feet recently tho.. What's a great shoe to run in? Looking for more runner friends as well please add me :)
    • Posts: 283 Member
      katelynmccloy wrote: »
      I love this post thank you! When I first started I barely could run a mile now I can run 2 miles straight then a 30-60 sec walking break then run for the next 3 miles! I love running! I've been getting blisters on the sides of my feet recently tho.. What's a great shoe to run in? Looking for more runner friends as well please add me :)

      I'd get fitted for shoes—there's no one-size fits all. But you can definitely minimize blisters with BodyGlide and good (not cotton!) socks.
    • Posts: 49 Member
      Lmao I've been using cotton socks
    • Posts: 283 Member
      katelynmccloy wrote: »
      Lmao I've been using cotton socks

      Voila, blisters almost instantly! Look for something mostly polyester. I love these, and the price is right for a 3-pack: http://www.runningwarehouse.com/ASICS_Intensity_Low_Cut/descpage-AWILC3P.html
    • Posts: 56,142 Member
      katelynmccloy wrote: »
      Lmao I've been using cotton socks

      That's hilarious!
    • Posts: 49 Member
      Well thank you

    Welcome!

    It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
    Sign In
    Register

    Welcome!

    It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
    Sign In
    Register

    Quick Links

    Categories