20 things I wish I’d known about running when I started

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Replies

  • SiltyPigeon
    SiltyPigeon Posts: 920 Member
    bump
  • lizzil0
    lizzil0 Posts: 181 Member
    Great motivation- thanks!
  • karamille
    karamille Posts: 79 Member
    Great post! I have been walking, but wanting to start transitioning to running, but I am sooo out of shape from sacrum issues I have from my last pregnancy, but they are finally resolving (2 yrs out - exactly what the Ortho told me). I would really love to do the mini (half) marathon next year and raise funds for the NF fundrasing group, Team Endurance, sicne our little one has NF1. I figure if I start making babysteps towards running, I might be ready for a mini next year. :)
  • cruiseking
    cruiseking Posts: 338 Member
    Thanks for the memories. I could have written the same thing 5 years ago. I LOVED to run! What happened? It gets tough lugging around an extra 40 pounds. eek. I remember when a 4 miler was a "quickie". I also miss the feeling of after 7 or 8 miles you can't feel anything, and those endorphines kick in. You have motivated me to work toward getting a mile in ten, then two in twenty, then three in thirty, and so on. I have been using the eliptical exclusively. Tommorow; the treadmill. Thank you. My doctor asked "what do you do for exercise?", I told him I walk. His reply "well that's just not getting it done; obviously". Ouch! That was three years ago.
  • CatseyeHardcast
    CatseyeHardcast Posts: 224 Member
    Great post.
  • cono0507
    cono0507 Posts: 10 Member
    It DOES get easier. At this time 2 years ago, I couldn't run more than 1 block without stopping.
    Today I ran 10 miles for the first time and it feels fabulous. My first half marathon is this summer. I would never have dreamed I'd be doing this when I was gasping for breath after 1 block!!!

    Great post! Thanks! :)
  • jilld76
    jilld76 Posts: 324
    Great post, thank you!

    I finished C25k about a month ago and did my first 5k a few weeks ago. I'm a slow runner, but it felt great to participate in a race and I can't wait to do another one!

    I just started one hour runner this week, I really do love running and completely agree about trying to get through that first 10 minutes! That first 10 minutes can make or break you!
  • 5kforme
    5kforme Posts: 23
    These are great suggestions/advise. I've only been running for about 3 weeks, but I am loving it! I signed up for a 5K next month and it is a great motivator. And after reading your post I just realized - I am a runner!
  • JAG1224
    JAG1224 Posts: 191 Member
    excellent post! :happy:
  • tmontgomery69
    tmontgomery69 Posts: 180 Member
    Bump!

    I just started jogging/walking this week. It's hard but I LOVE how it makes me feel! I'm already getting addicted to it, I "crave" a good jog/walk.

    Great advice thanks! :smile:
  • mogenfire
    mogenfire Posts: 81 Member
    bump
  • gingerfoxxx
    gingerfoxxx Posts: 267 Member
    I think i might print this out and put it by my training schedule! Thanks so much!
  • stephlake
    stephlake Posts: 105 Member
    I completed W1D3 today- for like the 4th time in a year. After a week or two i get sore and frustrated and drop out. But this time i plan to go all the way!
  • jrhstarlight
    jrhstarlight Posts: 867 Member
    Great tips but I have a question why do you say not to drink back your calories? Im new to running and have a protein shake after cause it just made sense to me so if I dont drink what do I do?
  • chelledepriest
    chelledepriest Posts: 150
    Bump
  • Katie320
    Katie320 Posts: 61 Member
    bump! Great advice. I always thought of myself as "someone who does not run." One day I decided to try something different for cardio and see if I could run. I ran for 9 minutes. That was about 1.5 months ago. Now it's a principle part of my workout. I'm up to walking 3 minutes, running 12, walking 5, running 15, walking 2. Sometimes I really push myself and get to 15 minutes running each segment. So many of the tips here are things I hadn't considered. Next step: getting outside!
  • morningmom
    morningmom Posts: 100
    Great ideas...thanks! I hope to start C25K this week!!
  • maremare312
    maremare312 Posts: 1,143 Member
    Great post! Thanks for sharing!
  • denise980
    denise980 Posts: 296
    Thank you for the advice. I am thinking about starting to run and this answered quite a few questions I had :happy:
  • Louiselesley
    Louiselesley Posts: 166 Member
    A great read- although i have to say. I love my treadmill more than running outside. (I like to split up my runs!)
  • cecrossley
    cecrossley Posts: 46
    i loathe the first 10 minutes! Great advice on everything!
  • skinnyb450
    skinnyb450 Posts: 288
    Awesome post - So motivating - Some really great tips - Thankyou for sharing :):flowerforyou:
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Thank you all so much for an amazing response and such positive feedback. I'd got into a bit of a rut myself and reading your words got me out pounding the pavement!

    Oddly enough, some folk posted it on Facebook and it got back to me via a completely unrelated forum. As one MFP friend said, teh interwebs is a small place!

    I've now blogged it up here:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-about-running-when-i-started-103936

    And I might work it up into a full-blown article. I already have some ideas for my next 20 things :smile:

    Thanks again lovely MFP folk!
  • Hotlanta123
    Hotlanta123 Posts: 12
    Great post. About 20 years ago, running got me from 275 to 155. I will second Berry's wisdom about forgetting things like speed, pace, and all that. Just get out there and run. Sometimes the slowest runs are the most enjoyable.

    I'll also throw it out there that if you live near the woods, then try a trail run. Easier on your body and with all the bounding over rocks and streams and what not - not to mention running up and down the hills - you'll get a a higher octane and more full body workout. If you are a pavement runner, you will definitely be sore after your first trail run.

    Oh one more thing. This from a city boy. If you live in a big city and are running through crowded streets and traffic - ditch the ipod. You will be a lot more aware of your surroundings and that makes for a safer run.
  • Beth720
    Beth720 Posts: 661 Member
    Only two things I can think of to add...

    * Regarding taking ibuprofen...DO NOT TAKE IT WHILE (OR BEFORE) YOUR RUN! You can do irreparable damage to your kidneys that way. The only thing to take if you're taking anything (personally I say if it hurts too much to run without pain meds, don't run), it should be Tylenol at the most. Besides the potential for kidney damage, if you're running on pain meds, you very likely could to too much and do real damage to yourself. Better to take a couple of days off than run on pain meds, do more damage, and be out of it for much longer.

    * Get a RoadID and wear it religiously. I wear mine all the time, even when I'm not running. This little tag ~ which can be a bracelet, an ankle wrap, a shoe tag, or a dog tag-style. You put your information on there, an emergency contact, any allergies, etc. Basically it will speak for you if you can't speak for yourself. I personally have an interactive one where the tag has my info and my emergency contact as well as a phone number and a website with a serial number and PIN that an EMT or ER worker can access for ALL my medical info - what meds I'm on, other emergency contacts, my allergies, even my health insurance information. I have a friend whose father had a medical emergency while on a bike trip in the mountains with non-family friends and his RoadID literally saved his life by giving the emergency responders the information they needed to know (in this case a medication he was on that would have had a fatal interaction with something that normally would have been given to someone in his condition). They're not that expensive and yet they provide infinite peace of mind.
  • froglegjack
    froglegjack Posts: 388 Member
    Great post thanks!
    I just ran my first 5k and I can not even describe the feeling of crossing the finish line.

    :drinker: :flowerforyou:
  • TakeOne
    TakeOne Posts: 345 Member
    *Bump* Thanks so much for sharing :)
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    Brilliant post.
  • funkyspunky871
    funkyspunky871 Posts: 1,675 Member
    Bleh. I hate running. i feel like I'm dying, and yet I hardly burn any calories.

    Great tips though. If I ever try running again, I'll keep these in mind.
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    Bleh. I hate hate running. i feel like I'm dying, and yet I hardly burn any calories.

    Great tips though. If I ever try running again, I'll keep these in mind.

    I felt like that when I started, but I went out with my husband and he kept saying "slower, take smaller steps, breathe, you shouldn't be going any faster than you walk" and once the hideous first 10 minutes was past I actually enjoyed it. That first run took nearly 2 hours. I did it again 3 weeks ago in 45 mins.
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