Anyone had luck becoming a runner by "winging it" instead of using a structured training program?

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Replies

  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    DavPul wrote: »
    rainbowbow wrote: »
    DavPul wrote: »
    What does it mean to "become a runner"?

    it means to become someone who can/does run?

    If it's that simple.....?

    Stop simplifying things. It's not the MFP way.
  • theawill519
    theawill519 Posts: 242 Member
    usmcmp wrote: »
    I didn't use a program. I got on and ran as much as I could, walked until I caught my breath, ran again.

    This is exactly what I did. I tried C25K, but I didn't like feeling so structured. Doing it on my own has taken longer, but it's much more enjoyable.
  • handeye
    handeye Posts: 52 Member
    Agree with what others have said... I never used a structured program but am now running 10ks on my long runs and looking to add more distance. I just set goals for myself of adding time or adding distance and over time have built up to running this much. I ran on and off for fitness for a long time and then only within the last few months really decided to set some goals and increase my distance and now I've been bitten by the bug! I used the treadmill in the beginning so I could get an idea of what a good pace felt like to me and then took it outside later. Getting used to pacing like that really helped me not to overdue once I got outside and all of a sudden it got really fun! You can do it!
  • mommarnurse
    mommarnurse Posts: 515 Member
    I started out at 235 lbs tolerating running for 1 minute or so and worked my way up over the past 16 months (also lost 84 lbs) to running at most 4.5 miles and I don't stop also my time has gone from a 14 or 15 minute mile ave to a 9. I never used any sort of program. its not necessary if you're dedicated to It and consistent. The primary thing you need to do it focus on endurance which just means being able to tolerate running for longer. I only did it/ do it 2-3 x a week.
  • gmallan
    gmallan Posts: 2,099 Member
    edited November 2015
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  • annekka
    annekka Posts: 517 Member
    I winged and just got on the treadmill and ran a 5K, but keep in mind that was a slow 5k. And I had a solid cardio base prior to doing this. It's possible, but it may be better to identify where you're having the problems with a C25K type problem and see if they're over comeable or not.
  • MamaMollyT
    MamaMollyT Posts: 197 Member
    edited November 2015
    I've done both and the benefit of a structured program is that it generally helps ease you into it, preventing injury. If you haven't been running there are weaknesses (even if you have been there are always weaknesses!) It is best to gradually increase even if you feel like doing more at times. Perhaps instead of couch to 5k try couch to 10k. That's what I used. It is a bit more challenging.
    I also deal with PF and I run about 25 miles/week and am managing it. If you are just starting I recommend you look up hip and foot strengthening exercises for runners. Tons of free info. If you have foot problems or knee problems I can almost guarantee you have weak hips/glutes. I have the same issues. Most women do. It took me some time to figure that out. Winging it is fine too but you may want to somehow track your increases to make sure you aren't overdoing it too quickly. Steady progress is the goal with or without a plan.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    fudgebudget wrote: »
    Just curious if anyone has managed to become a runner without using a program like Couch to 5K or Runkeeper's training programs. I'm overweight and have some issues with a previously broken ankle and plantar fasciitis, so I'd recently jut been going for walks and running when I felt like it, but thought that maybe I'd progress faster with a structured training program.

    Personally when I tried winging it I'd generally end up with some form of injury after a couple of weeks. Similar to you I've had broken ankles and knee surgery in the past.

    Using a structured plan meant that I got to the stage of running, 5K, then 10K without injury and pretty consistently.

    Now I use plans of varying lengths and intensities, but they're more a guide for me than something I follow particularly rigorously.
    I started with one of Runkeeper's programs and after a workout of intervals today, with my heel not feeling great (unlike other runs where it was fine), I looked at my Google Fit stats and I was actually running only half as many paces as my "winging it" workout a few days previous. But, on the other hand, I also know that increasing mileage needs to happen gradually to avoid injury.

    I'm less than convinced that your difficulty was a result of using a structured plan, as potentially a bit of overuse, or something related to shoes being worn out or inappropriate. That said, you've already identified that it might be psychosomatic.
  • fudgebudget
    fudgebudget Posts: 198 Member
    MamaMollyT wrote: »
    If you are just starting I recommend you look up hip and foot strengthening exercises for runners. Tons of free info. If you have foot problems or knee problems I can almost guarantee you have weak hips/glutes. I have the same issues. Most women do. It took me some time to figure that out. Winging it is fine too but you may want to somehow track your increases to make sure you aren't overdoing it too quickly. Steady progress is the goal with or without a plan.

    Thanks for the tip; I'll definitely look into some more strengthening exercises for the hips/glutes. I'm also working on getting over my gym aversion so I have access to weights again, as I know that will eventually help with my speed (after I work on endurance).

    I am using Runkeeper to track progress and am trying to go by the "no more than 10% increase in mileage per week" rule. The aberrant day with a lot of running was just because I was feeling good and didn't realize how much I'd run :)
  • lyttlewon
    lyttlewon Posts: 1,118 Member
    fudgebudget wrote: »
    MamaMollyT wrote: »
    If you are just starting I recommend you look up hip and foot strengthening exercises for runners. Tons of free info. If you have foot problems or knee problems I can almost guarantee you have weak hips/glutes. I have the same issues. Most women do. It took me some time to figure that out. Winging it is fine too but you may want to somehow track your increases to make sure you aren't overdoing it too quickly. Steady progress is the goal with or without a plan.

    Thanks for the tip; I'll definitely look into some more strengthening exercises for the hips/glutes. I'm also working on getting over my gym aversion so I have access to weights again, as I know that will eventually help with my speed (after I work on endurance).

    I am using Runkeeper to track progress and am trying to go by the "no more than 10% increase in mileage per week" rule. The aberrant day with a lot of running was just because I was feeling good and didn't realize how much I'd run :)

    You don't specifically need the gym. Pylometric drills are helpful; think jumping, squats and lunges. You can do bodyweight exercises anywhere. Check out Pintrest for suggestions.
  • fudgebudget
    fudgebudget Posts: 198 Member
    lyttlewon wrote: »
    You don't specifically need the gym. Pylometric drills are helpful; think jumping, squats and lunges. You can do bodyweight exercises anywhere. Check out Pintrest for suggestions.

    Thanks. I've been doing bodyweight exercises at home and would like the challenge of the added weights, and I need to get over my gym aversion anyway.
  • yusaku02
    yusaku02 Posts: 3,472 Member
    edited November 2015
    When I had 50 pounds to lose I started by running a 5k every day (with walking breaks when necessary) on a treadmill in the fitness center at work. Took 2-3 weeks to get to the point where I didn't need to stop to walk at all.

    After I lost all the weight I signed up for a marathon. I didn't follow a structured plan while training for that either. I just made sure most of my runs were in the 5-8 mile range and had 1 long run every weekend.

    I'll note that I was a varsity cross country/track runner in high school so distance running was not new to me. Still, you don't need to follow any set program to accomplish your goals.
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    fudgebudget wrote: »
    stealthq wrote: »
    So here's the question - is the bad heel a result of Runkeeper's intervals, or did 'winging it' catch up to you coincidentally when you decided to follow a structured program?

    If the running is causing the problem, I'd think it's more likely you're hurting because you over did it while 'winging it'. But, maybe it isn't the running. Maybe it's the walking causing you a problem (especially if you're trying to walk fast). In that case it probably is the intervals.

    Personally, I used Zombies, 5K to start running - I just made sure to run all of the optional run/walk periods. Worked well for me. After that, I winged it to 10K (in a week - not my brightest idea but it worked). Then followed Hal Higdon's plan to a half-marathon.

    I did C25K a couple of years ago and didn't have much success (clearly - my scale says so :) ) - I did week 3 for like 4 weeks in a row and the frustration combined with summer heat was not great for my running aspirations - it's one of the reasons I'm really trying to get it together while I have a few months without Texas heat.

    It's entirely possible that the stress on my heel from winging it catching up with me, or any number of things. I am more concerned about maintaining discipline without external structure since I don't really know anyone who has managed to become a runner without a program (or a background in it from school sports, etc.) Thanks for the Zombies suggestion - I'll have to check that out.

    I'm in Texas, too, so I get the problem with the heat. Most of the summer I ran on an inside track. Boring, but I wasn't dying from heatstroke or ruining my knees on a treadmill (I have issues with treadmills).

    Zombies, 5K is basically C25K with a story and some very minor differences in intervals - so it might or might not help. Now that I run regularly, I do enjoy the regular Zombies, Run app. Enough that when I run out of episodes I'll probably start over from the beginning while I wait for the next season.
  • Working2BLean
    Working2BLean Posts: 386 Member
    No program

    Ran till I got tired and walked a bit, then ran

    I got a bike and ride hard till I needed to ride easy

    Rinse and repeat

    You have to pay attention to your body and your limits anyway.

  • BabyLovesToRun
    BabyLovesToRun Posts: 120 Member
    I started with couch25k but found I got bored with it, so I just started doing what I could do. Run til' I felt dead, walked a minute to recover, and then took off again. Part or being a runner is teaching your brain to be comfortable with being uncomfortable!
  • Curtruns
    Curtruns Posts: 510 Member
    I loosely follow plans. What that means is I run how I want to run during the week and do whatever long run is set for the weekend on the particular plan that I am using. I have seen a lot of differences in plans so I don't stress over them too much. Additionally I am bad with too much structure.
  • Ishii19
    Ishii19 Posts: 109 Member
    Sort of. I decided I wanted to run a mile, so every time I went out I would run a mile, broken up by as many walking breaks as I needed - I don't remember but I would believe some of the running spurts would be as short as 0.1 miles and then I would just do ten of those with recovery walks in between. Eventually the running parts got longer until I made it a mile.
    I did that for about a year but never progressed past the mile distance really. Then I started the c25k, stuck with 5k for about a year, now I'm doing b210k.
    So I think you could def start off on your own, have a goal and work towards it at your own pace, but keep those programs in mind for the future.
    Happy running! Be kind to yourself and GO SLOW :) Speed comes naturally with time after you keep covering more distance.
  • RobynLB83
    RobynLB83 Posts: 626 Member
    I think if you just go run every day you'll get wherever you're trying to get as a fitness runner. When your distance or speed becomes easy, you know it's time to increase it (or not) depending on your goals. You absolutely don't need a structured program.
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