Runners Explain...

I am no expert and not a competitive runner, but I do and have enjoyed running for exercise since high school.

Running is not something that you will necessarily fall in love with over night. But with time you will.

The key is to make running as comfortable and enjoyable as you can. Run at a time of day that works well for you. For example, I don't enjoy running as much early in the morning compared to later in the day. I find running is a great way to release steam, de-stress from the work day, etc which is probably why I prefer running in the evening.

Get a good pair of running shoes, this is the most important tool in running. Everyone's feet are different and there are running shoes designed to fit your foot, go to a fitness store and get sized properly and find a shoe that is meant for your foot. A pair of shoes that is giving you blisters, your foot falls asleep in, you get heel sores, etc...the shoes don't fit your feet properly. Get some new ones.

Finding your groove.... when you first start out, jogging may be uncomfortable, pace might be awkward, etc. The more you try it and the more experience you get with running the more you will settle into the motions and find a pace and stride that is comfortable and you can maintain naturally. Breathing properly is also very important in running.

Programs like C25k are a great way to get into running. Every week brings new challenges.

If running on a treadmill, find something to occupy your field of vision and time. Read a book or watch television. Running on a treadmill can become very boring very quickly for a lot of people. You need something to keep your mind occupied.

Listening to music is great whether running outside or indoor. Crank up some good tunes in your ear phones.

Running outdoors, choose different routes to keep the scenery unique. Find a running partner so your not alone if the social aspect would help keep you occupied while running.

Use a phone app like Runkeeper to keep you in check on distance, current pace, avg pace per mile, etc etc. The app helps me push on, as it provides audio cues and reports through my ear phones as I jog.

I also have to add that the first section of any run is the worst until you get warmed up and find your groove. The first 1/2 mile to mile I run is not nearly as comfortable as the 2nd and 3rd mile. My legs need to warm up, despite the fact that I stretched beforehand, and I need to find my natural groove.

yep every first couple of miles suck... I realized I love it.

When I ran my first half marathon I even wrote on my arm in Marker ... it all gets better after 2.5

I'm with Emma. I absolutely despised running. I mean, really, really hated it. I've gotten better over time, and now miss it if I don't get a run in.

I think most runners would agree that at least the first mile sucks. Problem is, most people who hate it quit before that marker. I've gone from a 19 minute mile in January to a sub-12 minute mile now. AND, I'm training for a half! (did I REALLY just say that??!!!)

I signed up for my first 1/2 marathon last week -- and thought the same thing, Flyntigger (what the &^%$ am I thinking??) Maybe we're crazy...but hmmm...crazy feels darned good right now.

emmaleigh47 -- I might try that arm tattoo!!

I totally agree with everyone who has said "they hated it in the beginning but love it now!!" I hate the thought of getting ready to do it but I love it when I get started. For me, it isnt about the run, it's about being alone, clearing my head, listening to music and just being me. I love to run new places. Tracks are boring and make you ask yourself how much longer. Try some where new, look around while you are running. Enjoy the scenery, it takes the mind off of what you are doing. I started running 5k races to help me set goals. Not that I want to win it, just to give myself something to shoot for! at first I just wanted to complete one, then i wanted to do it in so much time, then i wanted to beat that time, then i wanted to beat someone who has beat me in my last few races. It was motivation to keep at it. So glad you asked the question because you have helped me remember why I like it so much. I use the runkeeper app on my iphone. it helps me a lot too. Good luck to you and your run!!!

I started running back in 2005 (begrudgingly) because I was trying to get into the US Air Force after college. I started off with a modified couch to 5K and kept on going. It got easier! Really! Didn't end up in the USAF, BUT I did end up with an appreciation for runnning which I've kept up with for the most part ever since. I say "for the most part" as I took a 1.5 year hiatus from running, but have picked it up a lot more seriously within the past year. Now I'm able to say I've run a half marathon, and a handful of 5 and 10K's. The 5K's are always fun.

I guess I have it backwards from most people replying. I used to love running. I am 52 and like a lot of people was inspired by the 72 U.S. Olympic heroes Dave Wottle and Frank Shorter to start running. I ran competitively in Jr. High, High School, and Intramurals in college then throughout my adult life including hundreds of races from 5k up through and including 4 marathons, the last one in 1991. I bet I went 15 years averaging 40-50 miles a week and some weeks did twice that when marathon training.

About 11 years ago I just burned out on running and just gave it up almost cold turkey. I ran for a long time in Memphis which is not exactly cool in the summer but when I moved to the gulf coast it was just too dam hot in the summer for me to run and I just didn't get the same buzz from it I used to get. I still have a treadmill and will jog on it every month or so now but no races or organized runs. I loved the time I was a runner though and don't regret a second of it. Some of my best memories are runs I've done in places from Shanghai and Bejing China to Mt. Tamalpais in Marin Co. CA to the Bahamas and Grand Caymans to ... you get the idea. I'll carry those memories forever, much more than any car ride I may have taken in those places.

It does get under your skin and every once in a while I get the itch to start up again. I've spend a good portion of the last ten years weighing between 185 and 195 and when I looked at a running log I'd kept from back in the day, I was 159 when I ran my last marathon at age 32.

To the OP, I'd start with run walks if continuous running is too uncomfortable. At some point, competitive running is all about how much discomfort (pain!) you can stand but running for fun doesn't have to be. What you definitely don't want to do is get injured which will definitely put a cramp ;-) in your running goals but may also lead to weigh gain if you can't do any other exercise because of it.

I always hated running more than anything and have a bad knee to boot. I started the C25K program and now I love running! I run outside on a trail so there are always people with dogs and such to look at, plus I listen to music. When I started I had the same problems you do with the shin pain and breathing, so I did some research on running form and breathing techniques and it made a huge difference. Now I can't wait to run and I'm bummed out on off days. Just stick with it and ask for advice if you're having a problem.

yep every first couple of miles suck... I realized I love it.

When I ran my first half marathon I even wrote on my arm in Marker ... it all gets better after 2.5

I'm with Emma. I absolutely despised running. I mean, really, really hated it. I've gotten better over time, and now miss it if I don't get a run in.

I think most runners would agree that at least the first mile sucks. Problem is, most people who hate it quit before that marker. I've gone from a 19 minute mile in January to a sub-12 minute mile now. AND, I'm training for a half! (did I REALLY just say that??!!!)

I signed up for my first 1/2 marathon last week -- and thought the same thing, Flyntigger (what the &^%$ am I thinking??) Maybe we're crazy...but hmmm...crazy feels darned good right now.

emmaleigh47 -- I might try that arm tattoo!!

Congrats Tina! Your first half is a wonderful experience... just repeat to yourself over and over... its all about finishing...

Just a bit of advice for you - if you find you're running out of breath quickly, slow waaaaaay down. It's going to feel weird at first but if you take smaller steps (more like a jog, not a long stride run), it helps a lot. Also, keep your arms/hands/shoulders as loose as you can - tension will use up a lot of energy quickly and you'll end up with a sore upper back.

As far as your feet go, make sure you've got shoes with really good support if your arches get sore. I love the Spenco arch supports and they even have one specifically for runners.

I've always had sort of a love/hate relationship with running. I like doing it but don't always like how it makes my body feel (bad knee from accident 5 years ago). I'm learning slowly what works for me though and gradually making my glutes/hips stronger to help stabilize.

I've always admired runners, and wanted to run -- but when it came down to actually doing it, I hated it. It was boring, I burned out in the first few minutes, and it hurt. I've been doing C25K for a couple weeks now, and I love it. I love that it eases you in to running and then challenges you. Some factors that I think help: I'm doing it with friends; I'm pacing myself, taking smaller strides (keeping my weight over my legs, instead of stretching them long in front of me); I'm running on the track at the local HS which is a MUCH nicer than the roads and sidewalks; and I'm running barefoot which means I'm not hurting myself anymore.

I had a friend tell me a few months ago that she loved running barefoot, and if she found out she had to wear shoes to run, she'd probably just stop running. I thought that was a little odd, but I gave it a try and I totally get it now. It's awesome - it is a huge part of me LOVING my C25K days. (If you're going to try barefoot, do some reading on it first - it's not like running in shoes.)

When I began running I couldn't run for more than 3 minutes at a time! I now love running, I regularly run races and have run half marathons. I am not "built" for running (top heavy), but running has changed my shape, got me fit and nothing beats the feeling of getting into a stride where you feel amazing and feel like you could run forever! It also helps that if I want to go out and have a nice meal for a special occasion, or a few drinks with friends, I can do a longish run, safe in the knowledge that I have heaps of ectra calories to play with.

I was out early morning recently, it had been raining a little, then the sun came out, I saw a huge rainbow and was really hitting my stride and thought "I'm a real runner!" - it still takes me by suprise. If I can do it anyone can, just take the advice others have given re building it up, correct fitting trainers, etc and stick at it. Running used to make me want to boak (that's the Irish version of "throw up btw), but that passes after a few runs and then you feel great! :laugh: Good luck!