Any new RUNNERS?... or wise veterans :)

Great suggestions so far!

At one point I probably was an expert, but I'm just getting back on the wagon after a long time off. My contribution to the list is this rule: HAVE FUN! You can work hard sometimes, even feel like puking when you hit the finish line, if setting personal records and pushing yourself to the limit is your idea of fun. But it can also be fun just to run really slow with a group and have a conversation, or whatever.

Oh, and rule #0 should always be LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. If running hurts, take a day off! I spent too much time in the chiropractor's office and physical therapy because I tried to push through pain instead of figuring out what my body was trying to tell me.

Im a veteran I suppose, and also trying to get back into the habit. Start small and let your body adjust, then you can build on that. I do the stairmaster and lift to help my leg muscles to be strong. I've found that the Interval routines on the treadmill help me with speed and stamina. And a lot of it is breathing, properly. Don't drink too much water, and eat light or nothing beforehand always

I'll be training for my third 5K this summer. There's a fitness club that co-sponsors it and offers a free "learn to run" workshop for the 8 weeks prior to the run. They follow what they call a "modified C25K protocol". You're expected to run with the group once a week and then do two sessions on your own before the next group run.

The best advice I can give if you fall in with a group like this is, "Do your homework".

I struggle with pacing. Weirdly enough, negative self-talk actually worked. I was 46 when I trained for my first run and if I saw someone ahead of me, I kept speeding up to try to pass them. This was on a 400-meter track in a nearby park. There were walkers, bikers, runners, joggers, roller-bladers, skateboarders, and frisbee-chasing pooches on that track. And I kept telling myself, "You do you. You are not going to win the race, so don't train like you have a chance. You're in your mid-forties. The competition? Kids on their high school and college track teams. People younger than you. People with longer legs than you. People who run marathons. You? You're just going so you can set a time to beat if you ever do this again. You're just trying to see if you can do this. Stop trying to pass everyone and just focus on finishing this run interval." I also lied to myself and told me it was a run, not a race—anything to curb my instinct to speed up.

Something worked. I came in 51st place, but led my age/gender bracket with a 28:17 finish time. And last year, my standings were lower (98th and 3rd in my age bracket) but my personal finish time was 27:07. Trying to see if I can beat it this year, but even if I don't, that's fine too.

JustBia wrote: »

Wow! Firstly, thank you, all! 🙏🏼💜

Secondly, these are all amazing tips. I hadn’t considered some of them. I think those who mentioned going slow and/or enjoying the process vs trying to reach a specific pace or time all at once really resonated. I can be especially hard on myself and this has been no different. Yes I feel some physical discomfort, which is to be expected, but mostly I have the hardest time with my breathing. I get incredibly winded which is why Couchto5K is so helpful - you can take “breathers” by walking. Any tips on controlling your breathing? And did some of you also experience that can’t-catch-your-breath feeling after only a few minutes? That’s me! 🥵🥵

All that said, I know I am going to love being a runner and I am committed! I am an introvert that doesn’t get too much alone time, and what I love most about running is that incredibly precious “me-time” that it offers.

Thank you all again. So glad I found this

Ps: currently looking to sign up for my first 5k race. Will keep you posted on that.

This is why people tell you to go slower. You are going too fast. You know you have a good pace if you can still hold a conversation while running.

There is a great running group in the "challenges" section of the forum, check it out. Just jump straight in. We have everyone from barely limping along through to training for ultra marathons

Breathing whilst running is learned and can take a while to get. But you will get there. In the meantime, as everyone else says, go slower. If you can't hold a steady conversation whilst running, you're going too fast.

And I second checking out the monthly running challenge in the challenges forum, everyone is awesome and helpful. There's definitely a couple of folk in there doing C25K, and we were cheering on a member who did their first marathon this last weekend. You can just jump in at anytime.

Hi

I also had a dream to run so started couch to 5k last year. Did ok completed program still couldn't run full 5k and very slow. Had gait tested and invested in good trainers but slowly lost motivation think I talked myself out of running so stopped last October.

Fast forward to present and now gained 2st I had lost and still not running but have signed up for 5k with daughter in June so really need get back at it.

I suppose my advice is dont overthink it. I put too much pressure on myself with times and distance etc and lost motivation so now I'm back where I started.

Oh, and absolutely get fitted for running trainers from an independent, specialist running shop :-)

The only thing better than running is talking about running. The only thing better than talking about running is arguing about running.

That's why these threads are so great!

Anyway, as a 50+ running newbie, I can recommend

- joining a running club
- cross training on elliptical or stationary bike (spin class)
- resistance training for runners
- rolling classes

Have a blast!