"Learning to Run"-open support group

abby459
abby459 Posts: 694 Member
edited October 2 in Fitness and Exercise
Any new or just begining runners out there...feel free to join and support each other as we progress to our running goals. Whether it be a 5K, a 1/2 marathon or even just being able to run 10mins without dying. We want happy, encouraging people to help support each other!!!
Just reply with a little info about yourself and your running goals!!!
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Replies

  • J3nnaLyn
    J3nnaLyn Posts: 125
    Bumppp. Thanks Abby! I used to run xcountry in high school, so i'm working on getting back into running, as well as training for a half marathon in March of 2012!

    <3

    Oh, and I'm using John Bingham's books, "Running for Mortals" and "Marathoning for Mortals". They're similar to the C25K program, but his programs are longer, and his books are GREAT.
  • kowskey
    kowskey Posts: 19 Member
    I'm doing Couch to 5k! I'm on week three. It's been harder than I expected at times, but the progress that I see has also been incredibly fulfilling. Running itself kind of sucks, but having run is amazing.
  • Babygirl082578
    Babygirl082578 Posts: 44 Member
    Hi, I have done two Half Marathons. 2009 & 2010 Rock & Roll New Orleans.
    I hope to be able to do 2012!

    I am using the "Run your Butt Off" program to get back up to running 30 mins at a time so I can start my 13.1 training program!

    I would like to hear more about some other programs people are using.


    Rosie
  • abby459
    abby459 Posts: 694 Member
    I used to run too!!! Before I got fat....I actually did triathalons (which have a 6mile run) now I can barely do 20mins without resting.
    For any others:
    I'm Abby 27/f currently 148lbs...trying to "run my mass off" I hope to do a 5k (without stopping) in the end of october and I want to try for a 1/2 marathon sometime in the spring. I am not doing a specific running program....just running. I mostly run on trails (I find road running boring) and I like the outdoors and the challenge of the added hills!!

    Good luck!!
  • DanL66712
    DanL66712 Posts: 135
    Hi!

    My Couch 25k plan starts on monday next week, mixed in with some weight training at the gym on the rest days.

    Last time I tried to run I felt like my lungs were going to collapse, my heart was being slowly eaten by fire ants and I was ready to chuck up my own toenails, so hopefully c25k will help me build gradually without causing me to have a massive coronary!
  • abby459
    abby459 Posts: 694 Member
    yay good....and we can post daily or weekly updates...whenever you feel like it or need a kick in the butt!!!
  • MAC15
    MAC15 Posts: 6
    I haven't been good with my fitness pal however, I want to get back into shape! I used to run all the time then had a baby and slapped on some pounds in a snap and now it's so hard to run :( I hope to do a 5k then the Rock and Roll 2012. It's comforting to see how others are in a similar situation as me. :) Thank you.

    SW: 153 lbs
    CW: 151 lbs
    GW: 120 lbs
  • MAC15
    MAC15 Posts: 6
    OMG Dan! That's how I feel when I run. Ugh! It's awful :(
  • veggie_rachel
    veggie_rachel Posts: 28 Member
    I'm just starting to run and had my first (small) victory yesterday when I ran the path around a pond near my apartment (about a mile) without stopping! I went slow...sometimes so slow that my dog was actually walking next to me...but I didn't stop! I'm signing up for a Halloween 5K next month and need all the help I can get!
  • MAC15
    MAC15 Posts: 6
    Good Idea Abby!
  • KelieHerrera
    KelieHerrera Posts: 93
    I am registered for a 5K in about 4 weeks, and I have NEVER been a runner!

    I've tried Couch to 5K, but now i'm sort of just doing my own thing, especially since I have such a short time to get ready. I am pretty much resigned to the fact that I won't be able to run the whole thing, but I am ok with running and walking, running and walking. As long as I don't walk the whole 5K, I'm good!
  • Babygirl082578
    Babygirl082578 Posts: 44 Member
    I am registered for a 5K in about 4 weeks, and I have NEVER been a runner!

    I've tried Couch to 5K, but now i'm sort of just doing my own thing, especially since I have such a short time to get ready. I am pretty much resigned to the fact that I won't be able to run the whole thing, but I am ok with running and walking, running and walking. As long as I don't walk the whole 5K, I'm good!


    That's what I have always found worked for me. The run/walk thing is so much easier on my body, especially now that I have a lot more weight on me. Most plans I have seen have newbies using mins and not distance. I LOVE that idea....gives me a definite end I can count down.
  • abby459
    abby459 Posts: 694 Member
    ohhh and for anyone who has a smart phone....I just downloaded the "my tracks" app (its by google and its free) and it is sooo cool. It maps your run...tells you distance, route, pace, total time, plus time just when you where moving and even total elevation!!! It almost makes me want to run just to play with it!!
  • Givemewings
    Givemewings Posts: 864 Member
    bump to answer later!
  • blue4myeyes
    blue4myeyes Posts: 93 Member
    Hi, All!

    I have never been able to, or really tried all that hard, to run. I tried earlier this year because I thought it would help me shape up, and I thought I might die. My knees and body hurt, thought I might collapse, and my lungs were on absolute fire. Now that I am in *a bit* better shape, I thought that I would give it another go. Up to this point in my life, I don't think I have ever run a lap straight through.

    I am 33 (soon to be 34 next month) and want to tone up and lose another 10-15 pounds. I have always wanted to run some type of race (lol) so I am going to put a 5K as a goal within the next 6 months. I just copied the Couch to 5K program...we will see how it goes...

    Good luck everyone! I look forward to hearing more about you all and how you are reaching your goals! :)
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    I am registered for a 5K in about 4 weeks, and I have NEVER been a runner!

    I've tried Couch to 5K, but now i'm sort of just doing my own thing, especially since I have such a short time to get ready. I am pretty much resigned to the fact that I won't be able to run the whole thing, but I am ok with running and walking, running and walking. As long as I don't walk the whole 5K, I'm good!
    That's what I have always found worked for me. The run/walk thing is so much easier on my body, especially now that I have a lot more weight on me. Most plans I have seen have newbies using mins and not distance. I LOVE that idea....gives me a definite end I can count down.
    I run and walk in intervals, too. I'm currently training for a 10K next month and plan on running for 3 minutes and walking for 1 minute for the whole distance. I can go faster with this method than running straight and it's actually better for you, too.
  • lumberjacks94
    lumberjacks94 Posts: 135 Member
    I have been running for about a month now, training for my first 5K on October 1st. In my training, I felt I was accelerating greatly with the C25K program so one day I just decided to run as long as I could mentally take it before stopping.

    I went to the track at the nearby high school before school one day so I could have an accurate measurement of time and distance and figure out my pace. After about two laps I was already hating it and wanted to stop, figuring maybe a half-mile is my limit. But I started playing games in my head and distracting myself with math of all things since I was on a school campus. I kept thinking what fraction of a 5K I would have completed after I finished each lap.

    Unbelievably I did AN ENTIRE 5K!!!
  • lumberjacks94
    lumberjacks94 Posts: 135 Member
    And since then I have done it all four times I have tried it! I still have two weeks to go before my race and I am ready to go. My goal was also to break 30 minutes for the first one and I'm doing it in about 28 minutes during the training. I hope the adrenaline of race day and actually running along other humans will make it faster.....

    Really I have FAR exceeded any of my own expectations. I'm doing it for myself too, which is the most amazing part. Nobody is making me run. Nobody is putting me on that track at 6 a.m. And I HATE IT so much when I'm running, but it feels so AMAZING afterward that I just imagine that feeling in my head as I'm running and hating it....
  • lumberjacks94
    lumberjacks94 Posts: 135 Member
    And one last thing I want to mention....I've learned running is the opposite of drugs. With drugs you get the high first, then the crash. With running you get the crash first, then the high. Much better don't you think?
  • rebeccask
    rebeccask Posts: 140 Member
    I'm in! I started running a number of months ago(maybe even a year?) but not consistently and it was quite embarrassing how pathetic I was doing, but I stuck with it. In the beginning it felt like my lungs weren't even there (plus I had asthma). I no longer have asthma and can run 35 minutes at a 10 min/mile pace. I'm nowhere near feeling comfortable while I run, I probably look worse than I think I do while running. I finally found the courage to start running outdoors (I live in the city so there's always traffic and people). Anyways, I signed up for a 5k on the 25th of this month. My goal is to finish under 30 minutes. Ultimate goal: to participate in a tough mudder!
  • Babygirl082578
    Babygirl082578 Posts: 44 Member
    I have been running for about a month now, training for my first 5K on October 1st. In my training, I felt I was accelerating greatly with the C25K program so one day I just decided to run as long as I could mentally take it before stopping.

    I went to the track at the nearby high school before school one day so I could have an accurate measurement of time and distance and figure out my pace. After about two laps I was already hating it and wanted to stop, figuring maybe a half-mile is my limit. But I started playing games in my head and distracting myself with math of all things since I was on a school campus. I kept thinking what fraction of a 5K I would have completed after I finished each lap.

    Unbelievably I did AN ENTIRE 5K!!!


    I do Math too. It helps...Sounds weird but whatever works.! :)
  • lumberjacks94
    lumberjacks94 Posts: 135 Member
    Thanks for understanding what I meant about the math comment....I also decided thinking of song lyrics as poetry in my head distracts me too...

    I KNOW my legs can do it. It's ALL in my head though....I have decided that's all it is.
  • Loveandellephants
    Loveandellephants Posts: 6
    I ran a lot when I played lacrosse in college, now I generally take spin classes for my cardio workouts. Every once in a while I'll attempt running at the local resevoir. I love the way I feel afterwards, but I just ahte every step. Not to mention the "is everyone looking at me" feeling i perpetually have. HOWEVER, i want to give it another try and I want to learn how to love running and really make it part of my routine.
  • tameko2
    tameko2 Posts: 31,634 Member
    I have never been a runner or physically active - even when I wasn't overweight. In my last PE class in HS (sophmore year) I got a pity point for jogging the entire mile (I use the term jogging LOOSELY) even though it took over the 10 3/4 minutes we were supposed to run it in.

    Just started adding some jogging to my walks and I actually really like it (shockingly). can someone tell me about the run your butt off program? I looked at C25k and I find it too irritating to have to stare at my watch constantly. Right now I just run until its really hard and then walk and then run again. The running sessions tend to get shorter and shorter until I realize thats as much as I can do that day and I walk the rest.

    Thoughts?
  • Babygirl082578
    Babygirl082578 Posts: 44 Member
    I have never been a runner or physically active - even when I wasn't overweight. In my last PE class in HS (sophmore year) I got a pity point for jogging the entire mile (I use the term jogging LOOSELY) even though it took over the 10 3/4 minutes we were supposed to run it in.

    Just started adding some jogging to my walks and I actually really like it (shockingly). can someone tell me about the run your butt off program? I looked at C25k and I find it too irritating to have to stare at my watch constantly. Right now I just run until its really hard and then walk and then run again. The running sessions tend to get shorter and shorter until I realize thats as much as I can do that day and I walk the rest.

    Thoughts?


    Don't run until its really hard! You are wearing yourself out and can't build more stamina. I know the watch thing is a pain at first but you will be amazed at how after maybe week 2 or 3 you will know when its about time to walk again.
    Stick with it! :)
  • pixlamarque
    pixlamarque Posts: 312 Member
    I have always wanted to be a runner. I'm not sure why that is, maybe because you don't need anything to do it, just get up and go. I have had epic fails every time. I am just starting C25K on my treadmill (I have an infant, so excercising in the house is currently my only option). I thought it was going to be a pain having to check the times and all, but I downloaded the C25K Pro app (the $2 one, not the free) for my Droid and it is great. You can play music in the background and the app has a counter on it if you want to look. If you don't want to look, that's ok because the voice tells when it's time to run or walk. For the outdoor runners it even tells you when your are at the halfway point to turn around. I hope this helps me. I want to do my work's 5K in early November. I know I will have to walk some, I just would love to finish in an hour or less. I'm going to get fitted for running shoes this weekend at a proper running store because problems with shoes have tripped me up in the past. Thanks for posting this topic!

    Oh, and week 1 day 1 nearly killed me. I hate to be hot and my face could have fried an egg. I so wanted to quit after 15 minutes. I even had to walk a couple of the 8 running sessions, but I know a lot of people have to modify it to start out with and sometimes stay on a week for a couple of weeks, so I am ok with modifying. I hate every minute of it, but it is true, you feel terrific afterwards!
  • J3nnaLyn
    J3nnaLyn Posts: 125
    ohhh and for anyone who has a smart phone....I just downloaded the "my tracks" app (its by google and its free) and it is sooo cool. It maps your run...tells you distance, route, pace, total time, plus time just when you where moving and even total elevation!!! It almost makes me want to run just to play with it!!

    Awesome, i'm going to download it!
  • MAC15
    MAC15 Posts: 6
    ohhh and for anyone who has a smart phone....I just downloaded the "my tracks" app (its by google and its free) and it is sooo cool. It maps your run...tells you distance, route, pace, total time, plus time just when you where moving and even total elevation!!! It almost makes me want to run just to play with it!!

    I have and use that app and love it! It's super helpful when I take hikes and want to track how far I went etc. I also do it with my toddler on my back in her hiking pack.
  • abby459
    abby459 Posts: 694 Member
    yeah it was great!!! I love that app!!! I run trails and never could figure out exactly how far I was running!!! 5.1 miles today.....55mins, less then 15mins of that was walking!!!
  • horseryder77
    horseryder77 Posts: 224 Member
    This is a really cool group!!
    I started the c25k program back in May/June.. and now I'm doing a half marathon this Sunday! :)
    I kinda got out of the whole running kick when school started back up (I'm in college) but I just ran 4.5 today.. and I feel pretty good :) A little worried about my knees.. but I figure I'll just do a short run tomorrow, then see how it goes on Sunday.

    That's a pretty awesome app! I've never heard of it.. I use "run keeper" or any of the other free apps on my phone. Then again, I also have a garmin cause there are times when running without music (and with a friend) is just more fun!
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