New to RUNNING! Got some question and need support!

Sounds like a great start. I started running last fall with C25K and it worked for me; you may want to look into that also. Feel free to send a friend request if you would like!

The beginning is HARD!!!
Keep going. It will get easier.

Here is a conversion chart. You are correct. 5 MPH = 12 minute mile.
http://www.bx3.com/phil/tri/treadmill-cheatsheet.pdf


A "good" speed is what you can maintain. We are all different. Some people can go out and run faster, even while out of shape, others start slower and get faster. I also started out around a 12 m/m.

My computer is being funny so I can't link this right now, but check out the post at the top of this thread. Love it.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/380824-motivational-pics?page=4#posts-5647518

ETA- again, a good run workout is subjective. If you ran longer, or faster or felt better than you normally do, thats a good run workout.

Got it.

That sounds great! I used to do walk 3.0 mph/run 5.0 every other song on my ipod. Now, I do 60 minutes on the treadmill, walking 3.6 or 3.7 mph and then running 6.0 or 6.1 mph, alternating every 5 minutes. I also like to alternate between a 0-3 incline while running.

Keep it up! It's hard at first but gets easier!

Got it.

Love this

Yes I love this too

I started enjoying running when I slowed down. The first time I did the C25k I really pushed myself on speed. That was a big mistake. I ended up giving up running once the C25k was done.

The following year, I decided I wasn't going to run fast, I was just going to run. I enjoyed it and become in love. I slowed down to 3.6-4.0mph. I'm 5'1", maybe that has something to do with it. Now, I can run 6-7 miles and enjoy it. I did 1 race in October and 3 races in November and loved every minute of it.

Now, I'm going to start increasing my speed a bit.. we will see how it goes.


It's like weightloss.. what's the big hurry? Why do you gotta go so fast so soon?

That was the story of my life too a while back. I used to be a runner back in grade school and stopped. Then just recently, earlier this year I thought "hey why not try it again!" We had a treadmill that was sleeping in the basement, so I dusted it off and started off slow.

I could not run for even one minute without my knees killing me and feeling so out of breath that I thought I would pass out!

I started getting bored of running in the basement so I went out to run. The roads I feel are harder than the treadmill because the ground isn't moving for you, you have to be more physical and move yourself on the roads, but what a challenge! At first it was really embarrassing running on the roads, I felt ppl were watching me panting, huffing and puffing as I stopped every 30 seconds to just walk it out. I would have experienced runners zoom past me and I was so very envious, thinking "how the heck can they keep going and going and going and not feel tired? Don't their knees hurt?"....and they disappeared into the distance...

I didn't give up. I kept pushing myself....and over time - it has been a good 4 months now, and I find my legs have started toning up. As I lose weight my knees don't feel sore, I can run now for a good 15 minutes before I need to walk it out. Also what keeps me going when I want to give up and walk it out - is having some awesome music with a fast beat

Hope that helped!! Don't give up!!!! You will see what a difference a few months will make.

Sounds like a good start to me, but my only suggestion would be to mix it up and get outside some. If you ever want to run an actual race, the treadmill will not prepare you very well for that. Treadmill and road are two totally different animals.

It is true. If you are going to run, get fitted for the right RUNNING shoe. Go to a running shoe store and let them do a gait analysis on you, it is free. They will fit you for the proper shoe and your body will thank you. Just google "running shoe stores" in whatever town you live.

Bump :flowerforyou:

So glad to read this. I plan to start C25K as soon as the doctor gives me the all-clear to start exercising again after my gallbladder surgery. My daughter is going to do it with me. Our local running store is starting a running program for beginners in January, and we may participate in that. I just have to figure out what to do with my son. He has no interest in running and would probably complain the whole time! We'll see what happens. I may make him come along and be in the walking group. Every body meets up together again at the end, so he'd meet back up with us anyway.

I've never run before, so all this advice is good. I need to start slow and build up to it, that's for sure!

I participate in several running groups through a local running store, and lots of kids bring their bikes and ride alongside their parents who are running or walking. Maybe your son would enjoy that?

Sounds right to me. When I first started "running" I was "running" at 4 mph/ 15 min mile. I can now alternate between 3.5 and 6.2 for my intervals on my treadmill. I measure my workouts the same exact way as I did when I first started: if I am ready to die at the end of them and dripping sweat I did a good workout. That's whether I walked, ran, weights, 15 mins, 30 mins, anything. I go by how my body says I did.

I highly reccomend a C25K program. It's really great for gaining endurance and speed. I'd reccomend it whether you want to stay on the treadmill or switch to running outside.

I have been running for 6 months . Did 9weeks to 5 k recently up time of run to 45 mins . Now knees very sore , to worried to keep running amazed previous mailer could ?

I started C25K almost 5 months ago, i started out running at 13 min/miles... iv been getting faster bit by bit since then, i was on an 11.5 minute mile for about 2 months, and completed a 5K on Monday at my best pace yet! 10:23 minute miles!

You will get faster natrually with time if you want to, you most certainly dont have to though! as that pic someone put up shows, a mile is a mile!

In the beginning of my running, it almost killed me! I almost died on my first outting, after a mere 15 minutes of run/walk. Now i dont think twice about an hour and half run!

Its hard to start with; but does get easier, and even more enjoyable Happy running

I'm also a fan of couch to 5k, I've just finished it. I know I'm slow (I joined a beginners ladies running club - not sure if you've considered that as an option?) and I'm at the back, and I don't care so I don't know my speed I'm afraid, but every time I mention my speed to a runner the answer is almost the same - it will come with time! So, who cares. The right speed for you is where you could answer a question, but not chat non stop - whatever that speed will be.

Also - as a beginner - yes, it's really hard haha! Nice to hear someone else saying the same thing. The good thing is though, don't you get a great sense of achievement because it's hard, and yet you complete it - therefore you are great!

C25K takes nine weeks, in that time my CV strength has increased dramatically, my resting pulse is down 20 BPM - and that's just at a 30 min jog 3 times a week. You're doing great stuff here, congratulations! As far as I'm concerned, once you've laced up your trainers you're a runner :-)