How to become a runner?

Try C25K program.. many people have had great success with it! Good luck..

And really GOOD running shoes!! Go to a running specialty store and get fitted.

I second (or fourth/fifth, so it seems) looking into the Couch to 5K program.

I'm almost finished with week 7 (which is running for a full 25 minutes straight) and when I started in late October, I couldn't even run for a minute without feeling like I was near death.

Most people have to ease their body & their minds into running and this program does exactly that.

I still don't "love" running, but I definitely love the benefits and it's really become more of a habit now than anything else.

Good luck!!

hperowl: First make sure you invest in really good running shoes. Not the cheap stuff. I mean you will probably pay 70 to 100 dollars, but it is worth it. Then...when you run stand tall and take short strides. Your feet should be landing just slightly in front of or under your hips. (almost like walking). Breath in and out however it is comfortable and supportive. 2 in 2 out etc. Make sure you go slow slow slow. Save the speed for when your body has adapted to running after a few weeks or more. Keep your arms and elbows at 90 degrees and swing them hip to lip (or less if that is comfortable) Up and down not across. Land on your midfoot (you will do this automatically if you keep your stride short like I told you). Then just follow the couch to 5k as previously mentioned. Read Read Read! Good luck!

If you're "pounding the pavement" you're doing it wrong. I don't know about where you live, but where I live it's a bit cold to try this, but... Go outside in bare feet and run a short distance on the pavement in bare feet. Concentrate on landing softly and gently. Pay attention to how your feet hit the ground. Then put your running shoes on and do the same thing. The difference is that you can't swing/stride your feet out in front of your hips and land with your heel first when you run in bare feet because it just freaking hurts to do so. Landing on your heels is what causes that jarring feeling - and you can do it in running shoes and not know you're doing it. Take shorter strides, don't worry about how fast you're going, just work on moving as softly as you can, landing on the mid- or ball of your foot. You CAN do this in shoes, you just have to pay attention and trying it barefoot will help you feel it more easily. If you struggle to find the proper form, some minimal shoes like Vibrams will offer enough protection from stones etc. but not offer the cushioning that allows heel-strike. It'll take you a while to get used to this running form. The running/walking interval design of the C25k program would be an excellent way to train yourself to run with proper form, without doing so much running at one time that you over do. Don't be afraid to repeat weeks. You may want/need to walk more than the program calls for. Do so if necessary - you want to think of it as setting up a base for long-term success as opposed to something you have to accomplish right now.

Best of luck!

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I agree with everything everyone has mentioned. I have never been a runner - in fact I hated running. Then I started C25K. Now I really LOVE it!! I was about to start Week 4 when I tweaked my ankle so I'm going to have to start Week 3 again. However, please get fitted for running shoes. I think that's why I hurt myself. Although I have a good pair of Nike shoes, they are not specific for running. Now that I haven't run in a little over a week I really miss it. I can now consider myself half a runner! LOL. Feel free to friend me and maybe we can help each other out!

BTW, the first day of C25K KILLED me! I couldn't run for a minute straight without feeling like I was dying. I got up to 3 min running and could have kept going! Good luck!!!!

I didn't have time to read through all the responses, but the first several I read didn't mention the way you run. If you are striking your heel first, it can be very jarring and hard on your knees. A lot of people land on their heel and roll through to their toes. This may be what you're doing. Try landing mid foot..the ball of your foot just behind your toes. Your heels should just brush as you push off. But definitely use Couch to 5K to start because running on the balls of your feet can make your calves really sore and even cramp when you are starting out. That's my two cents. I'm a cyclist, not a runner but I started running the first of October, using Couch to 5K and I ran an entire 5K (not fast) on the 30th of October. Also good to have your gait checked at a running store. They will recommend the best running shoes for the way you run. They should have a treadmill and a video camera set up to analyze your gait. Good luck.

If you're "pounding the pavement" you're doing it wrong. ....
Best of luck!

Thank you so much! Everything you mentioned was in the article I read by a previous post. Very informative and helpful!!!!

You're welcome! When I started typing, no one had addressed your form, which seemed to me to be what you were asking. By the time I was done, someone had posted the link to the article by the author of "Born to Run" (name escapes me....). I just finished that book on CD and it calcified for me some of the thoughts I'd been having about my experiences with running. Highly recommend the read - it's science-y with a story, too.

You really want to make sure you don't try to run too fast to start. Go slow. Go so slow your elderly neighbor walks faster than you're running. You wanna build some endurance and muscle memory so you don't hurt yourself. Have fun! :happy:

Everyone's given great advice and I'll repeat it here :P

1. C25K - If you have an iPhone buy the app "Get Running". It's a time based version of the programme
2. Get running shoes. Don't jog in cross trainers or tennis shoes. (also don't play tennis in running shoes. I rolled my ankle doing that!)
3. If you have knee problems or shin splints see a podiatrist and they'll make you a set of moulded shoe inserts to straighten your legs. Most people have pronating feet.
4. Start slow. Run as slow as you can and don't feel discouraged when experienced runners overtake you. Your first goal is to run for 30 minutes non stop and you'll never get to that point if you don't take it easy
5. When you get to days when the C25K programme is making you run for somewhat extended periods, don't give up! I promise you that if you push through the desire to stop then next time it'll be way way easier

EDIT:
6. If you have muscle soreness that is beyond regular DOMS, don't run. Just let your muscles recover before hitting the road again. I've torn a calf muscle before (weight lifting, tennis and not listening to my body) and it put me out of action for almost six months.

Great advice in this thread already. Wanted to point out that there is a MFP Community Group for Couch to 5K:
Couch to 5K Running Program (C25K)
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/47-couch-to-5k-running-program-c25k-

Also, with the heel strike stuff... Lots of information already posted and on the Internet. But one quick, easy simple thing that really seemed to work for me was a friend saying just focus on your knees when running, and allow your stride to shorten naturally. He didn't say lift your knees higher or modify your run in any way except to focus on your knees. Sounded crazy (and ineffective) to me, but when I tried it, it worked. I found myself landing mid-foot.

As others have said try the couch 2 5k program. I started it December 8th and I have moved through it very quickly (I'm up to running 10 minutes at a time and couldn't run 1 minute when I started!). I would suggest though trying to stick to the program, with only running 3 days a week since you have pain when you run. Also get some good shoes. When I have worn shoes or cheap shoes it makes my whole body hurt. I only wear K-Swiss shoes now because nothing else worked for me.

C25K, good shoes, and GOOD SOCKS! I am amazed at what a difference good socks made.

I think I naturally hit with my forefoot when I run, but I noticed if I run in place in the house, I do it even more. So try that for a bit. Run 30 seconds or so in place, landing lightly enough to not knock things off shelves. Foot Fires and Stride Jumps help, too, bouncing quickly from foot to foot.