Running??HELP!!!!

Ive never been much of a runner. Played baseball all my life so short distance was alright. I like doing intervals and alternating between sprinting and walking/jogging on the treadmill. It helped me to build endurance to run farther and longer

Good shoes and the right shoes are also key. You cant just go out and buy just any pair of running shoes. I was amazed at the difference when I went to the local running shop and had a running analysis completed to find the right shoe I should have been wearing from the start.

Good shoes and the right shoes are also key. You cant just go out and buy just any pair of running shoes. I was amazed at the difference when I went to the local running shop and had a running analysis completed to find the right shoe I should have been wearing from the start.

This is so very true. Especially if your knees hurt. I have a bad knee and I did the running analysis to help find shoes that will control the impact. I love my shoes. I have also heard great things about c25k.

Really the best thing to do is get out there. Walk, and run as much as you can and go back to walking. The more you do it the better you will get at it. I promise. Good luck to you.

I always hated running and never thought I could run. But I was jealous of my brother and my niece who'd do 5ks and when I found out about the Warrior Dash, I wanted to be able to do it.

Couch to 5k (c25k.com) is fantastic. I never knew that some of us have to LEARN to run. Do intervals of walking and running and start by going as slow as you can possibly run. You'll get there. And you might even come to love it!

I have always hated running too...mainly because I was never good at long distances and I didn't know what I was doing. I also used to get really bad shin splints. However, now I am taking a Learn to Run clinic and it is molding me into a 'runner'. I am learning so much...and it helps that I have been properly fitted for a shoe that is supportive and now I don't even get shin splints or knee pain!

Go get fitted for a proper shoe and try to join a clinic in your area. It is always good to join something - strength in numbers!

Disregard is this has already been mentioned, but check out Jeff Galloway. I ran my first half marathon last year, and i was a 'non runner' Highly recommend his methods to any beginner!

I'm in the same boat...But, I am on my 4th week of the Couch to 5K, and am loving it. Try it!!

Don't be in competition with anyone, just take your time and go slow. You WILL get to a point where you just love it!

I just decided I was tired of walking started running, but it was like tree to tree, block to block. You need to build up to any new workout. John Bingham, he's an awesome coach/writer. If you can't smile, you are doing it wrong!

I could've written that post about 6 years ago. I did everything in my power to avoid running. And then I decided I liked the WL and the calorie burn that runners enjoyed.

I did the Couch to 5K program and have since run 2 half marathons. Believe it or not I love running now.

The key to success and being pain free - at least for me:
Take it slow, it's not a race
Stretch!
Get Fitted for shoes at a good running store (not a shoe in a box type sports store)
Did I mention take it slow & stretch?

I never thought I liked running... until I was brave enough to give it a go and turns out I love it! I like how it gives me a break from my own head. It doesn't matter what was troubling me before, after a run I always feel like I've had a break from it all.

I started out power walking and then I'd run the last minute, and after a few times I'd run the last two minutes, last three minutes etc. There are loads of different ways to build yourself up for it so that you can eventually run without walking in between but you have to start somewhere and that's okay. I was always scared of trying because I had this idea in my head that I would either do it, or fail, but it's not like that. You can start out slow and build it up as you go along.

Good luck!

Thanks for this great question. I desperately want to be a runner but have knee problems. I have had one rebuilt already from playing tennis. I printed out the Couch to 25K and was looking at trying that but the weather here is pretty unforgiving so I thought I would try to start on the treadmill so I gave that a shot. I was totally out of control and felt like I was going to fly off the back, side or even over the front.

What is some advice for getting running on a treadmill without endangering myself and all those around me? I tried holding on to all the different bars and hand positions but that didn't work. It seems like everyone just hops on and off they run but I was all over the place. HELP!!!
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Start out on the treadmill or elliptical...That's what I do during my lunch hour. I have found the elliptical to be gentler on my knees but feel it gives me a better workout.

Maybe I could chime in here a bit My brother in-law owns a running store....and I come from a family of runners.

The shoes and actually also the socks are the most important!!! Go to a running store....they should be able to tell you what type of running shoes you need depending on any aches, pains, and also they should be able to tell by the way you walk. See if they can do the test for you.

Also, get a good pair of socks

Also, I know local running stores also have "running clubs" don't be afriad of these - there are people off all different levels and they will teach you the proper way to run. They also have running classes on teaching you how to run (you would be suprised how many people run incorrectly)!

START OUT SLOW!!!! Try running for 1 minute to start.....or even 30 seconds and take walk breaks in between! I have heard that C25k is great! I never tried it as I have always been a runner- but I knew someone that did it!

Running can be really fun! Find a friend or group to run with! It will make it fun and give you motivation too!

I became a runner in my early 20s. My first run I could not run from one light pole to the next. But I was over 180 pounds and kept at it. Before long I was running 6 kms a day and loving it (also 50 pounds lighter)

Now fast forward to 34, once again overweight (this time the result of having two children and quitting smoking) and knees that would hurt everytime I try to run (its been 7 years so its like learning all over). The first thing to do is get a pair of good sneakers depending on pronation (i overpronate which seems to contribute to the knee probs) I also find certain brand names i can not wear (some of my most expensive running shoes have killed my knees). Strengtenging your quads with lunges will also stabilize your knee when running (so the physiotherapist tells me)

I am finally back into a great running routine and my knees no longer hurt. I started doing a minute on and two off then one on one off.... you get the idea. Once I could run for ten minutes it was not hard to push myself to 30. The key is to go longer at slower speeds. Once you get the time in then you work on the speed training in intervals (plus interval training is supposed to burn more calories)

Hope this helps.

I'm pretty much the same as anyone here - My thoughts on running used to be "I only run if I'm being chased and even then it's questionable." I have decided that since my husband and brother in-law were doing the Warrior Dash as St. Jude Warriors, I wanted to do something worth while too and prove to myself that I could run just as far as "the boys." I downloaded the Couch to 5K app on my ipod and have completed week one. I start week 2 today and I'm really excited about it. I find that I can run longer without having to struggle to breathe and the intervals are nice to break the ice into running. With the app, it's also nice because I can listen to my music while still having my vocal instructions and it makes the time pass much faster. I will be running a 5K in September and I can't wait!