I want to be a runner! HELP

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/index.shtml


Here is the link to couch to 5k. It's awesome!

Don't run so to eat whatever you want. Run and live a healthy lifestyle and it will happen. That's when the change occurred for me. Now I love it, love it, love it.

And start slow and give yourself lots of grace.

I agree. Couch to 5K made me a runner. Bridge to 10K made me a more serious runner. And now, Active.com and the personal challenge to run a half-marathon (and eventually a full marathon) have made me a happy runner.

Sometimes it's the venue. I hate running on a treadmill, and don't generally stick to a program if I have to run inside. When I got myself the equipment for running outdoors in cooler weather, that was a breakthrough. I love being in nature. I also found I make greater leaps and gains if I do serious strength and flexibility training between run days. Beating your own personal record is a real high.

If you're the opposite, find things that make it fun. Fartleks are a great exercise while running that make it fun and challenging. Sprints, hill runs, other personal challenges... you can find ways to make it more fun. And if you love being social, find a running training program with other people, or run with a friend.

One last bit of advice to love running--don't feel like you have to go all out when you first start. If you're barely running faster than you can walk, that's a fine start. Most people who want to run lose motivation because they push themselves too hard to start out with, and it's painful and frustrating. Take it slow. If you do C25K, don't be afraid to repeat weeks, run slower than some people walk, etc. And don't forget to take rest days. If you run every day when you first start, you're pushing yourself too hard and cruising for an injury. Take your time and feel the good it does your body. The runner's high can't be beat...

Depends on where you live--I live in Arkansas and there is a website called ArkansasRunner.com or .org maybe. Just do a search.

I know exactly how you feel. I never exercised, much less ran, growing up or as an adult but in my dreams I could run like the wind. A fellow teacher at my school hosts a running club each year for the 4th and 5th grade students so this year I volunteered to "help" him with the running club. When I started on January 17th, I couldn't even run from the front of our school down the driveway to the road (about 20 yards). Last Wednesday I turned 54 years old and on Thursday I ran two whole miles without stopping. It was a slow progress but it was progress. I tried Couch to 5K (and it is a great program) but I needed more motivation and push to challenge myself. I have registered for my first 5K at the end of April and am nervous and excited all rolled into one. I still don't "LOVE" to run yet but I do love how I feel when I finish running and can see how far I've come. I tried C25K using my treadmill. It might work better if you have somewhere to run outside and even better if you have someone to run with. Good Luck!

stick with it. I hated running, too, but decided I wanted to be "a runner" and just gutted through my runs even though I hated them. After a while I figured out that I didn't hate running anymore. Then after another while, I figured out that I loved it. Just stick with it!!!

Same for me. I have been running for just over a year. One day I realized I hadn't run in a week and I started having withdrawals. It helps if you can find a nice park with eye candy too...

I can't find any kind of 5k run near me! Is there a web site or something?

You can try active.com

I can't find any kind of 5k run near me! Is there a web site or something?

www.runningintheusa.com is full of races. you can sort by state, distance, date, etc. It has proven to be the most valuable website for me in my quest to do a half marathon in every state.

I've never tried the C25K, but I've heard great things about it. I started out running 1 minute and walking 5 minute intervals for a total of 30 minutes. Each week I would increase my run time and decrease my walk time. I am now at 3 minute run and 3 minute walk. It works well for me and it has made running a lot easier.

My entire life I've hated running. Even when I was in great shape. I just hate it so so much. But I want to be the person who just loves to run, and needs to run. Any suggestions??

All the people suggesting the C25K are right. It's a great way to get started. But to be the person who loves to run? I was in your position a few years ago. I hated running with a passion, but a girlfriend wanted me to start running with her. I put her off for awhile, and she was persistent! Then she found a race that was a race "made for me." The Chocolate Race. Along with water stations there are chocolate stations on the race and at the post-race you get more chocolate. Who wouldn't run for chocolate!?

So to be the person who loves to run, I suggest finding a race that sounds like a lot of fun and isn't so focused on "how fast can I finish." It'll keep you motivated for sure. I spent the summer training for the race, ran the 14K and loved it. And now I enjoy running (most days)!

Best of luck!