How to start running?

Try the couch to 5 K program.

c25k is walking and running intervals, but it yields results. I did it ages ago and still can run and do run.. I recommend it to friends and have had a number of them finish the program.

What's the problem with walking intervals? if you'd rather just run.. then do it. Run a block, then to the next bench, then the next day a little further.. there's no program for that.

If you don't want to walk/run interval (you really should, this is the smart way).. then the only way to start running is to start running

If you don't want to do intervals you should probably just get out and run, each time for longer than the time before. Keep track and push yourself. I love the c25k program though, it's gotten me up to snuff pretty quickly.

Another vote for couch to 5k.

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Me, too!

The C25K program is amazing. I just ran 2 miles the other day...this from someone who couldn't run for more than 30 seconds at the start of the year. To be fair I spend a month or just just running as far as I could before I could even get to the point of starting C25k.

I love running but am not in fantastic shape. How should I start I would rather avoid the walking and running alternating. So what is the best way to just begin running? Is this something I would be able to do? Any advice would be fantastic!! Thanks everyone:)

Walk on inclines...but you have to start slow and increase slow or risk injury. I ended up with overuse injuries to the adductors from running too far too soon.

Around where I live we just wait until the first angry bear wakes up from hibernation. When we meet it, we just start running.

Okay
- Buy a great pair of running shoes, I'm a Nike man, so a solid cross trainer would be the way to go. Don't cheap out in this area. This isn't the time to purchase garbage shoes at the discount store.

- Decent pair of sweats, they don't have to be bling wear. Rocky style is fine.

- Cotton sweat socks, I think Walmart sells bags of them cheap, but they don't last very long.

- Reading up on the sport would be a good idea. Your local library might have info on this. I used to read Runners World which was a great magazine.

- Finding a running buddy would be the smart Adult thing to do, if you roll over on your ankle in the back forty and your gimped up, it's always nice to have someone to go and get the cavalry for you. Same if you get bitten by a dog or something. ( Hope not))

- Small can of mace isn't a bad idea if the area your running in isn't that safe.

- A good watch that has a split timer on it like an Ironman by Timex

- Spent at least 5-10 minutes warming up, stretching exercises. Failure to do so can result in alot of pain and cramped muscles.

- Start by walking and then running, they used to call this fartleking. Walk fast for a 3 minutes then run hard for a minute, keep repeating this. Set a limit for your self in the beginning then gradually increase your time and distance. Find out what your target heart rate zone is and work on maintaining that number for a recommended time.

- A great way to build endurance is to train running up hills then jog down, run up jog down, repeat, repeat.

Anyway, that's just a few things to look at.

Have fun, and if it hurts...stop!!

personally i just started running. it was that simple. i started last october running 20 minutes a few times a week, and now i'm training for my second 5k. i say just do it.

(and last october i had never run before and was seriously out of shape/overweight).

Get yourself a good podcast for C25k...there are plenty out there with music to suit your tastes...just google "c25k podcasts" or if you have a smart phone there are apps.
Try running outside if you can. It's much more interesting to look at varying scenery rather than the back of someones head on a treadmill at the gym.
Good pair of shoes...get fitted at a specialty running store, don't cheap out here.

I figured if I can walk fast, I should be able to run slow without getting so out of breath. So I started off by running at my walking speed. Was up to five km in three runs. Very slow, but running and no walking. I was running at about 11 min/km. Since then I have worked my speed down to 6:30 min/km. I do run/walk intervals for speed work now, and to get through long runs.

Wow! You guys all sound fantastic!! I like the idea of the C25k It sounds great! And if i felt like running more I could. What about in between my running doing some weights? like upper body focus? what does everyone think of that, is that okay for me?

Definitely also weight train. I recommend full body workouts such as those found in all of The New Rules of Lifting books by Lou Schuler and Alwyn Cosgrove. Running is great for endurance, but it does not replace lower body resistance training.

Push off with one foot, land on the other, push off with that foot, then land with the original foot. Repeat.

When I first started running, I had no real plan. I just walked a while, then started running. I got about a 0.2 mile the first time. I think I might've been bolting it at the time. Once I steadied my pace, I was able to do a little more. I started going to the local lake and running around it. Aiming for a little bit more each week. It took me a lot longer to work up to a 5K than something like C25K would prescribe (I started in July and my first 5K race was on Thanksgiving). But I friggin loved it!