Hey Runners! How do you...

BridieB

...START running?

I used to run all of the time about 5 years ago. 15 miles wasn't unusual for me. Well, I fell off of that wagon REAL hard. I can't even start... I tried the other day and when I was out of the sight of FI, I just walked.

I lost my running brain- can somebody help me find it? I think it is the best way to lose weight and feel good.

BioGirl21

A lot of people recommend the Couch to 5K program. I think the best way is to sign up for a race. If you're paying 20 bucks to run, you're not going to skip it and will (most likely) want to do well.

msange727

i know what you mean - i had been a runner, then gave it up after some injuries. i started back into it last fall, and what really helped me were running intervals. i would run 3 minutes and walk 1 minute, and when my pride got the better of me, i started stacking them until i was running the entire workout. i can't give you much advice about couch to 5k, but a lot of the girls here recommend it, so if you need a hard and fast plan, that may be a good fit. good luck and keep us updated! :]

noelle24

Ditto Bio Girl.  I started running with Couch to 5K. I didn't feel guilty walking because the walk breaks were scheduled in.  Also, signing up for a race was helpful.  Once I had already committed the money, I was worried about not being able to complete the race or embarassing myself.  I just finished my first half marathon a little while ago, and I feel great! 

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_hey-runners?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:c0262f97-2277-48df-9fcd-6792ccd16d44Post:76f28b89-329a-45dc-a47e-21d5318409fe">Re: Hey Runners! How do you...</a>:
[QUOTE]A lot of people recommend the Couch to 5K program. I think the best way is to sign up for a race. If you're paying 20 bucks to run, you're not going to skip it and will (most likely) want to do well.
Posted by BioGirl21[/QUOTE]

Unless you're me. Ugh, long story.

OP, I also recommend intervals. Also, jog at a pace wher you don't get so out of breath that you need to stop. I make sure I'm at a level where my legs will get tired before my lungs do. (I still breath hard, just not gasping for air.) Now I can run a mile straight through and I used to just do .1 miles at a time. Good luck!

DLLadybug

Hi!!

I was never a runner. Never thought I could do it. I was fat, so why the heck would I run?

I have used the C25K program before and never completed it until just recently! I'm running my first 5K this Saturday. I love the program! It has worked wonders for me! There were some days that I would think to meself, "How the heck am I going to run that long?" It's all about mind over matter.

Sign up for a 5K, and train for it!

Annekite

I'm sorta similar.  I used to run X-country in high school, then just kept up casual running in college, but in law school fell off the running train because of a more intense schedule.  Now I'm back on.  If you have the requisite technology, I highly suggest the Nike+ device for iTouch or iPhone.  You can also get an adapter for regular iPod.  It tracks your runs, including time, calories, pace, and distance.  It also sets you up on training programs, adapted for your running level.  The sensor is really cheap, and I discovered that you can use it in any shoes (not just Nike) simply by cutting a hole in the tongue of your shoe and sewing it in.  It's also great for inspiration, since it talks to you, and plays a power song for you any time you need a push.  Short of that, the best inspiration is always running with a group.  Friends can push each other to keep going.

dazed2confused

after not running for awhile, i have a hard time getting the runners brain...its hardest thing abt running for me.  Most times i start running i'm stressed...then i try to keep it up and do it a few times a week.  What 'works' for me is if i keep thinking about running is i start to try to name the states in abc order or their capitals. It keeps my mind distracted enough to get into running more.

PeonyPrincesskdd

 I am the exact same as a couple of the runners who posted.  I started running on Sunday and continued Monday and Tuesday.  I also cannot really run for longer than 3 minutes, and so I walk a minute or 2 and continue the alternating intervals. 

All that matters is that your heart rate is up so it doesn't matter if you walk for a minute or 2.  Also what nobody mentioned that I need to tell you is very important is STRECTH. 

I went out my first run on Sunday and realized my arms and chest etc were all tensed up and it is because my body/muscles were not used to being used because I was not very active and those muscles have not been used in the motion of running so I had to stop and stretch. 

When you stretch out your muscles - arms, legs, sides - you will have less injury/pain while running.  I stretch before, during and after my run.  It really has worked wonders and allows myself to keep going.  It feels good when you feel more stretched and limber.

After my run I have so much more energy than I used to.  Doing a 15-20 minute walk really warms you up and gets you moving.  I felt like I could go home and do a cardio video or yoga video or some weight lifting.  The run really makes you feel good and more healthy.

Vee623

I am also doing the C25K. Its totally free and you can find it here:

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

Its basically the same things the others have mentioned. Lots of intervals between walking and running for 9 weeks, until you get to a full half hour with no walking breaks. They also have free podcasts which tell you when to walk and when to run which is really helpful. Who wants to bring a stopwatch and stare at it the whole time when you are trying to concentrate on just making it through the running segment? The podcasts take all of the thinking out of running, just try your best to do as they say and repeat if you cant make it through the workout. Before you know it, you'll be a runner again!

ZaiX3

I did the Couch to 5k and now I'm up to running 5k-6k 4-5 mornings a week!  When I'm really not feeling like running (I hate running!) then I do all kinds of things:

- put on a song that I really like singing to or that has a great beat to start the run
- picture myself in my wedding dress and think about how much I want to look good in it
- tell myself that if I do the run, I'll get a reward like a small piece of chocolate
- tell myself that I should start the run, and I can always stop a little bit early, then once I'm running I tell myself, "well, if you get to that bridge then you can stop" and "well, now you're almost done, you might as well finish"

I also got a calendar to stick on the fridge and have started marking in my weight each day along with what I did to work out.  So if I don't feel like running I'll stare at the calendar and think about how I don't want to have a pristine white day with nothing written on it, which sometimes helps too.