I was just wondering how anyone who runs got started. I used to play three sports in high school (7 years ago) and I used to run for those practices all the time. Unfortunately, I never ran on my own and don't know how to get started. I have tried running at the gym, but I feel like I run wierd, and like everyone is looking at me oddly. Any advice?

I am not a runner (yet), but try googling "couch to 5K" on the "Cool Runners" website. That is a step-by-step program and so far I have only seen good reports on that program. Good luck to you, and have fun with it!

Cheryl

Hey there,

I'm going to second the 'couch to 5k' program - I started the program last August and am currently gearing up to my first half-marathon in a few weeks time. Its doable and slowly progresses you so you don't get bored.

There is a thread on this site for C25k (couch to 5k)...it was great as there is always people starting the same time as you so its easy to find a buddy.

Good luck with whatever you chose to do.
Finn.

I just started out by walking a mile every day and adding jogging sprints to it as I could. I tried to jog the first day and it nearly knocked me out, so I walked for probably a week first to build up a little endurance and then tried again. I ran maybe 15 feet at a time at first, but gradually increased. As my feet got sore, I checked into actual running shoes and water wicking socks. You should start with those. I also started reading online running sites to get some information on how the bottoms of the feet should be striking the pavement because I too felt I was running "funny".

step 1 get good shoes and a good bra

I mapped out about a 2 mile loop and walked it fast. (Or a 15 minutes out, 15 minutes back route) Then after that felt comfortable I would walk a little to warm up then pick a point on the route to start jogging and jog for as long as I could and then walk the rest of the way.

Then each time I would try to run 1 house, tree, lampost whatever farther and eventually I would only walk for 5 minutes and start jogging a second time.

When I could jog the whole thing, I increased the route little by little

Thank you for the advice everyone!! I registered on the Cool Runners website and I start tomorrow!!!

I'm so glad I found this thread- I was looking for something like this! I really want to form a habit of running/walking outside with the weather getting nice- I'm getting fed up with crowded uninspiring gyms....but I'm not much of a runner, so the "Couch to 5k" will help! How do you know what distance you run when you are outside?

Valvetta,
The couch to 5k can be completed on either time (e.g. run for 60 seconds) or distance (e.g. walk half a mile). For the time aspect you'd need a stopwatch or clock. For the distance you could either wear a pedometer or drive a certain distance in a car noting where the half mile makers are.
Good luck!

Or you can use this website to map out any route. The mileage is very accurate. I find this is the easiest way to choose a new route. Much quicker than driving.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com

It uses google maps. Find your home, start recording.

There's also this one Map my Run ... A bit of a different version of the one ennay mentionned...

I started running on the treadmill with one minute intervals, I then graduated to running outside and will never look back, I love running

I think I found the C25K too difficult to do. I just ran until I thought I needed to stop, maybe 30 sec when I first started, then pushed myself a little more, and then stopped to walk. When I was recovered, I ran again. I started at about 3 days a week, 30 minute sessions and when I could run the whole thing (more or less) I added distance and time. It was highly irregular, but it all worked. I think the structure of the C25K plan is really good for a lot of people, but there are other approaches if it doesn't work for you. I've now done a marathon, several halfs, one 10K (hate hate hate that distance), and more 5Ks that I can count, plus triathlons of various distances.

One thing I'd add to ennay's list of stuff is a good pair of compression (bike-type) shorts if you have any sort of thigh flab at all. I have lots and lots of thigh flab, and it is indispensible for prevention of chafing.

Anne

You've gotten a lot of good advice here already, so I don't have much to add, other than to chime in that I'm another C25K success story, it really does work, and I've found in running more joy than I have in any other exercise I tried in the past. Glad to hear that you're already out there going full steam ahead with it - good luck, and keep us posted on your progress!

too funny anne, I love 10K's & halfs, hate 5K's

Thanks for all the tips on measuring distance and time.

Ilene- I'm hoping I feel the same way in a few months!

When I injured my shoulder and couldn't swim for a while I decided to take up running, which I'd never done before in my life. I'd always been of the "hate running" mindset, but thought with all the other forms of exercise I was branching out into I should at least give it a shot. I won't say I love running, but the c25k program showed me that I can. I used the podcasts downloaded from this site:

http://web.mac.com/robert_ullrey/iWe...ng%20Blog.html

If you have an mp3 player I would suggest trying these out. It's basically music with prompters that let you know when to walk and when to run. Much easier than keeping an eye on a stopwatch!