Hey

I want to start running (I'm even getting a running machine for my birthday in 9 days so I'll have to commit to it) but I don't really want to start a run/walk program, although if anyone has any arguments against this I'll be happy to hear them I am relatively fit, I walk a minimum of 3 miles 5 times a week (to and froom school) and I don't have any joint/bone probems.

But I want to ask some questions first:

1) What would be a good start distance if I'm not doing a run/walk program, 1 mile? 2? or would you recommend I run at a steady pace for as far as I can and not set a goal distance?

2) People say running on a machine is easier, but if I set it on an incline will this make it as calorie burning as running on ground that doesn't move for you

I have read through the FAQ but it doesn't seem to answer my questions...

Thankyou

can i ask why no run/walk program? i found this to be the best way for me to start running....have gone from 60second intervals to 25 minutes straight in about 8 weeks!

well, basically, I'm a typical impatient teen, lol. I don't really know I've been looking around and none of the online schedules really seems to fit me, (I know I can jog straight for about 5 mins at a reasonable pace already) but I suppose I could start them later on in the prgram.... I don't really know, I'm still looking for regimes but I suppose ultimately I could draw up my own. In the end I will probably end up using one but I was just looking to see any opinions from people who hadn't started usin a run/walk program, although it does seem an extremely popular choice.

I am sorry, but I do not know anyone who has started running without alternating with some walking. If you can, great, but probably you will want to reconsider. What I did when I was an impatient teen was run until I thought I might die, then walk a bit to recover and repeat. It doesn't have to be a program. I would pick a 2 or 3 mile distance and just work up to running the whole thing.

I did what Caro did, as an impatient adult. I ran as far as I could, walked until I could breathe, ran as far as could, walked until I could breathe, repeat. Stopped when I was worn out. I think I did about 2 miles the first day out. I also was so sore after the first time out I thought I was dying and couldn't get back out again for several days. Note I learned from that: make sure you stretch adequately (some say before running, some say after a five-ten minute warmup of brisk walking to light running, done both and haven't noticed a difference) and wear good shoes. I think the shoes were what really made the difference for me.

Also, setting the treadmill on incline does make it burn more calories, and tires you out faster IMO. I change the incline a lot, because the path I run on outside has hills and I don't want to drop over dead when I finally get back outside.

i also started out that way. i've never followed a program. just usually listened to my body. though to be honest, usually each running phase after the first walk were pretty short and dismal. i think i've been reading lately that it is helpful to not run all the way to the end of your rope before walking but to maybe get you 3/4 there because it will help you keep going longer and farther in the long run. i haven't ever tried this though, but it sounds reasonable.
i would say 2 miles of run/walk intervals might be a good place to start just to get a sense of your baseline. and you can increase or decrease from there.

SWS19, someone on here told me to stop running before you feel like you should stop because otherwise you will wear yourself out and risk injury. That sounds like what you are saying, too. And, after that first time I do stop before the passing out stage on the running intervals and I haven't been beaten down sore like that since, and can go further if I choose.

Thankyou for all the advice

Clare - IMO, a run/walk interval strategy IS the fastest way to progress into a running program. If you can jog 5 minutes now, then why not jog 5, walk briskly for 1 min, jog 5 again, and keep repeating for the 3 miles that you cover now. The biggest mistake that beginners make is to try to run too fast at first. Just keep an easy pace. You may find after a few weeks that you don't need the walk intervals any more and can just keep going.

On your second question, yes, running on the treadmill is slightly easier than running outside. Indoors you don't have varied terrain, wind resistance, weather factors, and so on. Also, you do get a little "belt assist" from the motion of the treadmill itself. You can set the incline to 1-2% to compensate, but I usually don't bother. I just figure they are different, but they still count!

I don't know anyone who started out just purely running for miles, unless they had a great fitness base to start with in some other complementary sport.

I walk tons and i have just started running and i was a little bit surprised at how the walking didn't really translate into being able to run at all! They are different skills. That said, I am really seeing some improvement with Couch to 5k. Why not just think of the beginning weeks as getting into the habit of running (sometimes just getting out the door is enough of a challenge...) Good luck with whatever you decide!

There ARE good reasons to ease into a running program with SOME *walking* first.
#1-- the risk of INJURY! Running is extrememly hard on the joints and skeltal symptom and muscles as well... Your body neeeds to adjust to the "pounding" or your going to get injured..That being said, if you feel a very begginner run/walk program is too easy for you, i think your best off running for TIME, not distance... Maybe start out with 20 minutes...and it IT a very good idea to make it run/walk intervals...they dont have to be LONG walk intervals.....maybe run for 5 or 10 minutes, and walk for 1 or 2 minutes, and continue....walk whenever you are starting to feel tired, for now..dont worry about the pace... i am training for my forst marathon right now, and i still take walk breaks... it is a good idea to get into the habit of walking at least when you are drinking your water, even if its ony for 1- seconds..... I never had to do a run/walk program when i started, but i believe i possesd a very high level of fitness to begin with.... I woke up one morning and thought, "i think Ill run the Bolder BOulder (a 10K in Colorado), and i DID!! with only about 2 weeks to train... Remember, if you start going out too hard too fast, not only do you risk injury, but also the odds that you will continue with the program!! IF its too HARD and you are MISERABEL the whole time, you are more likely to quit before it has a chance to get easier...ALSO, the first mile may feel like ****, and make you not ever want to go further, but belieeve me when i tell you, the first mil eor so is ALWAYS hard, EVERY DAY!! EVERYTIME i run..... Every morning i have to talk myself past that one mile, and then i start feeling warmed up , and it becaomes GREAT!! Good luck!