begining to run maybe

[RoadBunner]

Hey, DDH!

You can totally do this! See my intro on the "Hi!" thread I just posted. I second what people have said. Find a walk/run program and stick with it. Don't be afraid to change it, though. When I first started marathon training I thought that all of the magic was in the plan and if I missed a single run or didn't do the prescribed distance I was going to surely fail. Now I know you have to have flexibility and listen to your body. If you're feeling sore or drained, cut it back.

I definitely second the idea of getting fit at a proper running store in good shoes. The right shoes can mean the difference between injuries and smooth sailing. Once you get going, shoes should be replaced every 300-500 miles. If you're doing a lot of your running on a treadmill, they may look very new, but replace them anyway!

I would also recommend having a goal race or maybe if there are no races nearby just a day when you invite family/friends out to cheer you on as you run a set distance. A 5K must seem very daunting but it is very attainable within a few months, I'd say. I was more proud at the finish of my first 5K than I was at the finish of my first marathon. That 5K represented a much bigger roadblock in my mind. I never thought I'd even run one mile and was so proud!

Good luck!

[emily_in_nc]

Hi DDH -- good for you! I started running off and on last year, though only a little at a time (1-2 miles), then kicked it up a level this year and finally met a goal I've had in the back of my mind for my entire life, that of running five miles continuously. I've now done that several times, and I am very proud of myself!

When I first started, I got some good recommendations from the more experienced runners on the list. The one that helped me the most was to read anything by John "The Penguin" Bingham. He's a runner-turned-author who started out very overweight and now does marathons. He's lost lots of weight, and is a proponent of running slowly and run/walk. His books have so much wonderful information and are highly motivating. His first book, The Courage to Start, is especially good for a brand-new runner. I highly recommend it! I've also got No Need for Speed, and am reading that now.

Keep on posting, and don't get discouraged. Running is hard, it's a lot harder than cycling to me, but you can and will improve. Hills are still very hard for me; I'm stronger on the treadmill. I haven't done any events (just don't have time at the moment, and now, with a new puppy in the house, even less), but I enjoy running on the treadmill at the gym and doing trail runs outdoors.

Best of luck to you -- and I agree with the others, you aren't eating enough! I am tiny -- 5-1-1/2" and weigh under 105 -- and eat at least 1500 calories a day, often quite a bit more on days I'm very active. You need to fuel your body for activity.

Emily

[DDH]

Thanks girls. I need to see a nutritionist I guess, I'm trying to do it on my own cause I get so frustrated with the doctors and stuff. I have gone to the dietician and she told me the same, but then when I dont' lose weight it's like no one believes me.

So now, I'm writing everything down and measuring what I eat and then will take it in when I have about a month.

I did miss this weekend because I started and was crampy and eating chocolate and chips and not eating meals or snacks like I should.
So I missed 2 days of writing things down, but I have to learn how to handle those times better.

[Dog]

Hi Donna,

I'm a long time runner that started cycling about 3 years ago. Running can seem like a lot of work early on (and it is), but once you build up some endurance you will start to look forward to your runs - just like riding! Just remember to set SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely). Start out slow - mostly walking adding in some running gradually. I noticed someone else provided you a link for that.
I noticed you didn't find any local races (or fun runs). Maybe you can google fun runs or local races for your area and see what comes up. It helps to have something to train for - just make sure to let people know because that will help hold you accountable (always works for me).
Anyway, I wish you the best and remember to enjoy the experience.

- Dog

[wavedancer]

I am a new runner also and found the Couch to 5K walk/run program helpful. I have not been able to progress at the rate they suggest because of some new painful muscle/ligament issues that popped up. I took a break when the hip started acting up and looked into Chi Running. I have done 2 workshops and think I have figured out why I was experiencing some ligament strain. I never thought I would be able to run (knee issues), but if we start gradually and learn to run with good form, we should be able to do that 5K!

[OakLeaf]

You'll find a lot of Chi Running enthusiasts here. Injury prevention is a very valid concern, and Chi Running plus a good shoe fitting are very helpful on that front.

[Aggie_Ama]

Hi Donna! When I started running a few years back I was lucky to make .25 miles on the treadmill. I would set mini goals for my self like "Today I will do x number of minutes, walk and then x number minutes." Or simply just walk and then do a set amount. I wasn't running fast but I just kept challenging myself to go a little further, usually just 10-25 more seconds. I was starting from a very sedentary life and believe me it hurt like crazy when I started.

I built from those little .25 miles to doing 6-7 miles. Organized events are a lot of fun and really get you excited. Just watch for flyers, for instance we are having a 5k to benefit the high school in my own neighborhood. You won't find it on Active.com or anything but there was flyers around town and ads in the paper.

[VeloVT]

I'd add one more thing... sometimes the treadmill is harder than running outside. This is partly for motivational reasons (treadmill is WAY more boring), but I find that strangely, I am considerably faster outside, even on hilly terrain. People are different in this regard (some find treadmilll easier than outside, others harder), but now that the weather's getting nicer it's worth trying some runs outside... You might find it's easier and it's definitely more enjoyable. I'm a type-A runner and will never walk if I'm running by myself unless I have a serious injury (like a sprained ankle or heatstroke), but my BF is very decidedly on the other end of the spectrum and when we run together, we walk for a block or two in the middle of every run (at the half way point), plus if either of us has any minor wimpy discomfort . It's a nice treat. It's definitely worth finding a training buddy if you can. I like to do a lot of running on my own, but it's totally different to run with someone and it makes the time go by faster even when you're running slower than you would by yourself. It can make it much easier to get out the door too.

[Wahine]

DDH - I don't have a lot of advice to add. All the others here have told you a lot... good shoes, form, more calories... But I did want to send out my support. Starting a running program is hard and good on you for having the guts to try.

And I wanted to share this story...

I knew a lady who in her early 60's was trying to catch her bus and wasn't able to run to get there on time. She was a nurse and was overweight. She became upset with herself for allowing her body to get so out of shape. So she started to walk. Then she added in short runs... "Maybe today I can run from this lamp post to the next one"... and she just kept adding lamp posts. She ran her first marathon when she turned 70.

You really can do this.

[Sprocket's Mom]

DDH I suggest that you get a copy of The Slow Fat Triathlete. While I know you're not planning on doing any tris, the whole opening part of the book is about how the author got started by walking....then jog/walking....then jogging....then running!! She's so great about sharing her experiences in a real and honest way. It's very motivating and inspiring. You could also go to her website which has many other great stories. http://www.slowfattriathlete.com/
I might also suggest that in order to try out different shoes (if you don't have access to any good local shops) would be to get a membership to road runner sports. If you have a membership with them (annual fee) you can try out the shoes (even outside) for 30 or 60 (I can't remember) days and still return them. No more wearing them around the house and trying to decide if they will in fact actually work outside!
Good luck and just try to enjoy yourself.

[Deborajen]

Hey Donna -

What you have in mind is totally doable. I started running about six years ago shortly after starting Weight Watchers. I ended up losing 25 pounds - and gained a lot in fitness.

Just ease into the running - set a series of small goals --

Seeing a dietitian or nutritionist is a good idea. Running is a good workout, and you'll have to eat to fuel. With Weight Watchers, I upped my points a little bit if I lost too much weight over a week (do keep the weight loss gradual - it's much more likely to stay off), but you do have to keep a protein/carbs balance for energy and staying power. My blood sugar tends to run a little low, so I ended up going to a dietitian once I got up to running an hour at a time. She helped me balance things out, plus she recommended a good book - "Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook."

Running is a great sport - welcome aboard! Keep at it. There will be ups and downs, but I think you'll be pleased overall.

Deb

[teigyr]

Hi Donna - I just wanted to second and third what everyone has said here. You CAN do this! I think running is such a great workout and it will condition you very well. I notice more of a difference with running than I do with any other workout plus it tends to give me a lot more energy.

I think you're not eating enough or are perhaps eating things that your body doesn't want to process properly. I read a thread from someone who is Very Active who had trouble losing weight until she learned more about what her body needed and what it didn't like.

I really think you will enjoy running! I recommend compression tights especially if your joints hurt a bit, good shoes and socks, and (of course) a good workout bra. I use a HRM and like that too...initially I just watched the calories burned build up and up but now I use it for practical things.

The last great thing about running is that it is SO portable. You can travel and take your running shoes. It doesn't take forever to get ready to run AND...your running shoes don't get flats

[kiwi girl]

I'm going to be starting the couch to 5k program over the weekend. I haven't run for 14 months, so even though my last run was a half marathon I am going to treat myself as a beginner. I found this podcast http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/ that does all the interval timings for you. The music is not really to my taste, but it will be better than messing about with a stopwatch.

[roadie gal]

Just chiming in with everyone else... You Can Do It!

2+ on Chi or Evolution Running. The styles are pretty close. They both emphasize forefoot running over heel pounding. Over time this will really save your knees and hips.

Check out www.kickrunners.com. Here's the link to their Couch-to-5k program: http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10724. The beginner program (link at the bottom of the page) builds from 1 minute jog/ 1 minute walk to running a 5k over 8 weeks, starting with only 20 minutes the first day. It also only has you running 3x per week. It seems very doable.

Good Luck! And most importantly Have Fun!

[DDH]

Hey girls, I was reading some of the other post about shoes. I have a real hard time with shoes because I have big feet. I wear a 10 and some of you were saying that running shoes need to be 1/2 size larger hence my problem.
You cannot find a 10 1/2 in the shoe stores. Womens 1/2 sizes only go up to 9 1/2 and then it's full sizes from there. Well the 11 is way to big and way to wide in the front part of the shoe.

Where to you go to get big shoes for women. I notice when I running on the treadmill or even at the fast walk, that my toes are hitting the end of my shoes because they are the exact size I need.

I have a very narrow foot also, so that complicates things for sizes too.