So I went for my first run today...okay, so it was more of a run/walk, but at least i got out there and tried. I've been going to the gym regularly for about a year, mostly using the elliptical and or bike, so I feel like I'm not in bad shape, but my run was a bit pathetic. I couldn't run for more than five minutes at a time, then I would walk fast, run again, etc.

Anyway, so i'm very curious to hear from other runners, how much you run, how you started, any tips, etc.

I wish you lot would bugger off. I was enjoying this thread, and love to encourage new people to enjoy a sport that I'm passionate about. Grump grump.

Go spruke your filthy wares elsewhere!

running has always been something that I want to do but have never had a plan. I want to compete in a triathalon, that is my goal. Everyone is giving me good ideas on how I can get to my goal

Shape.com has a good triathlon training program. Here's a running program for beginners - everyone's advise on other aspects of training are good (proper shoes, good running form - i.e. relaxed posture, rythmic breathing, etc.). You should be able to comfortably walk 30minutes at a time before training to run.

Jog-Walk Program to run continuously for 20 minutes

Perform each 'week 3 times, resting 1-2 days between runs"

Consistency is key*** - each weeks builds upon the earlier week

If you miss a week, go back to earlier level

Week 1: Run 30 sec. Walk 90 sec. Repeat 10 times

Week 2: Run 60 sec. Walk 60 sec. Repeat 10 times

Week 3: Run 90 sec. Walk 90 sec. Repeat 7 times

Wk 4: Run 2 minutes, Walk 1 minute, Repeat 7 times

Week 5: Run 3 minutes, Walk 1 minute, repeat 5

Wk 6: Run 4 minutes, Walk 1 minute, repeat 4 times

Wk 7: Run 6 minutes, Walk 1 minute, repeat 3 times

Wk 8: Run 9 minutes, Walk 1 minute, repeat 2 minutes

Wk 9: Run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute, Repeat 2 times

Wk 10: Run 12 minutes, Walk 1 minute, repeat 2 times

Wk 11: Run 20 minutes

Tips:

Do not worry about speed at all - go as slow as you need to to complete the run portions - this is about building endurance not about speed.

If you miss a week, move back one week of the program

Even when I was pretty fit - running requires a specific set of muscles and cardio endurance - it was hard for me to run even for 30 seconds in the beginning.

Have fun

Does the bouncing of the back fat ever stop hurting or do you have to lose all of it before it is less painful to run. I did manage to jog 5 of the 37 minutes on the treadmill today but man the lump of chub right above my bum was on fire!

I dont have fat there, but man, I have big boobs. They're trussed up as tight as possible but they still give the the sh.ts. Mostly because of the attention they get when I run outside.

I started run/walking in January....I am now up to 2 miles in 24 minutes. I have done 3 but don't want to burn out....I still have form and strengthening issues to deal with.

My only regret is that I can't run any farther yet....I love the "zone" I get into and it's great for my head. I even find it hard to take a rest day now. (but I do it!)

I'm still carrying about 55+ pounds of excess weight so the fat does bounce....the discomfort goes away pretty quickly though.

Jachut, I am big chested too...sometimes I have to wear 2 bras to keep things from bouncing all over the place...plus they don't need any help stretching out!

Coolrunning and Runnersworld are two great webpages.

Anyway, Hi, I am Lisa, I am a running addict!

:angry BTW...where do these looser spammers or whatever come from....I wish they'd get a real life:mad::mad:

I'm on the treadmill, pre-op doing 3 miles. I love it! The breathing, sweat rolling, I'm going to do a few 5ks this year. Thanks for the links as well.

I love coolrunning! I am doing the couch to 5k. I can actually jog about 16 minutes now. WOW!

I have always wanted to run, but have never been able to. But I've always heard that you can't run if you have flat feet. Well, besides my weight, and my knee and ankle problems, I have flat feet. So even if I loose the weight, will I ever be able to become a runner?

Hi sweet psmama,

I think you can run with flat feet. My husband runs and his feet and ffflllaaattt. Just start really slow and get the best pair of shoes you can. I go to the running room and get them fitted. It may cost $150.00 but it is well worth the chunk of change.

I am now running 5 k in just under 40 minutes. My first 'race' is in 2 weeks... so we'll see how it goes.

Good luck to you.

Dawn

Banded April 4th, 2006

Montreal

358/195/179

I run because I can!!

I have a chronic ankle bursitis problem which is only managed, not cured, by having lost so much weight. I saw a podiatrist and have orthotics as I have a collapsed arch on one side (the side of the bad ankle) due to the weight I put through that leg - which I am trying to address thorugh chiropractic as it is coming from my lower back. I'm pretty convinced if you want to remain biomechanically intact then just NEVER get pregnant :phanvan

So I have my orthotics and I also require a good rigid pronation control shoe as I overpronate as a result. Brooks Adrenaline suit me really well. With all those factors in place and building up slowly, I have been able to develop my running to the point where I can now run 15kms.

The only thing is I cant go stupid over it. I can run 15kms yes, but if I went out and did that every day I'd feel the downside of it. So I do vary the distances, and I do take two rest days in a row each week, although I may do a spin class or something different on those days.

Sweet psmama - yeah you can run but be careful - running is extremely hard on your body and if you carry extra weight it is even worse - hey I'm not saying don't do it there are huge numbers of large sized runners - it is a sport all sizes can do -it requires conditioning and I ran when I was very overweight (people are amazed and say and look at you but that's another thread lol)

what i was going to suggest is maybe consider speed walking. I had a great friend who kicked ass speed walking - in fact she walked faster than i ran (i ran at 5.0 mph) and she could pass me. she was constantly challenging runners to 'race' her or try race walking and they were always without exception blown away.

walking BRISKLY and with proper form burns the same calories as running (although you have to cover the same distance and that may take longer) but is less stressful on your body. You might consider trying that!

A little something you might want to pick up... there's this book out there called "The Courage to Start" and it's a book a TOTAL non-runner wrote about his conversion to being a "runner". It's funny, and it also has really great running advice. Linky below:

http://www.amazon.com/Courage-Start-Guide-Running-Your/dp/0684854554/sr=8-1/qid=1165984920/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-5981557-7694004?ie=UTF8&s=books

there are so many informative books out there

I really enjoyed ""The Courage to Start" John bingham also has one called

"No Need for Speed" very good as well

another one I have enjoyed and got A LOT out of is "Running and Walking for Women over 40: The Road to Sanity & Vanity"

cruise caribean