Who does races?

[ryan_86 335]

I just signed up for my first race, a 10k in October. I'm following a RunKeeper training plan.

Who else races, and how did you get started? Any tips?

[swimbikerun 1,038]

I used to race. Did you find a local running club? They can help. You can look on the web for suggestions. All those can supplment what you have.

Best of luck! You can do this.

[Lannie 135]

There ar a lot of apps with decent training plans. Have you run before? One mistake new runners make is to start too fast and then get discouraged. When starting you should be able to speak in full sentences....if not, your going too fast. Overtime your cardiovascular strength will improve and you can push harder, faster. Make sure you allow time to build up your endurance.

[naturegirl 320]

I've been running for years now, started a few years before I had my surgery. They only differences between now and then are I'm faster, have less weight on my knees, have excess skin that makes for funny in motion pictures, a am not out of breathe as quick. When I first started I downloaded a free C25K (couch to 5k app). It was a good way to start and I adjusted as I needed to as I was not in the best shape. Fast forward to today, I run 5k races a few times a month. They are my accountability to keep exercising; my goal. This year alone I have completed 2 10k and have 2 more 10ks planned as well as a half a half marathon.

My advice, take it slow. Don;t push yourself. Interval run/walk methods can be your friend when you're starting out. Don't get discouraged if you are unable to run specific distances without stopping. You also don't need a PR )personal record) each time. For instance, last weekend I went into my 10k don;t feeling that great. My goal was to just finish, and preferably under 1:20:00 min. I did just that. My time was actually only about 30 seconds slower than my May 10k time. Imagine if the course had been flatter, I might have actually beat it.

Good luck.

[jess9395 5,448]

Me!!! Started with couch to 5k app about three weeks post op and now I'm running half and full marathons, 200 mile relay races, triathlons and more!

You've gotten good advice. Take it slow. Intervals are great, I used them for my first year and a half of races.

[Newme17 3,444]

Ditto what everyone else says! I am not doing any running until I lose some more weight, but I am signing up to do a Tough Mudder next year. Have you considered one of them, maybe? There's no race, just a lot of fun, mud, and obstacle courses. LOL Training is involved with this as well.

Have fun with your races!!

[jess9395 5,448]

Tough Mudder and Spartans are a lot of fun but way harder than racing in my humble opinion!

Toughest thing I ever did, but totally worth it!