Any runners? Or new runners?

[dakcp2001]

Hi everyone! I used to love to run, when I was in my early 20's. It was great stress relief and I felt strong and healthy. I want to start running again. BUT at this point I am so out of shape and although I have lost 22 lbs this summer (YAY!) I still have more to lose! SO although I am getting lighter and the diet is going well, I am still a bit overweight.

Any advice on going from totally out of shape to getting back into it? I start school this week so I know I will be super busy, but I also know this kind of stress reliefand cardio will help a lot this year.

ANy ladies well endowed? Recommendations on Sports Bras for women with VERY large bust (DDD) I did not have this problem in my early 20's and they are a hinderance when trying to jog.

 

[fall08CP]

I was a competitive swimmer for about 15 years but got totally burnt out on the sport. I began running last March and have kept it up pretty well. I started the Couch to 5K running plan and am now looking into the Gateway to 8k. There's a great thread on the WISH board about the c25k and the posters there are extremely encouraging!

 

[SAHDad]

Yep. Plenty of runners here on the forums. If you head over to the WISH section, you'll find plenty of runners, and probably at least a couple who can answer your question.

As far as getting back into it - take it easy, and keep your pace slow and your miles low. Don't increase your mileage by more than about 10% per week, nor the length of your longest run. (You can fudge this a little - going from 2 miles on a run to 2.5, instead of 2.2. Just don't try to go from 2 mile to 5 miles in only a week or two.)

 

[redlight]

I've also lost about 20 pounds this year, partly from running. I had a little injury a couple weeks ago, so I've been taking it slow.

I agree with advice above: start small, and build up slowly.

I'm also busty, so I know what you mean. Look into enell sports bras.

 

[monkey68]

I used to run, and I started with the Couch to 5K plan. It's simple, and pushes you without you realizing it. Although I started from around week 2 or 3 I think, since I wasn't exactly a complete couch potato, and I seem to remember being able to do the times in week 1 very easily, so I just skipped it.

ETA: As to sports bras, that's always a big problem for me as well, since I'm also rather busty. I never found a sports bra that works well enough for me, so I would wear a regular bra, usually a minimizer, which would really eliminate the bounce more than any sports bra I tried. I would avoid the cute, lacy ones since lace and sweat doesn't feel very good on your skin. But that's just what worked for me. I know people that swear by the enell bras, but they're a bit too expensive for me.

 

[redlight]

I didn't do the Couch to 5K program, but I know people who have. It's worked for them.

 

[Jen414]

I, too, started couch to 5K. I started it in January and ran my first 5K the last Saturday in March. I've run about 5 other 5K's since. At this point, I have no problem running 5.5 miles and plan on doing the Tufts 10K for Women in a few weeks. It's really a great program and I highly recommend it.

 

[Rafiki31]

Can someone direct me to this couch to 5k program also? Where are the details?

 

[Ronda93]

I started running with C25K and it was great for me.
www.c25k.com
you can get the podcasts here

I have an Enell bra. The problem for me is it's really expensive and I'm shrinking. It has no adjustment possibilities. I am happier with my Champion Powersleek bras.

Congratulations on getting started. Good luck.

Ronda

 

[quentina]

I am also a former runner (20 years ago) and started again...I need to lose weight. I will say, after the first mile I am pleased I am here to write the tale. Wow...it totally sucked.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

You can do it!! I had never run in my life and started 4 years ago. I've now done 3 half marathons. I still don't look like a runner, but I feel a lot better.

I started with walking 5 minutes and then running 2 and so forth until I had reached 30 minutes. I gradually added a minute of running and took away a minute of walking. I still remember when I hit 30 minutes running. Now I usually do a 40 minute run, 3-4 times a week although more the times I trained for a half.

Good luck!!

 

[FireDancer]

I would also suggest going over to the WISH boards. You will find runners of all abilities and most of them have been at the same place you are.

I will echo everyone who said start slow. The worst thing to do is go out and try to go to far after so much time off. I would start slow and do what you are comfortable with and go by the 10% rule. Never add more than 10% to the furthest you have run, either daily or weekly.

The best advice I can give to any runner is to go to an actual running store to get sized up for shoes. A good running store will take multiple measurements of your foot, put you on a treadmill to analyze your gait, and make recommendations. They'll watch you run in shoes to see if one seems to correct any gait issues more than another. I would also recommend replacing the liner from the factory with one that has more support, I use Super Feet. Again, the running store will have recommendations.

Have you looked at any programs? On the WISH boards a lot of people like the couch to 5K program (C25K) and there are many threads about it.

I can't help you on the well endowed issue.