Learning to Run

[torsie24]

Hi all!

I have lsot weight dieting, but I really want to get properly fit.

Yesterday I went for my first run since I had surgery in early February, I only managed a mile and most of it was fast walking .

I wanted to know if any of you have successfully gone from being non-runners to runners and how you did it.

I'm pretty unfit at the minute, and really an't run for any more than a minute at a time, but I want to make sure I'm super fit and have strong legs for WDW in october!

 

[ohMom]

have you looked at the "Couch to 5k" program? i have not done it myself but there seem to be alot of WISHers that liked it.

and -- there is no shame in fast walking! i'm a 'powerwalker' mostly b/c i don't like to run and my feet yell at me if I try. i discovered fast walking and love it!

 

[torsie24]

Thank you - I'll go look at that now!

 

[airtime247]

First, congratulations on the weight loss and on your decision to become more fit. Good for you!

I also highly recommend the Couch to 5k program. My wife just completed it and did really well.

I was never an athlete either but started running after losing some weight like you did. I've lost another 30 lbs since I started running. I don't know if you have any more you would like to lose but running is a great way to get there as well as improve your overall fitness.

In addition to the C25K program, recommend you look into one of Jeff Galloway's books and maybe even Marathoning for Mortals, even if that is never your goal. They have so much good information in them about how to increase your mileage and endurance without injury.

I wish I had read one when I started running as I was frequently getting injured in the first six months. This was mostly due to my cheap shoes and trying to increase my mileage too early.

They also stress the benefits of a walk/run routine rather than just trying to run the entire distance. You may start out at jogging for 90 seconds and then walking for a minute. Two weeks later, you might increase to two minutes jogging and walking a minute, etc. My last injury was just before I switched to a walk/run routine and I've greatly increased my speed and endurance since then and am much faster overall than I ever used to be, even with including walk breaks.

I would also go to a shop that speciailzes in running equipment. They can watch you walk or run to see if you overpronate or have any other issue that will require a specific type of shoe.

I hope this helps. Best of luck to you!

-steve

 

[torsie24]

Wow - thanks Steve!!

I looked at the C25K last night and I can't wait to get started! That's great our wife has done so well with it too! I can;t imagine ever being able to jog for 5km and that I could be doing it in 8 weeks seems crazy!!

Just think though, I have 23 weeks until WDW so I can be super fit by then!!

I'll hvae a look into those books on Amazon!

And don;t worry about me combining walking and jogging!! No way can I jog for more than a minute or two!! But seriously I will remeber your advice!

 

[liznboys]

Hi torsie, I remember you from carissanboys trip report.

I'm just finishing up the C25K program and I highly recommend it!! I was not a runner at all before I began it 9 weeks ago. I had no idea what to expect with it and I am so impressed. I went from 60 seconds of jogging being a challenge, to now being able to jog an entire 5K. It works, it really works!! LOL I've been posting on the C25K thread on here and it's been a huge help to me, you should join it! Good luck!!

 

[airtime247]

You're very welcome Torsie. Please do keep us posted on your progress!

One more thing I recommend after you complete the program is to sign up for a local 5K race. I wasn't prepared for the amazing feeling competing in a race gave me. It was (and still is) such an adrenaline rush to have all those people cheering you along and the sense of accomplishment of crossing that finish line is indescribable. It will make you even more proud of your weight loss and fitness accomplishments.

-steve

 

[torsie24]

Hi torsie, I remember you from carissanboys trip report.

I'm just finishing up the C25K program and I highly recommend it!! I was not a runner at all before I began it 9 weeks ago. I had no idea what to expect with it and I am so impressed. I went from 60 seconds of jogging being a challenge, to now being able to jog an entire 5K. It works, it really works!! LOL I've been posting on the C25K thread on here and it's been a huge help to me, you should join it! Good luck!!

Wow! Well done finishing up and doing it all in 9 weeks! I wouldn't be surprised if there's a couple of weeks I have to do more than once because even the 60 seconds seems a bit daunting at the moment!! I'll definitely pop in on the C25K thread! Thank you!

You're very welcome Torsie. Please do keep us posted on your progress!

One more thing I recommend after you complete the program is to sign up for a local 5K race. I wasn't prepared for the amazing feeling competing in a race gave me. It was (and still is) such an adrenaline rush to have all those people cheering you along and the sense of accomplishment of crossing that finish line is indescribable. It will make you even more proud of your weight loss and fitness accomplishments.

-steve

Eeee, the thought of a race puts fear into my heart! But I'm sure once I'm a few weeks in it'll seem less daunting!

 

[PixieDust32]

Hi. What's the "Couch to 5k program"? thanks.

 

[torsie24]

Hi!

You can find all about it here - www.c25k.com it also has a link to the page with the programme on.

I am on week 1 day 3 now and am really really loving it! I never touhgt i'd ever enjoy running, but it is such a great balance that you feel really encouraged that you are doing well!!

Please try it!

 

[PixieDust32]

Thank you so much!

 

[airtime247]

If anyone is interested in doing the C25K and has an Ipod, there are free podcasts you can download from the ITunes store with music and a voice comes on telling you when to walk and when to start jogging again. There is one episode per week.

My wife downloaded them and said they really helped her as it was hard to keep track of starting and stopping, especially when dealing with increments of 90 seconds.

-steve

 

[torsie24]

If anyone is interested in doing the C25K and has an Ipod, there are free podcasts you can download from the ITunes store with music and a voice comes on telling you when to walk and when to start jogging again. There is one episode per week.

My wife downloaded them and said they really helped her as it was hard to keep track of starting and stopping, especially when dealing with increments of 90 seconds.

-steve

Thanks for this steve!! I'm actually going to make my own for week 3 tomorrow with some of my favourite songs (including disney, lol)

I figure if I choose a different 90/120 secs for each song the time will fly by!!

Although so far I've not wanted my runs to be over!

 

[Carpenters]

I went from not being able to run a quarter of a mile a couple of months ago to being able to run 2 miles easily tonight. Couch to 5K---I highly recommend it! Warm up and cool down, and don't forget to stretch afterward. You can totally do it!

 

[Alice1386]

This is great info everyone! I am totallyexcited now!!! I am definitely what you would call a couch bum and I am planning on jogging and completing the 2010 Princess half-marathon as an inspiration to get into better shape. The "C25k" program sounds perfect!!!

 

[cwnhokie]

I am on Week 6 of the C25K, everybody come join us on the C25K thread here on the WISH boards.