Can you help? I want to be a runner....

[LauraNorder]

....but I don't know where to start Can I have some help?

[AlCrowley]

Choose a route of a decent length - say 3 - 5k then go do it. You might not be able to run it all at first but run as far as you can, then walk till you recover, then run again, then walk, run, walk, run, walk etc.

If you do it regularly, you'll start running more of it and walking less until eventually, you'll be running the lot. Then extend the route.

That's how I started and I can run 5 - 7k quite comfortably now just 4 months later

[SweetestThing]

Go to www.runnersworld.co.uk and download a schedule for beginners. There are lots of threads on their forum for beginners so you can ask questions and benefit from others' experiences.

Good luck! Running is such a great way to feel better about yourself.

[monkeysavingexpertdotcom]

OK - just IMHO:

Find a time of day that suits you.
You need 5 mins for warm up, 20 mins to run/walk nad another 5 mins to warm down. And enough time for a shower.
If you're really unfit start with runwalkrunwalk - can be 2 mins of each, take a watch or time yourself on your phone. Do it for 20 mins. Even if you don't want to stop walking/running after 2 mins the first time, stick with it.
It gets easier very quickly and soon you'll be running nearly all the way, then you'll find you want to stay out for longer.
Get decent trainers. Use what you have for now provided they're ok.
Make sure you're comfortable; pants that stay up, bra that fits and doesn't wobble, stuff like that can be really annoying and distracting.
Don't worry about walking up slight inclines/hills.
I did that, and in about three months I was doing 5k in just over 30 mins - from having done absolutely no exercise for about 15 years and being about a stone and a half overweight.
Enjoy.

[LauraNorder]

I have never been a runner. Have tried it on different occasions but hated it.

I really want it to work for me as it's something I can fit around DH and the children. I also would like to do something like a 5k run - the feeling of achievement would be really important to me.

I need to loose a little weight and I am so far achieving this by diet alone but obviously exercise will assist this.

I need to get beyond this "I can't run" mentality I have

[LauraNorder]

wow Monkey - I am impressed!

[popsycal]

you need a beginners 5k programme

I was arunning-phobe and couldnt run

Inow do half marathons....

[monkeysavingexpertdotcom]

Do you think that might work for you? I go first thing in the morning. (although I've not been for a while but you have inspiored me to go tomorrow). Then when I get back I wake everyone up and hop in the shower. Honestly I'm the last person you'd expect to run and I don't really I sort of waddle but when I'm doing it a few times a week I feel great and the weight does tend to come off. I made myself do it by signing up for a race of life two years ago. I'm trying to do the same now and sign up for a 10k in the autumn.
You have to not worry about what you might look like; noone will look at you. Take water and your phone and make sure you're warm enough but not too hot. Then if it's for you, you can start looking at nice running stuff.

[monkeysavingexpertdotcom]

Race for life

[LauraNorder]

OMG - half marathons? That's brilliant!

OK I'll give it a go just like you describe Monkey. I'll check out some beginners programmes. I REALLY want this to work. I do NO exercise, I have 3 children so going to the gym is not impossible but difficult as DH is away a lot and not always at the same time every week.

The next town to me has a half marathon in a couple of weeks time - I would love to aspire to this in a couple of years time Maybe I should look for some 3/5k races locally to have a goal in mind?

[coffeeinbed]

Get fitted for good shoes - otherwise bye bye pretty feet, a good bra - well! - and make sure you stretch at the end.
Ipod helps me a lot.
Go slowly and steady. Walk isome f you have to.
And I do it early - makes me feel much better for the day.

[trixymalixy]

download a couch to 5k podcast.

[NonnoMum]

Great thread. Have been thinking about this for a while now. Might get my arse in gear...

[JeMeSouviens]

Join here the MN thread for inspiration

MNrs doing the Couch to 5km

This is the podcast normally used:
Podcast robert Ullrey


I started mid winter 2009, and went from a complete non-runner to being able to do 7km easily and on my way to 10km, by about August. Unfortunately am not running at the moment, 9 days til DS2 arrives, and then will start up again, probably just in time for another mid winter!

[NonnoMum]

Wow! Well done. And good luck with No 2! Will just fly out!

[Goldberry]

Good for you, LauraNorder! I started running about 2 years ago. I couldn't have been more of a non-runner before that. HATED running at school. Hadn't done much exercise for years and was seriously unfit and overweight. Also had high bp after ds was born.
I am now training for a 10k in September and did my first 5k last year. Have lost quite a lot of weight and have joined a local running group. I started really slowly - walk for one minute, jog for one minute etc. I would never have believed that I would now be able to run for an hour without stopping!
I would seriously recommend a running group. Not a running club (until you get really keen!), but have a look at www.runinengland.co.uk . They organise complete beginners' running groups. Mine is fab and has really improved my running. Some of the group had never run before and can now run for 30 mins no problem.
Sorry for long post - I seem to have got a bit evangelical about running .

[fridayschild]

I'd recommend running with others as well.

I'm in a running club - however I could do 5k before I joined and had done 7 mile runs before the children.

Running with others makes you go running on days when you would not go, at the toss of a coin. It makes you run the distance you intended to at the start of the run, instead of giving up half way round. And if they are ever so slightly faster or fitter than you, it makes you speed up.

If you join a running club you should ask them if they have any walk-run members. That will give a feel for how serious they are as a club. I'm in SW London and the clubs here range from the very serious indeed to my one, where it's quite acceptable to miss the run and just show up at the pub afterwards.

Or if your DC are at school/nursery would anyone else be interested in running with you immediately after drop-off?

[monkeysavingexpertdotcom]

Have you been yet Laura? (bossy)

[LauraNorder]

No not yet but have downloaded the podcasts. DH works away in the week so have to wait until he gets back. Feel fired up and ready to go though

[monkeysavingexpertdotcom]

Well? (Taps foot).

[Chinwag]

I started from scratch using this

www.bupa.co.uk/running/training/training-programmes/beginner-5km/

I didn't progress as fast as they say on the programme, but I think it is important to go at your own pace. I just repeated sessions until I felt I could move on.

Now after a year or so I can do 5-10k.

I also joined a women's running group, which keeps me motivated. I'm not good on my own. They have a beginners, 5k and 10k group in my area.

www.womensrunningnetwork.co.uk/

With running and Weight Watchers combined, I lost 20lbs.

[tweakers]

marking place for a proper read later