Running tips?

[happyhappymummy]

Hello any runners out there that could give me a little advice please??

What do you want to know?

am not a proper runner but i do go for a jog or a run now and then but son in law is a pe in armed forces..his advice is to invest in some good running shoes and takes things slow, to gradually build up strength and stamina ...good luck x

Hi thanks :)
Well Im about 3 stone over weight. Im not completely unfit as I go to zumba a few times a week. Just started to run. I have running shoes.
Im walking/running to build slowly. It just hurts. Like Im completely out of breath after about 2 minutes. Is this normal for a beginner? I was thinking jesus Im going to kill myself. Iv just started a week a go. I know its early days but Im thinking this hurts, but really really want to do it.
Do you walk for so long and jog for so long?

Get your gait checked and get appropriate shoes, which doesn't necessarily mean expensive, just right for you. A good sports bra is needs too.

After that start slowly and increase gradually. The couch 2 5k programme is excellent if you're a beginner. Even if it seems easy to begin with, don't progress too quickly - that's how you get injured.

Join a club! Best £10 pa I spend by far and many have a run/walk or a very slow run group for beginners.

Or did you want to know something else?

Hi Happy x post. Yes that's absolutely normal - I couldn't run 100 yards to begin with, but if you stick with it and run 3-4 times a week it's amazing how quickly you improve. I'd say run 30-45 secs, walk 90 secs for the first week and increase very slowly.

Also don't try to run to fast, you're just aiming for a slow jog, at least to begin with.

02 thanks.
Yes my plan is to do the race for life. This only gives me about 8 weeks. Not sure going by how Im running Im gonna be able to run it all.
I have shoes and a sports bra. Its the pace and feeling so out of breath. Not sure how long to run and how long to walk. Not sure how long and how often I should be training per week?
I would love to join a club but too embarrassed at the moment. I would def be left behind. I honestly cant run longer than 2 mins thats terrible. I hope this increases.

Absolutely normal.
I did Couch Potato which is walking and running to start with and I often thought I was going to die :)

Also don't compensate for the running with more food like I did then wonder why you don't lose anything

3 years down the line I love running, have done several 5ks, a 10k and a half marathon with another on the horizon and am a grumpy s*d if I don't get out for a while - its my 'thinking time'.

Go for it.

02 me too :)
Oh really? Oh good Im so glad its not just me.
3-4 so every other day? How long for?
Ok thats sounds good. Will try that :)

Couch to 5K is the answer!

Honestly, it works, it's very structured so you don't do too much too quickly. I couldn't run for 60 seconds when I started and could do 30 minutes without stopping just 9 weeks later.

Loads of support threads on here as well.

Thanks feet :)
Im glad this is normal. I was running this morning and when I stopped I was so out of breath I was thinking oh my god I cant breath and its a bit scary.
No I def wont be eating extra food. Im on a mission to shed 3 stone.
Well done you. I would love to do the same.
Do you take an ipod out with you?

Thanks Coin.
Wow these messages make me feel better. 9 weeks thats fab. Oh I do hope thats me. I would love to run for that long.

Ok fab Couch to 5k it is :)

I'd do 20-30 mins 3-4 times a week with maybe and 10 min walk warm up and down if you have the time.

If you find the right club you absolutely won't be left behind. Some clubs are just for "serious" runners (Don't like that term, we're all serious once we get hooked!) but lots are for everyone. At our club we have a walk group and a run/ walk group then 4-5 running groups for different paces. Sometimes we even add on a slow walk group if we have some new members who are struggling.

Joining 4 years ago changed my life in more ways than you can imagine.

02 thats fab :)
Ok I will def take a look into that.
Feeling positive again now. Thanks for all the advice very much appreciated :)
I need some kind of watch to monitor my time I guess. Maybe an ipod too.

IMO an ordinary watch will do to begin with, although you will want all the gadgets in time. Don't run with an ipod though, it's not safe if you can't hear the traffic and what's going on around you.

Ok cool. I dont wear a watch so will have to get one anyway. I was using my phone this morning but was a little annoying and as it was raining.
Thanks :)

Another person here to say it's completely normal but if you stick at a run/walk type Couch to 5k programme you will build up your stamina really quickly and surprise yourself!

I started running last Sept after 10 years of not really doing it at all and was 2 stone overweight post babies. I joined a beginners running group one day a week and we started with 1 min run, 1 min walk. I did a couple of other runs myself each week. By November I ran a 5k, without stopping, in 35 mins. I started training for a 10k in about Feb (it's next weekend - eeek!) and am really hooked on running now. I'm 1 stone down (watching diet as well), loads of inches lost (and gone from a big 16 to a medium 14) and I feel great, so much more energetic. On Saturday I ran my second 5k at my local parkrun and knocked 4 mins of my time in November which I am thrilled about!

What has helped me is:

1. Joining a running group - motivates me and makes it sociable and ensures I get at least one really good run per week (it's easier to take it easy on your own than when with a group)
2. Having a 5k as a target to force myself out when I felt rubbish and give me an aim. Check out parkrun.com to find your nearest completely free 5k. Parkrun is fantastically friendly and welcoming to new runners.
3. Measuring myself maybe every month so I can see the difference it is having on my hips and thighs
4. Recently started running to music makes running alone so much more pleasurable and the time go more quickly. Also a few uplifting tunes really help me get up hills!
5. Finding different routes rather than running the same one each time, to vary it and keep it inetresting.

Good luck!

Also, make sure you eat some protein rather than carbs within about 30 mins of finishing - protein shake, nuts, yoghurt etc. I think this helps with the fat burn or something

Thanks lemniscate :)
Thanks for the tips.
Well done you. Bet you feel fab :)
These posts have really helped cos I thought nope never gonna do this but believe I can now :) Im quite excited.
Oh I will have to start measuring myself too then. I carry alot of my weight around my tummy and butt. To see measurements go down will be fab.
Im def gonna look into a clu. I think it will do me good also. Will look for a parkrun also.
Good luck with the 10k. Im sure you will be fab :)

You only need a cheap watch. I don't normally wear one but got a £5 digital one with a stopwatch feature just for running. Try your local market :)

I would agree with varying your routes. I got stuck in a bit of a rut running round the streets but then decided to explore the countryside and haven't looked back.
As for anything else, you need to try things out to see what suits you - I'm usually a very sociable person but much prefer running on my own, I also love music but don't listen to it when I'm running

Go for it and enjoy it :)

If you have a look here:
www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/couch-to-5k-plan.aspx
the NHS have put together podcasts for each of the Couch to 5K runs - they're really good, a lady tells you when to walk and when to run, and gives you tips as well. This way you don't need a watch, but there is music on the podcasts, so you have to be ok with running to music.

i bought a watch in asda for about £3 - it shows hour, minutes and seconds and has a little button you can press that lights it up (handy if a bit dark outside when you are running/walking). you can also set it to beep at certain intervals (but i have never read the instructions in order to do this . Good luck - you can do it!!! I started last summer and could not run/jog for 30 seconds - now I am doing 5Ks no problem. Take it very easy but start thinking of yourself - now - as a runner!!

feetheart.. Got myself a cheap watch too :) Im running on a straight road at the mo out of the way so noone sees me haha.
study.. thankyou will look at that link now.
lady.. Thankyou.woe well done. Iv been walking 5 and running 2 and I feel its getting easier already. Im really pleased and I cant wait to get out there again. Oh I like the sound of that. Me a runner :)

Happyhappymummy, when is your race for life (sorry if I missed it further up) ...Im doing one in July and Im also a non runner but want to start building myself up ....I do have a problem with my breathing rather than my legs hurting etc ....am definately gonna check out the couch to 5k thing.

Star xx

Hey Starxx :)
Its the end of June. There is a link on here from study. Very helpful :)
After reading everyones posts I thought right Im gonna do this.
I have been again tonight and I am so excited as it does get easier everybody was spot on :) I can now run 3 mins and 2 mins walking. I know its not much but for me this is amazing. 2 weeks ago I could just do a minute and after 2 I thought I was going to die! Now after 3 Im out of breath but its not as bad.
I cannot wait to run for a full 20 mins.
Good luck let me know how you get on :)