Getting into running- come and join me!

[FGM]

Hello, I'm on my 3rd week of starting to run. I thought I'd start a general encouragement/ support thread.

At the moment I'm doing run- walk- run- walk and I can't run a whole km yet, but in 3 weeks I have definitely improved. My first goal is 5km. Then- who knows?!

I am finding it hard, but dare I say enjoyable. I charge my ipod up with stuff that I like (rather than nursery tunes) and off I go. My only free time to run is early in the morning: I have 2 small DDs. And the early start means that I don't bump into too many friends . Also it means my halo positively radiates for the rest of the day ! I'm going 3 mornings a week at the moment.

Are you up for it?

Can I join...

Interval training is the best way to get fit and your find that your get fitter and stronger, quicker that way!! I love running when I have the time, it helps clear my head of all the clutter and the stress of the day has vanished within that half hour....!!!

I'd like to join in principle - how active a member I'll be, I'm not sure - am sitting here in new Asics, not having run all day, except round Sainsbo.

Hello twinkle and huggermutha.

Are you going to give the Asics a try tomorrow hugga? Are you new to this too?

Twinkle- my next run will be Wed am and I'm surprised to find that I'm looking forward to it. I get what you say about head-space. How often do you go?

I'm certainly new to it, FGM! I suppose I could run/walk round the block near ds' school tomorrow...

I will report back...

good luck hugga- do report back. my next sesh is tomorrow am.

hi all, twinkle 183 I've literally just done an interval session for the first time with my personal trainer, it was amazing, bloody hard work but feel great. can't reccomend it enough, happy to provide details for anyone that wants it. By the way, I'm a bog standard plodder, having some personal training to increase my speed as I'm so so slow at the minute, really paying off, I've knocked 2 mins off my mile time in 6 weeks. (still not very fast tho!)

Spill gem - give us the details - and whats your mile time? me V slow also

ok ladies, my mile time was 11mins 30 on my first session with trainer. Got it down to 9 mins 15 now. The session we did today was one mile best effort (time 9 mins 15) followed by 2 mins 30 rest, straight into another mile (10 mins 15 secs) then 2 mins 30 rest then another mile (10 mins 32) the aim is to keep your times as consistent as possible, had heart rate monitor on too and was at 90 per cent on forst 2 miles, third one was a killer I was working at nearly 100 per cent, but thats what you need to do tospeed up apparantly. I'm not fast but I'm seeing definite improvements. She's given me a way to do this session on my own too, shorter distances (about 800m) on treadmill or road, set speed about 10kmph on treadmill (faster if you can of course) or best effort outside, only have 1 min 30 rest and repeat 4 times.

by the way FGM,can I join your thread?

Hello FGM and all, I would love to join this thread. I've been running off on for a few weeks trying to get back into shape after baby who is now nearly two. Clearly what I need is inspiration and motivation among you lovely ladies! At the moment I am trying to run twice a week with one session in gym doing weight lifting. But I think I would do better if I did three runs a week and did a session in the gym on top of that. May I join you please?

OK, well I ran round (a bit of) the park near ds' school in the pouring rain. The new Asics were fab and are now duly christened. I am very slow, and was v aware of the fact that I am carting round a load of extra weight since I last attempted to run. I remember from last time how much easier it is once some of the extra burden of fat has gone! I luuuurve personal trainers, gem, but haven't got one atm.

Thanks for the thread, FGM - would not have run round the park without it!

Hi gemmummy and snuppeline, ALL WELCOME on this thread!

I'm a complete beginner and not yet up to running a mile without needing to slow down/ walk but I AM improving. And it does feel good.

Snuppeline- how old is your baby? And how fit are you to start with?
Gemmummy- how long have you been running? The personal session sounds great. Well done on your times.

huggermutha. That's great that you went and in the rain: gold star for you! Glad the Asics were good. When is your next run?

ooh, i have been contemplating this for a few weeks now but i have a few issues maybe you can all help.

1. what do you wear?
2. do you just run or run and walk or how do you start off?
3. as OH lives away i would have no one to mind dcs. i have a neighbour who has dd same age as ds and they are v friendly. i am quite friendly with neighbour too, do you think it would be ok to ask her if she would sit with my dcs for half an hour in the evenings if o took her dogs with me? she is a single parent but has a son of 15 who could sit with her younger dd. they live 2 doors away. do you think that would be ok to ask someone? any pitfalls you could think of?

oh yeah, i dont have an ipod, do you reckon that is vital for running pleasure?

hi FGM, I'm still a beginner really, especially with regards to any sort of distance. I did a 10km race last summer but it was very very slow (1hr 14mins) the reason I've got this trainer is because I am unable to really motivate or push myself, i'm far too lazy to make myself run faster! booyhoo if you're running alone you definitely need some tunes! for clothing, just cheap stuff is fine (tescos do some nice trousers, three quarter lenghth, very comfy) don't spend loads there is no need at all Apart from on your trainers, if you can, get to a proper running shop, they will analyse your feet properly, but there is loads of advice on internet as well, you'll find last seasons lines half price. Post on here when you find a pair you like if you need some advice, asics, mizuno and saucony are all good makes. High vis jacket is essential if running at night. Can get them for a tenner and money well spent. Next do some good sportswear as well. You don't need to spend more than 10/15 quid on bottoms (even less if you look in sports soccer), and I use crappy old t shirts cos I don't like tight fitting tops.

i got a pair of asics... wait a minute...patriots. if that means anything to you. i jsut got them in sports direct. i have black jogging bottoms and a few tshirts that would be passbale for running in. i wonder if i can persuade OH to give me his ipod.

Hi all. I started running last year and did my 1st 5k last summer. I still consider myself very much a beginner though. Anyone who's just starting, well done and keep it up. I couldn't run for more than a couple of minutes when I started. Can't believe I can run for 40 mins now!
If anyone's interested in running as part of a group in order to keep up the motivation, check out www.runinengland.co.uk . They organise local beginners' running groups (I found it by chance, and there happened to be a group in my village!). The one I go to is fantastic. You get a proper teacher, and at £2 per session it must be a lot cheaper than a personal trainer!

hI booyhoo. I agree w gemmummy about clothes. the shoes are the most important thing. A good running shop will analyse/ film your gait as you run- you can have your shoes checked if you want. For bottoms- go for something that won't flap about your ankles.
For reasons of vanity I have some running trousers that are straight leg and have lots of wobble- controlling elastane. Tights are unforgiving!
I wear a random T-shirt on my top half, often with a thermal long sleeved top underneath as I go running early in the morning and it's cold.
A GOOD BRA- eg shock absorber
and a cap- again; if I run early and the sun is coming up it can be very bright in the eyes.

i-pod not essential but desirable IMO. It also helps to make it me-time as I can listen to my choice of tunes. I download stuff that I like and it helps the running if there's a good beat. Think Beyonce, Lady Gaga etc... See if you can persuade your OH.

I run as much as I can then walk until I feel i can run a bit more. Take it at your own pace.

Re your neighbour- it depends on how well you know her: I think half an hour in return for taking her dogs is a reasonable ask.

Hi Goldberry- Great inspiration! 40 mins is fantastic. I've signed up for RaceFor Life. It's 5km and in just under 4 weeks. I don't think I'll be able to run it all but I will improve by then. thanks for the link- will check it out later.

ok thanks. i have sports bras aswell, that have never been worn .

i really do no excercise whatsoever but i have become really lazy and unhealthy since having ds2 a year ago and i need to kick myself into gear. do you think i will be able to do it. i dont like pain.

Thanks for the welcome FGM. My dd is nearly two... I had a personal trainer when I was pregnant which was the first time I've ever had one. We finished when I was at 37 weeks. At which point I started sitting around promptly! I used to be a gym bunny and carried a lot less weight around but have put on quite a lot of weight with my dd and haven't got into a proper routine of exercise since she was born. Anyway, this tread will hopefully give me the right kick up the backside and change all that! Fitness level now is very low, I run only about 30 mintues when I run and its stop-start-stop-start. I guess its both lack of lung capacity, muscle tone and also the increased weight which makes me so slow and tired. I've not been good at doing the interval bit, more like running for as long as I can then walking for a bit and then running again. But the ratio of running to walking (as given above) isn't right I don't think so I'll take the good tips from here when I run next.

For me a really good sports bra (shock absorber) and ipod are essential running kit. I've not had new shoes in a good while but invested in some new running clothes to get my motivation up as I don't fit into any of my old stuff.

Anyone got any good tunes they would recommend for an ipod? My list could do with an update.

Oh by the way, I stumbled across this "training in the park" thing (www.one-element.co.uk/) which is personal trainers working with groups in local parks (not sure if its country wide but several parks in my area have them) so I'm having a trial with them on Saturday.

I'm aiming for a run tomorrow evening too!

morning all, who went for a run last night then? booyhoo you will definitely be able to do it, start off small, don't expect miracles and you will grow to love the feeling on a crisp cold morning, even 10-15 mins steady jog will burn around 250 calories!

I went to my running group last night. We did 10 mins gentle jog warm-up, 20 mins run, 10 mins gentle jog cool down. I was completely knackered afterwards. The group was billed as a 10 week course, but the instructor asked if anyone wanted the group to carry on after the 10 weeks were up, and almost everyone said yes - I'm really glad because it really helps with the motivation.

Hi ladies, I went for my run this am- and I'm getting further each time before needing to walk a bit, as well as needing to walk less before being able to run more.

must go kids need me...