Runners-beginners only please

May I ask why beginnners? Wouldn't you like some of that info from seasoned runners?

I find running on a treadmill easier than running on the ground. But way more boring. And running, IMO, is pretty boring to start with.
I run to ease my guilt of not being very active the rest of the day. And for moral support for DH who has to run for his job. He hates it as much as I do. We also take the dog, who seems to be the only person in our family who enjoys the sport. We try for 3 days a week.
I increase my distance as I am able, doing what is comfortable but a little bit more than the day before. Sometimes that is more distance and sometimes it's faster, but less distance. And sometimes it's less than the day before, but at least I'm out there. When I started back up about 6 weeks ago I could maybe make it a 1/4 mile before I was sucking in oxygen like an asthmatic. I've progressed pretty well and am almost to my mile and a half goal of running without walking. Just a 2 blocks off.
We go out at 6 AM and it is already pushing 80 degrees. So part of my motivation to add speed/endurance is to get back home to the AC sooner.
I wear Asics and have for years. But I don't love the ones I have right now, they don't grip my heel firmly.

Okay, I know you asked for beginners, but I can't keep my trap shut. We were all beginners once, so I can answer, right?


One thing that stuck with me when I was beginning was a therapist told me not to give in to my feelings; ie, I don't FEEL like running today. So, on those days I told myself I'd go out for 10 minutes and if I still didn't FEEL like running I could stop. It was very rare that I stopped. Now, as a seasoned runner I will say that I find it easier to stop when on a treadmill. If you are a mile from home it's going to take a while to walk home, so might as well run it.


As for increasing distance, do so slowly or else you will increase the likelihood of an injury. I think the rule of thumb is no more than 10% increase at a time. 

I run for all of the above. When I started it was for weight loss. Now it's for keeping weight off, and more importantly my mental fitness. I suffer from low level depression when running...if I don't run I need drugs. 

Running is much more fun when running with friends. Sometimes you get caught up in a conversation and the miles fly by. Join a running group that is for beginners to advanced. Really, you won't find a nicer, more encouraging group of people, and you'll find you look forward to running. 

Go to a running store to be fitted for shoes. It makes all the difference in the world. 

I hope I didn't make you feel bad by posting. I just love (sometimes hate with a passion) running, and I love getting others addicted....misery loves company. 

Good luck!

I'm going to butt in although I've run multiple 5ks and a 10K, but I suck and I hate running, but love to say that I run. LOL

I haven't run since my last 5K in May, almost 4 months pregnant. I was out of shape since I really hadn't trained much since the Turkey Trot 10k on Thanksgiving, so I decided to "retire" until early spring.

I highly recommend the Couch2-5K app. It's a great motivating tool that gets you going, but won't kill you. Really. It won't. My husband is living proof as well and he hates running even more than I do.

I ran my first 5k in 2008 at 240 pounds, so if I can do it, anyone can!

I like to run both on the treadmill and outside, really no preference, but they are very different. I find that I go a bit slower on the treadmill, but I'm at a consistent speed, unlike when I'm on my own outdoors.

I must listen to music when running outside. My heavy breathing is a horrid distraction. I can sometimes read on my Kindle while on the treadmill as long as I'm not doing faster intervals. I will bash my face off the console and proceed to fly off of the belt for sure if I don't focus 100%.

My biggest motivation is self doubt. I push myself because I don't think I can do it and then I do it out of spite. Just when I think I'm going to pass out, die or some other horrible thing, I make myself go just a bit further, a bit longer, a bit harder. That feels better afterwards than the horrible guilt I'd otherwise feel if I'd given up.

I'm not cute when I run, I am not fast by any means, but I have adorable sneakers and it sure as hell burns more calories in less time than walking. I can't wait until it's over, but it's an awesome feeling once it is.

Lace up your shoes and just go.

I started running two years ago (at the age of 54).  Running a 5k was on my bucket list and I wasn't getting any younger .  I usually run on either an indoor track or the treadmill.  Running on the treadmill seems easier to me.

I did the couch-to-5k and ran (VERY slowly) a 5k race last year.  I now run 30 minutes three times a week (2.5 miles on the treadmill, a little less than that on the track).

I run for cardio fitness  - I would like to say for weight loss, but I have actually gained 10 pounds since I started running.

I run alone.

i have nike running shoes.  They are fine, but I can't say I love them.

Do you run outside of on a treadmill? outside - I had a treadmill once years ago and hated it and it took up an awful lot of space for something that mostly held clothes and collected dust.
Which one do you find easier? there is no easier when it comes to running but I prefer outside
How much do you increase your distance over what amount of time? I'm running/walking intervals - I'm not really aiming to increase distance especially, more just mix things up and work different muscles.
Do you run for weight loss, stress relief, cardio/fitness, or all of the above? lower my blood glucose is my primary goal, weight loss is a secondary goal. Years ago (pre-knee injury/kids/etc...) as a teen, I would run when I got stressed or angry
Do you run alone? yes
Also, what shoes do you love? I don't love shoes - I'm a barefoot person 90% of the time. I have a pair of Addidas that I wear for walking/running - I don't hate them but they irritate my pinky toe on my right foot

I started "running" the first of July. Okay not really running, per say, more like walking really fast with an occasional spurt of running/jogging thrown in. I couldn't really breathe and run, so I am working my way up to running. The dog comes with me as well. And for the first few outings pulled me along at times.

I attempted this once before and failed. That time I was using a treadmill and it sucked!!! I hated every single minute and was bored to tears. Then I messed up one of my calves and had to quit. Could barely walk on it. It took months to heal.

This time, I've managed 121 miles for July in 20 workouts outside. I've gone from a 16 min mile to a 14 min mile. Each day I either try to go a bit faster or a bit longer, depending on how much time I have and how I feel. I started at 5 miles and I'm up to 7.5 miles. I average about 6 to 6.5 miles most days. 99% walking fast. It's FL. I'm not getting out until 8am and it's HOT!

But, I find outside is soo much easier than inside. Inside is sooooo boring! And outside there are people to say hi to, dogs to "visit", wildlife to see (birds, fish, squirrels, etc), flowers to look at, etc. I think it helps to find a fun path route take. I tried our neighborhood streets, but they were yuck! Garbage cans, recycling etc. Not a fun path. Then I found if I skipped the streets and kept to the community path around the retention ponds there was an occasional breeze and it was just a nicer overall workout. It does mean repeating the same path 2 or 3 times to get the distance, but even still it's more enjoyable.

I tried a 1 or 2 different apps, and so far I like the Nike running app (free) the best. It automatically pauses for doggie potty breaks, announces your distance/speed etc and has other options coaching/challenges that I haven't played with yet. But best for me is it adds up your miles. So you can see those 5 and 6 milers adding up to 100 etc. It really keeps me going and has me pushing myself for that extra 1 or 2 mile.

I am doing it mostly to loose a few pounds. Okay I want my muffin top gone!

For shoes I am still using my $50 Adidas walking/cross trainers that are a few years old. I only use to wear them when the weather got to cold for flip flops, so they are almost new. LOL! I am hesitant to spent $ on running shoes until I see if I can make this stick. When I do, I will hit the running store and get their advise, so that if I need to exchange them I can.

Thanks.

Many of us older runners on Yoki's threads all do run-walk-running, as espoused by Jeff Galloway.  It isn't a goal of mine to ever run long distances without walking.  I think I'm settling on 1:45 running- 1:00 walking.  I just started running last September, but run-walk-running has allowed me to run several 5 Ks, one 10K, and 2 half marathons since then.  I'm 51 and literally hadn't run a step since 9th grade.  I pass plenty of 100% runners during my races, especially after the halfway point. Running non-stop does not have to be a goal for anyone -  especially if running is challenging.

Treadmill is easier physically because the ground is moving, but is psychologically much harder for me due to boredom. I'd prefer to run outside any day of the year. 

Running shoes should be much larger than what you would buy for casual shoes.  You should have a thumb's space between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe.  Otherwise, you'll start losing toenails as you increase your mileage. I may never run in anything but Hoka One One's. They have been heaven-sent - my feet have never felt better.

Yeah, it makes it easier to use my running shoes just for running and not rack up extra miles on them because they are too big for just bopping around.

I just wanted to say that I really hope you'll come by the weekly walkers & runner threads. I've been doing this for a few years, but I'm still a beginner runner. I've had to start from scratch more than once and I learn new stuff all the time - mostly due to talking to other people who know more than me. (And because I make mistakes all the dang time! I've been meaning to write a post on the weekly thread about my most recent one, actually!)

I start the threads because most people in my real life don't run & I try not to be too annoying about it on Facebook. It's nice to talk to and learn from everyone who is out there moving - no matter for how long or what speed they've been moving.

I'm sorry to barge in & hijack your thread!

Re shoes - my suggestions would be to go somewhere where they fit shoes properly e.g. make you run on a treadmill or track inside the store and video you. I started running in the wrong shoes (neutral and I'm a pronator) and it was only by good luck I didn't end up with injuries.