Running

Can someone give a newbie some advice?

I've never been a runner.

ever.

If I run it's to the train! Then I'm totally winded.

Lately though my life and my commute has been hell and I find myself running all of the time. Little spurts here and there. I got new skips so that helps but I think I get the appeal.

I know that running is excellent for fitness and I would love to be able to run for excersize. I notice that for the most part, runners are very lean. Of course it takes good nutrition too.

I started going to the gym again and walking on the treadmill. When I walk I am on an incline. Then I run for about a minute. No incline. Walk again.

Is there a method to starting an interval training? Like I said newbie..beginner..not a gym rat.

Help me get my flabby butt tight!

TIA!!

Re: Running

I HIGHLY recommend the C25K. I never ever used to run, and this program had me running ALL the time and enjoying it. I even started running 5k races and training for a 10k!!

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Re: Running

I agree I was never ever a runner in my life and actually hated it until I did the C25K almost 2 years ago I started it and since then I have run 3 half marathons and several other races! GL

Re: Running

Ok, it seems simple enough. But will that really get me to the point where I can actually run more than a minute without clammoring for oxygen?

Re: Running

Re: Running

I started c25k in July. I could not run for anything. I ended up losing about 20lbs and I actually enjoy running now. I can run for 4-5 miles without getting winded. I get tired but it's my body not mu lungs. I am so upset that I will have to stop for the winter. I don't have a treadmill and a gym member ship is not in the budget. I will start up again when it's warm enough for the kids to be out again. I highly recommend it. you can also get free podcasts from runningintoshape.com. It tells you when to start and stop. It has ok music.

Re: Running

Re: Running

i became a runner about 14 years ago. i had NEVER run before unless for fun in childhood counts. anyway, i just started from nowhere really. my boyfriend (now DH) used to run at the track and i would tag along. i found myself getting bored with just walking so i did intervals-walked for 3 minutes ran for 2 and so on...in a few months it became all running and i signed up for races and that was it. i was hooked so grateful to have it in my life. good luck!

Re: Running

c25k!

I've only just started, but I can see its benefits.

Re: Running

Another C25K grad here! I could barely last the 60 seconds in the first week. I never believed that I could just run and run without getting out of breath. 9 weeks later and 30 minutes was no problem at all! A year and a half later and I just ran the NYC marathon! Over 5 hours of running and the last thing I thought about was my breathing! You can do it, just stick with the program and you will be amazed!

Re: Running

I'm a former smoker so I know ALL about clamoring for some O2! I didn't do the C25k, however I kinda made my own plan. I'd alternate brisk walking with jogging and just go as far as I can. Iwould just listen to my body. Now I'm running half marathons no problem!

Re: Running

I'm so inspired by you all.

The practical side of me also thinks that I don't need a fancy gym membership for this either. It's so easy to put on my sneaks and stretch and walk and run. For a few weeks more I bet I can do it outside.

I ran from the train platform all the way to my car in the parking lot.

I park in the far part of the lot mostly because there are no spots. I'm schlepping my bag too so it's harder.

I've made it a mission to run to my car every day. Sometimes I run from my car as well.

I am going to try to ramp up each week and see how it goes at the gym.

I would love to hear more inspirational stories.

Re: Running

I'm with everyone on C25k!

I started it once and the first day I thought I'd PUKE! It was really hard for me.... I made it all the way through Week 3, but gave up once I couldn't complete the first day of Week 4.

After many months, I started up again recently. I was SO surprised that my body "remembered" before... I was able to start at Week 2.

I've been doing it 4x/week and today was supposed to be Week 8, Day 1 (running 28 minutes) but I felt like I could keep going an I ran THREE MILES!!!!! It felt SO GOOD. I ran for 33 minutes straight when before it seemed like 33 SECONDS was a long time!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!! :)

I used to listen to the podcasts from runningintoshape but now I choose to do it on the treadmill and watch "guilty pleasure" TV shows

Re: Running

Re: Running

and I just had birthday cake..

oh well...there's always running!