Going running for 1st time

[misslideaway]

Never been a runner but decided to try and take it up.

My friend (who also doesnt run) and I are going to do some walking and spurts of running and just keep building it up over time till we can actually go for a run.

Is this the right thing to do? Any other suggestions to a new runner?

Thanks!

[joannie10]

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/running/runner szone/trainingadvice/

i just found this on the cancer research site - hope it helps. I run too although just for fitness not done any competitive runs. I would not go as far as saying I enjoy it but the satisfaction of having done it is very much worth it - especially on a wet day.
good luck

[sophie_1003]

Me and my mum built up the same sort of way, we jogged for the distance between 4 lampposts and then walked for 2, had a day off then repeated until we'd done that set up 3 times then increased jogging to 5 lampposts, did that on alternate days etc. that was last year and we kind of stopped going so having to start all over again now! If you miss just one or two jogging sessions you can really tell the difference, you slip back in how well you were doing much quicker than you can progress so just keep going with it! Also, my PE teacher told me to breathe through my nose as it stops any chest pains! Oh, and a sports bra is essential!!

[misslideaway]

Thanks for your advice Joannie and Sophie!

Do you feel the benefits of running? Like, do you feel fitter/ or have lost weight? :-)

[joannie10]

yes I do - I was not overly unhappy with my weight (to be honest dont weigh myself) but far more toned and only with running have i been able to achieve that. After two children my sister was not overweight but unhappy with her weight and shape. With a bit of encouragement she started by going out walking and adding in short periods of running and now she runs 3 or 4 times a week and is in great shape. To be honest we both only run for about 25 - 30 mins but does the trick for us. We do both have good comfy running shoes but other than that costs no money and can fit in wherever you have a spare 30 mins. Takes a bit of time though that dont expect results overnight.

[Doolallygirl]

Joannie10 I tried that and found that the walking spurts were too long compared to the running. Despite it claiming to get you up to 10k in no time I was still struggling with the running after sticking at this one solidly for over a month!

I suggest that what you are planning on doing is just fine. Start off slowly or you will be disheartened in no time. It's fine if you can only manage like 30 seconds running start with so long as you are gradual in your build up.

I've been gyming it for nearly a year now and not only do I feel and look fitter (muscles have grown but not in a Madonna way!) but I have had less colds and bugs since doing it. You will honestly feel the benefits straight away. (It may help that I cut down on smoking too! lol)

[joannie10]

really was just trying to give a guideline to what misslideaway could be trying. As not planning to do 10k she would not have to stick to it accurately - we all have different abilites/stamina. I totally agree with fitness - I was priding myself in not getting cold/flu when all those round about me were getting ill in December. The whole time I had been thinking this is cause I am fit and looking after myself then I started feeling the effects of flu and thought I had been wrong. I went off to bed early that night and while I was not 100% the following day by the next day I was back to normal - everyone else seems to have had things dragging on for ages. I do put this down to keeping fit.

[misslideaway]

Just wanted to give you an update. I'm going running for the 3rd time tonight and I love it. We have been doing spurts of walking/ running - firstly based on lamposts but after the first run we were comfortable pushing ourselves a bit further.

I tell you, I was hurting in muscles I did not know I had - lol.

Thanks for all your advice!