Absolute Beginner!
Absolute Beginner!
40 is looming on the horizon and I must have tried every diet known to man but the realisation has just sunk in that the weight is never going to go off and stay off if exercise doesn't play an ongoing role. I've always been slightly envious of people who love running and get such a kick out of it so I've finally decided to take the plunge and have a go! I've done 2 runs now and I don't feel too bad. The ankles and shins are a bit sore but other than that it's ok. Is it going to hit me hard in a few days or a week?!
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angiegardner
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:05 pm
Re: Absolute Beginner!
Hi Clare
I had never run before and thought I was really going to struggle with all the longer runs. However, I have just syced myself up each day that I know that I am goin to be running into beleiving that I can do them. Each time I have run I have only just completed them, or that is how it has felt. Today was my Week 5, run 3, a 20 minute run with no walking, I managed it and was pretty impressed with myself, the run before this one was 2 x 8 mins runs with a bit of walking between...again I only just finished this run and felt I could go no further. So, I really do think it is a case of mind over matter, I've completed all runs to date and have really struggled initially with my breathing, tonight my breathing seemed regular and much better than I have known it be for a long time. By the way I am 47 and not run since been back in school. Just stick to it, and I am sure you will do brill.
I had never run before and thought I was really going to struggle with all the longer runs. However, I have just syced myself up each day that I know that I am goin to be running into beleiving that I can do them. Each time I have run I have only just completed them, or that is how it has felt. Today was my Week 5, run 3, a 20 minute run with no walking, I managed it and was pretty impressed with myself, the run before this one was 2 x 8 mins runs with a bit of walking between...again I only just finished this run and felt I could go no further. So, I really do think it is a case of mind over matter, I've completed all runs to date and have really struggled initially with my breathing, tonight my breathing seemed regular and much better than I have known it be for a long time. By the way I am 47 and not run since been back in school. Just stick to it, and I am sure you will do brill.
Re: Absolute Beginner!
Hi Angie,
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm still going strong - it's only been 4 runs so far but that's more than I've ever run before! I'm repeating week one again, just to make sure I don't overdo it too early on, but what I am doing is making sure that I run a bit more energetically to gradually build up. I was looking on the App at the later runs and it does seem a huge leap from 2 X 8min runs to a whole 20 mins so I'm really impressed that you managed it.
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm still going strong - it's only been 4 runs so far but that's more than I've ever run before! I'm repeating week one again, just to make sure I don't overdo it too early on, but what I am doing is making sure that I run a bit more energetically to gradually build up. I was looking on the App at the later runs and it does seem a huge leap from 2 X 8min runs to a whole 20 mins so I'm really impressed that you managed it.
Re: Absolute Beginner!
Hey. First time to blog. I have also completed my 4th run today. I lightly jogged a few years back and I walked/ran 3 x10k runs. My problem is I am finding it hard to keep weight off now that I have hit 40 so I remembered how well I felt and looked a few years back, that's why I started this app. It's not as hard I think it's defo mind over matter. My only problem is that I live in Portugal for summer and find it hard running in the heat. Can anyone give me advise on that one. Claire, keep up the good work.
Re: Absolute Beginner!
Congratulations Clare and z3angel on starting the running!
And congratulations to angiegardner for completing w5d3! Whoohooo!!!
Clare, I was also expecting to get a lot of muscle aches and pains from running, but after the initial slight discomfort in week 1 I have not had any since. I am absolutely amazed! I guess it's a matter of not overdoing it, doing the cool down properly and stretching well afterwards.
z3angel, I don't really know what to do about running in the heat. The only thing I can think of is to put on lots of sunscreen (also on the parting in your hair if you have that - I always get a sunburn there LOL - a hat/cap would work too I suppose), light & breathable clothing and to take water with you so you won't dehydrate. Maybe others have better tips?
And congratulations to angiegardner for completing w5d3! Whoohooo!!!
Clare, I was also expecting to get a lot of muscle aches and pains from running, but after the initial slight discomfort in week 1 I have not had any since. I am absolutely amazed! I guess it's a matter of not overdoing it, doing the cool down properly and stretching well afterwards.
z3angel, I don't really know what to do about running in the heat. The only thing I can think of is to put on lots of sunscreen (also on the parting in your hair if you have that - I always get a sunburn there LOL - a hat/cap would work too I suppose), light & breathable clothing and to take water with you so you won't dehydrate. Maybe others have better tips?
Re: Absolute Beginner!
Hi Clare,
I started last year -- also with 40 looming! -- and the only times it's really felt bad have been if I've gone out for a long, or hard run and then not stretched properly afterwards, mostly after finishing Get Running and moving onto longer distances. Get Running is designed to build you up gradually, and following the plan and giving yourself the time to rest seems to do the trick without too much pain.
I'm not a huge believer in "no pain, no gain", personally, I don't run too fast, and I've always built up fairly gradually. I hadn't run a step in my adult life until last July, and last month I did the Bristol 10K, and I've now (possibly foolishly) entered for the half marathon.
So, all in all, I'd say: make sure you warm up and warm down, make sure you stretch, and just add a little bit more every time, following the Get Running/C25K plan, and you should manage to avoid too many aches and pains
Oh, and make sure you've got the right shoes. I had some hip-ache until I got into a running shop and had them work out what my feet needed!
Matt
(Splendid Things Web Elf)
I started last year -- also with 40 looming! -- and the only times it's really felt bad have been if I've gone out for a long, or hard run and then not stretched properly afterwards, mostly after finishing Get Running and moving onto longer distances. Get Running is designed to build you up gradually, and following the plan and giving yourself the time to rest seems to do the trick without too much pain.
I'm not a huge believer in "no pain, no gain", personally, I don't run too fast, and I've always built up fairly gradually. I hadn't run a step in my adult life until last July, and last month I did the Bristol 10K, and I've now (possibly foolishly) entered for the half marathon.
So, all in all, I'd say: make sure you warm up and warm down, make sure you stretch, and just add a little bit more every time, following the Get Running/C25K plan, and you should manage to avoid too many aches and pains
Oh, and make sure you've got the right shoes. I had some hip-ache until I got into a running shop and had them work out what my feet needed!Matt
(Splendid Things Web Elf)
Matt. Splendid Things web guy and Android developer. Started running with Get Running in 2009. Three 10Ks and six half-marathons done since then
Re: Absolute Beginner!
Hi everyone and a huge thank you for all the encouragement. I did week one twice just to make sure I wasn't pushing myself too far too fast! And I've now done the first run if week 2, with the second one due this evening. I'm definately finding that the warm down is incredibly important - any achs and pains have come on days when I've rushed that part so there's a lesson there!
Z3angel - is it possible for you to run either early morning or in the late evening when it might be a bit cooler? Also, whenever you go I'd say a hat is a must. Good luck and let me know how you get on.
Z3angel - is it possible for you to run either early morning or in the late evening when it might be a bit cooler? Also, whenever you go I'd say a hat is a must. Good luck and let me know how you get on.
Re: Absolute Beginner!
PS. Matt - I'm hoping to buy some new trainers tomorrow but haven't been in a sports shop for years and don't really know what to ask for - there seems to be a bewildering array to choose from. Do you have any tips? Thanks
Re: Absolute Beginner!
Hi Clare!
I'm lucky; I have a couple of good running shops near me. I went in the nearest one, threw myself on their mercy, had a video gait analysis done (running on a treadmill for the first time!) and got good advice and a great pair of shoes (for about £70.)
First thing I'd do is look for a specialist shop - they generally seem to be good places, friendly to beginners and staffed by actual runners.
Good luck!
Matt
I'm lucky; I have a couple of good running shops near me. I went in the nearest one, threw myself on their mercy, had a video gait analysis done (running on a treadmill for the first time!) and got good advice and a great pair of shoes (for about £70.)
First thing I'd do is look for a specialist shop - they generally seem to be good places, friendly to beginners and staffed by actual runners.
Good luck!
Matt
Matt. Splendid Things web guy and Android developer. Started running with Get Running in 2009. Three 10Ks and six half-marathons done since then
Re: Absolute Beginner!
hey guys thanks for all your advice. I defo think I will have to drag myself out of bed very early in the morning to do my run. Iam seriously not a morning person. I like running late but its not really slotting in to my portuguese lifestyle!! I am feeling the benefits of running already, my hips feel smaller
Anyway I think this programme is brill, you really do need to rest. I did two in a row and was wrecked yesterday, so took it off. I am excited about this and feel I am pushing myself cause the app really feels like I have someone with me telling me what to do. I am a jogger, not a runner but hopefully by the time the 9 weeks are up I will feel like a runner....btw I was never able to run not even in school. GOOD LUCK guys
Anyway I think this programme is brill, you really do need to rest. I did two in a row and was wrecked yesterday, so took it off. I am excited about this and feel I am pushing myself cause the app really feels like I have someone with me telling me what to do. I am a jogger, not a runner but hopefully by the time the 9 weeks are up I will feel like a runner....btw I was never able to run not even in school. GOOD LUCK guys