After two years of toiling in the “real world” I decided to go back on campus and get my Masters degree. That’s neither here nor there…what is both here and there is that I now have access to our newly renovated (and might I add beautiful) gym. I want to start running again so that I can get some endurance back, since I currently have NONE…but I don’t know how to start. Is there someone who can instruct me on how I can finally start running to get in shape? I am in no way shape or form heavy, I am actually very skinny for my age/height, so I am not looking to burn calories or lose weight…I merely want to run so that when the weather gets nice I can run outside, or not get winded when I am playing football or something.
I know a lot of you guys talk about a C25k…I am looking for something around those lines. I could just go there and run without any real knowledge of what I’m doing, but I figure there is probably a healthier way to build up endurance other than “running until I can barely breathe…walking a little bit…then running again”.
The Couch to 5K program is where it’s at, really really really. I was convinced that I was physiologically unable to run, until I did that program. Download the podcasts and hit the gym, you’ll be surprised.
The first week, iirc, is to run for a minute then walk for a minute, eight times. Pace yourself and that minute of running won’t wipe you out.
I went through parts of the threads listed but couldn’t find an answer:
It it any better or worse to do it on a treadmill or a track as opposed to asphalt/concrete? I think for the beginning purposes of this I’ll start off on a treadmill so I can get the distances correct, and then move to a track when the distances are a bit easier to read…but would that be counterproductive?
For now, whatever it takes to get you moving! It’s not about speed, it’s about moving.
Personal experience: I started out on the treadmill (in a similar fashion to C25K) and was perfectly happy. Then I started running outside with a friend and soon hated the treadmill. When I first went from all treadmill to outside it felt odd and harder. Now that I run mostly outside I find the treadmill harder. You get use to whatever you do!
In addition to C25K, it’s helpful to find a friend or two or many to run with. It’s great motivation to show up and keep moving.
But seriously, I’d say any couch to 5K style program will be fine, especially since you seem to be in reasonable health to begin with. I’d choose the surface (treadmill/track/road) you enjoy the most without worrying about hardness, you’ll feel sore the first week anyway, even if you’re running on moss-covered pillows in marshmallow-cloud shoes. Whatever you find the least boring/most exciting.
I’m not sure where you live (city, country,flatlands) but this time of year even tho it is cold it is fun to hike in the snow and actually harder than walking. So it will start you off slower than running but faster than walking. I am out of shape myself and when I hike with friends I always drag the pack down so I need to start hiking more to get in better shape. And if you don’t like running hiking is fun for some people (me and my friends). But if you do like running I agree with what has been said it isn’t about the speed or the distance it is about what you body is telling you and often it tells you 3 days later. So be careful you may think your not pushing yourself to hard but wait till day 3 then rest a day and see how you feel and if you feel fine then you know your body can take it and keep going till your heart rate (and you will feel it pumping ) isn’t increased and then take it up a notch. I use to run cross country in high school and hated it but I was in shape and never have been since (10 yrs ago) But in all my years of running the outdoors is way better. better on your back, feet, and a way better view. You can run in the woods on the grass and have a chance to forget your exercising.
