Tuesday, February 21, 2012

on running...

Attn Runners and Joggers:

If one who has never run in their life decides they would like to take it up at 30...what advice would you give?

Thanks!
at 12:05 PM
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7 comments:

  1. BrittanFebruary 21, 2012 at 12:25 PM

    Okay as someone who HATES to run but forces herself to do it, here's what I must have to even get myself out the door:

    1. Couch to 5k plan. Vital. It works. (I have no plans to ever run a 5k, but the interval running/walking is excellent for acclimating your lungs and heart.)
    http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

    2. Sweet stopwatch for Couch to 5k plan. Here's mine:
    http://www.amazon.com/Timex-T5K187-Ironman-Calculator-Digital/dp/B001RNOB7C/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

    3. Ipod shuffle with decent headphones that stay in your ears.

    4. Girl power playlist.

    5. Interesting place to run. I was really good at running 3.5 miles a few times a week when I lived in Brooklyn because running in Prospect Park is such a treat. Now that I'm confined to the North Texas suburbs it's admittedly much harder. Finding a good jogging trail and trying out new paths around it is a life saver. I will say, I'm much better at running alone than with a friend. It's a good place to meditate, observe the world around you and have some solid inner dialogue.

    6. Good shoes. This is obvious, but I'm much more comfortable in one particular pair of Nikes than in any other shoes I've tried, and my jogging consistency really spiked after I bought them. Everyone likes something different so I don't really have a good recommendation, but I will say that comfort and space around your big toe is really important. I am a very light, not serious runner and I still get bruises on my toes if I'm not careful.

    Hope this was somewhat helpful!

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2012 at 1:55 PM

    I 2nd the Couch to 5K comment above. I did the plan a few years back and have run many 5Ks, 10Ks, and even a 15K or two since then. They also have an iPhone app that is pretty sweet.

    Definitely invest in the right shoes. Fleet Feet on Wolf Rd can help you with this.

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  3. Jen @ Jen is GreenFebruary 21, 2012 at 1:56 PM

    You can do anything! As someone who was NEVER athletic and could not even run a mile all until 3 years ago, the way I look at it: if I can start running (& enjoy it!), ANYONE can, no matter what age or size!

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  4. ChrissyFebruary 21, 2012 at 2:02 PM

    Wow, these are amazing tips from Brittan, thanks so much for sharing, cause I really wanted to know as well! xxx

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  5. julietteFebruary 21, 2012 at 2:21 PM

    I have run injury free for 29 years and counting! My husband and daughter are runners too. We are addicted.

    My first piece of advice is to buy two books: Running for Health and Beauty by Kathryn Lance. It is from 1976 and is probably available through addall. It is the bible of beginning running for women OR men and is timeless in its brilliant suggestions. Adapt as necessary to our time, but really, not much adaptation needed. This book makes sense! Also, Run Away from Fat, a thin, concise 90 day plan by Dave Kuehls is wonderful for beginning runners to start slow and stay injury free.

    Next, remember that all humans, no matter how long they have been running, have a bad first 10 - 15 minutes of running. Make sure you get that! It is because our bodies need to switch over through the Krebs cycle from anaerobic work to aerobic work. I hear people say all the time that they "can't run" and it is really because they hurt for the first 10 minutes. Every single run, for every single runner, no matter how long they have been running, starts out feeling sub-par. Until the body flips into the efficient Krebs cycle, you will feel icky, but once you are able to run for more than 10 minutes (not at first - use Dave Kuehls' book to get you there) you will feel great about 15 - 20 minutes. You have to believe this or you will quit. My husband says it is similar to diving into a cold swimming pool and then later, adjusting to the temperature and having a blast.

    Every single day my daughter and I head out, we laugh and say we want to quit. And, every single day by the 10 minute mark we are fine and could go forever. We run up to 1 hour a day and yet the first 10 minutes never feel too great.

    After you are comfortable running, trails are the best place to run and I totally agree with listening to music on solitary runs.

    Also, running outside is SO much better than running indoors. It isn't even the same sport.

    Good luck - you will love it.

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  6. Lisa KimberlyFebruary 21, 2012 at 5:11 PM

    I am totally not a runner myself, but when I read this post, it immediately reminded me of a short 'how to start running' guide in a recent issue of Real Simple. Here's the link to the online version of the article:

    http://www.realsimple.com/health/fitness-exercise/workouts/how-to-start-running-00100000075843/index.html

    Really good tips though from the comments above!

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  7. MelFebruary 23, 2012 at 7:51 AM

    I've recently started taking up running and the Couch to 5K app makes me feel like it's attainable. I'd suggest something like that, a regimen that can help you build up to running straight through.

    Good luck!

    Mel

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