RE: Need a beginner Running Program....VERY long
Hi R Lam. I have been running for about 2 years now. I will agree with you that it is a great fat blaster. When I started running, I saw results almost weekly....not saying that you will see the same results.
I had been an advid walker for years, but I noticed that walking wasn't cutting it for me anymore. The weight wasn't coming off after my third baby and I started my 4th pregnancy about 8# heavier than I wanted to be. My cousin had been running and looked great, so i said that after this baby, I was going to start running.
The first thing and the most important is to get a good paid of running shoes. I go to Finish Line at our mall and get a pair that are on clearance. They are usually about 35-50 bucks and I buy the athletic inserts. I love the people that work at my Finish Line. They all have said that if you buy them on clearance and put those inserts in them, they are like a $120 pair of shoes. The inserts will extend the life of your running shoes as well. The insoles that come with the shoes only last about 15 days. Get a good pair of running shoes.....it is more than worth it.
The next thing is to not push yourself too hard too fast. I have done this more than once and have really worn myself out.
How I started running was this.....
Where I live, there are alot of "land marks". I would walk two land marks and then walk one, then walk two and run one. And I would always walk the hills. As that became easier, I would walk one, then run one, then walk one, then run one. As that became easier, I would run two then walk one and so on.
I eventually got to the point where I was running three different sections with walks inbetween. So I started combining them. I added the hills gradually. I live on top of a mountain and there alot of hills. I would do the same land marking for the hills. I would run to one land mark and walk the rest of the hill. When that got easy, I would extend it until I was running the whole hill.
I was running for about 6 months when I entered my first 5K. I did what I wanted.....30min. 38 sec. About a 10 minute mile. I didn't think that was too bad and it was such a rush.
I have been an advid reader of Runner's World. I really like the magazine, but I think there guidelines for beginner runners are too harsh and fast. I would extend their guidelines out by 3.
Some people may think that my method is to tedious and time consuming. It worked for me, not saying it will work for you. I have just found that if you push yourself too hard with running, you are going to get fatigued and get frustrated and not enjoy it and more than likely stop. The best way to get yourself running is to register for a race. Start with a 5K maybe in the fall. That will give you the motivation to keep running.
Good luck. I think you are going to love the results. I am in the best physical shape of my life. Running is something that you can always improve on as well. Faster times, longer distances, more hills, you name it.
I am sorry this is so long winded. It is great to talk to someone who is my shoes about 2 years back. I have friends who ask how to start a running program and when I tell them, they never do it or don't take it seriously. Anyone who posts on Cathe is a serious exerciser, I know you can do this.
Oh, one more peace of advice. I wouldn't run two days in a row. I only run 3 days a week and cross train with Cathe. Running is very hard on your legs. Running on the road is much harder on them than treadmill running. If you are going to be doing your primary running on a treadmill, get on the road on occassion in case you do ever run a race. It is also great cross trainning. Good luck. Remember....slow and steady always wins the race.
Kim
