Any tips for beginning running?

[MariaS]

Hi everyone!

I'm a devoted Catheite, and I've been enjoying all the workouts for almost a year now. I was thinking of adding running to my rotation, and I've tried it a few times this summer. So far I can't say I'm really enjoying it (more like the opposite...;//), so I'm wondering if any of you experienced runners here on this board can offer any good tips?

It seems like I have a really hard time getting my heart rate up in my training zone (I use a HRM in all my workouts, so I know pretty well my zones), I have to run really fast to the point where it really doesn't feel enjoyable at all,to even keep in my aerobic zone. I've tried a few spurts, and getting my heart up to 85-90% from the max (where I get it easily during the imaxes etc.) feels really uncomfortable. Is this just because the form of training is still new to me, and I have to "start from the beginning" in a sense?

I know a lot of people say running burns a lot more calories (and keeps the heartrate up) much higher than Cathe cardios for them...but so far the opposite seems true for me.

Should I just conclude running isn't my cup of tea, or is there something I'm doing wrong? Should I give it more time...? Anybody else find Cathe cardios more intense?

Sorry for all the questions, but I really would appreciate help from all ya educated people out there!

Thanks in advance for your answer!

Maria

 

[Dutchie42]

Hi Maria,

I started running in March of this year after a twenty year gap.

I was very fit to begin with but wanted to enjoy the experience and not get injured. So I started running with the C25K programm. You can find it at coolrunning.com. If you start sensibly, you will enjoy it.

Starting to run is not about your HR or your training zones, but about getting your legs, muscles and joints used to a different kind of workout. I too always workout with my HRM but the first few weeks, I wasn't concerned about my training zones at all. I just wanted to get the mileage in in an enjoyable way.

I ran my first 5K fun race 6 weeks after I started running with the C25K program. I then progressed to 10K and am now training for a 10mile race four weeks from now.

And regarding calories, the higher your mileage, the more calories you'll burn. But you have to start slow. If you go too fast, you won't enjoy it and stop or get injured.

BTW I added running to my daily Cathe workouts so I was an advanced exerciser when I started running.

Dutchie

 

[Mckmain]

I know for a fact that Dutchie has done very well with her running as I read her posts on the daily workout thread...you should check it out. Another site that is great for beginners is www.runnersworld.com . Yes running will burn more calories but doing Cathes workouts will definitely benefit you...good luck.......Carole

 

[MariaS]

Hi!

Thanks so much for your answers Dutchie and Carole! Sorry it took me so long to get back, isn't it just typical our screen would go dead right after I posted the question, so I wasn't able to get back sooner.

Anyway, you're so right about not worrying about the heartrates at this point. It's amazing how different a new form of cardio can feel, and it does take some getting accustomed to. I actually went out running again today, and tried to do just what you suggested; not worry about the heartrate and just find the enjoyment of running. And for the first time I actually did enjoy it! I think another reason for enjoying it is that this time I went running in the afternoon, not early morning as I the I had the previous times. For some reason this felt better (even though I love to do CAthe workouts first thing in the morning!). Anyway, I jogged along for 30 minutes straight (not counting warm-up and cool down), and I really felt like I could even have gone longer! But I don't want to overdo it at this point... I have to say, I could never have done it without all the Cathe cardios! Imaxes, MIC, KPC have really worked wonders cardiovascularly, I'm so happy, maybe I'm finally starting to get the hype about running...

Thanks again for your answers,

Maria