Any advice for a beginner?

[lovelyn]

Hi,
I've been wanting to post something here for awhile but feel completely intimidated so I've hesitated. I want to start running. I'm looking for some support and some advice.

I used to live in Florida and I tried running when I lived there but it was really hot. That's a stupid excuse, I know. I'm embarrassed by gyms and I'm kind of poor so I used to just run around inside my tiny apartment--from the living room to the kitchen to the bedroom--for thirty minutes. I called it apartment running. But I've convinced myself that running outside is better for me.

I've recently moved to the UK where it's not that hot, so I think it's time to start running outside. I went running outside for the first time in a long time the other day. I was able to run for 15 minutes without stopping. Running outside is a lot harder than running inside.

Anyway, do any of you have any advice for someone new to running. What do I need to do to prevent injuries? My husband runs. I asked him this question and he didn't really give me an answer. I probably wouldn't listen to his answer anyway since he's currently injured.

So do you have any good advice for a beginner?

[missjane]

Do the couch to 5K running plan. Google it....it's a very good program to get you started.

[Barrett]

Start slow, a lot of people increase there mileage way to quick. This is a recipe for injury. Also, if you have any questions what so ever just PM me.

[Gen]

Originally Posted by lovelyn

Hi,

So do you have any good advice for a beginner?

Get the right shoes and start slow. Maybe run mostly on grass?

I've been trying to run for a while now, but have issues with shin splints. I've found running on softer surfaces helps while I wait for my legs to develop (ever so slowly!).

The Couch to 5K program is a really good one, I've heard. Definitely give that a try.

Are you American living in the UK? Me too.

[Phaedrus49er]

Originally Posted by Gen

Maybe run mostly on grass?

Not a bad idea. Also make sure your running form is ideal, meaning landing mostly flat-footed/mid-foot (instead of heel-striking) and not overreaching on your stride. YouTube "POSE running" for some tips. I speak as a novice/intermediate runner who quit after a couple years because I didn't know how to run, and it was too late once I figured it out to avoid some significant injury time.

[lovelyn]

Thanks for all the advice.

missjane,
I'll look up the couch to 5k running program. I've never heard of it before.

Barret,
I've been started out slowly. I don't run for very long only about 15 minute and I'm running embarrassingly slowly right now. This morning some guy went running by me so fast that I decided to speed up a bit so I wouldn't look bad. That was a mistake. I just ended up tiring out really quickly.

Gen,
I think my shoes are good.
Running on grass really does make a difference. I had been running on grass until today. Today I tried another route and ended up running on pavement most of the time.
Yep, I'm an American living in the UK. I've been here for a year. How long have you been here?

Phaedrus49er,
I used to land on my heels when I ran all the time. I only recently learned that I shouldn't, but it's a hard habit to break. I really have to think about it. I'm getting out of the habit now.

Thanks for all the great advice.

[Gen]

Originally Posted by Phaedrus49er

Not a bad idea. Also make sure your running form is ideal, meaning landing mostly flat-footed/mid-foot (instead of heel-striking) and not overreaching on your stride. YouTube "POSE running" for some tips. I speak as a novice/intermediate runner who quit after a couple years because I didn't know how to run, and it was too late once I figured it out to avoid some significant injury time.

Nice suggestion! I tried it today and it seems pretty good! My hips and legs don't really hurt, though I'll reserve judgement on that over the next two days. It's definitely not intuitive for me though. I'll have to focus on it for a while.

Originally Posted by lovelyn

Gen,
I think my shoes are good.
Running on grass really does make a difference. I had been running on grass until today. Today I tried another route and ended up running on pavement most of the time.
Yep, I'm an American living in the UK. I've been here for a year. How long have you been here?

Late August will be a year!

[highplainsgirl]

Here are a few things I learned when I began running. Some have been said already, but they are worth repeating:

Getting the right shoes is really important. Go to a specialty running store and have someone look at your feet and your stride and help you find a good shoe and the right size--my running shoes are 1.5 sizes up from my dress shoe size.

I had problems with shin splints when I first began running. A friend I work with (a professor in the health and human performance department at my university) suggested stretching my calves really well after running. I was stretching them, but I added some additional calf stretching, and the problem went away pretty quickly. I also stop and do a gentle stretch of each calf after my warm up and before I begin my run.

If you do run on grass or dirt (I run on concrete mostly, asphalt when I can), be sure it is level, or you can injure yourself worse than running on the street. And it IS harder to run outdoors than indoors, but I also enjoy it more. For one, my dog can run with me, and I enjoy seeing the differences in seasons and times of day outdoors. Plus, it's free.

I can sympathize with beginning pains! When I first began running, I was surprised at how the smaller muscles in my feet and ankles had to adjust to the exercise, since I was already walking 4 miles a day. Now I love it.

I've gotten a lot of good information from Runner's World, too. Check out their website: http://www.runnersworld.com . And good luck !