Joined Dec 2003
Benevolent Dictator
Forum Thread
Are there any runners in the Lounge? OT is fine as long as it has something to do with you running.
January 30, 2016 at
01:16 PM
in
Sporting Goods
So I started Couch to 5K this year, and today I begin week 4, day 1. I'm finding this to be easier overall than I expected it to be.
Who here runs religiously, and what advise do you have to give to someone just starting out, such as myself?
Motivation is not a problem. I find myself looking forward to each run so far.
Who here runs religiously, and what advise do you have to give to someone just starting out, such as myself?
Motivation is not a problem. I find myself looking forward to each run so far.
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I expect to run a pace of around 12:30.
I'm excited!
For now: 5k.
For now: 5k.
I expect to run a pace of around 12:30.
I'm excited!
You already did my other suggestion: signing up for a race. You can run all you want on your own but it's a whole different story when you're out there with several hundred (thousand?) other people. My advice for that: run your own race. Although personally I like to pick a rabbit with a cute butt and tell myself "if I catch her I can keep her!"
Three years ago I ran my first 5k. Since Dec. 29th I've missed 3 days total, all due to weather (snowstorms). I even ran the day I got married (couple weeks ago). I do about 3 miles per day. My goal for the year is 1100 miles total. I'm on pace (pun intended).
Keep at it man. I HATED running at first. I used to say "only way I'm running farther than the fridge is if zombies are chasin' me, and even then I'll probably give up!" Now I go a little crazy if I can't run on a given day. I run on the treadmill at work during my lunch break, on the track at the HS by my house, on a trail along the Potomac river, and oh yeah, lots of road races. I had to make a budget for this year to keep my spending down!
Next thing you know you'll be like me, eyeing up triathlons and thinking "shit, I already run that far, I bet I can learn to swim by September..."
OH! Do some weight training. Specifically, Leg Day. Heavy squats and deadlifts for choice. This will help strengthen your legs and keep you injury-free. I also lift every day (although I only do legs four times a week) and so far, in three years of near-constant running, the worst I've had is what I call a "squeaky" Achilles that quiets down if I change my shoes or the running surface.
Track your mileage but don't eat your exercise calories! Get plenty of protein. And I agree with whoever said "hydrate" too, I drink about 2 gallons of water per day (and yes I'm in the bathroom at least once an hour) but having said that, I don't like to drink right before I run or during a run (makes me feel pukey).
I guess I had more advice than I thought.
Oh, and hi everybody.
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I quit MapMyRun and switched to Runkeeper, which I like MUCH better. Particulary, I like the audibles that I can set and I much prefer the RunKeeper graph resolution to MapMyRun.
I also upload my runs to Smashrun. You use Smashrun?
I have completed Week 7 day 3, and tomorrow or Saturday I start Week 8 (28 minute runs). My last run was 2.06 miles at 12;21 pace. Not bad for an old fat guy that just started running seven weeks ago.
My first 5K is sponsored by a sorority in town. I figure I'll chase some yoga pants/yoga shorts during that run.
My running coach (a guy at work who started in August 2014, ran over 1500 miles in 2015, and has nearly 500 miles already this year) has given me some great advice so far. He said not to do anything else BUT the C25K until I complete the program, then to start the weights once I'm done. That's like next week so I'll be going back to the YMCA once I run my first 5K (whether official or on my own). He also said not to run two days in a row until I complete the program.
I have actually had to talk myself out of running on a recovery day a couple times, so I think my head is in the right place. I had to talk myself out of running tonight, actually, since I just ran my fastest pace yesterday.
Good to see you, VQ!
2.76 miles
11:44 pace
32:22 duration
2.76 miles
11:44 pace
32:22 duration
30:17 total time
11:52 pace
This was on my own this time, without my 'coach' to pace.
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3.27 miles
41:05 total time
12:34 pace
I took it a bit slower and easier as the goal was to actually run a full 5K. I did it!