Running advice for the running challenged..

[chessie]

Okay- I can run a bit with my dogs on the trails, stop/go fine, bike ride for hours, ride my horses for hours, gym, elliptical, etc, its not like I am exercise challenged or anything, but running long distance seriously I need to work on.

I have a 5k military obstacle race coming up end of September for charity, I need to at least be decent for. I really signed up for it for Dh to have a goal to exercise more and which he is..but the thing is running has never been my strong suit, especially with my bum hip.

So, any pointers? I have at least 2 hours a day I can work out, before/after work- what sorta things can I do to prepare?

[cahabalily]

Interval training will help with your recovery time and respiratory fitness, which will be important for the obstacles between running.

[jinnifah]

www.coolrunning.com
look up the couch to 5k. It's a 9 week interval training program that takes you from 0 to 5k. It's what got me into running

If you already run some you could probably start in the middle of the program

[moandjo]

I did couch to 5k 3 years ago. I did a full marathon a year and a half later. It is a great program if you stick with it.

[ijack]

I am in the midst of ease into 5k and I love being able to listen to the app when I run instead of having to do the counting myself.

[AAM2012]

Just ease into it and increase your distance (or time) each run. Also do intervals or a speed workout once a week. Good luck!

[chessie]

Aug 28, 2012 18:42:18 GMT -5 jinnifah said:

www.coolrunning.com
look up the couch to 5k. It's a 9 week interval training program that takes you from 0 to 5k. It's what got me into running

If you already run some you could probably start in the middle of the program

Thanks! I will try this. I been trying to keep up with my puppy...last 3 days have been trying to keep up- but dam, makes me feel like I am completely unfit!

[Deleted]

This blog recommended a running app: www.hautepnk.com/2012/08/28/5k-runner/

[jinnifah]

Aug 28, 2012 19:47:36 GMT -5 ijack said:

I am in the midst of ease into 5k and I love being able to listen to the app when I run instead of having to do the counting myself.

Yeah, definitely get a c25k (or similar) app if you have a smartphone. So helpful when you consider you'd otherwise be constantly checking your watch and doing math on the run.

If you just have a simple mp3 player you can also download music that's set up to ding according to the weeks schedule. I used www.djsteveboy.com/intervals.html the techno is pretty crappy and repetitive but it gets the job done

[Bob Loblaw]

I'm an avid runner and I take racing seriously. However, every time I've done one of these mud runs/obstacle 5k's, I've found that they are REALLY laid back and your time doesn't matter. There's always a traffic jam of people waiting to complete the obstacles, so you get a break from running. BTW, none of the obstacles I've seen have ever been too difficult to complete, but plenty of people skip them. Unless it's something like the Tough Mudder (which is way more than 3.1 miles), you're likely stressing over nothing. Relax, have fun with it, and enjoy the beer at the end. There's always beer at the end!