Post by wanderlustmom on May 7, 2024 15:55:21 GMT -5
I agree with others, follow what you love.
I wasn't a runner until after I had kids, a few times I tried it in my 20s and liked it but never did it consistently.
After I was a mom, I chose running because I like how cardio makes me feel, I can do it quickly and it doesn't take coordination. I did for 17 years and my times got slower as I aged and I always let myself take walking breaks. Met a lot of friends through running too. I usually like to run without music and outside. Not a fan of treadmills.
The last four years I switched to tennis and it takes more time but still has some running, especially singles. I also go to yoga to help prevent injury. Lifting weights is what I don't like but I just started doing it twice a week for my health.
I’m a runner who goes through spurts of marathon/50k to absolutely nothing at all with a mental block to running.
Couch to 5k is so good. There are times where you feel you can run longer but following the program is so good. Then there are times it makes a jump and you think “how am I going to do that?!” And you can
Making sure you have good shoes is the only tip I have, from a running store where they do a gait analysis to find the right shoe.
Also make sure you are making very fast strides with quick turnover. This is not the same concept as “running fast”, but it’s called Cadence. You want your feet to hit the pavement in short fast steps. Think small stride, not long strides. The quicker your turnover, the less likely you are for injury.
Joining a running group was awesome.
Once you can do a few miles (progress happens quickly!!!) you’ll learn more about mental toughness. Much of running is about this. Unfortunately I’m not in a mentally tough stage right now so it feels foreign but I do know I have it in me!
Post by expectantsteelerfan on May 7, 2024 18:08:28 GMT -5
I did C25K several times, and I agree that the jump between the week before 'jog for 20 min' and that last week is a big jump. I would add in another week of my own longer intervals of running if I needed to when I got to that point.
I also agree with the pp that jogging isn't going to boost weight loss at all IME. I feel like I get as much of a benefit to my heart rate/endurance with uphill hiking, doing interval workouts with random short bits of running (I have the iFit app), HIIT workouts, resistance bands, etc. and I personally find those more enjoyable than running (and I also have feet issues that make running more than a few min. at a time not a good idea).
Everyone else has great advice! I'm not a runner unless being chased by something scary like a bear.
But I do know from too much time on H&F....
Definitely make sure you go to your LRS (local running store) to get fitted for good shoes--and socks. They will watch your gait and give you several pairs to try. Consider it an investment in preventing injury. Runners--is the old adage of replacing them ever 500 miles or so still true?
Post by underwaterrhymes on May 7, 2024 20:45:33 GMT -5
When I first started running, I would make little mini goals for myself: “I’m going to run to that mailbox. Now I’m going to run to that light post.”
Then I started running with friends and we would have one of us keep time, one of us talk, and one of us just focus. We would take turns and built up our speed from 30 seconds running / 2 minutes walking at a time to 30 minutes of running.
Eventually I was running farther distances and now I’ve run a bunch of smaller road races and seven marathons.
I’m really slow - my fastest speed was around a 10-minute mile and that was 20 years ago, but I love running so much. It brings me a lot of joy and peace. And I’ve found that because I’ve trained my cardiovascular system that I can take a long break from running and get right back into it easily.
I recommend the Runkeeper app and do a Couch to 5K program through it: super helpful.
Everyone else has great advice! I'm not a runner unless being chased by something scary like a bear.
But I do know from too much time on H&F....
Definitely make sure you go to your LRS (local running store) to get fitted for good shoes--and socks. They will watch your gait and give you several pairs to try. Consider it an investment in preventing injury. Runners--is the old adage of replacing them ever 500 miles or so still true?
It depends on the shoes, it can be anywhere from 250-500 miles. Usually it’s the ultra light shoes, like the old Nike 4%, that last 200-250. The more you run, you can tell when your shoes are starting to go. But looking at how worn the heel tread is-that’s the easiest indicator.
Also, brands release updated versions of their shoes every year. Sometimes the changes are barely noticeable, sometimes it’s suddenly a completely different shoe that you hate. They gradually discontinue the older models. If you find a model number you like, wait until the next one comes out, and then buy as many pairs of the now obsolete model as you can justify. Usually they are marked 30-50% off.
I'm currently doing the C25K again (thanks Covid) and I'll do what I've done in the past - I repeat weeks. I never, ever, ever try to go straight through the 8 week programme that I have. I repeat a week until it feel easy to me, then I proceed. It has taken me months to get to running non-stop for the 30 min. And that is okay. My current goal is to do a 5k 'race' in August and to not care if I have to walk some of it.
I think you're being too hard on yourself! IMO it is still running even if you stop to walk at times.
I personally find any kind of regimented programs demoralizing because they are really hard to keep up with, and then I just give up. It works better for me to just go out for run/walks when it feels right that day, allow myself to run as hard as feels good for my body that day, walk when I need to, and over time the intervals of running will increase. Listen to your body! If you're tired from a previous workout and running doesn't feel great that day, then be proud that you went out and got moving anyway even if that means walking. Fast walking is also a great workout.
ETA: I also personally find exercising for weight loss or anything like that demoralizing as well, so I focus on how it makes me feel. I've never found exercise to have a huge impact on my weight, but I do find I eat better and crave healthier foods when I work out. I have more energy, sleep better, my mood is better, etc which also helps me eat better. As I get older too I know it's so important just to keep up with, because it only gets harder the older I get to regain fitness if I stop.
Post by onomatopoeia on May 8, 2024 7:35:29 GMT -5
Don't be embarrassed! I read somewhere that 85% of adults in the US would not be able to run a full mile if they were being chased by a pack of wolves. I don't know how scientifically based that is but I would guess it's pretty close. I've done c25k and liked it, and I've also tried my own rudimentary interval training where I'd run (slowly) for one song, walk for one song, etc.
I also agree with rhian about not forcing it if you decide it's not for you. I don't run anymore but I do love to walk. It's easier on my joints and I can take my dog with me, and i feel like I can appreciate the outdoors more by engaging in it at a slower pace, if that makes sense. I listen to a lot of audiobooks and the time flies by.
I’ve done C25K and also Jeff Galloway’s half marathon training plan. I am also not a runner. I did run the Disney half marathon! I did find running to be very hard on my body though and eventually quit but I had a good 2-3 year run where I was a “runner”.
Highly recommend Jeff Galloway. He does interval running where you run/walk and I found it much more doable. You can download an app you listen to while you run that adds a ding to your own music to tell you when to walk and when to run. It worked really well for me.
Now I’m more of a peloton bike kinda gal. Love it so much.
I also wanted to mention something bc I’ve seen it pop up a few times in this thread - all bodies are different and I know that it’s become more prevalent to tell women they won’t lose fat with cardio. I’ve switched up my workout routine so many ways over the years and I can tell you, without a shadow of a doubt, as far as fat loss (or cutting, if we’re getting technical) my body ABSOLUTELY responds to cardio - sustained and HIIT. I’ve spent the last couple years lifting heavy, doing cross fit style workouts, and doing strength based circuit training with short intervals of cardio sprinkled in (like you describe your workouts) and I’ve def built muscle and shaped my body and I feel strong. But in order to shed what I lovingly call my layer of fluff, nothing beats running. Just my experience.
I also wanted to mention something bc I’ve seen it pop up a few times in this thread - all bodies are different and I know that it’s become more prevalent to tell women they won’t lose fat with cardio. I’ve switched up my workout routine so many ways over the years and I can tell you, without a shadow of a doubt, as far as fat loss (or cutting, if we’re getting technical) my body ABSOLUTELY responds to cardio - sustained and HIIT. I’ve spent the last couple years lifting heavy, doing cross fit style workouts, and doing strength based circuit training with short intervals of cardio sprinkled in (like you describe your workouts) and I’ve def built muscle and shaped my body and I feel strong. But in order to shed what I lovingly call my layer of fluff, nothing beats running. Just my experience.
I hear you on this! While I'm fully aware that diet is number one when it comes to weight loss, my body responds to cardio better than strength. I love strength training, just as you said I feel strong, I love having actual biceps lol. However, doesn't cut my layer of fluff either.
Last time I was really good about cardio was the peloton, and had great results. I just have always wanted to try running, but have always been nervous/easily injured or defeated. I will say that sure weight loss wouldn't be bad, but I am not doing it for that, more to accomplish a goal for myself.
I didn’t read everything. I am very out of shape and considering trying to run again, but I’m almost 50 and I worry about my feet and legs hurting! But anyway… What worked for me years and years ago in my 20s when I wanted to get in better shape was that I told myself that I would just run for five minutes. This could even be three minutes to start. I would put it in the middle of a walk. Then I added a couple running sessions during the walk. And then I slowly built up, to the point where I was running a 30 or 35 minute chunk. That’s pretty much the same running routine. I stuck with throughout parts of my 20s and 30s. Walk a few minutes, run about 30 minutes, walk again at the end. I never loved running. I don’t think I’m really a runner. I have zero desire to do even a half marathon. But it was something that I could easily fit into my day at the time and go out the door and do without having to drive anywhere or get a lot of special equipment. I think it’s fine to start really small and just listen to your body, as long as you are able to push yourself a little bit and make progress.
Post by Patsy Baloney on May 8, 2024 9:00:42 GMT -5
I’m another run/walk convert. Once I found my sequence - 5 run, 3 walk - I was really able to start feeling great about my achievements. Before that, I just kind of felt like I was on the brink of death, but that’s ok. I try to run in isolated places so if I do keel over, I can just die peacefully and no one will call 911.
I’m a Clydesdale girlie - lotta body mass to move, and I used to believe I couldn’t do it. I really love it. It’s hard work and I feel accomplished when I do it. I prefer biking/walking and I’m learning to love my Peloton, slowly but surely. But I have yet to feel the accomplishment I feel when I run well.
Someday, I would really love to do a marathon. We’ll see!
See that's the thing, I feel like everyone does it except me!
I don't! lol
I really want to run, but I just can't make myself try it anymore. I hate hate hate it. It's straight torture to me. I've never understood the runner's high. I've done the couch to 5K a half a dozen times, and it never sticks, because I hate it so much. LOL
not much to add, except that 1)i'm also restarting C25K next week. mentally i have to go by actual calendar weeks or my brain breaks.
2) so many people in here are saying things like "i'm not a runner but i ran xyz..." you ARE a runner! even if you don't love it, you're still doing it! don't play down your accomplishments! running is hard and you do it, therefore you're kicking butt!
See that's the thing, I feel like everyone does it except me!
I don't! lol
I really want to run, but I just can't make myself try it anymore. I hate hate hate it. It's straight torture to me. I've never understood the runner's high. I've done the couch to 5K a half a dozen times, and it never sticks, because I hate it so much. LOL
I know the feeling. I hate spin SO MUCH. I want to love it bc it’s so accessible and evvvveryone else loves it and I feel like I’m missing out. I’ve tried so hard too. I’ve done regular spin, I’ve done real-time competitive boutique spin, Peloton, beginner spin, dark room musical spin….I loathe every second, always. Every pit has its lid I guess. Or in this case every pot had a lid that is terribly wrong for it and won’t fit no matter how hard you try 🤣