Started running...
Discussion
At school I was always a good runner, although not particularly "sporty" as such, but 20 years of not doing much in the way of exercise was taking it's toll. Not in the weight department I might add (I'm 6 foot and around 11st2 - 11st6). But chasing after my little girl in the park (she's 2) made me realise just how unfit I was! I have a bike and until a car accident last year would try to get out on it once or twice a week for a 10 mile ride. The problem was that working away from home during the week and wanting to spend time with the family at the weekend, getting the bike out, sorting my stuff, etc etc... I just never did it. Something had to change...
So a month ago I got up one weekend and instead of driving or walking to the next village to get the papers, I decided to run it. I managed a mile. In old trainers. And was in agony for days...
Not deterred I went to a local running shop where one of the staff members when through gait analysis and after 45 minutes I was walking out with a pair of running shoes with custom insoles. I've no idea if I needed either, or to spend as much as I did (about £140 for both iirc) but my "man logic" told me that if I didn't spend half decent money it would be too easy not to use them.
A couple of cheap running tops, shorts and socks from Sports Direct and I was ready to go.
I used to use Strava when I was cycling so again this has become my app of choice for tracking my runs, of which I have now done 4 of around 4km each and a pace of 6:32/km.
The first couple of runs were killers and I wondered what I'd started but now I've found a nicer route that takes me through parkland (easier on my legs that the road), I'm starting to enjoy it.
My first goal it to run the 4km without walking (I can manage just over 2km with some stop-start running for the second half of my route) and I am aiming to go out 3 times a week (although a stag do starting tomorrow might disrupt this a little!).
So why am I writing this? Well firstly, if anyone is reading this and has been thinking about pulling on some running shoes, I hope that this proves that you can go from no exercise to some exercise in minutes. But do a little reading first and don't just hit the road in an old pair of trainers and expect not to suffer.
With running I can go from the sofa to exercise in under 5 minutes, so the barriers/excuses for not doing it are not there any more. A bit of music whilst running helps too (beware of traffic though) and whilst I struggle to breathe by the time I get back, I genuinely feel good for doing it. My work is pretty stressful and already I'm noticing an improvement in my general happiness and mood.
Worried about aching after? I spend 5 minutes stretching my calves after a run and randomly stretch them over the next few hours and don't ache at all (unlike my very first run with no "warm down" where I couldn't walk for days!).
One of the biggest things that puts people (me included) off is looking silly. But have you noticed how many people you see running these days? And how runners come in all shapes and sizes? There is no typical runner so you can't look out of place.
The info I failed to find online was how far my first run should be, as I guess that varies on so many factors. But you do need a circular route (or to know when to stop and start running back!). I made a judgement that 25-30 mins would be about right and I might be able to cover 4km in that time, so used Google maps to plan my first run. Even if I needed to walk most of it back, it was a starting point.
Nothing I've written hasn't been said many times before on a number of other sites, but if one fellow PHer reads this a laces up a pair of trainers as a result it will have been worth the time to write it.
I've got a few questions for the more experienced runners but I'll leave those for now...
Thanks for reading
So a month ago I got up one weekend and instead of driving or walking to the next village to get the papers, I decided to run it. I managed a mile. In old trainers. And was in agony for days...
Not deterred I went to a local running shop where one of the staff members when through gait analysis and after 45 minutes I was walking out with a pair of running shoes with custom insoles. I've no idea if I needed either, or to spend as much as I did (about £140 for both iirc) but my "man logic" told me that if I didn't spend half decent money it would be too easy not to use them.
A couple of cheap running tops, shorts and socks from Sports Direct and I was ready to go.
I used to use Strava when I was cycling so again this has become my app of choice for tracking my runs, of which I have now done 4 of around 4km each and a pace of 6:32/km.
The first couple of runs were killers and I wondered what I'd started but now I've found a nicer route that takes me through parkland (easier on my legs that the road), I'm starting to enjoy it.
My first goal it to run the 4km without walking (I can manage just over 2km with some stop-start running for the second half of my route) and I am aiming to go out 3 times a week (although a stag do starting tomorrow might disrupt this a little!).
So why am I writing this? Well firstly, if anyone is reading this and has been thinking about pulling on some running shoes, I hope that this proves that you can go from no exercise to some exercise in minutes. But do a little reading first and don't just hit the road in an old pair of trainers and expect not to suffer.
With running I can go from the sofa to exercise in under 5 minutes, so the barriers/excuses for not doing it are not there any more. A bit of music whilst running helps too (beware of traffic though) and whilst I struggle to breathe by the time I get back, I genuinely feel good for doing it. My work is pretty stressful and already I'm noticing an improvement in my general happiness and mood.
Worried about aching after? I spend 5 minutes stretching my calves after a run and randomly stretch them over the next few hours and don't ache at all (unlike my very first run with no "warm down" where I couldn't walk for days!).
One of the biggest things that puts people (me included) off is looking silly. But have you noticed how many people you see running these days? And how runners come in all shapes and sizes? There is no typical runner so you can't look out of place.
The info I failed to find online was how far my first run should be, as I guess that varies on so many factors. But you do need a circular route (or to know when to stop and start running back!). I made a judgement that 25-30 mins would be about right and I might be able to cover 4km in that time, so used Google maps to plan my first run. Even if I needed to walk most of it back, it was a starting point.
Nothing I've written hasn't been said many times before on a number of other sites, but if one fellow PHer reads this a laces up a pair of trainers as a result it will have been worth the time to write it.
I've got a few questions for the more experienced runners but I'll leave those for now...
Thanks for reading
Two links for you:
The PH Running Thread - come and ask your questions here.
parkrun - free weekly timed 5k runs all over the UK (and the world).
Well done for getting out there and doing it!
Come and join us over in the running thread over in the sports section.
Edit - Doh. Beaten to it...
Come and join us over in the running thread over in the sports section.
Edit - Doh. Beaten to it...
Good luck with it OP and keep it up. I've just started myself. I'm also 6ft and slim built but at 13 stone 7, something had to give.
I went from doing lots of activities to doing nothing after an injury. I also quit smoking at new year so decided 2 weeks ago to buy some proper running shoes and get out there. I've only done 4 runs so far (1.5 mile route) but I tend to walk from 3/4 mile in afer an incline then it's a bit stop start. My last run I managed a bit further before walking but my overall time was a bit slower too. I want to be able to do the whole route without stopping and then when I do that I'll start to extend the run a bit further. I have some good quality headphones which makes it more enjoyable.
I aim to do 2 to 3 runs per week and it's something I can do when away on business if I take my kit with me.
I went from doing lots of activities to doing nothing after an injury. I also quit smoking at new year so decided 2 weeks ago to buy some proper running shoes and get out there. I've only done 4 runs so far (1.5 mile route) but I tend to walk from 3/4 mile in afer an incline then it's a bit stop start. My last run I managed a bit further before walking but my overall time was a bit slower too. I want to be able to do the whole route without stopping and then when I do that I'll start to extend the run a bit further. I have some good quality headphones which makes it more enjoyable.
I aim to do 2 to 3 runs per week and it's something I can do when away on business if I take my kit with me.
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