Running no0b -- What do ye offer?

[Nightporter]

Hello,

For the past few weeks I have finally gone out biking without my boyfriend once a day, and then I bike again with him when he comes home from work for a longer ride.

... Tomorrow, I was thinking of doing something totally out of character and actually go and run the trail I usually bike. It's 3 miles, and I was thinking of walking the first mile (a stretch of main road) running/jogging the middle mile (a nice secluded park) and walking the last mile (back up that godforesaken road). Is this a good idea? I am NOT familiar with running at all especially with my flat feet. I have an old pair of running shoes with arches in them (Have been biking in them so hopefully I've broken them in enough to avoid ye ole blister).

My main concerns are:
- I'm going to run 5 feet fall down, pass out, and bleed to death. Well... maybe not the latter.
- People will see me running and see all my flubber bouncing up and down like a crab fishin' boat on 'deadliest catch'
- My flat feet will make it so painful I have to turn around and walk back all 20 feet to the door lol.

Does anyone out there have any tips for the runnin' no0b? Is there any ancient chinese secrets that I should know about breathing? I stretch 10 minutes before and after bikerides, should I do it when I run? Also, should I carry a bottle of water with me?

Thanks bunches,

-N-

 

[Bigguy]

I am not a running expert by any means but i have taken it up relatively seriously in the last few months. So:

I'm going to run 5 feet fall down, pass out, and bleed to death.

Not bloody likely, but take it slow. Bring a torniquet just in case.

People will see me running and see all my flubber bouncing up and down like a crab fishin' boat on 'deadliest catch'

Bah- who cares? If you are that concerned go at a time when you do not think anyone will be there.

My flat feet will make it so painful I have to turn around and walk back all 20 feet to the door lol.

Legitimate concern. Take it slow.

I stretch 10 minutes before and after bikerides, should I do it when I run? Also, should I carry a bottle of water with me?

Strech- hell yes stretch. Good lord stretch. If i did not stretch I would not be able to walk! Water- I do not since I have nowhere to put it but if you do more power to you.

All I can say is to take it slow. I like your walk 1, run 1, walk 1, idea. That is great to start. Find a brisk pace to start walking, build to tolerable jog slow to walking.
Try to breath in and out every 6-8 steps or so- go slower if you cannot.

Just be careful and go slow!
Hope this helps.

 

[maleficent]

search the forum for couch to 5k

 

[Nightporter]

Ok! Thanks so much for your tips, Bigguy!

I'll head on over to that thread now, Maleficent... I should have looked for that one before! *narf*

-N-

 

[edco76]

I have been doing this


Absolutely best thing I have ever done. There is a club on this forum where you can read some great stories. I am on week 4 and am amazed. My wife and I do it together. It is basically designed to take an out of shape sedentary person and get them in 5k shape in 8 weeks.

As for being concerned with people seeing you, don't worry. The only people who will think anything of it are in a car that most likely has a floorboard full of cola bottles and fast food wrappers. We have actually had neighbors approach us and ask about the program and offer encouragement.

 

[nasus]

I'm doing the Couch to 5K program right now, doing my third run tomorrow. It feels really good! I definitely feel challenged, but not so much that you get that side-splitting, can't breathe feeling. I'm using the podcasts and the music is pretty good and I'm all jazzed up enough to want to go buy new running shoes haha.

 

[Nightporter]

I tried a bit of running a few days back at the local soccer field. When I tried the first time it felt very jarring on my bones and I was only taking short steps. I observed the way my boyfriend was running when he kicked the soccer ball around, and tried the same thing: Longer strides while lifting my feet just a little bit off the ground. ... Was a lot better!

-N-

 

[Runningjunkie]

The couch to 5k program is great to start running, but one thing that has been neglected here is the importance of a good pair of running shoes. With old shoes and flat feet, you are setting up for an injury. Go to a specialty running store like Fleet Feet where they will put you on a treadmill barefoot, video you walking and measure your feet. Then they will try different shoes based on your individual stride. They will even let you run down the sidewalk to try them out. The best thing is that you can bring them back within 30 days for a full refund or exchange if they don't work out. You are going to spend at least $90 on a good pair, but if you plan on doing any substantial running, it is a worthwhile investment. I've had shin splints from bad shoes, and I will never again run in anything other than my Mizunos.