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Beginner Running

Kellie I.
Kellie I. Sendmail

Beginning to Run

posted 4 months ago | Report

I am starting my 5th week of running and I looking for some advise and motivation! I am not a fit person; I wanted to start running because I needed to lose weight. Now, I am starting to enjoy my runs :) Eating healthy is hard when your on a budget. I haven't had fast food in 6 weeks and I haven't had any soda in 4 weeks, but I feel like that isn't enough. I am running a 5k at the end of February and I hope to run a marathon or half marathon before the years end!

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20 posts

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  • Julie W.
    Julie W. Sendmail

    We have similar goals - healthy eating works for me, but I've lost about 25 pounds by running. It's really helped kick my weight loss in gear, and I've found I really enjoy it. I'm running my first race in March, something I never thought I could have done a few months ago. Good luck to you :-)

    posted 4 months ago

  • Michael G.
    Michael G. Sendmail

    Welcome! FR sent :) Anyone feel free to add me too!

    posted 4 months ago

  • Kellie I.
    Kellie I. Sendmail

    Thank you! Good Luck to you as well!

    posted 4 months ago

  • John L.
    John L. Sendmail

    Excellent start, seems like you are getting into a routine which is key. The change of eating habit will take time to adjust, but remember don't deny yourself if you have a craving for something. You can have your cake and eat it to, but in moderation. All the Best running the 5K.

    posted 4 months ago

  • Ryan
    Ryan Sendmail

    Best advice I can offer you at this point, being a beginner and starting out from scratch:

    1) Make sure you keep the miles nice and easy (keep the breathing easy enough to be able to carry on a conversation).

    2) Make sure you give yourself enough rest in between - your body is not used to the impact that running will expose it to. I'd suggest running no more than 3x per week for quite some time. If, after 2 months or so of running with that frequency, you find yourself usually feeling recovered relatively quick, then you can bump up to 4x per week if you want (depending on desire, other life activities, etc). However, running 3x per week is frequent enough to provide significant gains for someone new to running for a several years. Always prioritize rest over another workout - better to lose a day then get yourself injured and miss a week or more. Consistency is the most important thing, and you can't be consistent if you are injured.

    3) When the time comes, find a novice half marathon plan (hal higdon's is a popular one) so that you have structure in how long/far each run should be.

    4) For overall injury prevention, since you mention not being fit - it might be a good idea to work in a strength building routine. Something like what is listed in this article: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-263--13852-2-1-2,00.html
    Nothing too arduous - just something to help strengthen muscles used for stabilization.

    5) A half marathon should definitely be doable by the end of the year, and while a full is possible, there are just too many factors that are unknown as of yet to know whether it would be advisable. It'd be the kind of thing where you look back at progress and such six months from now and see where things are.

    Other than that - it's a learning process, but a very rewarding one. Congrats on getting the start going, in many ways thats the toughest part (putting aside all the 'I can't do this' thoughts).

    posted 4 months ago

  • Lorraine M.
    Lorraine M. Sendmail
    in reply to what Ryan said:Best advice I can offer you at this point, being a beginner and starting out from scratch: 1) Make sure you keep the miles nice and easy (keep the breathing easy enough to be able to carry on a conversation). 2) Make sure you give yourself enoug... read more

    Great advice given, thank you. I'm starting C25K tomorrow and really looking forward to it!

    posted 4 months ago

  • Justyn R.
    Justyn R. Sendmail

    eating healthy at home is still cheaper than eating fast food. Just plan it ahead of time. This month has probably been the best for me as far as eating habits, and my food budget (groceries and fast food) has dropped a decent chunk. keep it up.

    posted 4 months ago

  • Kevan T.
    Kevan T. Sendmail

    As an employee for Coca-Cola and a runner I will tell you cutting out soda is a very good thing. I limit myself to one a day. Healthy eating is very expensive but so is fast food. I am a very fit person at 6'4" 190lbs and I usually eat 3 peanut butter sandwiches/ 3 eggs raw in a glass/ 8 oz each of chocolate milk-orange or pineapple juice and vegetable juice and a cup of fruit for breakfast. Lunch is a 4 oz bag of dehydrated fruit and nuts/ a cup of fruit and 6 oz jerky or turkey bits. I then eat whatever I want for dinner. That gets someone my size what I need to work a 10 hr day and do quality workouts fairly cheap! As far as being a new runner you can set any goal you want and let your body judge your fitness but a full marathon will test your mind and will to a point no one can ever put into words. For some those last 6 miles will test the limits and for some it is a relief and exciting to be close to the end. Only you will know if you will be ready by then so take it day by day and never be discouraged if you think you can't or aren't ready. It is better to wait than go out there and DNF!! Good luck!!!

    posted 4 months ago

  • Kellie I.
    Kellie I. Sendmail

    Thank you everyone for your responses! I definitely have gotten some food for thought :)

    posted 4 months ago

  • Stephanie W J.
    Stephanie W J. Sendmail

    You've made some good starts, I think.

    One of the ways that I worked on eating healthy on a budget is planning ahead. My husband and I decide on a menu a week at a time. We have a lot of healthy favorites. We also buy extra non-perishable food in times of plenty to have later. We also went to having oatmeal for breakfast because it was cheaper than the cold cereal. It was available for inexpensive in the bulk foods in the city where we lived at the time. Now, we buy twenty-five pounds of it at a time.

    Hopefully, that gives you some ideas.

    posted 4 months ago

  • Branson S.
    Branson S. Sendmail

    sounds like you have goals that is great motivation in its self. Just stay active and keep goals in front if you, join a local running club. Having peers who love what you love can help motivate you. For tips on running check out passinglnurleft.wordpress.com

    posted 4 months ago

  • Steph N.
    Steph N. Sendmail

    Hi Kellie!

    I'm in a similar position to your own. I just began running this past November, and am in need of losing weight, as well. I never thought of myself as someone who would EVER enjoy running, but I've been amazed at how much I've come to enjoy even my longest runs in a fairly short period of time. I'm looking to run my first marathon in May, which will also be my first official race of any kind.

    Good luck to you!
    2012 will be our marathon year. :)

    posted 3 months ago

  • Tj M.
    Tj M. Sendmail
    in reply to what Ryan said:Best advice I can offer you at this point, being a beginner and starting out from scratch: 1) Make sure you keep the miles nice and easy (keep the breathing easy enough to be able to carry on a conversation). 2) Make sure you give yourself enoug... read more

    Could not agree more ! Very wise words which I wish I would have listened to many years ago.

    posted 3 months ago

  • Jen S.
    Jen S. Sendmail

    Congrats on starting to run! Slow and steady prevents injuries, dont be afraid to let up on yourself if your body starts to protest. Its a fine line between challenging and over doing. Ryan M gives sound advice.
    My advice on the food front is try and make everything yourself. Some things cost more and some cost less but it mostly balances out. I am personally 6 years years without fast food and I dont miss it. I've made the fast food trip a few times over the years and it just makes me ill and it really doesnt taste that great anymore :)

    posted 3 months ago

  • Sang Y.
    Sang Y. Sendmail

    Welcome! You have already made great strides and life changing decisions that you should be proud of. Way to go!

    posted 3 months ago

  • Linda S.
    Linda S. Sendmail

    I 've been loosing a lot of weight since I'm running and I feel amazing! To me a good motivation is: those days that I feel lazy I google "running motivation" and after I wacht it I feel that I have to! So no matter what continue running and no junk food or soda, It take a while but you will get used to:)
    P.s: I am a begginer too and I will run a 5k in march and half marathon before the end of the year

    posted 3 months ago

  • Terry B.
    Terry B. Sendmail
    in reply to what Steph N. said:Hi Kellie! I'm in a similar position to your own. I just began running this past November, and am in need of losing weight, as well. I never thought of myself as someone who would EVER enjoy running, but I've been amazed at how much I've come to ... read more

    I read where you are doing you first marathon in May. I hope you do really well.When you are standing on the starting line and you realize all your training has come together for that moment it is very gratifying. FR sent

    posted 3 months ago

  • Terry B.
    Terry B. Sendmail

    I hope you do well in your training. There will be days you just don't want to workout but it will make you feel so good when you do. Plenty of people on here to keep you motivated. Its like a finish line party after every workout. Everyone has words of encouragement and motivation.FR sent

    posted 3 months ago | edited 3 months ago

  • Wendy
    Wendy Sendmail

    Hey Kellie! Great job already! I can't wait to hear how you do in your 5K! I ran my first 5K in April 2011. I am registered now for 2 1/2s...March 31st and May 6th...so you can do it! I do agree with you, eating healthy can be difficult when you are on a budget. Try to find a local farm market if you can. FR sent. :)

    posted 3 months ago

  • Greg N.
    Greg N. Sendmail

    Just started to run myself. Doing only 1 mile so far but it feels good.

    posted 3 months ago

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