The Working-Up-To-Running Thread

[Ella Minnow Pea]

So I'm not a runner and have never been a runner. The 2 times I've ever run for extended periods were in sixth grade for the Presidential Physical Fitness Test and for a mile (at least it felt that long) in 10th grade gym - with no training leading up to it. At least I'd done marching band earlier in the year to build up a little stamina.

I'm starting the New Balance No Boundaries program tomorrow to prepared for a 5K in November. I'm doing the Run/Walk program as I have no problem walking 5k. I'm good on shoes - I have a pair of professionally fitted New Balance (how appropriate) with less than 50 miles on them. Hopefully by November I'll be close to being able to run almost the entire 5k. I though about doing a couch to 5k, but I need guidance with technique, which this program should provide. The biggest hurdle? The 8am session on Saturday mornings. Ugh!

 

[rva]

When is the race?  Maybe I can come down and run/walk it with you.

[c-lando]

Cooooooooooooool! I should see if there is something like that here in Atlanta.

[foolsgold]

Nice job LMNOP!  I hope that you'll enjoy your experience and I have no doubts that you'll reach that 5K milestone quickly and successfully.  Keep us posted on your efforts.

[c-lando]

Cooooooooooooool! I should see if there is something like that here in Atlanta.

UUUUUUUUUUGH! There are 4 Fleet Feet stores in the Atlanta area. 3 out of the 4 are participating in the No Boundaries program. 1 of the 4 stores is within a 25 minute drive from me. Guess which of the 4 stores is NOT participating in the No Boundaries program? Right. The one that is closest to me. GRRRRRRR.

[rva]

Check with your local running club; they probably have some kind of training program.  Or better yet, call the nearest running store and see if they know if there are any programs starting soon.  There's almost always some kind of training program going on for beginners. 

[va_vacious]

I'll cheer you on! And I'll come to the run/walk, too! (I'd participate, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to work that day, so that makes the in-person cheering pretty doubtful, too)

[Ella Minnow Pea]

When is the race?  Maybe I can come down and run/walk it with you.

It's on November 6. When I get the sign up details, I'll post them here. It's the local Free to Breath event for lung cancer awareness.

Tonight's training - run 1 minute and walk 2 minutes for 1 mile - went well. Luckily the weather gods were shining on us, as it was only 76°F! (We're on track to have the most days 90°F or higher in a year, and we've already beaten the record for the most days where the heat index is 100°F or higher.) I feel like I picked the right group for my level, so I really hope I can progress to our target of run 4 minutes and walk 1 minute for 3.5 miles.

When I got there, I discovered that one of my friends is a mentor for my group, so that's even more incentive to stick with it.

c-lando, check out the Jeff Galloway training program. Raleigh only has the marathon program, so that's why I didn't go with it, but Atlanta has several levels: http://www.gallowayatlanta.com/

[va_vacious]

good job, e!  I was inspired/competitive and went for a walk with one of my ultra-fit friends yesterday.  (She's the type that takes multiple runs in a day "because I just needed to move" and goes for 5 miles or more each time)

Anyway, that was a 3.7 mile walk, plus dodging the waves (intervals?)

Then tonight was a 6 mile walk with another walker. Oof. I'm wore out!

[scurvygirl]

Also working up to running. Someone referred me to this site: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

So I have been starting out slow, and was taking the roommate's dog with me, but he kept slowing me down.

Now I've found I can take him out for about 15 minutes and that'll appease him (he's kind of an idiot), and then go do my running crap.

I've been running alongside the river in Dayton, Kentucky, and it's kind of smelly, but pretty.  They've spray painted yellow lines on the path so I've been using those for my intervals just as a starter.

[Cockney Rebel]

I don't think you'll ever see me running but I have got into walking in a big way recently. 37 miles in total in 7 days. My aim is to walk (at least) a marathon distance each week, at least whilst the weather stays on the right side of nice

New 'secret' walkways discovered on the Cincinnati side of the river have created a good and quite safe circular route.

Sarc, we can show you the route somewhen if you like.

Well done on the running everyone. We all gotta do what we gotta do

[Poncho]

I try to walk about 10 miles a week and my wife/I try to walk an additional 5 or so miles together.  We need to up that quite a bit.  I'm a great (and surprisingly quick) short-burst runner, but I don't currently have the ability (beyond a mile AT MOST) to do long distance running.  I applaud you for your efforts.  Great work.  I hope to be more like you!  There are a few dozen ladies in my neighborhood that walk almost every day.  I always lap them, but at least they are out and moving!  We have a lot of families on bikes or moms jogging behind strollers.  There are 2 gals and a dude that run every day and my goal is equal their pace sooner rather than later.

As so many of my comments do, that reminds me of a former neighbor of mine who sat on his porch (he's a gym freak) and made fun of the fat people that walked in my old neighborhood.  I was like "Man, are you serious?" and he's like "Check this one out... she can't possibly even see her feet!"  This is really dumb to me.  I told him that IF he was going to mock people about their size compared to his level of physical fitness, he should do it when they are stuffing their faces at McDonalds or riding a shopping cart at Wal-Mart, not when they are actively doing something to counteract it.

I'm not promoting it either way, but if you're going to be a jerk... do it correctly.  Own it!

[scurvygirl]

New 'secret' walkways discovered on the Cincinnati side of the river have created a good and quite safe circular route.

Sarc, we can show you the route somewhen if you like.

Ooh! I would like to see that route sometime.

[Cockney Rebel]

I just signed MK and me up for the 2011 Flying Pig Half-Marathon!

We'll walk it.

[trixi]

I just signed MK and me up for the 2011 Flying Pig Half-Marathon!

We'll walk it.

I'll join you if you want company :-D