Does anybody run?

[ArcticChicken]

You can use this thing to make playlist. Basically the way it works is you put together a playlist, and then give the name of that playlist and the intervals you want to the thingy, and it sets the songs to end at the appropriate times. (i.e., you have a song that's 3:49, but you only want to run for a minute, you tell the thingy that and it goes into Itunes and sets the song to end at 1:00) You can also use it to undo that.

[BookstoreEscapee]

My friend is doing a zombie run at the end of October too (in Baltimore, I think).

I keep starting a program (couch to 5K, or Runner's World's Run Your Butt Off, which is similar) and letting myself get derailed. Hurt my shoulder a few weeks ago, and anxiety and stress have been getting to me ever since (which is all the more reason I should do it, but it prevents me instead). Frustrating.

I have a podcast by Robert Ullrey called Podcasts for Running that's available on iTunes. The music's a little more techno-y than I would like (and sometimes drowns out his voice when he's giving cues to switch between walking/running) but it's not too bad. I've also put together some of my own playlists with songs of the appropriate length for each interval (one-minute songs are tough!). Sometimes I just run as far as I can and walk until I'm recovered enough to run some more and don't really keep track.

[KiaKat]

Holy crap.

2.72 miles, 32 minutes. Could have gone MUCH longer, but I was limited on time, and had to get a delivery out before work. I'm going to try for 35 minutes on Monday and see if I can hit 5K (3.1mi). If I can, that's going to be my base run, and I'll try adding on a long run once a week, working towards 10K.

The awesome thing is that this beat my recent personal best, in terms of time, distance, AND pace. My first-mile pace was a blistering (for me) 10.28, which I haven't done since HS, and my overall pace was 11.01. If I can hold an average pace of around 11, then I can do a 5K in 35 minutes, and eventually drop it to under 30 (my HS best was around 27 minutes).

Goal is to be able to do a full half-marathon (13.1 miles) in around 2 hours. That requires working up to just about a 9 minute mile. Date of goal is Presidents' Day weekend. I might actually make it.

[KiaKat]

I haven't gone out in about a month. Pneumonia, crap schedule, and no energy combined to make an unscheduled pause in my workout.

2.14 miles, 25 minutes. Not bad for my first day back. A little slower and not as far as I'd been going (had gotten down to 10.45 pace over 5mi for my basic run), but overall it felt pretty good. And that was forgetting my inhaler, which was just a stupid move.

Side note: Amanda Palmer's new album, Theater is Evil, is an AWESOME running tool.

[Luna Baby]

Keep up the good work! Some aches and pains are going to be normal. Intense pain is not. Listen to your body and progress as you are comfortable, pushing just a tad beyond your comfortable, but not to the point of pain. You're getting there and we're all behind you!

[Amina516]

Updating this more for myself than anyone else, but I finished Week 3, Day 2 of the Couch to 5k. Im tirrrred!! Im less achy now than I was in the beginning. Im still stretching and all. Im having some discomfort to my L hip. I dont know if its the way I run, but its more prevalent now than it was before. Im going to make sure I stretch and bengay myself, but i hope it goes away.

[Amina516]

Congratulations! You are now a runner! Keep up the good work and keep posting your updates. I love to hear of someone else's successes.

Thank you!! Im excited. I just finished the second week of Couch to 5k. It was running for 90 seconds alternated with 2 mins of walking. I felt good about it.

That was until I decided to sprint for about a minute. Ouch. Boobs hurting like woah. Need a better bra. But I ran 20 minutes without stopping. A fairly major achievement for me.

I cant say no to 2 bras. A regular one and a good supportive sports bra. No back aches since I started doing that. Running has always been a weakness for me. Im soooo trying to change that. Cant run for 20 mins yet, but i hope to get there some day.

If you get tired, don't stop completely, just walk slowly. In fact, intervalling could get you there...e.g. 1 minute jogging, 2 minutes walking for the first week. Next week 1 minute jogging, 90 seconds walking. Third week even split between walking and jogging, and try for one run where you run for 5 minutes solid. And then increase that 5 minutes to 10, 15 etc. You'll get there.

The program im doing, couch to 5k, is just like that. Intervals running and walking with a 5 minutes warmup walk and a 5 minute cooldown walk followed by stretching.

Thanks for the stretching videos! I hate the tightness I get sometimes but its been getting better.

[iradney]

I do some running (mix between road and treadmill). Good shoes, definitely, but don't forget good socks as well, as they can help with blisters and the like.

Being "chestily advantaged" myself, I wear 2 sports bras. I start out with 30 seconds of slow on the spot running to warm up my legs, then rotating each ankle clock and anti-clockwise 15 times each way. Then I start out with a 5 min warmup walk (I don't have much choice, the first mile from my house is STEEP ASS HILL) and then run.

If you get tired, don't stop completely, just walk slowly. In fact, intervalling could get you there...e.g. 1 minute jogging, 2 minutes walking for the first week. Next week 1 minute jogging, 90 seconds walking. Third week even split between walking and jogging, and try for one run where you run for 5 minutes solid. And then increase that 5 minutes to 10, 15 etc. You'll get there.

If you're going uphill, shorten your strides - it feels slower, but it isn't, I promise.
Just remember, even if you're jogging at what feels like a snail's pace, you're still running.

Also, just try to end your runs, once you're at home, some side leg lifts to strengthen the side muscles is recommended as well (by my trainer):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XxYq-ZkUQw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OQXAm7JKuM

And of course, stretching afterwards is good.

[dragon_wings]

Today was my first decent run in two weeks and boy was my body happy I was running... That was until I decided to sprint for about a minute. Ouch. Boobs hurting like woah. Need a better bra. But I ran 20 minutes without stopping. A fairly major achievement for me.

[Luna Baby]

Finished Week 2, Day 1 of the Couch to 5k. Im really doing it!!!!

Congratulations! You are now a runner! Keep up the good work and keep posting your updates. I love to hear of someone else's successes.

I tried for the better part of 4-5 years to get into running and just couldn't-exercise induced asthma, shin splints, you name it, I had it and it made me hate running. This year, something different just clicked. No more asthma, great breathing techniques, awesome shoes and my most awesomest running partner (DH). Now, I outrun him!

You've made the biggest step of all--getting started! Keep it up!

[Amina516]

So, went out again. It was better, No thigh muscle issues, back was ok but good GOD WAS IT MUGGY! Nearly had a asthma attack. Thank goodness I carry an inhaler on me at all times. Im looking for an indoor track somewhere soon.

Finished Week 2, Day 1 of the Couch to 5k. Im really doing it!!!!

[Amina516]

Stretching...check! Feeling like my thighs have been in a vice grip for some reason. Ughhhh. I do some butt kicks before hand to get loose, but i get down more afterwards and try to stretch as much as I can without hurting myself.

And ive been up on the naproxen.

[Kheldarson]

Don't stretch before hand, though, unless you're doing active stretches (like butt kicks and lunges and the like). Static stretches actually weaken the muscles if done ahead of a run.

[KiaKat]

Remember to stretch. That'll help a ton with the aches. If you do yoga, step up the length of time you hold the positions.

Also, if you can, take an NSAID within an hour after your run. The anti-inflammatory properties will help with healing and with the soreness.

[Amina516]

I got these yesterday and on Sale! http://www.adidas.com/us/product/wom...r&cm_vc=SEARCH

Ill try them out tomorrow afternoon. My thighs are killing me today.