Taking up Running (Again)

Captain-America

Undoubtedly there's a topic on this somewhere that I've missed, so apologies in advance.


Anyway, my name is Aaron, I'm in fifth year at the moment. From first to third year I did running with my school. I enjoyed it for the first couple of years, then grew tired of it, wanted to spend more time hanging around the local shopping centre instead etc etc. Teenager stuff.
Only recently have I realised how fit I was back in those days. I'm stick thin anyway, but I was very fit back then, compared to what I am now. I've come to the conclusion I want to take it up again, but not with school, as I wasn't a huge fan of competition.
I went for a fifteen minute run this morning for the first time in two and a half years, and I really enjoyed it. I was just wondering if anybody could recommend how much running I should be doing. I really cannot remember exactly what I was running when I first started running, and I know what it's like to over do it.

If anybody can just give me some sort of general guideline as to how gradual I should build up my running, how many times a week and for how long. Obviously it's different depending on the person, but any advice and anecdotes would be handy. Doing fifteen minutes this morning felt about right so I'm thinking of doing that again in a couple of days.

Anyway, any advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers!

RacoonQueen

I think, really, as you say it depends on the person. To have not run for two years and then be able to go out and run non-stop for fifteen minutes is very good. It suggests you've got a good base fitness. There are no rules or regulations as to how often you should do it and for how long it just depends on how you feel, especially if you're not competing. For getting your fitness back up and your strength back I'd say probably go out every second day for 20 minutes or so. Maybe add a couple of minutes every other run. I'm not one for structured training plans and all that sort of crap but many on here are and would probably disagree with what I say.

shels4ever

mp1972 wrote: »

I think, really, as you say it depends on the person. To have not run for two years and then be able to go out and run non-stop for fifteen minutes is very good. It suggests you've got a good base fitness. There are no rules or regulations as to how often you should do it and for how long it just depends on how you feel, especially if you're not competing. For getting your fitness back up and your strength back I'd say probably go out every second day for 20 minutes or so. Maybe add a couple of minutes every other run. I'm not one for structured training plans and all that sort of crap but many on here are and would probably disagree with what I say.

Good advise there, i would say get out with your school team if you have one too. Over 2 years at your again you will get back in no time.

Best of luck.

Captain-America

mp1972 wrote: »

To have not run for two years and then be able to go out and run non-stop for fifteen minutes is very good. It suggests you've got a good base fitness.

Haha, well that's very encouraging! Although admittedly, I have had a bit of muscle pain today, though that's natural. I think I'll try get out tomorrow and do another fifteen minutes. Or maybe even twenty.
Even after just one run I can feel myself feeling the flair for the sport I used to again. Looking up different road races going on throughout the year and everything. Don't want to jinx it though!