Another 'Naive' Newbie

az2wp0sye65487

Just started running 3 weeks ago. I'm still at the stage of having to stop a couple of times during my runs for a 1 min walk each time. Last night was probably my best so far, did 4.5km in 25 mins, and only had to stop twice, for 1 min walking each time.

Might not sound great, but it's a lot better than when I started a few weeks ago. I've been reading up online about running, training plans etc and I'm pleased with my progress so far. My 1st goal is to do my 4.5km route without stopping, then to improve on the time.

My next goal is to increase my distances. I'm hoping that I'll be able to compete in a 5km race within the next couple of months.

My ultimate goal is to compete in the 2010 Dublin Marathon.

So I suppose I'm asking if anyone here can point me in the right direction for:

1) Race info - List of races, 5K / 10K etc coming up over the next few months around the Dublin area.

2) Advice on where to get decent running shoes for a reasonable price. I'm currently wearing New Balance 692 (I think) and although they have some life left in them, I'll probably need new runners in the new year. The only problem being that I can't afford to splash out €100 - €120 in one go!

3) Any other general advice that you think might help! I have a good friend who will be helping me along the way. He's a personal trainer and has trained for a marathon himself in the past. I'm also reading up when I can (online mostly) about running

Thanks for taking the time to read - and for those of you running in this year's Dublin Marathon, best of luck! & I hope to see you next year

ecoli

For race info i would say look either here or runireland prob best for finsing out about different races through the year.
In terms of increasing distance a general rule of sum is dont increase mileage by more than 10% per week other than that i would say stick to a schedule to help give you focus and for advice have a look there are a fair few threads started giving advice to beginners.
Best of luck

Kissy Lips

Do all of the BHAA races for 1 year, gets you in the frame of mind for races and gets you motivated, great bunch of lads too.

Then find 10ks and half marathons in the events sub-section of Athletics / Running / Triathlon . Then get hold of a marathon training schedule starting in April.

DustyBin

You've gotten good info there regarding race fixtures
Only other thing I would say to you is google the county you live in for athletics, eg for me it would be 'wexford athletics' - this should provide you with your county website and future races in your area

About the runners, defo go get your gait analysis done
I had mine done at the weekend, and when played back in slow motion the extent of the pounding my ankle took was unreal (I overpronate apparently). The lads in the shop got me a selection of runners that help specifically with overpronation, helped with sizing, and then I just went for the ones with the prettiest colours (ok that last one was a joke). Shop was My Sport in Enniscorthy if that helps.
Gait analysis is free on the understanding that you will buy your runners in that shop. The runners I got were within your price range.
It is cheaper to buy runners online, but even some of the online websites actually recommend that you buy your first pair in a shop that does gait analysis, and then go online for your subsequent runners
If you let us know where you're from then people can recommend good places to go get it done

Enjoy your running!!

Oryx

Well done so far, your pace sounds good. Maybe vary your run distances over the week, a short fast run, mid distance, and a long easy run. But basically at this stage just get out and do it. Maybe have a crosstraining day as well, and be sure to get any niggly pains and aches checked out.

Keeping an eye on the meet and race threads here will give you a heads up on a lot of upcoming events. There are absolutely loads once you start looking. Particularly around December youll get lots of Christmassy fun runs, which might be a good start for you.

Not all running shoes cost that amount, (I had fantastic brooks burn, sadly discontinued, that were cheaper) but go to a shop, get your gait analysis, and pick your shoes. If you cant afford them, ask if you can pay off on them over a few weeks.

Once you can run your chosen distance at all, enter an event for it. Even if you go 'bloody hell Im not able'. Doing it will give you a confidence boost, and really get you going.

ecoli

DustyBin wrote: »

You've gotten good info there regarding race fixtures
Only other thing I would say to you is google the county you live in for athletics, eg for me it would be 'wexford athletics' - this should provide you with your county website and future races in your area

About the runners, defo go get your gait analysis done
I had mine done at the weekend, and when played back in slow motion the extent of the pounding my ankle took was unreal (I overpronate apparently). The lads in the shop got me a selection of runners that help specifically with overpronation, helped with sizing, and then I just went for the ones with the prettiest colours (ok that last one was a joke). Shop was My Sport in Enniscorthy if that helps.
Gait analysis is free on the understanding that you will buy your runners in that shop. The runners I got were within your price range.
It is cheaper to buy runners online, but even some of the online websites actually recommend that you buy your first pair in a shop that does gait analysis, and then go online for your subsequent runners
If you let us know where you're from then people can recommend good places to go get it done

Enjoy your running!!

Amphibian King in Bray also does this gait anaylsis however i have been running for years got it done but i didnt find it made too much difference to be honest

RoyMcC

Good advice above. However the gait analysis thing should be used with caution, in my opinion. Many of us have run for years perfectly happily without it.

GoHardOrGoHome

Micheal Rhythmic Missile wrote: »

Just started running 3 weeks ago. I'm still at the stage of having to stop a couple of times during my runs for a 1 min walk each time. Last night was probably my best so far, did 4.5km in 25 mins, and only had to stop twice, for 1 min walking each time.

Might not sound great, but it's a lot better than when I started a few weeks ago. I've been reading up online about running, training plans etc and I'm pleased with my progress so far. My 1st goal is to do my 4.5km route without stopping, then to improve on the time.

I reckon your pace might even be a bit too quick this early on. If you want to do your 4.5k circuit non-stop try running a bit slower than you currently do. Don't worry if you feel ridiculously slow or that people could walk faster than you. If you can run slowly for 20 minutes non-stop you'll be doing great. Most people starting out struggle to do 5 or 10 minutes without getting completely out of breath.

There's nothing wrong with walking by the way and it's a great way of increasing distance later on in your running career. Say, when you're able to do 15k non-stop you could probably do 25k with a couple of walking breaks.

I wouldn't worry about speed for the moment. Just get a bit of endurance into you and when you can run 10k non-stop think about doing some speed sessions/fartleks etc.

az2wp0sye65487

GoHardOrGoHome wrote: »

I reckon your pace might even be a bit too quick this early on. If you want to do your 4.5k circuit non-stop try running a bit slower than you currently do. Don't worry if you feel ridiculously slow or that people could walk faster than you. If you can run slowly for 20 minutes non-stop you'll be doing great. Most people starting out struggle to do 5 or 10 minutes without getting completely out of breath.

There's nothing wrong with walking by the way and it's a great way of increasing distance later on in your running career. Say, when you're able to do 15k non-stop you could probably do 25k with a couple of walking breaks.

I wouldn't worry about speed for the moment. Just get a bit of endurance into you and when you can run 10k non-stop think about doing some speed sessions/fartleks etc.

Yeah, when I started I was only doing 5 - 6 mins before having to walk for another 2 - 3 mins! There's a bridge over a main road close to my house that's on my route... the 1st night I went out I ran from outside the house, round the corner, and went for the bridge, by the time I got to the top I thought I was gonna pass out! That was only after about 3 mins!

Also - Thanks to everyone for the responses so far, I'm sure the info will come in very useful as I absorb all suggestions!

henryporter

All good advice above. I do think as a minimum that gait analysis should be done, particularly if you're starting off running as an adult (as opposed to running from a young age).

No matter what distance you run you should always give yourself a pat on the back - there will come a time when you run 10 miles and call it a short easy run, but until then enjoy every run.

Distance before speed is the key at this stage - 4.5K in 25minutes is pretty fast pace that would get you over the finish line in a Marathon under 4 hrs at that rate, so I would slow it down a bit in order to go longer.

Best of luck in DCM2010

az2wp0sye65487

Thanks!

I am enjoying each run at the moment. Last week I was going out every day and only took 1 day off, I was feeling great; but on the advice of my friend I've decided to cut it back slightly and stick to a specific schedule.

I also find myself looking forward to each run; even though I know halfway through I'll be thinking 'I have to stop for a minute, I can't keep this up' but I also always feel good when I arrive home too.

Much more satisfying than running on a treadmill in a gym also!

az2wp0sye65487

Went out lastnight, did my 4.5K route. I was conscious of the advice about slowing down a little. So I paced myself a little slower.

I completed the route without stopping at all for the 1st time. It felt great. I finished in (I think) 26mins 30 odd seconds - which is slower than any of my previous few runs; but the slower pace allowed me to continue running without the need to walk any part of it.

I was happy with that, so just a quick thanks for the suggestions!

Also, I had a very very very slight strained feeling in my right ankle for a couple of hours afterwards... should I be worried? I'm trying my best not to be 'pounding' the pavement when I run, but at the moment I'm not the lightest or most graceful runner!