How long are you running?

RubyK

Just curious as to how long you have all been running?

I'm a newbie - started the first week of June '09! I had been a slave to the gym for years, but never had the confidence to venture outside and run! Got a burst of enthusiasm at 6 o'clock one morning, and headed off to the beach, for my first jog/crawl. It nearly killed me, but by August I progressed to the roads! I'm glad I've stuck with it. I've lost weight, and will save myself €600 a year gym membership

vinol

hi rubyk,
im new to running too. started last march. used it as a tool to give up smoking. its worked, im now hooked on running. ran my first marathon on monday in under 4hrs, raising loads of money for charity and cant wait for my next challenge, hopefully a half marathon in 18 days
keep up the running, much better than any gym:)

Burgman

Don't worry about how long we have been running - it doesn't matter. You are on your way now and the best of luck to you.

Check in here from time to time for advice. You will get great support.

Run a race now and again - and don't worry about being last. It won't be you, trust me. If you are in the Dublin area, check out the BHAA - www.bhaa.ie - a friendly organisation with lots of races (not too long) with runners of all ages and standards. Don't be afraid of running a cross-country race - they are great fun.

The thing that really made the difference for me was joining a club. See if there is one in your area. You will get great support and encouragement - and there will be runners of your standard.

For what it is worth, I am running for nearly four years now after a long gap - and I am still improving. It's great.

And if you are vaguely interested in the marathon, give yourself lots of time to prepare and get a schedule. I am not an advocate of the 16 week approach - you will find it easier and more enjoyable if you have a better base built up.

Bloody Nipples

Since the 18th July 2008. And I can't see myself ever stopping.

rainbow kirby

Since July 2008. Started running to lose the weight I'd put on through sitting on my fat ass playing WoW. Have since lost 4st 4lbs and completed a marathon

RacoonQueen

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Since July 2008. Started running to lose the weight I'd put on through sitting on my fat ass playing WoW. Have since lost 4st 4lbs and completed a marathon

Incredible weight loss in a year.

I started properly on the 6th of June 2007, ran my first marathon less than 5 months later, still don't know quite what I was thinking at the time.

RubyK

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Incredible weight loss in a year.

+1, wow :eek: and well done rainbow kirby!

RacoonQueen wrote: »

I started properly on the 6th of June 2007, ran my first marathon less than 5 months later

That's some achievement RQ!

RubyK

vinol wrote: »

hi rubyk,
im new to running too. started last march. used it as a tool to give up smoking. its worked, im now hooked on running. ran my first marathon on monday in under 4hrs, raising loads of money for charity and cant wait for my next challenge, hopefully a half marathon in 18 days
keep up the running, much better than any gym:)

Well done on kicking the habit, and completing your first marathon! I wonder which was harder

You're so right, running outdoor beats the gym any day (though I don't know if I'll be saying that on a stormy winters evening :eek::D).

The Rook

Since June of this year too, like you I'm loving it like it was oxygen !!:D

DublinRunnerJoe

RubyK wrote: »

Just curious as to how long you have all been running?

I'm a newbie - started the first week of June '09! I had been a slave to the gym for years, but never had the confidence to venture outside and run! Got a burst of enthusiasm at 6 o'clock one morning, and headed off to the beach, for my first jog/crawl. It nearly killed me, but by August I progressed to the roads! I'm glad I've stuck with it. I've lost weight, and will save myself €600 a year gym membership

I'm back running 4 weeks (jogging) after a 15 year absence, Within that 15 years I have piled on the weight thru drinking to much and eating crap food (lost 2 stone within the last 18 months walking and on a high fibre diet because of high cholertral) Then found out I had high blood presure problems which are both under control with medication.

I have no real interest at the moment running races, my goal is to be able to run 2 miles or 5k with comfort, times dont bother me, just love getting out every 2nd evening.

Brianderunner

Been running since 1994 in the local community games u10 races. Been running road races for 4 years now after years as a 200/400m runner and finished my 4th marathon on Monday. Will keep going till i break 3 hrs, only 22 mins to go!

geld

Been running since 1996. Took it up after I finished playing football and then found out I was sh**ite at golf!:D

BTW well done RK - great achievement.

vinol

RubyK wrote: »

Well done on kicking the habit, and completing your first marathon! I wonder which was harder

You're so right, running outdoor beats the gym any day (though I don't know if I'll be saying that on a stormy winters evening :eek::D).

thanks, honestly running the marathon was harder, well the last 5 miles anyway, but well worth it. cant wait for next one to try better my time.
as i only started spring i'm not looking forward to the wintery nights out running either.beats the dreadmil though

jrar

Walked the DCM marathon in 2005 and 2006 - decided to try to run it the following year so effectively started running in Feb. 2007 in my mid-forties.

Have since done the last 3 x DCMs and ran the Berlin marathon last month - I lost over 10 kgs this year, I eat better, I drink less, I sleep like a log, and have never felt healthier in my life..........and I only run 2/3 times per week(maybe 4 times a week when I'm gearing up for a marathon)

My mates think I'm mad, my wife calls me "Marathon Man", and me ? I just enjoy the fresh air and being able to run, whatever the weather.

Went for a very enjoyable 5-miler this evening to loosen up the legs after Monday, and I really enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I was going to - had thought about doing no more marathons but am already back-tracking on the idea !

kremie

keep running man, once u get the runner's high it's ridiculous, saves tons of money and it's better than anything u can do in the gym. Try and train at high altitude if u ever get the chance, feels even better.

steoc

Not long after starting myself... Beg of September. Loving it. Except for pulled muscles.. I was doing to much too soon now i have to rest:(.
Dying to get out again soon and i will take thinks at a slower pace and build up the miles/ Kms slowly as advised.
Have been looking at this foroum for some time now and its great for tips and help.
Keep it up...

Oryx

Since August of last year. The first six weeks were hard, then you break through some kind of barrier and it gets easier to just keep running.

My first marathon was this week, but hopefully it wont be my last.

shels4ever

Oryx wrote: »

Since August of last year. The first six weeks were hard, then you break through some kind of barrier and it gets easier to just keep running.

My first marathon was this week, but hopefully it wont be my last.

Since Jan 2008 so will hit the 2 year mark soon. Did say i'd run a sub 30 5 mile in 2 years back then, wont get near it now... maybe 3 years

sarsfieldsrock

Running since giving up smoking in '04. Did the DCM for the first time that year and have done it since. Also a good few other marathons, halfs etc.
Tend to get in and out of shape after a big effort every now and then but hope to be more consistant from now on.

run_Forrest_run

Running now about 7 years and I can honestly say, of all the hobbies I've had over the years it's by far the best one for me and it's also the only one I've kept doing.
It's so accessible and versatile and the health benefits are so obvious (ignore the dodgy hips/knees/ankles :eek: ).

run_Forrest_run

sarsfieldsrock wrote: »

Tend to get in and out of shape after a big effort every now and then but hope to be more consistant from now on.

tell me about it! the eternal struggle my friend.

RacoonQueen

RubyK wrote: »

That's some achievement RQ!

Very stupid some would say.

DustyBin

Running since first week August '09 after some nutter of a friend convinced me to enter a sprint triathlon - I consider myself lucky he did as I've continued this far at least!!

Condo131

Been running since the first Sat in July, 1984. First race was a 10k in Oct '84 in 46:44, second was 7M in Nov '84, 49:22 - a certain 12 year-old Sonia O'Sullivan was 20th in that race in just over 40 mins flat! - it was her first road race!

Took it up to get rid of the rising weight. Lost approx. 3 stone when I reached my optimum (based on performance) racing weight. Now just over a stone up on that.

Taking up running was probably one of the wisest decisions I've ever made (along with marrying Mrs. MM - OK, yeah, I know - too soppy for some of you - get over it!). Anyway, take it from me, healthwise, running (exercise) is one of the best investments you can make. It paid off huge dividends for me.

earlyevening

October 2005. I managed about 150yards on my first little jog before my lungs were burning...3:07 marathon this week.

annieee

Started in first week of August '09, took part in Rathfarnham 5k and a Fit for Life 2 miler so far. Horrible form and too much too soon resulted in Runners Knee. I'm chomping at the bit to get back out on the roads but still in recovery.

Ol' Donie

Signed up for great ireland run with work last april (with some apprension). Did a little training for it, but felt like i'd really achieved something when i was finished. Didn't do much more till i finished my exams in june (part time college and work don't leave you with much time). Really wanted to do more, and decided to start a bit on the road again in july. I got one of those little booklets in the goodie bag in april, and decided to fill in the training log bit. Knowing how short my attention span for anything that requires prolonged effort is, i thought i'd probably be lucky to have anything written in the second week, never mind any more.
Yesterday, i reached 400km, including around 30 i did on hols in lanzarote last week.
I had read that once you start a log, you really hate the thought of having a gap in it. This, combined with the motivation i get on this forum, make it hard for me to see a way free from this new addiction.