Beginner advice needed

Bren1609

Can anyone offer good beginner advice for jogging/running. I haven't done any real exercise in about eight months. How long should I run for and what time should I set for myself? Should I keep a log of how far and fast I run? Does anyone know any good websites?

RoyMcC

Give us a bit more background - age, fitness level, previous running/sports done (if any). Then you'll get more appropriate advice.

RedB

Bren1609 wrote: »

Can anyone offer good beginner advice for jogging/running. I haven't done any real exercise in about eight months. How long should I run for and what time should I set for myself? Should I keep a log of how far and fast I run? Does anyone know any good websites?

1. Run 3 times per week
2. Start slow and gradually build up distance over weeks/months
3 Aim for 1 mile in 10 minutes. If that's easy, go further. If its hard, go slower
4 DO NOT RUN YOURSELF INTO THE GROUND IN THE FIRST 2 WEEKS AND THEN GIVE UP = ROOKIE MISTAKE. TAKE YOUR TIME AND BUILD SLOWLY.
5. Get decent runners.
6. Boards is a decent website but only you can do the running.
7. Keep a log (even start one on here)
8 Have a specific goal e.g. Run 3 miles by end Jan.
9 Once you know what you're able for and it gets boring, push yourself a bit further or a bit faster. Only you know what you can do.
10 Enjoy yourself. Its fun

Bren1609

RoyMcC wrote: »

Give us a bit more background - age, fitness level, previous running/sports done (if any). Then you'll get more appropriate advice.

Aged 29, 6' 1" 92kg, haven't done any exercise in 8 months, previously played 5 a side football and Judo. Gained about 10kg in last 18 - 24 months.

b12mearse

i started running about 6 weeks ago. never ran before in my life. previously i played rugby and am a stocky build.
i started off running a mile every second day. i gradually got fitter and now i run 5 miles, 5 times a week.

rainbow kirby

If you're completely new to running, then Couch to 5k is a very good way to start. The program is 9 weeks long, and takes you from a very basic level of fitness to being able to run 5km.

Other important things have been mentioned - getting the right shoes for you is important, and I'd also suggest entering a race as motivation (Raheny 5 on January 31 might be worth a go). It's harder to justify skipping a training run when you've got that date marked on your calendar!

Most of all, good luck, and enjoy yourself!

KathleenF

Hey guys - not to hijack the thread but I'm in the same situation myself. I'm aged 23, reasonably fit, did hill running in secondary school and liked it. I've entered myself for a half marathon in April, and I intend starting training after Cmas. Haven't exercised in a while but I'm going to give it a right go come Jan. Any advice for me in terms of distances to start with, rookie mistakes to avoid etc?

rainbow kirby

KathleenF wrote: »

I've entered myself for a half marathon in April, and I intend starting training after Cmas.

Silly question - but what's stopping you from starting to train now?

KathleenF

Not a silly Q - just I'm mad busy with work over next two weeks and I just thought I'd set Jan as my start date...

rainbow kirby

Are you planning on following any particular training program?

KathleenF

I've joined the gym and they do a free training program depending on what your goals are, but I'd like an outsider's view first I suppose. What time should I be aiming for a half marathon?

rainbow kirby

I did my first half-marathon in June of this year. I used the Hal Higdon intermediate program to train for it. I finished in 2:17 on a relatively hot day. If you're going from nothing to a half in 4 months, I'd say that targeting 2:20-2:30 would be about right, but that really depends on what sort of natural speed and endurance you have. Have you done any running at all before?

--amadeus--

KathleenF wrote: »

I've joined the gym and they do a free training program depending on what your goals are, but I'd like an outsider's view first I suppose. What time should I be aiming for a half marathon?

Flying visit but one quick thing I'd say about gyms...

I once was on a tour around a gym prior to joining and I was chatting to one of teh instructors and he was telling me about the custom training plans they would do. I told him I was training for a marathon. He said that he could help with that and proceeded to give the single worst advice I have ever heard (run race distance a week before the race was one gem I remember) before he asked "How long is the marathon anyway?" :rolleyes:

Gym instructors are great at what they know but very few know running - as RK says you are better getting a good plan off teh Internet or a book and sticking to it.

KathleenF

I see. Not so bad so. I'd be more of a stamina than a speed girl, but as I said I did do hill running before competitively (sec. school). Been a while since I pounded the pavements/hills of Cork though!

rainbow kirby

KathleenF wrote: »

I'd be more of a stamina than a speed girl

Bit like myself then! :pac: I'm not exactly fast, but my pace doesn't fall off too much as the distances increase.

It's worthwhile setting up a log, either here or elsewhere, to see how your training is going and for a bit of accountability. Also, if there are any shorter races near you in the new year, it might be worth entering to provide a little bit of motivation along the way.

size5

Just started myself 4 weeks ago, with target of Conn Marathon. Got programme of runners world and follwoing it most of the way.

Advise has alreay been given start out slow and build up the legs and take the rest days, as they can be important as the training days.

best of luck and enjoy

annieee

I'd highly recommend Couch25k programme. I used to run in school, gave up for almost 20 years and took it up again in August by starting couch25k. I've progressed really well (if I do say so myself), a 5k race and a 2 miler under my belt, and have entered a 10k in February. Also joined a club and train 2 nights a week, found this invaluable as regards motivation and getting off my butt for training nights. Best of luck.

pete_mcs

rainbow kirby wrote: »

If you're completely new to running, then Couch to 5k is a very good way to start. The program is 9 weeks long, and takes you from a very basic level of fitness to being able to run 5km.

Other important things have been mentioned - getting the right shoes for you is important, and I'd also suggest entering a race as motivation (Raheny 5 on January 31 might be worth a go). It's harder to justify skipping a training run when you've got that date marked on your calendar!

Most of all, good luck, and enjoy yourself!

That couch to 5k program is good advise, I altered that program to suit my own needs. The first 3 weeks of the training I done in 2 etc. Its basing itself on a very low level of fitness. Up to 13-15 mile now on my long runs. Good luck, and enjoy