Total beginner runner..advice needed

willmunny1990

hey all, im looking to take up running again for general fitness, id be starting from the very beginning, straight off the couch basically.

I used to run when I was younger as part of my boxing training but have not done that in years, im not overweight but im well out of shape, im 25 by the way.

Any tips advice on getting started? as in best methods ie road running, treadmill starting off? and how to start off with out killing myself?!

any advice at all would be appreciated. Thanks,

68 lost souls

Since you mention couch...

Couch2 5k is a great starting point

SligoBrewer

Get parkrunning

Firedance

68 lost souls wrote: »

Since you mention couch...

Couch2 5k is a great starting point

+ 1 to this, there are loads of couch to 5k apps out there, the perfect way to start off. also, check out your local club to see if they have a fit for life section, another great way to get running. enjoy!

spaceylou

+1 to what Firedance said and I would also add....go slow on the running sections. The aim is to run the running segments with enough left in the tank to finish the next walk segment, run segment etc and not have to spend the rest of the day collapsed in a heap - so if you are finding the running bits tough, slow down. Even if you feel you would walk faster, slow down until your body is used to the running motion and you will naturally and gradually speed up in comfort.

Also helpful to set yourself a target 5k race or a parkrun to aim for so you have additional motivation to complete your couch25k programme.

Gael23

Is joining an athletic club a good/bad idea as a beginner?

Dubgal72

Gael23 wrote: »

Is joining an athletic club a good/bad idea as a beginner?

For OP...and Gael?
It's not a bad idea. Do a bit of research and ask around with your local clubs. You should be pleasantly surprised at how welcoming and encouraging they'll be.
But you might be a bit disheartened at first as everyone else seems to bomb off...

OP, You're young and with 'previous' so I bet that won't be for long
As spaceylou said, keep the pace very very easy to start with. Going fast isn't a measure of how fit you are. And people you meet walking the other way are not going to be thinking 'jaysus look how slow he's going'

Good luck and enjoy!

Itziger

I'm not going to knock the couch to 5k thing, never tried it. What I will say though is, trust your body and take it easy to begin with. Over time try to go a bit longer rather than faster as this will build up a base and should be less of an injury risk. You're young. You have loads of time.

After a bit, think about a couple of goals. Pick a race a few months down the line, enter and then train for it. You don't need to train like a madman (That's for a few years time;)) If you stick at it, it's very rewarding. Read Ronnie O Sullivan on running - he got to a point where he was avoiding smaller tournaments cos he had a race at the weekend.

Sometimes it takes will power, especially the first few months, but you'll improve and then you'll want to improve a bit more. I started (back) about 8 years ago and I'd be absolutely devastated if I had to give it up now.

DubOnHoliday

Gael23 wrote: »

Is joining an athletic club a good/bad idea as a beginner?

Sign up for a race to give you something to focus on. Then plan your training accordingly.... Joining a club is a great idea, they will have groups training at all levels. Most clubs will let you attend a few sessions on a trial basis to see if you like it. Good luck.

Gael23

I did a 5 mile charity fun run today in 1 hour 2 mins. That was stopping and starting in terms of running so I'd say it's fair to say I ran half it