A question for those of you runners out there. Were you a natural runner or did you learn to love it? I always want to run, but I don't really enjoy it. I know it is great exercise, but how do you become a runner? I found a running plan where you walk for the first 10 minutes, then there is 15 minutes of running time. During that 15 minutes you run for 30 seconds then walk until you recover. Then run for 30 seconds more, then walk until you recover. The last 5 minutes, you walk. The author of the article says that after one month you should be able to run the full 15 minutes. Then you start in month two running additional time instead of walking. There is another plan my bil started on where you do 30 minutes of a walk/run combo. You walk 4 minutes, run 2 minutes for a total of 5 times for a total of 30 minutes. Then when that becomes comfortable, you walk 3 minutes, run 3 minutes, then you walk 2 min run 4 until eventually you are running the full 30 minutes. I think for my weight and running ability the first interval of walk 10 min, run/walk 15, walk 5 would work best.

Any thoughts?

Jill

Instead of the treadmill tonight I swam 25 laps. Not all at once, there were breaks in between but I love swimming, feels great. I do get much more short of breath and feel like I am getting a harder cardio workout when I swim vs. walking/running.

Jill

Thanks for all the well wishes!


Update: Monday night-30 minutes on the treadmill(10 min. walking warm-up, 15 min. walk/run interval, 5 min. cool-down). The 15 min run/walk interval went something like this: 90 seconds running, 3 min walking, 90 second running, min walking, 90 seconds running, 3 min walking, 2 min running. I didn't start until 9PM so i was pretty tired. I had a tough time making it the last 2 min running but I hope to gradually keep increasing my time.

Jill

jill, you are pretty awesome girl!

WAY TO GO, JILL!!!!!!!!! Wooo Hoooo!!!! That's terrific!

(We need a dancing smiley. )

WOOO HOOO, Jill!

Running for 5 minutes is HUGE when you're first starting out! I used to do the walk/run intervals on the treadmill as you described, and just getting through 60 or 90 seconds in the beginning was tough for me!

That is so AWESOME Jill!!!!!

5 minutes IS a long time when you are first starting to run! I remember staring at the treadmill trying to will the time to pass faster when I was first running as it seemed like an eternity!

I also totally remember the excitement about seeing that time start inching up, the speed getting quicker, etc.... Very COOL!

The gym sounds great too!

So far this week I've gotten two days of walk/run interval training. Wednesday I did a walk/run combo on the treadmill for 25 min. Today I did a 30 minute walk/run combo on the treadmill. I walked for 10 minutes at 3.0 speed. Then I ran 90 seconds, walked a few minutes, ran 90 seconds, walked 3 minutes and my final run segment I ran for a full 5 minutes!! I know that may not sound like a lot, but for me it was tough and 5 minutes straight was tough. While running(well, more jogging), I went between 4.0 speed and 3.5, I changed the speed sporadically. I then did an upper body and ab workout using free weights, then 10 min walking at 3.0 speed on treadmill followed by a stretching session. Tomorrow I am joining the gym. We have a new Gold's Gym in town. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the fact that there is a "womens only" work-out room. It is equipped with bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, free weights, and nautilus type equipment. And right outside that room (which is on the second floor) is an area with ab machines. There is also a pool downstairs along with a very large workout area on the first floor, a racquetball court, a room where they hold fitness classes and upstairs is a room for spinning classes. It will cost me $26/month for everything. My sister and niece joined so I have workout buddies. My dd wants to go too so I'll always have people to go with(my motivation).

Jill

No problem, Jill!

I'm sure you'll both do great!

In addition to learning to be a runner my sister and I are going to train to run our very first 5K this summer! I emailed her the Cool Runnings "Couch to 5K" plan (thanks Laura !!) so we are going to get started this week.

Jill

quote:

hated running. now, it is my meditation. i started very slow. walk and run, walk and run. then i aimed for a certain number of times around the track. i took it really slow.

Me too. I was NEVER a runner but now it's my de-stresser and I get cranky if I don't get enough running time.

I too started with walk/run for short intervals and worked up from there.

Jill,
I do NOT consider myself a runner, but recently, I have started to run some. I generally combine my running with my walking. I first walk a small bit to warm up and then I run 1-2 miles. When I am pooped, I walk for another 1-2 miles depending on time and energy.

For me the best part of adding some running to my walking routine, is that I am way more efficient-- I can burn more calories running so that I have less time on the TM. The second best part is that I am feeling better and have more energy. For me, the running can be hard, but it also has strengthened my legs and probably my cardiovascular system. I like being and feeling stronger.

I run super slow- between 5.0 and 5.2MPH so that I make about a 11-12 minute mile. I walk at 4.0-4.1.
Most of the people at my gym are running closer to 6-7MPH. I just can't sustain that pace for very long.

I did not follow any program. I just started running for a few minutes at a time. Before I knew it, I was hitting a mile and then more than that.

Like other said, I use my ipod and enjoy just zoning out to my thoughts and the music. My time.

I am not sure if you are interested (or need to) lose weight, but running will up the calorie burn if you do. OTOH, if you are carrying extra weight, running might be hard on your knees, ankles- just a thought.

Way to go, Jill!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sandy,

When I decided in 2001 that I needed to lose weight, I hated to sweat. I never dreamed I'd be running like a fiend.

I started with a couch to 5k program. It's much easier to start with compared to what I was reading in your post, Jill. (I'd be leery of starting that kind of program (the 15 min. of running time one) without having some running background.) It's interval based, which is probably the best way to start.

Cool runnings has the most "friendly" program. If you're consistent at it, running does begin to be enjoyable, and you can go about getting started with the least likelihood of getting injured.

I look at the time I spend running as time to zone out with my mp3 player, leaving everything and everybody else at home, so it's just me. (I'm one of those weird people who like training alone 98% of the time, but running with a friend is a nice change of pace, too.)

Over the last 17 months, I've accumulated so much music that I've nearly maxed out my 2GB player. I enjoy just going out and running, on a cool, slightly windy day, there is nothing better. Yesterday was almost perfect, 67 degrees, kind of windy. (Sun would have made it perfect.)

Make sure you invest in good shoes, talking to a running store (not just a store like Dick's) about the best shoe for your particular feet & gait. It will make a big difference, I found that out the hard way. ;P

i hated running. now, it is my meditation. i started very slow. walk and run, walk and run. then i aimed for a certain number of times around the track. i took it really slow.

i always listen to my iPod while I run. sometimes, when i am on the treadmill, i read. but mostly, i pray or reflect on why i responded in situations a certain way and what lesson i need to learn from certain situations.

i think doing intervals would be a great start. It is how I started.
enjoy the feeling of the wind in your hair.