I want to start running.?

Question

School gets out June 18th for me and I plan to relax that day and start running June 19th. I want to learn distance running for health reasons and so I can do it when we have to at school next year. I plan on running...or I guess jogging as far as I can away from my house down the road at a steady pace, then when I can't do it anymore I will stop, turn around, and walk back to my house the same distance as I ran to cool off. I will try to increase the distance gradually and I'll drink plenty of water.

I want to be physically fit and be able to eat anything I want and get addicted to running.

Is it a bad idea to run in the summer? Do you have any tips or anything you can share with me? And my birthday is July 1st, will I see any results by then if I stick to running? How long until I get addicted? Thanks in advance :)

Answer 1

Distance running isn't necessarily about running at the same pace all the time. There are many different parts of training to be a distance runner; pace runs, intervals, long runs, mileage runs, etc.

Since it's summer, plan on running early before it gets too hot. Heat stroke is easy to get, even for experienced runners, when it's over 80 degrees.

Map out your runs. I find that running loops is much more interesting than out and backs, so I have mapped out several around my area that I can go run. You can go here: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ and use this to map distances on the routes you run. It's a very handy web site.

I would recommend you run 3 or 4 times per week, taking a day off between the harder runs. Make one day an interval type session where you alternate fast and slow paces. This builds your speed and recovery capabilities. For a non-measured route, just time the intervals, starting at 2 minutes. Run at the fastest pace you can sustain for 2 minutes, then slow way down to get your breath back for 2 minutes. Try not to stop and walk, just run very slowly and let your arms dangle to relax your diaphragm muscles.

Make another run a pace run, where you run at near race pace for the run. For example, if you are running 9:00 miles for 3 miles easily, try to complete the same 3 mile run at an 8:45 pace. Use your imagination to motivate you to finish hard.

Make the third run the long run. This is where you build up your distance. Pace is not as important as covering the distance. If you're running 3 miles as your pace run, run 5 as your long run at a much slower pace. Again, try not to stop, if you need to rest, use the same technique as for the interval training.

If you get a 4th run in for a week, just make it a mileage run. Run at a comfortable pace for the same distance as your pace run and enjoy yourself. Look at the scenery going by, wave to people. This is the fun run of the bunch.

Be sure to get good running shoes. Spend a few extra bucks on a good pair, don't opt for the cheap ones, your back, feet and legs will feel much better after a run if you do. Stretch a little bit before a run, and a lot after the run. Stay hydrated, but don't drink to much, there is a fine line between being well-hydrated and over-doing it.

Once you get to running 6 - 8 miles comfortably, you might start getting what we loosely call the "runner's high". SInce you're young, you should reach this stage quickly, maybe not by July 1st, but perhaps by mid-August. It's a very cool feeling you get when you feel that you can run forever, your senses seem sharper than normal, everything is great. That is why runners run.

Answer 2

To start running just run easy. Running slow enough that your body can handle the effort. You should be able to talk. Do not run so fast that you are out of breath. Set a distance, and run until you need to walk, then walk until you are able to run again. You can use this method and increase your running until you can run the entire distance. If you have never run before try 2 miles. To cool down you can walk around the block or for 8 to 10 minutes. Then do some gentle stretching to get your muscles relaxed. You may be sore for a day or 2 after the run, but do not let this keep you from running. If it is hot you may want to run early in the morning while it is cool. Most runners run all year, it does not matter the weather. Just because you run does not mean you can eat any and everything you wish. It is a good idea to eat heathy. It is okay to eat a treat sometimes, but you must control your calories or you will gain weight regardless of how much you run. Drink plenty of water because you can become dehydrated before you are thirsty. If you are consistent then you will be able to see the improvement before your birthday. It will make you feel better. I don't know if you will become addicted to running. Many people are and some are not. Once you get into the habit of running then you will feel like you need to get in your daily run, but I am not sure if that is an addiction. Run at least 4 to 5 days per week, but if you run everyday you should take off 1 day per week from running. Remember just get outside and get started. Keep a diary of your running, how far, the weather, how you feel. It is also good to monitor your heart rate. The first thing in the morning take your pulse and do it everyday. You can judge your condition by the resting heart rate.

Answer 3

Hi and happy birthday in advance!

I have been running for nearly 25 years. The biggest mistake people make when they start running is trying to do too much too soon.

It sounds like you have a good plan to start with. Here are some other tips:

It's a good idea to intersperse walking and jogging (slowly).

At first, take a day off in between runs to allow for your muscles to recover.

When adding mileage, only add 10% more per week, either in miles, or in time run. If you run 20 minutes a day the first week, then try 22 minutes a day the next week.

Go slower than you think you should. That will allow you to go farther. It will conserve energy and give you confidence to stick with it.

Be careful when it gets really hot-- try to go early in the morning or later in the day.

Pay attention to injuries. Do not run on an injury. Rest for a few days to a week and if the injury is still there, see a doctor.

Most of all, have fun!

Answer 4

I disagree with the answerer who says you can't get addicted to running. I am. I try to do between 3 and 10 miles every day. Of course, I can easily go days without running, but I'm always itching to get back out again.

I'm glad you sound so eager to take it up. I doubt you'll see any real difference in physical shape by your birthday, but you will DEFINITELY be feeling much better and fitter by then.

As for starting out, instead of going as far as you can, then walking back, why not try to make it a bit more controlled. Work out a 3 mile loop around where you live and run round it, timing and yourself and recording the time. Then every day, or every other day to begin with, go round the lap again, timing yourself. Each time, push yourself a bit harder until you are constantly beating your previous times. Once this happens, and it should only take a few weeks really, extend the lap. Take it out just a few more blocks, then start timing yourself on this longer run. Again, you should be aiming, over a few weeks, to be able to constantly beat your previous time.

Keep extending the run and soon (a couple of months probably) you'll find you're easily running around a 5-8 mile lap.

Good luck with it.

Answer 5

When I was training in the off-season for soccer during the summer I would run at night after my work shift. At night it is cooler out and easier to stay motivated. It's also a good stress relief if you have a job during the day. I used to go with my dog for safety and for her health benefit as well. Also, set weekly goals of how far you want to run before you have to stop. Keep track of your progress as this will also keep you motivated when you see how far you've come!

The addiction as you put it will probably start to hit after the first couple of weeks when your body has had a chance to flush out the toxins in your muscles you have built up through inactivity. The first couple of weeks will hurt, even if you stretch out. If you can get through that hump then the adrenaline will kick in more and more and you will crave the rush. Probably once you hit running for half an hour or more you will feel a need to run more and more.

Answer 6

well, b 4 u run drink a lot of H2O and after u run drink a promising energy drink to replace the Electrolytes - i think thats how u spell it :D - also, start slow and increase ur distance and try not to run evr day, maybe only evry othr to relax the muscles, and stretch b 4 adn after to, but not too much. good luck!

Answer 7

it is better to run early in the morning before the heat starts. the heat causes alot of dehydration to the body, and therefore, is not recommended to run in between the hours of 12 and 3:30 when it is most hot outside.

Answer 8

For the heat concern...
Try running after dusk or at dawn WITH REFLECTIVE/LIGHT CLOTHING!!! I get hot too. I just saw a show about a woman in florida who passed out near a canal because she was over heated and an Alligator ate her. Heat stroke is no Joke.

Answer 9

yes. Round Like a circle in a spiral Like a wheel within a wheel Never ending or beginning On an ever-spinning reel Like a snowball down a mountain Or a carnival balloon Like a carousel thats turning Running rings around the moon Like a clock whose hands are sweeping Past the minutes of its face And the world is like an apple Whirling silently in space Like the circles that you find In the windmills of your mind Like a tunnel that you follow To a tunnel of its own Down a hollow to a cavern Where the sun has never shone Like a door that keeps revolving In a half-forgotten dream Or the ripples from a pebble Someone tosses in a stream Like a clock whose hands are sweeping Past the minutes of its face And the world is like an apple Whirling silently in space Like the circles that you find In the windmills of your mind Keys that jingle in your pocket Words that jangle in your head Why did summer go so quickly? Was it something that you said? Lovers walk along a shore And leave their footprints in the sand Is the sound of distant drumming Just the fingers of your hand? Pictures hanging in a hallway And the fragment of a song Half-remembered names and faces But to whom do they belong? When you knew that it was over You were suddenly aware That the autumn leaves were turning To the colour of her hair Like a circle in a spiral Like a wheel within a wheel Never ending or beginning On an ever-spinning reel As the images unwind Like the circles that you find In the windmills of your mind

Answer 10

haha

well, first of all, good for you =) ... running is a very good and healthy thing to do, just dont go over the top and hurt yourself by running so much...

aslo, yes, running in the summer can be hot, so i suggest to run maybe half as much in the summer as in the winter... and more in the winter, you could dehidrate and other things if you run too much in the summer...

and if you are overweight or obese, and trying to loose weight, then dont run too much when you first start... because you could do yourself halm, once you get a little more fit, then i would start to run a little bit more...

you shouldnt be too hurt or sick on your birthday, as long as you dont push yourself too hard...

and just so you know, you can't get addicted to running... but you CAN get addicted to trying to loose weight... and that will usually result in running... and you cant eat whatever you want if you are trying to loose weight or trying to get more fit...


good luck =)