I want to start running, but I don't know how

[IamLoved]

Hi!

I know the obvious answer to this would be just start, right?

I guess I am just looking for direction. I am about 40 pounds overweight. I never used to be a fan of running, not in high school PE class or since. I actually hated running, at first. But once I got used to it, I really enjoyed it.

Now I would LOVE to be able to do a marathon. I really want to do this. But where do I begin. How do I start?

Any advise would be greatl

Thanks!

[madmel]

Hi Missionary,

we had this topic not long ago and I would like to link you to this thread:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=154337&highlight=lunar+running#post154337

My advice:

good gear (esp. shoes)
good plan
motivation - which you obviously have a lot of ;)

cheers,
mel

[GaiaLyn]

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

[IamLoved]

Thanks Mel,

The links didn't come through though, do you think you could report them, if it is not too much trouble.

Thanks again for your help.

[IamLoved]

Thanks Gaialyn, I am checking that out!

[madmel]

missionary,

when I click on the link, a new window with a thread opens. we discussed the topic running there quite extensively and there are a lot of good tips and suggestions as well as links to running related websites.

does it work now?

mel

[sevenbravo]

John Bingham has some good advice. He even calls his runners penguins. Meaning that they walk a lot of the time, yet they have a great time enjoying running, instead of focusing on pain tolerance, racing and winning (which would be me.) http://www.johnbingham.com/

[kmik]

I started running last September by just measuring out a mile around my house, then walking with a few jogging spurts thrown in. With time I was able to jog more, and faster and farther. By March I completed a 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles)... not bad for 6 months IMO :)

I'm currently training for the Chicago Marathon in October.

I found that on 100% raw, my recovery time is great, hardly any sore muscles at all!

As Mel said, get good running shoes... and the ONLY place to do that is at a running shoe store... not a sporting goods store, not a shoe store. At a running shoe store they'll fit you according to your weight, arch, pronation, miles run per week, etc.

Another recommendation is to do some gentle stretching before and after (touch your toes, pull one foot behind you to your butt, stand on the end of a stair on your toes and stretch your calves... stuff like that)

I love Cool Running (link Gaia provided). You can get a free log there to keep track of your miles, speed, weight, and even the milage on your shoes (as running shoes last only 300 - 500 miles before they need to be retired).

Other favorite running sites of mine are Runner's World http://www.runnersworld.com and their forums http://forums.runnersworld.com/eve/forums

Raw Fitness has a forum for running http://s12.invisionfree.com/FLF/index.php?act=idx

And there's a new "community" called Run Bud http://www.runbud.com. I started a vegetarian running group on there.

I'll be organizing a team of Raw Foodists to run the 2007 Chicago Marathon... maybe you can join us :)

[IamLoved]

Thank you all so much for you help.

I followed the link to cool running last night and did my first work out on the treadmill alternating 60 second of jogging with 90 seconds of walking. I felt really good about it after.
When I told my husband that I want to train for a marathon, as in 26 miles, he was really supportive and said yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I was surprised. I am glad that he wants to supprt me on this.

Again thank you all so much. I really appreciate all of your help!

[Jul]

Do you have any running clubs near you? Once I was able to run 5 miles I joined a group. That really pushed me to run further than I ever wanted - those hours spent running together you'll establish some great friendships! I still don't always what to run, but I do want to see my friends!

Like you I never enjoyed running - hated it in fact. Not even when I was younger. But I started by walking/running on the treadmill until I was able to do 30 minutes running without stopping, then went outside and was amazed how far from home I could get in 30 minutes! Joined a group and I was hooked, his is my 5th year running and this years Chicago will be my 6th marathon.

Crazy
Jul

[kmik]

Jul... Please oh please do the Chicago Marathon with the run raw team!!! Drop me an email at krista@runraw.org and I'll fill you in... also, you can visit http://www.runraw.org... but please get in touch with me. We've gotta spread the word about raw :)