If you are a runner, please tell me how you started.

I mean, what prompted you to start?

Was it for health reason, a friend recruited you, etc...

how did you begin? Did you have a plan?

Thanks

If you are a runner, please tell me how you started.

Former runner here- I stopped due to an injury last year. I would love to go back after I have my baby if my knee allows it!

I started running in January 2010. My new year's resolution was to run a 10k. I'm a very goal oriented person and pretty much always stick to my resolutions. My dad is a runner so he inspired me to start.

The 10k (LI Marathon 10k) was in May. So I had 5 months to get up to 6.2 miles (I already had a pretty decent base level of fitness). I started running/walking and kept track of my mileage. At first it varied from 2-3 miles a day/4-5 days a week. Some days faster, some days slower. In Jan-Feb I did treadmill running, by March I was outside.

After realizing I was running around a 10 minute mile, my goal was a 10k under 1 hour. I ended up running it in 59 mins, 59 sec! I kept on running after that and withiin a year I was down to an 8min/mile 5k.

There are many plans online. I honestly just followed by own plan; I did what felt right and didn't push myself. I gradually increased my mileage.

The best piece of advice I can give, if you are serious- get a good pair of running shoes. Go to a running store and have them help you select a pair.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Re: If you are a runner, please tell me how you started.

I started running about 3 or maybe 4 months ago. I was recruited. Lol. I hated running. I don't know what made me say yes but now I do mud runs and love it. I know a lot of people start with the couch to 5k but I was just thrown into it. I started running hills and worked my way up from running one round (4 hills) non stop to running 3.5. On flat ground I've done 3 miles non-stop. My recommendation is to work your way up. I agree on the comment re: running shoes. I bought new balance minimalists about 2 weeks ago and love em

Re: If you are a runner, please tell me how you started.

I started in 2001. I had moved to DC about 6 months prior and on the metro one day I saw a sign for a marathon training program to raise money for charity, like Team in Training, but a different charity.

I thought it would be a good way to meet some new people and give me something to do since I had no friends there yet.

So I signed up and 6 months later I ran my first marathon!

I don't really recommend doing it this way, since it was really hard to finish the marathon. I think a more gradual build up is better. Start with a 5K and then move up in distance from there. That said, I'm not sure I would have stuck with running if I started at a shorter distance.

Re: If you are a runner, please tell me how you started.

I blame some ladies I met on LIW! Two of my LIW friends did half marathons and I decided that I wanted to do one too! But I had only ran a few miles at the gym, 3 at the most. So I joined Team in Training to run the Hamptons Half Marathon and raise money for cancer research. I ended up falling in love with running and now I run 3x a week in addition to my other workouts. I LOVE running. I am an addict.

Oh! And I only started running in June 2011. Ran three halfs and a lot of smaller races. NYC Marathon 2013 will be my first marathon.

Message edited 8/4/2012 4:14:02 PM.

Re: If you are a runner, please tell me how you started.

I started when I was 12. I joined my middle school track team, and my best friend's dad was a track & field coach...he used to drag us out of bed and make us run up the hill we lived on Saturday mornings

Re: If you are a runner, please tell me how you started.

Honestly just put my shoes on one day and decided to go for it.

An instructor at my gym was mentioning a 5K that was coming up and she was going to do. I went home said, "what the heck", and signed up.

Haven't stopped since then.

I love it. I run alone most of the time. Have done about 10 half marathons, 2 (soon to be 3) full marathons, and more 5 and 10 K's than I can count.

Just put your shoes on, open your door and go!! I promise you won't regret it!!! but you may find a new addiction.

Re: If you are a runner, please tell me how you started.

my dh was doing races. i was using asthma as my crutch. i did a little bit on the treadmill. then i kept building up my time

If you are a runner, please tell me how you started.

I started in 9th grade and have been running consistently for the last 15 years. I started running so I would have something to do after school. Running is addictive. My DH is very into running so I think it makes it easier to have motivation to get up and go for a run.

Re: If you are a runner, please tell me how you started.

I always had a pretty good level of fitness before so I started hoping to accomplish new goals for myself. I slowly got myself to 3 miles by adding a little each week. I would run about 4 times a week. I did my first 5k a few months ago.

After I started I really enjoyed it. I love the way I feel after a long run. I also love the feeling of accomplishment you get from it the harder and longer you push yourself. I just love the way I feel physically and mentally from running.

I just started training for a half marathon and I'm up to week 4. My next goal is a full marathon. I've wanted to do one for a long time! My best advice is start out slow and gradually work your way up. That and invest in a good pair of running shoes.

Message edited 8/5/2012 11:33:54 AM.

Re: If you are a runner, please tell me how you started.

My brother did a duathalon on Mother's day this year. We were meeting him by the finish line and I saw all the people around me who had finished - many with kids, just like me. I had used the kids as my excuse. I felt so lazy and unhealthy and decided I could do it too. Its only been a few months, but my body has changed so much. I've also recently gotten into bike riding, which I think I actually like better.

ETA: I'd been talking about the C25k program for a while, and the week after mother's day finally started it. I highly recommend it. I went from not even being able to go a minute to being able to run 5k in only two months.

Message edited 8/5/2012 11:36:28 AM.

Re: If you are a runner, please tell me how you started.

I started in JHS too - *26 years ago!*

I haven't always been consistent though and have had breaks for various reasons.


I have been trying to get back after a recent hiatus - pregnancy, baby, son's illness but ran a marathon undertrained and just recovered from a stress fracture.


My goal is to get back into shape that I was before my third baby, but I would love to inch closer to my prebaby times

I do have a lifetime goal of 50 state marathons...but I don't feel like focusing on marathons anymore/right now. Perhaps when I get older and my speed slows down I will go back to them.

Re: If you are a runner, please tell me how you started.

I started when I joined a gym 4 years ago & wanted to do cardio workouts... I wanted something challenging & decided to try jogging a little, at first I would go really slowly & could just do a few seconds, then was doing walk/run workouts as my endurance improved, and then after a while I could run longer distances. Then I decided to try doing races & realized I really liked running outdoors too.

Re: If you are a runner, please tell me how you started.

started to spend time with my boyfriend (now DH!) at the track
i was like 21
i started at the track interspersing running with walking and then after time it became all running.
i signed up for the NPT cow harbor race and that hooked me b.c it was such an accomplishment for me at the time.
since then i've done 6 marathons and 2 1/2's i have the Disney marathon coming up

i love running b.c it literally brought me out of the depression i felt after giving birth..
it is also something that is MINE-i don't have to be a mom or an employee while i run
it's something i just do for myself!

Re: If you are a runner, please tell me how you started.

I started in junior high on the track team. My bff convinced me to join track with her since we both got rejected for the basketball team. Once i started running, I loved it and loved the improvements I was seeing in my body. It also acts as a stress relief for me, it helps clear my mind. After high school, I would run 5k's and a couple of times during the week to keep in shape. Last year, I decided to train for a half marathon and the feeling of accomplishment was incredible when I crossed that finish line. I just never thought I could push myself through 13.1 miles but man, when I did, it was well worth it!

Message edited 8/5/2012 11:28:25 PM.

If you are a runner, please tell me how you started.

I ran a 5k (without training) to test my fitness. I was 7 months post partum and had gotten in shape with circuit training. I wanted to see if I had the endurance to run 3 miles. I did, but it wasn't pretty. I decided to do couch to 5k to build up to another 5k a few months later. After that 2nd 5k, I decided I wanted to run a half marathon. Races are addicting!