HELP! Beginner

Now that the warm weather is here I would like to start excercising outside. I really want to start running, but I don't even think I could run for 5 mins before stopping (I know, sooo sad). Any tips on how to begin and stay motivated? I really want to give this a try, but I'm already talking myself out of it. Should I bring my ipod? Can anyone recommend a stratergy for beginners? Should I set a distance goal or # of days per wk or both as a goal? IE: do 5 miles a week as my goal or do every other day as a goal or go every other day and try to run 1 mile per day?!! HELP!! THANKS SOO MUCH!!!

Re: HELP! Beginner

I would start by aiming to be out for 30 min. Run as much as you can and walk in between. Keep alternating as much as you need to. Then each time you go out try to run more and walk less but still within the 30 min block.

Re: HELP! Beginner

google the couch 2 5k plan!!! Its a 9 week running plan to get you to running 3 miles. Its awesome and it works! When I first started out with this program I ran 3 days a week. It's important to have rest days. Good luck!!

Re: HELP! Beginner

Couch to 5K is a GREAT program!!

Re: HELP! Beginner

I started running about a year and a half ago.... so i will give you my advice, what worked for me, i dont know if its what "by the book" would say but this is what i did. I started during christmas break when i was off from school, i figured since i had more free time than usual i would try running. so i just ran as much as i could everyday that week, which was barely a mile a day. but after the week was over i felt motivated because it already was not as much of a stuggle as it was the first day!! so i kept it up... and after 2 weeks it was even easier... and so on... it became to the point where i was afraid to stop running because it would set me back. i didnt worry too much about the time or distance, just tried keeping it consistant(i run about 6 days a week, which some say is too much). i didnt want to hate it because i knew i wouldnt continue then. i felt good that for the first tim e in my life i could run a mile without dying..... so since then i have improved slowly and can run over 3 miles now... and am still trying to add to that.

OH and another thing, i started running only on a tredmile which i found eaiser. i liked looking at the time and knowing the speed i was going and knowing teh exact milage. a few months later i started running outside and that was a big adjustment BUT now it is ALL i do, i have grown to love it outside, ran shine cold hot.

so see what works for you! good luck.... i think consistancy is key to getting started, dont worry about how far or how fast, that will come later.