10 things I didn't know before I started running [Pictures]
Check in time! For those of you who are curious, here is where I currently stand. I should mention now that if you are following this blog (thanks by the way!), then you should not follow my training, seeing as I am only a beginner and working it out myself. That being said, here's what I've been doing for the past month!
- Started s-l-o-w. Ran a lap, walked a lap, up to a mile.
- Continued my run/walk thing to build up to running a mile straight- yay!
- Current goal: 3 miles running. Using walk/run method and switching it up each day.
- Found a trainer! Will be meeting with her this weekend to fix all my problems.
In the past month and a half, I already feel like I"ve learned a bunch of things to do/ not to do when it comes to training. I know I probably have a million more things to learn, but so far here are my top 10 tips for anyone starting out running.
In this gallery
A friend of mine told me she was nervous at the gym because everyone seemed so much more advanced than where she was. I felt the exact same way for a while until I realized that I pay the same membership fee, therefore I belong at the gym just as much as anyone else. Photo: areavoices.com
After complaining about side stitches to my friend, she suggested I try breathing through my nose. I thought it was too easy to be true, but the next day at the gym, POOF! Pain be gone! Well, not completely, but I felt a MILLION times better. Listen to Sue kids- don't be a scab- eating mouth-breather. Photo: Press handout
I kept tying my shoes extremely tight because I thought that was the right thing to do. Wrong. Make sure your shoes are comfortable- not too tight, not too loose. And splurge for a pair of good shoes while you're at it! Photo: boston.com
Remember that scene in Forrest Gump when he just gets up and decides to run one day? Well it's bull. I was so pumped my first day at the gym that I didn't even bother to stretch. The next day I limped to my car. Always, ALWAYS stretch before you run! Photo: USA Today
At my gym there is an indoor track that I've been using. The first day I surveyed the area and saw a bunch of buckets in the corner. What are these? Perhaps storage buckets to place my water bottle safely? I looked inside and NO, DEFINITELY NOT FOR WATER. SPIT, GUM, WATERY-PUKE-SUBSTANCE. Avoid unless needed. Photo: Wiki Commons
Since I started exercising my taste in music has plummeted. The first day I listened to Party in the USA three times....ok four....ok I lost count but the point is it was at the right tempo that got me to my goal. Photo: Wikipedia
This nice runner came up to me as I was walking on the track and asked if I was from "the home country." I realized he saw the back of my shirt that had an Irish Flag on it. I still keep wondering if he would have done the same thing if I were wearing my "Irish" shorts. =/ Photo: Ebay
After tweeting about how I couldn't wait to grab a Capri Sun as a post-run thirst quencher, @haterface politely suggested that water would be better for me and not result in horrible cramping. I took her advice and have been 100% tummy-ache free. Photo: Kraft Foods
After hounding everyone who has ever ran before, this was the most popular answer. It seems so simple yet it makes so much sense! Photo: New York Times
It's pretty scary when you're just starting out to force yourself to take a break. I felt like if I took one day off, I'd never go back. But just one day helps SO much. After a day off, I felt better and ran longer! Photo: Chicago Tribune
You have a right to be there just like everyone else
A friend of mine told me she was nervous at the gym because everyone seemed so much more advanced than where she was. I felt the exact same way for a while until I realized that I pay the same membership fee, therefore I belong at the gym just as much as anyone else. Photo: areavoices.com
17 Comments
Steph Yiu said:
Great tips! And, I love love love Party in the USA :)
Tony Ham said:
Puke bucket? I'm learning all kinds of things by running vicariously through you. Keep up the good work!
Bex said:
Hey Connie. Good tips, but a couple are misleading. You most definitely WILL want to breathe with an open mouth as you start running faster. It's a much more effective way of getting oxygen to the lungs when your heart-rate is up. Second, trainers I've worked with actually advise AGAINST stretching before you run. You wanna keep the muscles tight when you're about to use them. Stretching AFTER, however, is a must. Again, good luck! Let us know what training program you decide on... (T2EA! T2EA!)
Connie (Marathon MissFit) said:
Thank you for sharing this Bex and for being so nice about it! I can't wait to figure this all out w/ my trainer I"m sure she's going to set me straight.
Alek said:
Yeah I have to agree with Bex as well. I used to worry about how I breathe when I run, but it's better to not focus on it too much. You really want to make sure you get sufficient O2, and your mouth gets more air in than your nose. When I ran CC in college, we would warm up for a mile or so, and then stretch before our workout actually started. It is definitely important to stretch, but your muscles have to be warmed up a bit prior to doing so.
I'm training for my first marathon too, and I'll be taking the beginners approach to it; focusing on finishing rather than time. I'll be interested to follow your blog as the spring and summer rolls along. Good luck! You can do it!
Connie (Marathon MissFit) said:
Thanks for the support Alek! Yeah I'm guessing once I get the hang of things and proper instruction everything will fall into place. Good luck to you to! Are you using a specific training program? I'd love to hear more about your training!
Alek said:
A friend of mine (we ran cross country together in high school) sent me a link with a whole bunch of great information: http://www.halhigdon.com/
Most marathon training programs are about 18 weeks long, which puts a start date sometime in June for the Chicago marathon, but right now is the time to get in shape to be able to start the training programs. I am going to do one of the novice programs I believe, but I will assess as we get into June.
Kim Z said:
I planned to make this comment before I saw what Steph wrote. I vehemently disagree with her. (Still love ya, Steph!) I am horrified by the Miley Cyrus selection. You are doing such great things for your body, why would you do that to your ears! I've never been a good runner, but I tried it for a few months (mostly doing the run/walk thing you described). My favorite running song was "Combat Baby" by Metric.
Steph Yiu said:
I also love Britney. And Hilary Duff. But to be fair, I listen to all sorts of random music, from Kaskade to Radiohead to Gotan Project to Amy Winehouse, so I'm not only listening to bubblegum. But MOSTLY bubblegum :p
David Wallach said:
You actually need to make sure your shoes are the right fit for your running gate. Which means you should go to a running store and have a trained expert watch you run, talk to you about how much running you do, what your goals are and then from there they can help you determine if you need a pair with a little stability, a lot of stability, if you pronate etc. Spending a lot of money on the wrong paid of shoes for your style of running could do severe damage to your foot.
FYI
Connie (Marathon MissFit) said:
This is very true. I "splurged" by going to Fleet Feet who were awesome and did exactly what you just mentioned. They even let me exchange my first pair without a hassle when I came in with arch pains and helped me find a pair that would compensate for my overpronation.
cubicle dad said:
So are you going to come run with us along the Lakefront tomorrow?
Shahida Fozia Khan said:
I have been thinking to run half marathon since 2008. I am not a good runner, well actually not a runner at all. I can walk 4-5miles. Every year I say I am going to first increase my capacity to walk 8 miles and then do walk-run-walk-run routine and develop my running skill. My target or 2009 was to have 8 miles walk without much pain by end of fall. I am yet not there, actually still on 4-5mile walking capacity. Anyone in Elmwood neighborhood up for running with me in the evenings?
David Wallach said:
We are always looking for people to join our group. All speeds welcome:)
Connie (Marathon MissFit) said:
Hey Shahida I hear there is a great running track at Concordia University which is in your area-ish. As soon as it warms up I intend to try it out and will let you know! Good luck it sounds like we're in the same boat right now. =)
Ryan Justice said:
Every year I tell myself I'm going to start exercising and really get in shape. Every year I also never get around to it. You are really shedding some light on some things that I think I'll keep in mind should I ever get around to exercising.
HotStilettos said:
As a veteran marathon runner and ultra racer who runs all year around, I have some sound advice for all those novice runners who will be crowding the lakefront during the warm weather.
First, for your own safety and the safety of others practice proper lakefront path manners. For example, if you are passing someone, yell "On your left!" so that the person is not surprised when you come up behind them. If you are the one that is being passed and someone yells "On you left!" MOVE OVER to the right and get out of the way. This is very important when cyclist are passing you. Face it. You will be terribly injured if hit by a cyclist. The lakefront path is two directional just like a motor vehicle road in the USA. Therefore, do not run as if you are driving in France. Seriously! Can you be more rude? On that same note, if you are running with a buddy or two, DO NOT HOG the path. You should move to the far right of the path and only run two-by-two. When crossing the lakefront path to obtain water at the many drinking fountains along the way, please look both ways before crossing over. I have witnessed several novice runners get hit by cyclist and had to be carted away via an ambulance. It is not a pretty sight. There was blood everywhere. When running with your IPOD, do not blast the damn thing in your ears so you cannot be alert as to other cyclist, runners and pedestrians. Come on! I beg of you to PLEASE practice common sense. You are not the only person in this world or on the lakefront path.
Second, make sure you properly hydrate along the way and wear appropriate dryline clothing, shoes, socks, body glide, running sunglasses to prevent injuries. You will be truly sorry and your training will be short lived. I have witnessed novice runners throwing up on the lakefront path as I am speeding by doing my daily 13 miles. It is not pretty and most likely because the person was experiencing heat exhaustion.
Third, carry at least 20 dollars on you or your ATM card in the event you do get injured so you can flag a cab to take you to the hospital. I also suggest carrying your cell phone for EMERGENCY PURPOSES ONLY. Seriously. How vain are you that you need to be on your cell phone chatting with friends while you run? Can you be more ignorant? Moreover, your failure to pay attention could result in you injuring someone or yourself being injured. Again common sense please.
I hope this is helpful. Good luck and have a safe, productive and rewarding running season.
Now if you will, "ON YOUR LEFT!" I am speeding by. :)
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