I have read more of this forum over the weekend and entering a race definitely seems to be the way many of you stay motivated. I think I'll have to give it a go to see what all the fuss is about.[/quote]


Hi Ivan, Welcome to the forum, definitely enter a race, you won't regret it or forget it either!!

TT

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Bird in Boots

You're a bit different from me Ivan - I'm 10st 2lbs, 5'7" and twice your age + 11. But I do have some weightier friends who run decent times for 10K's, ½ marathons and marathons from a limited amount of training.
What I'd suggest is you go out for half an hour or so, on alternate days, until you've established a rhythm you can comfortably maintain without feeling discomfort. After a few weeks try a longer run at weekends, four miles at first, then up to six. When you can handle that you'll be ready to join a club, and running with club mates will give you the confidence to enter your first race. It's easier, mentally, to start racing with people around that you know, rather than venturing into it alone. The camaraderie before a race relieves a lot of the tension, and you learn a lot from the post race assessment of why things went wrong, or right, as the case may be. I'd advise anyone who wants to run, or race, to join a club as soon as they can maintain a comfortable pace for 4 or 5 miles. I did, and never looked back!
Cheers!

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