Hi,

I am new to running - so new in fact that only tonight am I attempting my first Jog/Run. I have been walking to and from my work everyday for the past 5 weeks (was 35 mins at first each way now got it down to 25/20). I haven't ran since I was in school, so almost 8 years! I am unsure of how to start, my 'running buddy' and I have thought that a run for 2 walk for 2 seems to be a good starting point. My main areas of concern are my knees and ankles as I am currently 14st 6 and broke my right ankle exactly a year ago today (spooky!) and my left metatarsil (sp?) in Jan 2000, which was never properly set in the cast. I used to be horse riding about 5 days a week up until mid feb so my knees are used to a bit of use. Also I am , ahem, rather large chested and can find that if i do have to run the weight of my chest can affect my breathing (even in a level 4 shock absorber bra!). I want to start running as walking just aint cutting it any more! I have been tempted to break into a jog on the way to work (the downhil bit) but being a sweaty mess for work was not an option. and after losing 2 stone since xmas I dont want the weight to go back on!

Is there anyone out there who has any tips/comments to my main concern?

Wow! Welcome to the world of runnin

You're doing great already, with the weight loss and getting your walking time down!

The most important thing for you right now is to enjoy running/jogging...whatever you want to call it/however you want to do it...you must enjoy it, coz if you don't then you won't keep it up.

Secondly, and almost as importantly... listen to your body. Run for as long as your body wants to, don't push the limits yet, not until your body starts getting used to the step up from walking. Run 2, walk 2 sounds fine to begin with, go with how you feel.

Lastly, it might be a good idea to have some kind of goal in mind...something to focus on. This could be anything from running Xmile(s) to entering a race in the future sometime. Having a specific goal to aim for will help you to continue on days when you may feel like giving it up...coz we've all had days like that

One more thing....make sure you've got some good running shoes, if you haven't already, go and get some advice from a specialist running shop on what shoes would be best for you. It will help you to avoid injury.

Keep posting

Thanks.

Well we are going to start in a park and aim to do a certain section in a specific time then build up. My BF said that keeping a diary of my times is a good idea.

What about running to music? He also said that can be good as you know the length of the song and the taime it is so you can judge if you have run further etc.

I do have trainers, although I will need a new pair next month. I have been trying to find a pair of trainers that I had when at school that fitted my flat feet brilliantly and I could run like the wind in them - I think they were Nike windrunners or air thingies!!

Welcome to the forum BoxingClever, if your serious about getting into running then as Trinity suggested it's worth going to a proper running shop for your trainers. They will take a look at your feet and recommend the best pair for you. In your case you'll need something suitable for a flat foot with a high level of cushioning I would imagine. If you buy a new pair of Nikes from a 'fashion' sports shop they could lead to an injury.

Yeah, I know. Am going to nip into Run4it soon. Unfortunately due to lack of ££ new trainers have to wait till after pay day! I have a pair of Nike Cross trainer 'things' that I am using at the moment and they will just have to do.

Managed to jog and talk at the same time and did roughly 1000m without stopping, adn did this 3 1/2 times. Wasnt to bad considering im 14.5stone with a fat % of 34 and its the 1st time I have ran for years . We are going to run every other night, and do something like swimming in between and then run in the mornings when we are swimming in evenings. We dont want to burn out though so going to take it easy. I gain muscle very easily though, and currently have VERY large claves from horse riding (19inches of muscle - not fat!), will running help these to go down?

re. calves, depends what type of running you do. Assuming you're going to do distance rather than sprint, then yes, you should develop long, lean muscles fibers which are less bulky. However, make sure you stretch properly as muscles contract after exercise, which makes them bulk up. This being said, morphology does play a part and some people are just born wih more fast twitch fibers than others.

True, but its a very difficult thing to control, its been said that height is not really an issue. Take Meseret Defar, she's only 5 foot tall, but by golly she's fast...:eek: new women's 5,000-meter road record in 14 minutes, 46 seconds !!!! (that's 3 miles!!!!)

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Agreed. Height has nothing to do with it. Some runners are just more bulky than others. Take top male marathon runners like Lel and Kannouchi. Not the same physique, but both fepping fast!