Afternoon all!

My names Mark and i'm 24(nearly 25) and from Oxford

I been browsing these forums for a while trying to learn about the best way to run and am going to go on my first run tonight so am pretty excited.
I used to be quite active but the last couple of years i have found myself slacking by sitting on the computer playing games or going down the pub and drinking too much but i'm finally determined to make a stand and get myself back on track.

Anyway any suggestions for my first run would be fantastic!

Loaded Iphone with plenty of running songs to keep me entertained and will be tracking my progress with Run keeper which i have heared a few people use here so i thought i would give it a whirl

Thanks all!

Welcome Mark and good luck on your first run! Be sure not to overdo it.. Better to run for a bit leaving you wanting for more for the next workout than overdoing it with a possibility of getting injured and starting to hate running.

__________________
TARGETS
21,1k in < 1.30.00 (by December '10) (progress)
5k in < 21.00 (done, 20.05) --> 5k in < 20.00
10k in < 43.00 (done, 42.53) --> 10k in < 42.00

Welcome Mark. How many miles do you plan on doing for your first run?

__________________
Goals for 2010
Sub 27 minute 5k by the end of year, almost there with 27.07
1000 miles run by the end of the year
To beat my current HM PB of 2.16
My justgiving page: http://www.justgiving.com/Lisa-Preston0

Stick with it, I suffered lots and lots of injuries which severely affected my love for running but rest when you need to and you'll learn to love it.

Too be honest Twinnie i'm unsure. I don't consider myself majorly unfit but i have never tried running as an exercise before as i'm used to cycling Also as basd said i don't want to over do it.
I'm going to try an ease myself in by jogging with walk breaks inbetween(does that sound lazy?) i'm hoping for a mile and then see how i feel.

Does that sound ok do you think?

That sounds fine. Even if you feel good after a mile be careful you don't overdo it. Of course it's not lazy to take walk breaks, goodness we have all been there, even the best on here have had to start somewhere.

Good luck and come back and let us know how you got on.

__________________
Goals for 2010
Sub 27 minute 5k by the end of year, almost there with 27.07
1000 miles run by the end of the year
To beat my current HM PB of 2.16
My justgiving page: http://www.justgiving.com/Lisa-Preston0

*waves*

Hey there Mark.. welcome

I am with Lisa on this one.. starting slow and steady regardless of previous sport fitness is the best option... listen to your body and not your head.. you will be using different muscles running and the impact on your joints will be increased...

Enjoy your first run!! Keep us posted.

__________________
New Challenge
Sub 2hr Half
http://www.justgiving.com/LAURA-THAIN

Thanks for the information everyone.

Sorry i have another question aswell. Is it ok to run on a daily basis or will this damage leg muscle?

Thanks

Hi Mark, welcome to RF!

Good luck with your run - walk breaks are definitely the way to go - have you thought about following a program? Hrun has got one for beginners (there's a link at the bottom of his signature on all his posts) or there are loads of 'couch to 5k' and similar ones on line.

As to running every day? For experienced runners I'd say it's not a problem as they can follow hard training days with easy recovery runs. When you're starting out all running is training so I'd either rest in between running days or walk.

__________________
Blessed are the cracked for they let in the light.

Races: Santa 5k Llandysilio - 13/12/09 - COMPLETED 32.18
A sub-2.5hrs Half before end of 2010! (challenged by twinnies)

I'm back from my first run which i was going for 20 minutes running with walks inbetween and heres my stats:

Time: 21:38
Total KM: 3.04
Avg min/km: 7:07

KM 1: 6:34
KM 2: 6:34
KM 3: 7:52

Unsure if that was a good start or not but it feels great. I'm going to see how i feel tommorow and do it again if my muscles ain't aching.

What do you think?
Thanks all!

Hello and welcome, Markeeb

You averaged that with running/walking?
that's really good! If you run just a little bit slower I am sure you can run all the way for those 3km!

Well done Mark, great first run

__________________
Goals for 2010
Sub 27 minute 5k by the end of year, almost there with 27.07
1000 miles run by the end of the year
To beat my current HM PB of 2.16
My justgiving page: http://www.justgiving.com/Lisa-Preston0

Thanks! The problem i was having was when i would go slow i would feel like i'm going too slow and speed up then have to walk a bit. Just got to find the balance point i guess.

The top of my thighs hurt a tiny bit today but still going to have another go this evening and even my Mrs wants to come out too!

I appriciate the help and support from you peeps!

Thanks Twinnies!