starting from absolute scratch

I can't offer much advice about any uneven leg differences, that is out of my area. However I can
suggest a standard plan to get going that has worked from many many people and it is free and does
not require you to buy a thing.

Basically you want to start walking and then move up as you body allows.

Consider getting a physical and a real pair of running shoes from a real running store.

Walk 30 minutes, run a little, like one minute out of ever five (ok 10 paces is good if that is
the best you can handle) if you feel up to it and walk quickly. Do that a few times. If you body
is still ok, then start running more and walking less. The goal is to be able to run for the
full 30 minutes. It is not important to be able to run fast. You should notice that you are
going a little further as time goes on. During this time you should be doing this three to five
times a week. More is counter productive and less will mean very slow improvement.

After you can run the full 30 minutes you will then start trying to add distance/time. By this
time you should have a pair of real running shoes, not just athletic shoes. Your best bet here
is to visit a real running store, not your local do everything sporting goods store or a general
shoe store. Choosing the right shoe is more than just what feels good in the store. You should
looking to be running somewhere around three miles or a little less in those 30-40 minutes. You
are now ready for your first race a
5K.

After that you want to add additional distance, but don't add more than 5-10% in any one week;
it could promote injuries, your body needs time to get ready. You also will want to pick at
least one day to run a short buy fast distance and one day for a longer than usual run.

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

"Tanya Quinn" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hopefully newbie questions are welcome here, and an absolute newbie I am I want to learn how to
> run, and I'm really starting from ground zero. I could never run more than a few metres as a kid
> without getting pains in my side, and I was always absolute last at any sport involving running,
> and often I wouldn't even be able to participate in some running things (just could not keep
> going) My main problem I believe was my legs were an uneven length which affected my gait while
> walking as well - I would turn a foot inwards. I believe my legs are still slightly uneven but
> walking is much improved.
>
> Now I'm not a kid anymore (I'm 30) and want to learn how to run. My goal is to be able to
> participate in a short triathlon - so I think those are 7-10 K runs? (5 miles) I'm in fairly good
> shape as I cycle pretty regularly (2000-2500 km or so a year) so I've also built up some leg
> muscle now to the point where I don't think running will be totally painful. Obviously I could
> walk/run the running part but I would like to doing more running than walking
>
> Any tips for getting started? I have tried running for very short spurts while outside on normal
> walking activities. (run for the bus..) etc. So far I can't seem to be able to go more than about
> 100 paces or so without getting out of breath. Maybe I'm breathing wrong because I don't get so
> easily winded cycling. If I go the 100 and then walk for a while I'll only be able to do about
> half of that the next time and gradually downwards until I'm walking the rest of the way. Although
> I don't get pains in the side and my legs aren't sore, so that's a start. Knees hurt slightly (I
> also get some knee pain normally walking up stairs etc.) Occasionally it just feels like all my
> weight on my behind (and there's not that much there, I'm fairly slim) is just bouncing up and
> down painfully as I go.
>
> Should I invest in a decent pair of running shoes at this point? (right now all I have is some
> Diesel sneakers) I think New Balance is the only brand that makes them in my size (large narrow
> feet) but I don't know what kind of support is best. Or wait until I'm able to do a bit better at
> this first. I'd like to practice on my own for now - probably from the I can't run at all message
> that was ingrained into me as a kid I don't think I could keep up at a beginner running class.
>
> Any tips for motivation, places to run, etc. would be good. Should I just take a watch and see how
> far I can get in X minutes running and walking? I need some kind of progress measure to see that
> I'm improving.
>
> thanks! Tanya

In article <[email protected]>, Tanya Quinn wrote:

> Any tips for getting started? I have tried running for very short spurts while outside on normal
> walking activities. (run for the bus..) etc. So far I can't seem to be able to go more than about
> 100 paces or so without getting out of breath. Maybe I'm breathing wrong because I don't get so
> easily winded cycling.

S l o w d o w n .

It's because you're running too fast. If you cycle at close to your maximum speed, you will get
winded quickly too. Beginners often run very close to their max, and having never paced themselves
for a long run, they simply do not understand how much you need to slow down to comfortably run for
a long period of time.

> Any tips for motivation, places to run, etc. would be good. Should I just take a watch and see how
> far I can get in X minutes running and walking?

No, you shouldn't. Just run at a slow pace. Speed is largely irrelevant at this stage. Once you can
run 10 miles without getting winded, you can worry about speed. Until then, just focus on running
(and not walking) at a slow and steady pace.

For example, one of my friends took up running a while back. She's been focusing entirely on slow
steady runs, with the occasional race as a test, and a way to stay focused/motivated (4 races this
year). This approach has worked very well.

> I need some kind of progress measure to see that I'm improving.

If you're a beginner, you are improving. If you want to measure performance, your best bet would be
to enter the occasional race, and use these to test yourself. The rest of the time, you should focus
on building up your endurance.

Cheers,
--
Donovas Rebbechi http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

Starting from scratch, huh? Does this mean you'll be crapping in a diaper, and learning to use
silverware again, or just the jogging part?

On 3 Oct 2003 16:18:41 -0700, [email protected] (Tanya Quinn) wrote:

>Hopefully newbie questions are welcome here, and an absolute newbie I am I want to learn how to
>run, and I'm really starting from ground zero. I could never run more than a few metres as a kid
>without <snip>

Put one foot in front of the other, and if you ask me "how to breathe" i'll kick your ass.

Bill S. "Phasers on full Mr Spock?

Tanya Quinn wrote in message
<[email protected]>...
>Any tips for getting started? I have tried running for very short spurts while outside on normal
>walking activities. (run for the bus..) etc. So far I can't seem to be able to go more than about
>100 paces or so without getting out of breath.
>
>thanks! Tanya

It sounds like you can run. As for as different length legs, well, from what I've heard, even Bill
Rodgers has those.

If I had it to do all over again, I mean starting for the first time, I'd hit the weight room first
and do some leg work. After I started doing that, my hill times dropped real quick.

Not only will weight training help your with endurance a bit, it will help prevent injuries and some
of the fastest runner I know of hit the weights.

If you want a distance to show you've improved, you can probably use a track for that, and choose
any length from 100 meters to 1600 meters.

Happy running.

-2k

"Donovan Rebbechi" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
> > I need some kind of progress measure to see that I'm improving.
>
> If you're a beginner, you are improving. If you want to measure
performance, your best bet would be to enter the occasional race, and use these to test yourself.
>

And if you do, do NOT worry about "being slow". You'll have company back there, and plenty of
encouragement. bj

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! (well most everyone) I'll let you know how it goes.