First time jogging!

So i got all dressed to go to the gym, got my bag, got my drink, got in my car and took off...and about half a mile from my house I got a crazy thought...I wanted to jog!  It's too nice outside (not too sunny, nice and cool) to be inside a boring gym for 45 minutes...so I turned around and went back home and took off jogging.  And DAMN it kicked my ass!  I was out for about 35 minutes (20 of which was jogging) and it really hammered me.  Anyone have any tips for first time joggers?  I know it will get easier and easier, but any tips?  I'm thinking of buying some run specific shoes now that I'll actually be running (my $10 walmart gym shoes just wont cut it, haha).

Oh, and I swear I sounded like a herd of buffalo when I was out there...is that normal?  I tried to tread a little lighter, but couldnt help it.  I AM 193 lbs, afterall...not like I can be quiet as a mouse.  Anyways, thanks for any help!

I keep telling myself it will get easier but it doesnt seem too! Saroful has put links on the June challeng to some good sites for running.......

*would be interested as well*
*jogged for a mere 10.5 minutes and it hammered me for a good hour or so.. maybe more, depending on if I'm sore tommorow as well*

good shoes help with the "buffalo factor!"

If you jogged for 20 minutes, you've done over a mile.  So... think about how far a mile is and how long it takes you to drive there.  You've done some work!

Hey saro, I asked you in my journal, but I'll ask you here as well.

Obviously new to the jogging thing. Do you think switching off DDR and Jogging is too much? Am I being unrealistic in my capacity to work hard? :)

Thanks about the buffalo hint!  I'm goin on vacation soon and, with my car, dont have a ton of money on shoes...but maybe I can use a credit card (cause I know I need em).  I think I'll go a few more times though to see if I really like it though.  I had fun tonight and really enjoyed myself, but we'll see  if thats sustainable.  And yeah, I think in all I walked/jogged almost 2 miles...which is GREAT for me.  Might be a good time to invest in an mp3 player too...

but hkellick, how bout it...I was goin for about 5 minutes and my breathing started getting ragged.  I can go on an elliptical for half an hour and not breath heavy.  Kinda funny how that works out!

*NODNOD* I can do an HOUR of DDR, but 10 minutes of jogging and I'm wiped out.
Go fig, I guess.

You really need to get running shoes, and don't cheap out...you will benefit by getting good ones.  If you don't have proper shoes your ankles, knees, back and all else will suffer. 

*If you do walking and running intervals that should help your body get used to a run.  Worked for me.

What Mellissabee posted.

Intervals are a great way to build running endurance.  If you go to the June Challenge link, check out the "couch to 5k" program.  It has a good beginners runner plan.  ETA:  That is on the "coolrunning.com" site, here: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/index .shtml

Also, cross training on a bicycle can be a good way to improve your running ability, too.

Good luck and have fun! I'm new to running, too.  Just got back from a 3 mi jog!

How much are good shoes?  I don't wanna spend $100 bucks.

Thanks for the good news about intervals.  Cause that's exactly what I did, and from what I heard, it doesn't take TOO long to just going all jogging.  I'm kinda excited about this now.  I think my main problem with it was always being self-conscious about my weight and people seeing me jog...but now that I'm down to a decent weight, I don't mind as much.  I passed by quite a few people and didn't get ONE strange look :)

heehee I'm in the same boat as you guys... err on the same track LOL  I went out for a run again tonite.   My 3rd day running!   I still feel like an idiot.   I'm thinking to myself 'ok, how do I tell the lady up ahead with the surburban sized stroller that I need to go around her?'  What if she hears me gasping and wheezing cuz my breathing sounds like I'm dieing?'   'what if I try to go around her and she's walking almost as fast as I'm trying to run?'   

I already spent around $200 on different shorts, shoes, sports bras etc, just so I look like I'm dressed for the part and I'm not trying to run away from a wild animal.   I was able to find a pair of Nike Air "Maddie Max" running shoes for under $30.  They feel pretty good; I have room for my toes and my heel is good and snug.   Someday maybe I'll graduate to a better shoe, but I thought for just trying this out, I didn't want to spend big bucks on just shoes. 

I have a route in my head that is my goal by the end of the month.  I think that loop would be about 5 miles.   It will be a while before I can do that!

Which also reminds me...anyone know a good way to track distance? 
I go on a bicycle/walking path and there's no markers.  I'm not
really concerned with distance (more on TIME spent running) but it
would be great to know.  I've thought about a pedometer, but those
things are so damn inaccurate.

Shoes are really important for running and your feet will hate you pretty quickly if you do not have proper foot attire. If you make it past the 3 week period of continuing to run - you might be wise to make a purchase - and it may not be as much as what you think.

A lot of running stores have last years stock that they try to clear out so you might be able to get some deals - also - make sure you go to a Running store - specifically for runners - the people in these stores are usully trained to measure gait and pronation etc - and help you decide which is the best shoe.

Running is great - plus what I do - I run incognito ( I am a little self conscious too). I wear my ballcap - sunglasses and to block everybody out - I wear my IPOD. I am in a world of great music and I can't hear / nor care what anybody thinks.  Might be silly to some - but it works for me....

I use google maps and map what intersections I visited.   Otherwise it's all guesstimates.

What's a good running shoe store that I would know of?  We've got
a few shoe stores around here, but I have no idea if they specialize in
that.  Probably not a place like foot locker, huh?

Congrats on getting out there to run!  finewine58--I find that listening to music helps me keep track of how long I've been running.  Since songs are about 4 minutes long, I just see how many songs have played at the end of my run and do the math.  ASICS have some great running shoe, but they're expensive (worth it though)  I went to the Walking Company and they had this machine which determined the areas on my feet that I put the most stress on and the salesperson made me run to determine what my gate and steps were like.  Oh, and if you have a pair of old running shoes, you could bring those into the store so they can see where the tread has worn off.

It does take time, but keep it up!  I started running in January and could barely finish a mile without stopping...and now I'm up to 10. 

I went to Finish Line and they had a bunch of shoes for me to try.   They seem kinda popular.   Check out the Store Locator to see if there's one near you.

finewine and nymo-

mapmyrun.com is your friend.  go map some distances! use the hybrid map feature so you can see landmarks!  my bike paths that I run on aren't marked as roads, but I can see them on the satellite image and can map my distances that way!

"on your left" or "on your right" works as well for runners passing as it does for bicyclists.

Try citysearch for your area to find a running store.  They can fit you for shoes.

HK, you're going to have to be your own judge- you can run sore, but not in pain.  You probably know the difference by now, sore is that feeling that will stretch out, in pain is no good.  You seem to be DDR'ing with no trouble, so adding in a run every other day shouldn't hurt, but again, you need to just listen to your body.

The real expert here is neeners, she drops in over at the Maintaining forum and is training for th eLake Placid Ironman next month.  The lady is hardcore!

The thing about running is, while it's wonderful, I can't really say what part feels "good" about it.  But at this point I feel the same at 6 miles as I do at 3, that's the endurance factor.  unfortunately, that means if I'm running tired and cranky, I can be tired and cranky for twice as long!

You guys will be amazed at how fast the endurance build up.  My first run that I'm counting towards training was in January.  I ran 3 miles, and I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs for the rest of the day.  2 days later I ran a mile.  next day, another mile... and by the next weekend, I ran 4 miles and was not nearly as sore as I was when I finished the 3.  It builds fast, but don't push too hard.  check the coolrunnings site posted above for some beginner training schedules.  run more slowly than you think you should at first and you can run much longer.  that's the worst beginner mistake, thinking tha tyou have to run like something's chasing you!  it's much more like the long jog you see wolves doing, that ground-eating pace that can go forever.

and, good job, everyone! good job! You're running!

A good beginners gauge is about 8 miles in 9 or 10 minutes. Many of the runners I hang with go about a mile in less than 8 minutes on an average run. When i first started doing mixed training (running/biking); I was doing about 1 mile every 9 minutes, im at about 1 mile every 8 right now.

With running I noticed that once you reach your break point and continue you can run a lot longer at a decent pace; if your to the point where you wouldn't be able to talk to a running partner because of lack of breath (or to yourself) you may be pushing a bit too much.

I think running/ jogging is much much harder than using the elliptical, at least initially.  But the benefits can be much greater, too. You can run anywhere, anytime, almost.  Hard to drag an elliptical machine around with ya... If you keep going, slowly, you'll get to be pretty good.

Don't cheap on the shoes, whatever you do.  You don't need the most expensive pair, just the RIGHT pair.  Find the store that all the serious runners use, go in, and get fitted properly.  Your entire body will thank you.  Nothing is worse than wrecked ankles, bad arches, sore knees, and aching hips because your shoes are not right for you.  If you have a "Fleet Feet" store near you, they are usually good.  Avoid like the plague those stupid Footlocker stores in the mall. Those fools just want to sell you the priciest shoe and get you outta there.

You could also try the ShoeDog to see what might be a good shoe for you.

Thanks for the advice!