Running

I have decided to take the challenge. I want to become a runner. NOw I just need help from you guys.

First can someone recommend an accurate running calculator ( you knowo the kind where you put in your location and map your route)I found one through yahoo and one through Nike, but they gave me different mileage.

Second where can I find a good training program for a total beginner.  Next can I consider a walk/jog workout cardio?

Lastly some motivation! Once I get a schedule and training program set, hopefully gonna start walking my route tomorrow and start training Sunday, I would like to set up a group for beginners like me. I would like to walk/run a mile at least three ddays a week. By the end of the month I would like to be running it and increase a mile a month. Also if anyone can provide some cold weather running tips, I live in Il and don't have access to a gym and I don't want to stop running just when I'm getting good!

Thanks all

Jess

Oh yeah lol Nutrition if another factor, my runs will be in the afternoons most days, except when my mum if off work then I can run early morning. So what should I be eating to keep up my energy and how long should I wait to run after eating.

I recommend www.maymyrun.com to plan out your course. If you sign up you can also track your mileage each time you run. I've never checked the accuracy against anything else, but certified races post their courses on the site so I figure it's got to be fairly close.

A lot of people like the couch to 5k program. It's designed to take people that don't run and work up to 5 kilometers (3.1 miles). There are several similar programs, just google it. Trainers say you should not increase your mileage more than 10% in any one week.

Living in Texas we don't get much really cold weather so I'm not much help. One thing about running in the cold is that because you are exercising you should dress as if the temperature was 15-20 degrees warmer than what it really is.  Runners World Magazine has an online section where you put in the temp. and they suggest what to wear.  One world about gear. Get some good high-quality running shoes. You will notice a difference.

Distance runners follow a high-carb diet. Carbs help you store energy for long runs. Running a mile I don't think you would notice one way or another but as you add miles you will want to add carbs to your diet. Different people react differently to food before a run. Me, I can down a pretty big meal, wait 30 minutes and go run for two hours. Others get sick with just a little bit of food in their stomach. Try different stuff and see how you react. Bananas are a favorite of distance runners. They are high in carbs and digest easily.

Good luck!

Hi Jess,  I used  www.runningmap.com to plan my routes when I first started.  I now have a Garmin watch which has a GPS tracker that is quite accurate.  I have used both on the same ran and found they had very close results.  (less tha .5% difference) 

I also recommend a couch to 5k program also known as C25K. I am in Canada and we have Running Room stores which provide different clinics. www.runningroom.com    It was the best thing I ever did.  The clinic consisted of in-class sessions and then a training run after.  The in-class sessions covered clothing, nutrition, running, shoes, gate, safety, injury prevention and more.   If you go to their web site they have on-line versions.  It might give you ideas as what to look for.  There is a price but it got me started and I am now going to run my first full marathon this weekend. 13 months ago I couldn't run 300feet without being out of breath.

Last winter was my first time running in cold weather.  John is right, you always want to dress as if it is 10c/15f warmer.  It is really important to dress in layers so that if you get warmer or it gets colder, you can adjust by taking off/putting on a layer.   My best piece of winter clothing is my running jacket.  I is bright yellow with under arm zippers, longer back tail, and reflective tape. 

In the winter you may also have to deal with darkness.  It is really important to have bright and reflective clothing so people can see you.  In December I even have a small flashing red light that clips to my jacket.

The most important piece of advice I can give is to make sure you get fitted for a proper pair of running shoes.  The good news is you are in the US so you can purchase really good shoes at a much lower cost than I can here in Canada. (Every time I go to the States I usually bring back a new pair of running shoes haha)

As for food I would say that you should always try to eat well. Running takes energy and food provides that energy to your body.  For runs under 10k/ 6mils all you need is water.  For longer runs food plays a role but you first want to work on keeping hygrated.  

As to know how much and how soon before a run you can eat is a personal thing.  For me I don't like to eat 2 hours before I run.  The best thing is to start out not eating before running and try eating closer to your run each time.   You will find that there are many things to experiment with when training.  I am still learning how to drink and run at the same time. (not as easy as people make it look )

If I learned anything over the past year that is running is a fantastic sport and it changes people's lives for the better.   Good luck

Congratulations, Jess_Sun, on making the decision to become a runner!  Running changed my life completely.  I got basically fit about six years ago by biking (thanks, dad!), but it wasn't until I started running that everything just snapped into focus: suddenly it was very obvious when I was eating too much or not sleeping enough because I couldn't run.  I adjusted my schedule around running, and it's much more stable now.  My stress levels plummeted (though that probably also had something to do with finishing graduate school, too).  My fitness level increased exponentially, and I had a lot more energy.  I've kept it up and yesterday I ran 4 miles in 36:45.  In the grand scheme of things it's not a great time, but I'm proud of it! 

I love running, and I hope you'll love it, too!  For some motivation/running philosophy, you might pick up Haruki Murakami's new memoir What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.  Murakami didn't start running until he was 33, after over a decade of smoking and drinking (he was a club owner and bartender from the time he was 19).  He's run a marathon a year for the past fifteen years, and he talks a lot about how running has affected other areas of his life, such as his work ethic and creativity.  It's a simple book, but a good read.

jess_sun, the couch to 5k program is very popular, but some find it too ambitious and can't keep it up.  if you're interested, there's a program in my journal that you're welcome to cut and paste.  it measures run time in seconds rather than minutes at the beginning, and you may find it more suitable.

for mapping my routes, i use google earth, because most of the other programs i've looked at only show roads.  google earth shows trail systems (at least it shows my trail system; if you're running in a rain forest, it might now work as well). 

i also posted this thread on winter running a couple of weeks ago.  it didn't get a lot of responses, but there's some useful information about gear in there.  i'm planning a trip to mountain equipment co-op in the next few weeks to get some new cold-weather and reflective clothes, and i'll be ordering yaktrax soon, too.  i'm also shopping for waterproof trail runners and wool running socks.

if you do start a beginning runners group, i'd love to join.  i'm trying to get up to 15 - 20k/week (that's about 9-12 miles), but so far my body seems to like a run-one-day, walk-two schedule, so i'm only averaging 10-15k.  but i walk at least 4k on off days, so i'm doing all right.

Hi Jess, good for you!  I LOVE running even though I'm otherwise TREMENDOUSLY lazy.  There are many days I have to force myself to get out and actually start running, but once I get going I feel so much better both mentally and physically.

I use www.MapMyRun.com and I think it's fairly accurate (I've measured some of my routes by car and the distances pretty much match up).

I don't know much about training programs, but I think it's really important to start out easy.  When you're just starting out, running can be really hard and--for me anyway--if something is painful or not fun, I'm less likely to continue doing it.  I would suggest not pushing yourself too hard at first -  run/walk if you need to until you build up some distance and stamina.  After a week or two you'll notice you're already in better shape and it'll actually feel good and be fun, and it only gets better from there if you stay with it. 

I know Illinois gets REALLY cold in the winter, and I don't know have much experience there.  I would say wear layers and maybe warm up a little before you go out - maybe by doing some jumping jacks inside.  I would definitely wear a scarf or something over my mouth and nose to warm up the air you breathe in.   

Good luck!

As you can see by all the great (albeit, long) replies you got, runners are very passionate!

When I first started running, which was only the beginning of the summer, I HATED it. But as my lungs and muscles and everything started to get into shape, I soon fell in love. 

Distance running is a beautiful thing. It's relaxing and you can just...think. As I have quite a bit of weight to lose, I'm doing more difficult things like resistance and interval training but even still...you hit that place where you think you're just going to DIE but then...if you give it a few more minutes...well then honey you have arrived. =] 

As for dressing, I recommend something light that protects you from the wind like the wind breaker stuff adidas makes. Also one of those fuzzy ear muff/head bands for your ears because cold wind in your ears is VERY uncomfortable. 

Other than that...enjoy! And welcome to the club. ;-]

just wanted to say good luck. i started running in january with a training goal of a 10 miler in march, i have a half marathon under my belt a bunch of 5ks, doing another half next weekend and trying the full marathon in nov.  having another race to train for really helps me to stay motivated. 

my advice, don't do too much too fast. you might think you can do more than you can cause you just get excited. take it slow. i started out a mile at a time and i just completed a 21 mile run last sunday! 

you can also go for time not distance. i bought a book by runners world specific to women that i found especially helpful. also, you might find that your hunger increases, watch your calories! my main reason for joining CC was that i was running, but not enough to keep up with the appetite that it was creating. ever since i saw those meters, i get it!!!

try to find a runners club in your neighborhood. i live in a city so it's pretty easy to find a group, but who's to say you can't start one yourself.  having someone to log your miles with helps.

i have the nike+. it's pretty cool but i don't rely on it for accuracy, but i also don't have nike+ shoes. like today, i ran the treadmill and it said 4 miles, the nike+ said 3, but my outdoor runs when i compare them to a mileage map are pretty similar.

it's all a matter of finding what is right for you....