new to running... next steps?

[G's mommy]

:
Hello... I am actually very new to exercise period. I started bicycling with my bike trainer in January, used that for about 5 months religiously, and lost about 30 pounds. Then, since I knew I was committed, we went and bought a great treadmill, and I love it!! I now jog in intervals or do hills on it 4-6 evenings per week, after the kids are in bed. I have maintained my weight loss and feel great! Last week, I wondered if I could run for 30 minutes straight, so I tried it, and I did it!! It was at 4.6 mph and 0 incline, but I did it! I have done it twice more this week and am so proud of myself!!

My eventual goal is to run a local 5k and and a 10k in May and June. My questions are these:

1- I want to eventually transition to the outdoors. I have a feeling it will be much harder (I won't have the pace controlled for me, or the incline, etc). Should I just go out and give it a try sometime?

2-On the treadmill, should I increase the speed or the incline first to get in the best shape. Or a combo of both?

3-Other tips for a new runner?

4-can I be a dingo if I just run on a treadmill?

Thanks for your advice!
:

[calicocj]

Originally Posted by G's mommy

:
Hello... I am actually very new to exercise period. I started bicycling with my bike trainer in January, used that for about 5 months religiously, and lost about 30 pounds. Then, since I knew I was committed, we went and bought a great treadmill, and I love it!! I now jog in intervals or do hills on it 4-6 evenings per week, after the kids are in bed. I have maintained my weight loss and feel great! Last week, I wondered if I could run for 30 minutes straight, so I tried it, and I did it!! It was at 4.6 mph and 0 incline, but I did it! I have done it twice more this week and am so proud of myself!!

YEAH!

1- I want to eventually transition to the outdoors. I have a feeling it will be much harder (I won't have the pace controlled for me, or the incline, etc). Should I just go out and give it a try sometime?

Yes! give it a shot! maybe start out on a hard packed dirt or grass trail if possible as a softer surface. Listen to your body and keep your feeling of exertion about the same as the treadmill.

2-On the treadmill, should I increase the speed or the incline first to get in the best shape. Or a combo of both?

I'd try first to increase distance for a while til you're feeling really comfortable, then start doing intervals where you increase speed or distance for a few minutes, walk or very slow jog for a few minutes, repeat a few times... but only do this 1x a week to start. you will start to naturally speed up the more you run!

3-Other tips for a new runner?

just take it slow and easy and take walk breaks as needed! listen to your body and don't run in pain. if you haven't already, make sure you get fitted at a specialty running store for the right shoes for your feet and gait

4-can I be a dingo if I just run on a treadmill?

YES!! Come join! We all do what works best for us!

[CathToria]

IME, if you can run 30 min straight in a training run, you could do a 5K raceno problem. I find that I can easliy run about 50% more than "normal" in a race.. b/c of the environment

[GoBecGo]

If you set your treadmill to 1% incline for a week or two for ALL your runs (will be hard at first) you will find the transition to outdoor running easier. It can get your hams and glutes because the TM moves your foot back for you, whereas on the road you need to push off.

You could do a 5k now if you can run continuously for 30mins, by next year you'll be able to really do yourself justice. You go lady!!!

[kate~mom]

i hate the dreadmill, so i have no advice on those questions, but you can certainly be a dingo. :

[bec]

Like the others have said, just listen to your body! Yes, outside will be harder, but don't worry about speed right now. If you can get the distance, the speed will follow. Then, you can worry about interval and speed training.

Oh, and you can totally be a dingo!!!:

[kamesennin]

How about going to a high school track after school hours? The track running surface is nice and bouncy, and it won't hurt like the concrete sidewalks. Plus you can keep track of your distance with laps. I can't wait until I lose enough weight to start running!

[pumpkinseed]

Come on over and join the dingos-we are a supportive bunch with running and life

[G's mommy]

thanks everybody!!!

I have been really enjoying running... it is not easy, but I am liking the challenge!! I can't wait to see how much progress I can make by next May/June!!